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THE UNIVERSITY OF QUEENSLAND
Island Research Stations Newsletter 2016
CRICOS Provider Number 00025B
A curious resident of the Pisonia forest at Heron Island Research Station - a Silvereye - E. Perkins
Newsletter 2016
Published November 2016
HIRS Station Manager
Dr Elizabeth Perkins
MBRS Station Manager
Mr Kevin Townsend
Heron Island Research Station
Heron Island
via Gladstone QLD 4680
Ph: +61 7 4978 1399
Email: [email protected]
Moreton Bay Research Station
PO Box 138,
Dunwich QLD, 4183
Ph: +61 7 3409 9058
Email: [email protected]
Senior Manager; Research
Facilities and Infrastructure
Dr Clint Chapman
Email: [email protected]
Research Facilities Project Officer
Ms Lucy Hurrey
Email: [email protected]
Cover images: Brown Lake reflections - L. Trippett; a close up with seasnake - E. Perkins; an epaulette shark in the shallows at
Heron Island - E. Perkins; booby on a channel marker off Heron Island - E. Perkins; a Noddy Tern resting in a Casuarina - M.
Purdie.
ISLAND RESEARCH STATIONS
Heron Island Research Station
Moreton Bay Research Station
Situated on the southern Great Barrier Reef, 80 km offshore from
the city of Gladstone, Heron Island Research Station (HIRS) is the
oldest and largest marine research station on the Reef. With crystal
clear water and near pristine conditions, the Station provides easy and
direct access to the marine environment.
Moreton Bay Research Station (MBRS) is located 40 kilometres east
of Brisbane on the Moreton Bay side of North Stradbroke Island,
providing direct access to the waters of Moreton Bay and the Pacific
Ocean as well as the unique terrestrial environments of the 27,700
hectare sand island.
Owned and operated by The University of Queensland, HIRS is
internationally renowned for coral reef research and student training in
marine sciences. Facilities and equipment rarely found in an offshore
facility combined with its enviable position on the world’s largest reef
make HIRS the ideal location for climate change research.
Lying on the convergence of the eastern Australian sub-tropical and
temperate zones, North Stradbroke Island and the surrounding waters
support an incredibly diverse range of terrestrial, coastal and marine
ecosystems on which to base research and education activities.
The Station caters to Australian and international researchers and
education groups, offering modern wet and dry laboratories, indoor
and outdoor aquaria, a large animal holding tank, separate research
and teaching laboratories, seminar facilities, a library, computer room
and extensive boating and diving facilities. A permanent staff of eleven
are available to provide scientific and education services, boating,
diving and technical support.
Heron Island Research Station, a world class research, conference and
teaching facility located on the doorstep of the magnificent Great Barrier Reef
- OMC
Also owned and operated by The University of Queensland, the
research station offers accommodation for up to 96 guests in a range
of accommodation styles. Modern research laboratories, teaching
space and lecture theatres, boating facilities and a fabulous location
attract visiting scientists and academics from around the world each
year. The permanent staff of five are available to assist with planning
your visit and provide scientific and boating support as required.
Moreton Bay Research Station, uniquely positioned and easily accessible for
field or laboratory based research, conferences, workshops and educational
groups - OMC
HIRS MANAGER’S REPORT
Once again through 2016 we enjoyed the
company of a vast range of researchers and
educational groups, many of them familiar
faces and a few new ones as well. There were
all the regular challenges of running a remote
facility with an ever changing population and,
as always, a few new challenges to keep us
on our toes.
Facility improvement was a big focus this
year in terms of equipment, processes and
even a new staff position. We appointed an
Education Officer, Lauren Bailey, who joined
the team in July. Her experience brings
immense strength and capacity for expanding
the station’s education capabilities, while
forging stronger links between educational
groups, researchers and the Heron Island
community. Follow us on Instagram (@
heron_island_research_station) to stay
updated as new initiatives are developed and
find out how you can get involved.
Making our processes more efficient for
clients is always a focus for the station. This
year we implemented online inductions
to allow clients to complete the induction
process prior to arrival. This change means
we can provide a greater focus on individual
needs upon arrival.
Reviewing the fleet of vessels available to
clients has been an ongoing process through
2016. We can now announce that one of the
Southwind vessels is to be replaced with a
rigid hull inflatable style vessel, specifically
for research purposes. We expect delivery
and implementation of this new addition early
in 2017.
Heron Island has a long history of human
impact on the environment. The research
station is always looking for new ways to
reduce our footprint while maintaining the
important research and education activities
that occur here. This year we joined UQ
Sustainability’s Green Office Program and
rolled out some new initiatives. See the
News section of the newsletter for further
information.
We are always looking to the future, with
plans already underway for activities for 2017
and 2018. We look forward to seeing you on
Heron again soon to share these exciting
new initiatives with you.
Shorebird looking for dinner in the shallows - M. Purdie
ELIZABETH PERKINS
Station Manager,
Heron Island Research Station
MBRS MANAGER’S REPORT
2016
has been an exciting year for
MBRS, with the addition of new labs, new
researchers, and generous philanthropic
donations. We have also had the honour
of hosting several prestigious teaching and
research workshops.
Our long running postgraduate teaching
course, the Australian Course for Advanced
Neuroscience (ACAN), just celebrated its
eleventh anniversary. Founded by Australian
Chief Scientist and philanthropist Dr Alan
Finkel, the course has recently changed
institutes from ANU to UQ’s Queensland
Brain Institute. The director and course
coordinator, Professor Stephen Williams, has
worked closely with MBRS and P&F to help
us to install our very first PCI and PC2 labs.
The addition of these labs has increased
our capacity to attract a broader range of
researchers and teaching groups.
The first four recipients of the ‘MBRS
Scholarships in partnership with Sibelco
Australia’ have been awarded in 2016,
covering topics as wide as hydrodynamics
of North Stradbroke Island through to the
identification of new fish parasites. This
Humphead dolphin in the Bay - E. Hawkins
scholarship, along with the Honours, PhD
and Community Research Scholarships, has
given us an influx of twelve new postgraduate
researchers.
Long-term industry partner Dr Geoff Nette
from Independent Marine Biochemical
Research (IMBCR) has generously donated
over $30k of scientific equipment to the
station. This equipment, along with his annual
gift to the Indigenous Science Scholarship,
makes IMBCR one of our longest and most
generous supporters.
We hosted teachers from the Australian
Science Teachers Association and the
Marine Teachers Association of Queensland.
In both instances, we incorporated
professional development training for the
participants, taking them into the field and
introducing them to a wide range of scientific
field techniques and methodologies.
It is always a joy and a privilege to work with
the clients of MBRS and we look forward to
welcoming you back in 2017.
KEVIN TOWNSEND
Station Manager,
Moreton Bay Research Station
HIRS RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS IN 2016
University of Oxford researcher Erik Sandvig measures the tiny beak of a baby Silvereye - L.
Bailey
Assessing interactions between the freshwater
lens, vegetation and atmosphere - L. Bailey
Once again, HIRS saw a diverse group of
researchers pass through the Station in 2016
showcasing the breadth of research that can
be carried out from the facility.
airborne imaging technology to survey the
world’s coral reefs, measure their condition
and understand this in relation to their
environment. The team visited Heron Island
to conduct some in-water validation of their
data.
Focussing lens on freshwater
Many visitors might not realise that a precious
freshwater lens exists under the island. This
year, we welcomed a UQ Civil Engineering
research group who are focussing on this
vital resource. Keep an eye out for the
experiment, investigating the interactions
between the freshwater lens, vegetation and
atmosphere, marked by solar panels, as you
are walking through the Pisonia forest.
The situation is hotting up
Following a year of intense bleaching across
the northern Great Barrier Reef (GBR),
bleaching studies are extremely important
tool, helping us to predict future events.
Laura Stoltenberg and team moving sampling
equipment into place on the reef flat - L. Bailey
Associate Professor Bill Leggat spent some
time at the station subjecting corals from
Heron to conditions similar to what the
northern GBR experienced this year. They
are trying to find out how much heat stress
corals can endure before they can no longer
recover. The work was featured on the ABC
program Catalyst.
Dissolving time
PhD candidate Laura Stoltenberg from
Southern Cross University has been a
monthly visitor this year. Laura is conducting
a temporal study looking at changes in
dissolution of calcium carbonate sediments
on coral reefs through time to predict future
responses to climate change stressors.
Lift off for airborne imagery
The Coral Reef Airborne Laboratory, a NASA
field campaign, have been using advanced
Put another shrimp in the aquaria
Researchers from the Systematic and
Evolution Group of the University of Alberta
made themselves at home on HIRS during
a long term comparative and experimental
studies of shrimp morphology and
development. Using the station’s extensive
aquaria system they were able to perform
rearing/regeneration and growth studies of a
range of Heron Island shrimp.
For more information check out
the 2016 Publications!
Dr Tomonari Kaji caring for his colony of shrimp one of the Heron Island Research Station wet
labs - L. Bailey
MBRS RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS IN 2016
Researchers collecting invertebrates in front of
the Station - L. Trippett
PhD researcher, Sebastian Lopez Marcano, snorkelling in the Bay - S. Lopez Marcano
The Station’s location on the second largest
sand island, on the doorstep of Moreton Bay,
allows visitors to conduct a wide range of
both terrestrial and marine activities. With a
diverse boat fleet and two four-wheel drives,
the Island and Bay are open to explore.
Taking the bait
Heavy metal floods
Dr Alistair Grinham, from UQ’s School of
Civil Engineering, studies the importance of
intermittent high magnitude floods in tidally
influenced rivers in controlling metal transport
to coastal waters. Concentrations of some
heavy metals in sediments in central Moreton
Bay from the 2011 flood were the highest
yet observed in the Bay. This increase was
caused by the flushing of metal rich sediments
which had accumulated in the Brisbane River
during the preceding 10 to 40 years of low
flows.
UQ’s Ian Tibbetts conducted a study looking
into the effects of angling pressure on the
feeding behaviour and community structure
of reef-associated fishes. The team found that
in locations with higher angling pressurefish
species regularly hooked were more hesistant
to feed. Smaller, opportunistic feeders with
little risk of being hooked won out as they can
utilise bait for dietary supplementation. These
findings highlight the potentially confounding
effects of using bait as a focus for fish
assemblage monitoring.
Values and meaning for the Bay
A study by Natalie Jones from UQ used
interviews to explore people’s values towards
Moreton Bay Marine Park and its rivers.
Waterways provide people with a range of rich
and meaningful experiences: both aesthetic
and utilitarian values ranked particularly highly.
The study highlights new ways of working with
the public to protect and improve waterway
environments.
For more information, check out
the 2016 Publications!
Secret lives of dugongs
Seagrass meadows in Moreton and Hervey
Bays support significant dugong populations.
Daniel Zeh from JCU found that there is
substantial dugong movement between
these bays, which are separated by open surf
coasts. Dugongs are occasionally caught in
inshore shark nets set along the surf coasts
for the protection of swimmers. Dugongs were
tracked using the Moreton Bay Array moving
between the Bays, with some travelling very
close to the coast. This suggests that dugong
entanglements may be reduced if shark nets
were placed beyond the meadows.
Fletcher Mingramm taking biopsy samples to monitor humpback whale health in the Bay - F.
Mingramm
A DAY IN THE LIFE EDUCATION OFFICER LAUREN BAILEY
Lauren and Scientific Officer, Abbie Taylor assisting a researcher with silvereye
measurements - B. Tite
Lauren with a seahare - A. Taylor
Lauren Bailey joined the Heron Island Research
Station in July this year, filling the newly-created
position of Education Officer. Lauren holds degrees
in both Science and Education, and prior to joining
the Research Station worked as a secondary
science teacher in Toowoomba, Queensland. In
her role as education officer, she is developing the
Station’s education program, communicating with and
supporting visiting education groups, collaborating
with the Heron Resort and promoting marine science
education. Lauren also takes a leading role in the
Station’s annual Open Day activities.
Lauren with a juvenile shovelnose
ray - J. Ellis
07:00 Wake up
08:00 Morning meeting with all staff to plan for
the day
09:00 Check in with education groups and
provide assistance where needed
09:30 Farewell any departing groups
10:00 Morning Tea
10:30 Guided reef walk with education group
12:00 Lunch
12:30 Work on upcoming education projects
14:30 Lead the Research Station Tour for Heron
Resort guests
16:00 Greet and induct guests arriving on the
Island via catamaran
17:00 Walk around the Island
18:00 Sunset drinks or watch a movie
Lauren waiting for a delivery at the jetty with the
gator - A. Taylor
Presenting a cloud making demonstration to guests at the annual Heron Open Day
celebrations - C. Roelfsema
STATION SCHOLARSHIPS IN 2016
MBRS
HIRS
MBRS supports programs that promote research relevant to Moreton
Bay, its terrestrial habitats, surrounding waters, social and cultural
environments. MBRS offers scholarships to UQ PhD and Honours
students.
The Heron Island Research Scholarship is a merit-based scheme.
It promotes early career research programs at HIRS by helping
researchers from The University of Queensland either develop new
research projects at the Station or expand existing ones.
The Semester I Research Scholarship was awarded to Jessica
Nelms, an Honours student from the School of Biological Sciences.
Jessica is studying the loss of pipefish and seahorse habitat to
Caulerpa. The second Research Scholarship was awarded to
Fletcher Mingramm, a PhD student from the School of Veterinary
Sciences, developing techniques for monitoring reproductive and
adrenal hormones in wild humpbacks.
The Semester I Research Scholarship was awarded to Carmen da
Silva, a PhD candidate in the School of Biological Sciences. Carmen is
studying the acclimation capacity of intertidal fish in order to anticipate
their tolerance to climate change.
The Semester II Community Research Scholarship was awarded
to Sebastian Lopez-Marcano, an Honours student from the School
of Biological Sciences for his project investigating mangrove crabs in
Moreton Bay. The first Research Scholarship was awarded to Alice
Twomey, a PhD student from the School of Chemical Engineering
identifying early warning indicators for seagrass decline. The second
Research Scholarship was awarded to Hoi Yan Iao, an Honours
student from the School of Biological Sciences, investigating the
richness of Zoogonids in Moreton Bay fishes.
The Semester II Research Scholarship was awarded to Emmanuel
Maquez-Leggoreta, a PhD student from the School of Biomedical
Sciences for his project which aims to understand visual learning
and its underlying mechanisms by testing features of fish visual
discrimination abilities with behavioral experiments.
These scholarships are available every semester and further details
can be found on the Station websites: www.uq.edu.au/hirs/
scholarships and www.uq.edu.au/mbrs/scholarships
Jessica Nelms with a pipefish in the MBRS wet
lab - J. Nelms
Fletcher Mingramm out spotting humpback
whales in the Bay - F. Mingramm
Alice Twomey snorkelling in the seagrass
shallows - A. Twomey
Carmen da Silva collecting gobies in the
intertidal - C. da Silva
Emmanuel Maquez-Leggoreta diving on the
Great Barrier Reef - E. Maquez-Leggoreta
Hoi Yan Iao looking for parasites in the lab at
Moreton Bay Research Station - H. Y. Iao
STATION SCHOLARSHIPS IN 2016
MBRS in partnership with Sibelco
The Moreton Bay Research Station in partnership with Sibelco
Scholarship is a merit-based scheme. It promotes early career
research programs at MBRS by helping researchers from The
University of Queensland either develop new research projects at the
Station or expand existing ones.
North stradbroke Island offers a wealth of opportunity and knowledge
acquisition for students of indigenous studies, engineering, humanities,
marine science, earth sciences, architecture, anthropology and more.
The scholarships can be used towards research in areas such as
indigenous housing, Aboriginal health, oceanography, environmental
management, mining engineering and rehabilitation, marine park
management, evolution, terrestrial wildlife research, or any other
research topic at UQ.
In semester one, we awarded A.T.M. Jahangir Alam, a PhD candidate
in the School of Earth Sciences who is studying perched aquifer
dynamics and associated recharge variability on sand barrier islands.
The other first semester Scholarship was awarded to Daniel Huston,
a PhD student from the School of Biomedical Sciences for his project
which aims to collect and describe several new species of Enenteridae
from the Kyphosidae (a family of fish) of Moreton Bay, and to elucidate
the first life-cycle of the parasite family.
In semester two, we awarded Justin Beckman, a PhD student with the
School of Biological Sciences who is studying the foraging ecology
of a benthic-feeding, marine stingray. The other second semester
Scholarship was awarded to Alice Twomey, an Honours student from
the School of Chemical Engineering. Alice’s research is focussed on
identifying early warning indicators for seagrass decline.
The scholarships are available every semester and further details can
be found at: www.uq.edu.au/mbrs/scholarships
The MBRS in partnership with Sibelco Scholarships were offered
for the first time this year.
A.T.M. Jahangir Alam and team in the field on North Stradbroke Island
- A.T.M. Jahangir Alam
Daniel Huston with a pufferfish in the wet lab at Moreton Bay Research
Station - D. Huston
Justin Beckman with his benthic feeding stingrays in the Station’s wet
lab - J. Beckman
Alice Twomey snorkelling in the Bay to monitor seagrass decline - A.
Twomey
HIRS NEWS & EVENTS IN 2016
Green Office Representative, Kimberly Condon, demonstrating how easy it is to use the new recycling system as part of Heron Island Research Station’s Green
Office Program - L. Bailey
Once again the station opened up to the
Heron Island community for our third annual
Open Day to allow Island visitors a more
in-depth look at a functioning research and
education facility. Guests were treated to
organism displays, researcher posters and
presentations and even some fun science
bites from our Scientific and Education
Officers. The event was well attended by
resort guests who enjoyed the opportunity
to see some research in action and to learn
more about the environment and the research
that is helping us understand it.
Kimberly has been busy reviewing the
station’s practices and developing new ideas
to increase our sustainability efforts. We have
new recycling bins across the facility to help
reduce our contribution to landfill. We are also
focussing on reducing our power and water
consumption and undergoing larger projects
to maximise solar production.
Getting your activities underway the moment
you hit the ground is always the focus when
visiting the station. This year we wanted to
further support our clients in maximising their
time on the station by providing new online
inductions prior to arrival. Researchers and
groups alike have been quick to take up the
initiative. Find out more by visiting www.
uq.edu.au/hirs/inductions
Rarely does a day go by on Heron Island
where someone doesn’t talk about the
weather. It dictates our activities and is vital to
understanding field data so we felt it was high
time we installed a weather station that would
collect research-standard data. We now have
a weather station collecting data on wind,
rain, solar radiation, temperature, humidity
and barometric pressure. All data is openly
available to researchers and educational
groups. A live feed camera is coming soon
so you will be able to catch a glimpse of this
incredible environment from your desk!
Green was a real focus for the station in
2016. We joined the UQ Sustainability Green
Office Program with Kimberly Condon
becoming a Green Office Representative.
Abbie Taylor and Lauren Bailey making clouds at an Open Day science bite show - C. Roelfsema
MBRS NEWS & EVENTS IN 2016
Dolphins frolicking in the Bay - report your sightings and be a part of an important research program today - E. Hawkins
For MBRS, 2016 was a year of community
support, outreach and education.
We had the pleasure of hosting the
Quandamooka Yoolooburrabee Aboriginal
Corporation and Healthy Waterways and
Catchments mangrove survey team. The
project is part of a Caring for Country grant
assisting traditional owners in surveying and
caring for the mangroves of Moreton Bay.
Kathryn Crouch (Administration Assistant
for MBRS) did a six month secondment with
QYAC and lead the rangers in many of the
monitoring sessions.
dolphins. Using photographs of dorsal fins to
identify individual dolphins, the team is getting
a better picture of the population structure
and resident communities within the Bay
and the impact from human activities on the
dolphins. Dr Elizabeth Hawkins from Dolphin
Research Australia, urges members of the
public to be a part of the research and report
dolphin sightings, as each sighting helps to
monitor the dolphin populations. Visit www.
dolphinresearchaustralia.com to report
your sighting.
Australia’s newest Chief Scientist, Dr Alan
Finkel AO, officially opened the prestigious
neuroscientist training course held at MBRS.
The Australian Course in Advanced
Neuroscience (ACAN) is an intensive
three-week program that was established
by Dr Finkel over 12 years ago. The course
trains the best and the brightest early career
neuroscientists from across Australia and
New Zealand. The course attracts some of
the world’s leading neuroscientists, exposing
the students to cutting-edge neuroscience
research techniques.
Our very own Dr Kathy Townsend has been
celebrating National Science Week with all
the students and staff from Dunwich State
School. This year’s theme was Robots,
Droids, and Drones. They talked about what
each of these were and how people use them
to make their life easier. Every group got to
make their own robot. Preps made balancing
robots, while years 1 and 2 made gliding
robots. The rest of the school used Snap
Circuits and Little Bits to make a whole range
of automated creations.
The station hosted expedition team members
from the Moreton Bay Dolphin Research
Project to conduct annual surveys of the IndoPacific bottlenose and Australian humpback
Craig Hetherington and Kathryn Crouch on secondment from MBRS with the QYAC team - K.
Townsend
HIRS EDUCATION IN 2016
Senior high school, undergraduate and
postgraduate groups use HIRS facilities
as an integral part of their degree
programs. World class facilities and
immediate access to the reef provide
exceptional opportunities for hands-on
learning.
“Great accommodation, friendly staff
and lovely meals. Thanks for having
us!” - Whakatane High School
An international education group with samples
collected on the reef - L. Bailey
“We love our stays at Heron Island!
Everyone is always very friendly, helpful
and welcoming. We will continue to
come as often as possible. Thank you
for your hard work!” - Greensborough
College
Heading out to snorkel at Harry’s Bommie - L.
Bailey
“Once again thanks to HIRS this was
the 24th year that SJPC has been
coming to Heron and it was my 32nd trip
there. Over 1000 students have had the
experience of a lifetime which will stay in
their memories for their life. It happens
because of the environment both on
land and under the water. Thanks again
HIRS...it’s always a pleasure.” - St John
Paul College
The station offers all the equipment you need
to conduct your education activities - M. Purdie
Students walk out to a study site just off the
Island - N. King
“Extremely helpful [boating and diving]
staff. Prepared to work with us to
maximise students time in water.” Sunshine Beach State High School
Microscopes come in handy for studying the
many organisms found on the reef - G. Hall
The touch tank provides great opportunities for
hands-on learning - M. Purdie
With the reef on your doorstep, you can be in
the water within minutes - N. King
MBRS EDUCATION IN 2016
The location and facilities of MBRS
make the Station popular with
secondary and tertiary groups alike.
With an extensive diversity of both
marine and terrestrial habitats on your
doorstep, learning experiences can be
tailored to fit your needs.
“We all had a great day, the staff were
friendly, knowledgeable and supportive
of students needs. Geography are
extremely happy with your program and
the ability to accommodate for such a
small group.” - Meridan State College
An ACAN student with microspoce in the
custom-made laboratory space - L. Trippett
“Thank you and all your team including
Pablo, Carl and of course the catering
group (Colin from 4Simplicity) for
assisting to making our St Benedict’s
Camp so successful. The staff and
students loved the camp. They enjoyed
the activities and they all commented on
the great standard of accommodation
and food.” - St. Benedict’s College”
Sandy intertidal exploring in Moreton Bay - L.
Trippett
“Thank you for having me as a guest
at MBRS. I was able to focus and
write a very important part of my thesis
on wastewater treatment. I greatly
appreciate your hospitality, friendliness
and support.” - Julia Mueller, Dow
Centre for Sustainable Engineering
Innovation, University of Queensland
Open air exam preparation is better than
studying in a library - OMC
Sunset brings out new animals to discover in
the intertidal - L. Trippett
Boating on the Bay to visit Peel Island - L.
Trippett
Hands-on learning opportunities create fun
educational experiences - O. Meynecke
Always a chance to see new organisms in the
Station’s wet lab - K. Townsend
SUPPORTERS IN 2016
ISLAND RESEARCH
FRIENDS OF THE STATION
Situated on a coral cay in the Great Barrier Reef and on one of
Australia’s largest sand islands are the Heron Island Research
Station and the Moreton Bay Research Station. Both facilities are
situated in the heart of Australia’s most biodiverse environments and
are completely dedicated to research and education of Australia’s
coastal and marine environments. These facilities attract national
and international visitation from high schools to Universities alike and
play a crucial role in advancing cutting edge research and promoting
the importance of Australia’s wonderful coastal and marine habitats.
By supporting the Research Stations with cash or in-kind donations,
your gift will contribute to ground-breaking research, advancing global
education and creating a sustainable future.
Supporters who give $500 or more (tax-deductible) can become a
Friend of the Station.
Find out more!
Find out how you can get involved in supporting our Island Research
Stations by visiting www.uq.edu.au/giving/donations/fund/UQ_
Island_Research
As a Friend of the Station, some of the benefits you will receive
include a supporter t-shirt, a personalised tour of the Station of your
choice, your name on a plaque on the Station as well as your name
printed in the newsletter which you will receive a copy of each year.
CURRENT SUPPORTERS
Artist Georgina Hooper and clothing designer at Dogstar, Massayo
Yasuki, created an innovative collaboration to support Heron Island
Research Station through their art. Georgina donated the proceeds
of the sale of her artist’s proof of the piece ‘Undaunted’ and Massayo
matched Georgina’s donation. We look forward to an ongoing
relationship with Georgina and Massayo.
Sibelco Australia Ltd, a mineral and metal extraction company on
North Stradbroke Island, continues to provide financial support for
MBRS Open Day, the Mad Science Club and the new ‘MBRS in
partnership with Sibelco Scholarship’.
A copy of the annual Island Research Newsletter and Research
Station merchandise - just some of the benefits to becoming a
Friend of the Station - L. Hurrey
BOATING & DIVING NEWS 2016
The Central Boating and Diving Facility was
commissioned in 2005 as a central service
for marine fieldwork. Providing research
vessels, specialised scuba equipment and
highly qualified personnel; boating and
diving facilities at the Faculty of Science
provide unmatched support for research and
education.
The Central Boating and Diving Facility
continues to offer the ADAS Part 1 Restricted
(Scientific) Dive Course (80927ACT) which
continues to be popular with students across
The University of Queensland.
UQ was the first university to offer a nationally
accredited scientific diving course and
remains the only Group of Eight Universities
to provide this level of training in-house.
The intense three week dive course gives
participants the necessary knowledge and
skills to safely perform scientific diving tasks
Performing an in-water rescue in the pool - M. Phillips
in a range of environments. Safety is a course
priority, and we ensure that students master
basic skills with scuba equipment before
advancing with work and environmental
challenges.
Email [email protected]
to find out how we can assist you with
your boating and diving needs today!
Recent ADAS graduate ready for quarry activities - C. Hetherington
PUBLICATIONS IN 2016
HIRS
Agbesi, MP; Naylor, S; Perkins, E; Borsuk, HS;
Sykes, D; Maclaine, JS; Wang, Z; Cox, JP (2016)
Complex flow in the nasal region of guitarfishes.
Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part
A: Molecular & Integrative Physiology, 193: 52-63.
Bainbridge, S; Gardner, S (2016) Comparison
of human and camera visual acuity - setting
the benchmark for shallow water autonomous
imaging platforms. Journal of Marine Science and
Engineering, 4(1): 17.
Baird, ME; Cherukuru, N; Jones, E; Margvelashvili,
N; Mongin, M; Oubelkheir, K; Ralph, PJ; Rizwi, F;
Robson, BJ; Schroeder, T; Skerratt, J; Steven,
ADL; Wild-Allen, KA (2016) Remote-sensing
reflectance and true colour produced by a coupled
hydrodynamic, optical, sediment, biogeochemical
model of the Great Barrier Reef, Australia:
Comparison with satellite data. Environmental
Modelling & Software, 78: 79-96.
Bray, RA; Cribb, TH; Littlewood, DT;
Waeschenbach, A (2016) The molecular
phylogeny of the digenean family Opecoelidae
Ozaki, 1925 and the value of morphological
characters, with the erection of a new subfamily.
Folia Parasitologica, 63: 013.
Castro-Sanguino, C; Lovelock, C; Mumby, PJ
(2016) The effect of structurally complex corals
and herbivory on the dynamics of Halimeda. Coral
Reefs, 1-13.
Correa, AM; Ainsworth, TD; Rosales, SM;
Thurber, AR; Butler, CR; Thurber, RLV (2016)
Viral outbreak in corals associated with an in situ
bleaching event: atypical herpes-like viruses and a
new megavirus infecting Symbiodinium. Frontiers
in Microbiology, 7: 127.
Cyronak, T; Eyre, BD (2016) The synergistic effects
of ocean acidification and organic metabolism on
calcium carbonate (CaCO3) dissolution in coral
reef sediments. Marine Chemistry, 183: 1-12.
Day, RD; Mueller, F; Carseldine, L; Meyers-Cherry,
N; Tibbetts, IR (2016) Ballistic Beloniformes
attacking through Snell’s Window. Journal of Fish
Biology, 88: 727-734.
Dechnik, B; Webster, JM; Nothdurft, L; Webb,
GE; Zhao, JX; Duce, S; Braga, JC; Harris, DL;
Vila-Concejo, A; Puotinen, M (2016) Influence
of hydrodynamic energy on Holocene reef
flat accretion, Great Barrier Reef. Quaternary
Research, doi:10.1016/j.yqres.2015.11.002
Fang, JK; Mason, RA; Schönberg, CH; Hoegh-
Guldberg, O; Dove, S (2016) Studying interactions
between excavating sponges and massive corals
by the use of hybrid cores. Marine Ecology, doi:
10.1111/maec.12393.
Ganase, A; Bongaerts, P; Visser, PM; Dove,
SG (2016) The effect of seasonal temperature
extremes on sediment rejection in three
scleractinian coral species. Coral Reefs, 35: 187191.
Gardner, SG; Nielsen, DA; Laczka, O; Shimmon,
R; Beltran, VH; Ralph, PJ; Petrou, K (2016)
Dimethylsulfoniopropionate,
superoxide
dismutase and glutathione as stress response
indicators in three corals under short-term
hyposalinity stress. Proceedings of the Royal
Society B, 283(1824): 20152418.
Garren, M; Son, K; Tout, J; Seymour, JR; Stocker,
R (2016) Temperature-induced behavioral
switches in a bacterial coral pathogen. The ISME
Journal, 10: 1363-1372.
Gauthier, MEA; Watson, JR; Degnan, SM (2016)
Draft genomes shed light on the dual bacterial
symbiosis that dominates the microbiome of the
coral reef sponge Amphimedon queenslandica.
Frontiers in Marine Science, 3: 196.
Gierz, SL; Gordon, BR; Leggat, W (2016)
Integral light-harvesting complex expression in
Symbiodinium within the coral Acropora aspera
under thermal stress. Scientific Reports, 6.
Gerlach, G; Atema, J; Raupach, M. J; Deister, F;
Müller, A; Kingsford, MJ (2016) Cryptic species
of cardinalfish with evidence for old and new
divergence. Coral Reefs, 1-14.
Hedley, JD; Roelfsema, CM; Chollett, I; Harborne,
AR; Heron, SF; Weeks, S; Skirving, WJ; Strong,
AE; Eakin, CM; Christensen, TRL; Ticzon, V;
Bejerano, S; Mumby, PJ (2016) Remote sensing
of coral reefs for monitoring and management: A
review. Remote Sensing, 8: 118.
Hillyer, KE (2016) Thermal stress and bleaching
in the cnidarian-dinoflagellate symbiosis: The
application of metabolomics. PhD Thesis, Victoria
University of Wellington.
Hillyer, KE; Dias, DA; Lutz, A; Wilkinson, SP;
Roessner, U; Davy, SK (2016) Metabolite profiling
of symbiont and host during thermal stress and
bleaching in the coral Acropora aspera. Coral
Reefs, 1-14.
Hunter, JW; Jateff, E (2016) From Battleship to
Breakwater: post-military adaptive reuse of the
Australian warship Protector. International Journal
of Nautical Archaeology.
Kocot, K (2016) On 20 years of Lophotrochozoa.
Organisms Diversity & Evolution, doi: 10.1007/
s13127-015-0261-3.
Kocot, KM; Struck, TH; Merkel, J; Waits, DS; Todt,
C; Brannock, PM; Weese, DA; Cannon, JT; Moroz,
LL; Lieb, B; Halanych, KM (2016) Phylogenomics of
Lophotrochozoa with consideration of systematic
error. Systematic Biology, syw079.
Koren, K; Jakobsen, SL; Kühl, M (2016) In-vivo
imaging of O2 dynamics on coral surfaces spraypainted with sensor nanoparticles. Sensors and
Actuators B: Chemical, 237: 1095-1101.
Lee, JJ; Cevasco, M; Morales, J; Billick, M; Fine, M;
Levy, O (2016) Variation among the Marginopora
vertebralis collected from the Great Barrier Reef,
Australia. The Journal of Foraminiferal Research,
46(2): 201-219.
Lichtenberg, M; Larkum, AW; Kühl, M (2016).
Photosynthetic acclimation of Symbiodinium in
hospite depends on vertical position in the tissue of
the scleractinian coral Montastrea curta. Frontiers
in Microbiology, 7: 230.
Lyndby, NH; Kühl, M; Wangpraseurt, D (2016)
Heat generation and light scattering of green
fluorescent protein-like pigments in coral tissue.
Scientific Reports, 6.
Madin, E (2016) Seeing fear from space. Wildlife
Australia, 53: 44-45.
Mallet, M; Cravigan, L; Miljevic, B; Vaattovaara, P;
Deschaseaux, E; Swan, H; Jone, G; Ristovski, Z
(2016) Sea spray aerosol in the Great Barrier Reef
and the presence of non-volatile organics. Journal
of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres, 121:
7088-7099.
McDougall, C; Woodcroft, BJ; Degnan, BM
(2016) The widespread prevalence and functional
significance of silk-like structural proteins in
metazoan biological materials. PLOS ONE, 11(7):
e0159128.
McDuie, F; Congdon, BC (2016) Trans-equatorial
migration and non-breeding habitat of tropical
shearwaters: implications for modelling pelagic
Important Bird Areas. Marine Ecology Progress
Series, 550: 219-234.
McGowan, HA; MacKellar, MC; Gray, MA (2016)
Direct measurements of air-sea CO2 exchange
over a coral reef. Geophysical Research Letters.
doi: 10.1002/2016GL068772
PUBLICATIONS IN 2016
Miller, I; Forster, BC; Laffan, SW; Brander, RW
(2016) Bidirectional reflectance of coral growthforms. International Journal of Remote Sensing,
37: 1553-1567.
detection of caspase 3 activity and reactive oxygen
derivatives: potential early indicators of thermal
stress in corals. Journal of Marine Biology, doi:
org/10.1155/2016/6825949.
Mongin, M; Baird, ME; Hadley, S; Lenton, A (2016)
Optimising reef-scale CO2 removal by seaweed
to buffer ocean acidification. Environmental
Research Letters, 11: 034023.
Rusli, MU; Booth, DT; Joseph, J (2016)
Synchronous activity lowers the energetic cost of
nest escape for sea turtle hatchlings. Journal of
Experimental Biology, 219: 1505-1513.
Mongin, M; Baird, ME; Tilbrook, B; Matear, RJ;
Lenton, A; Herzfeld, M; Wild-Allen, K; Skerratt,
J; Margvelashvili; Robson, BJ; Duarte, CM;
Gustafsson, SM; Ralph, PJ; Steven, ADL (2016)
The exposure of the Great Barrier Reef to ocean
acidification. Nature Communications, 7: 10732.
Sadler, J; Nguyen, AD; Leonard, ND; Webb, GE;
Nothdurft, LD (2016) Acropora interbranch skeleton
Sr/Ca ratios: Evaluation of a potential new highresolution paleothermometer. Paleoceanography,
31: 505-517.
Nitschke, MR; Davy, SK; Ward, S (2016) Horizontal
transmission of Symbiodinium cells between adult
and juvenile corals is aided by benthic sediment.
Coral Reefs, 35: 335-344.
Nolan, MJ; Cantacessi, C; Cutmore, SC; Cribb, TH;
Miller, TL (2016) High-intensity cardiac infections
of Phthinomita heinigerae n. sp. (Digenea:
Aporocotylidae) in the orangelined cardinalfish,
Taeniamia fucata (Cantor), off Heron Island on the
Great Barrier Reef. Parasitology International, 5(5
Pt A): 371-377.
Ober, GT; Diaz-Pulido, G; Thornber, C (2016)
Ocean acidification influences the biomass and
diversity of reef-associated turf algal communities.
Marine Biology, 163: 204.
Palazzo, L; Wolfe, K; Byrne, M (2016) Discovery
and description of Stichopus herrmanni juvenile
nursery sites on Heron Reef, Great Barrier Reef.
SPC Beche-de-mer Information Bulletin, 36: 3640.
Pichelin, S; Smales, LR; Cribb, TH (2016) A review
of the genus Sclerocollum Schmidt & Paperna,
1978 (Acanthocephala: Cavisomidae) from
rabbitfishes (Siganidae) in the Indian and Pacific
Oceans. Systematic Parasitology, 93: 101-114.
Raoult, V; David, PA; Dupont, SF; Mathewson,
CP; O’Neill, SJ; Powell, NN; Williamson, JE (2016)
GoPros™ as an underwater photogrammetry tool
for citizen science. PeerJ 4:e1960; doi: 10.7717/
peerj.1960.
Richards, ZT; Berry, O; van Oppen, MJ (2016)
Cryptic genetic divergence within threatened
species of Acropora coral from the Indian and
Pacific Oceans. Conservation Genetics, doi:
10.1007/s10592-015-0807-0
Ros, M; Pernice, M; Le Guillou, S; Doblin, MA;
Schrameyer, V; Laczka, O (2016) Colorimetric
Sadler, J; Webb, GE; Leonard, ND; Nothdurft,
LD; Clark, TR (2016) Reef core insights into midHolocene water temperatures of the southern
Great Barrier Reef. Paleoceanography, 31: 13951408.
Schrameyer, V; Krämer, W; Hill, R; Jeans, J;
Larkum, AW; Bischof, K; Campbell, DA; Ralph,
PJ (2016) Under high light stress two Indo-Pacific
coral species display differential photodamage
and photorepair dynamics. Marine Biology, 163(8):
1-13.
Sebastian, P; Cumming, RL (2016) Three new
species of Calyptotheca (Bryozoa: Lanceoporidae)
from the Great Barrier Reef, tropical Australia.
Zootaxa, 4079: 467-479.
Shamsi, S; Suthar, J (2016) Occurrence of
Terranova larval types (Nematoda: Anisakidae)
in Australian marine fish with comments on their
specific identities. PeerJ, 4: e1722.
Smit, H (2016) Two new species of the marine water
mite family Pontarachnidae from Queensland,
Australia (Acari: Hydrachnidia). Marine Biology
Research, 12: 206-209.
Sogabe, S; Nakanishi, N; Degnan, BM (2016)
The ontogeny of choanocyte chambers during
metamorphosis in the demosponge Amphimedon
queenslandica. EvoDevo, 7: 6.
Strotz, LC; Mamo, BL; Dominey-Howes, D (2016)
Effects of cyclone-generated disturbance on a
tropical reef foraminifera assemblage. Scientific
Reports, 6: 24846.
Swan, HB; Crough, RW; Vaattovaara, P; Jones,
GB; Deschaseaux, ES; Eyre, BD; Miljevic, B;
Ristovski, ZD (2016) Dimethyl sulfide and other
biogenic volatile organic compound emissions
from branching coral and reef seawater: potential
sources of secondary aerosol over the Great
Barrier Reef. Journal of Atmospheric Chemistry,
73: 303-328
Tout, J (2016) Exploring the function and behaviour
of natural populations of coral reef microbes.
Doctoral dissertation, University of Technology
Sydney.
Trampe, E; Kühl, M (2016) Chlorophyll f distribution
and dynamics in cyanobacterial beachrock
biofilms. Journal of Phycology, doi: 10.1111/
jpy.12450.
Vidal-Ramirez, F; Dove, S (2016) Diurnal effects
of Holothuria atra on seawater carbonate
chemistry in a sedimentary environment. Journal
of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology, 474:
156-163.
Williamson, JE; Byrnes, EE; Clark, JA; Connolly,
DM; Schiller, SE; Thompson, JA; Tosetto, L;
Martinelli, JC; Raoult, V (2016) Ecological impacts
and management implications of reef walking on
a tropical reef flat community. Marine Pollution
Bulletin, doi: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2016.10.069.
Wolfe, K; Byrne, M (2016) Population biology
and recruitment of a vulnerable sea cucumber,
Stichopus herrmanni, on a protected reef. Marine
Ecology, doi: 10.1111/maec.12397.
Zimmermann, J; Wentrup, C; Sadowski, M;
Blazejak, A; Gruber-Vodicka, H; Kleiner, M; Ott,
JA; Cronholm, B; De Witt, P; Erseus, C; Dubilier,
N (2016) Closely coupled evolutionary history of
ecto-and endosymbionts from two distantly-related
animal phyla. Molecular Ecology, doi: 10.1111/
mec.13554.
MBRS
Arnold, S; Williams, ER (2016) Quantification of the
inevitable: the influence of soil macrofauna on soil
water movement in rehabilitated open-cut mined
lands. Soil, 2: 41.
Barnes, RSK; Hamylton, S (2016) On the very edge:
faunal and functional responses to the interface
between benthic seagrass and unvegetated sand
assemblages. Marine Ecology Progress Series,
553: 33-48.
Capper, A; Erickson, AA; Ritson-Williams,
R; Becerro, MA; Arthur, KA; Paul, VJ (2016)
Palatability and chemical defences of benthic
cyanobacteria to a suite of herbivores. Journal of
Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology, 474:
100-108.
Chung, W-S; Marshall, NJ (2016) Comparative
visual ecology of cephalopods from different
habitats. Proceedings of the Royal Society Biology,
283: 20161346.
PUBLICATIONS IN 2016
Colefax, AP; Haywood, MD; Tibbetts, IR (2016)
Effect of angling intensity on feeding behaviour and
community structure of subtropical reef-associated
fishes. Marine Biology, 163(4): 1-14.
Cribb, TH (2016) Editorial: The biodiversity of
trematodes of fish. Systematic Parasitology, 93:
219-221.
Cutmore, SC; Diggles, BK; Cribb, TH (2016)
Transversotrema Witenberg, 1944 (Trematoda:
Transversotrematidae) from inshore fishes of
Australia: description of a new species and
significant range extensions for three congeners.
Systematic Parasitology, 93: 639–652.
Day, RD; Mueller, F; Carseldine, L; Meyers-Cherry,
N; Tibbetts, IR (2016) Ballistic Beloniformes
attacking through Snell’s Window. Journal of Fish
Biology, 88: 727–734.
Eisenmann, P; Fry, B.; Holyoake, C; Coughran,
D; Nicol, S; Bengtson Nash, S. M, (2016) Isotopic
evidence for a spectrum of feeding strategies in
southern hemisphere humpback whale baleen
records. PLOS ONE, 11 (5).
Espinoza, M; Heupel, MR; Tobin, AJ;
Simpfendorfer, CA (2016) Evidence of partial
migration in a large coastal predator: opportunistic
foraging and reproduction as key drivers? PLOS
ONE, 11(2): e0147608.
Fang, JK; Schönberg, CH; Hoegh-Guldberg, O;
Dove, S (2016) Day–night ecophysiology of the
photosymbiotic bioeroding sponge Cliona orientalis
Thiele, 1900. Marine Biology, 163(5): 1-12.
Ferrier, GA; Kim, SJ; Kaddis, CS; Loo, JA;
Zimmer, CA; Zimmer, RK (2016) MULTIFUNCin:
A multifunctional protein cue induces habitat
selection by, and predation on, barnacles.
Integrative and Comparative Biology, doi: 10.1093/
icb/icw076.
Ferrier, GA; Zimmer, CA; Zimmer, RK (2016)
Chemical ecology of wave-swept shores: The
primacy of contact cues in predation by whelks.
Biological Bulletin, 231: in press.
Gilby, BL; Henderson, CJ; Tibbetts, IR; Burfeind,
DD (2016) Quantifying the influence of small
omnivorous fishes on seagrass epiphyte load.
Journal of Fish Biology, 89: 1905-1912.
Gilby, BL; Olds, AD; Connolly, RM; Stevens,
T; Henderson, CJ; Maxwell, PS; Tibbetts, IR;
Schoeman, DS; Rissik, D; Schlacher, TA (2016)
Optimising land-sea management for inshore coral
reefs. PLOS ONE, 11(10): e0164934.
Gilby, BL; Tibbetts, IR; Olds, AD; Maxwell, PS;
Stevens, T (2016) Seascape context and predators
override water quality effects on inshore coral reef
fish communities. Coral Reefs, 35: 979.
Gilby, B; Tibbetts, I; Stevens, T (2016) Low
functional redundancy and high variability in
Sargassum browsing fish populations in a
subtropical reef system. Marine and Freshwater
Research doi: 10.1071/MF15386.
Gontz, AM; McCallum, AB; Moss, PT; Shulmeister,
J (2016) Ground penetrating radar observations of
present and former coastal environments, Great
Sandy National Park, Queensland, Australia–
Focus on Moon Point, Fraser Island. Journal of
Coastal Research, (Special Issue No. 75): 730734.
Hanington, P; Rose, A; Johnstone, R (2016) The
potential of benthic iron and phosphorus fluxes
to support the growth of a bloom forming toxic
cyanobacterium Lyngbya majuscula, Moreton Bay,
Australia. Marine and Freshwater Research, doi:
10.1071/MF15219.
Henderson, CJ; Stevens, TF; Lee, SY (2016)
Assessing the suitability of a non-lethal biopsy
punch for sampling fish muscle tissue. Fish
Physiology and Biochemistry, doi: 10.1007/
s10695-016-0237-z.
Petherick, LM; Moss, PT; McGowan, HA (2016)
An extended Last Glacial Maximum in subtropical
Australia. Quaternary International doi: 10.1016/j.
quaint.2015.11.015.
Roman, L; Schuyler, Q; Hardest, BD; Townsend,
KA (2016) Anthropogenic debris ingestion
by avifauna in eastern Australia. PLOS ONE,
11(8):e0158343.
Runting, RK; Lovelock, CE; Beyer, HL; Rhodes,
JR (2016) Costs and opportunities for preserving
coastal wetlands under sea level rise. Conservation
Letters, doi:10.1111/conl.12239.
Samper-Villarreal, J; Lovelock, CE; Saunders, MI;
Roelfsema, C; Mumby, PJ (2016) Organic carbon
in seagrass sediments is influenced by seagrass
canopy complexity, turbidity, wave height, and
water depth. Limnology and Oceanography, doi:
10.1002/lno.10262.
Schuyler, QA; Wilcox, C; Townsend, KA;
Wedemeyer-Strombel, KR; Balazs, G; van Sebille,
E; Hardesty, BD (2016) Risk analysis reveals global
hotspots for marine debris ingestion by sea turtles.
Global Change Biology, doi:10.1111/gcb.13078.
Taylor, SM; Harry, AV; Bennett, MB (2016) Living on
the edge: latitudinal variations in the reproductive
biology of two coastal species of sharks. Journal of
Fish Biology. doi: 10.1111/jfb.13126.
Wee, NQ; Cribb, TH; Bray, RA; Cutmore, SC (2016)
Two known and one new species of Proctoeces
from Australian teleosts: Variable host-specificity
for closely related species identified through multilocus molecular data. Parasitology International
doi: 10.1016/j.parint.2016.11.008.
Weijs, L; Vijayasarathy, S; Villa, CA; Neugebauer,
F; Meager, JJ; Gaus, C (2016) Screening of
organic and metal contaminants in Australian
humpback dolphins (Sousa sahulensis) inhabiting
an urbanised embayment. Chemosphere, 151:
253-262.
Yabsley, NA; Olds, AD; Connolly, RM; Martin, TS;
Gilby, BL; Maxwell, PS; Huijbers, CM; Shoeman,
DS; Schlacher, TA (2016) Resource type
influences the effects of reserves and connectivity
on ecological functions. Journal of Animal Ecology,
85: 437-444.
Yong, RQY; Cutmore, SC; Miller, TL; Wee,
NQX; Cribb, TH (2016) A complex of Cardicola
Short, 1953 (Digenea: Aporocotylidae) species
infecting the milkfish Chanos chanos Forsskål
(Gonorynchiformes), with descriptions of two new
species. Systematic Parasitology, 93(9): 831-846.
Zimmer, RK; Ferrier, GA; Kim, SJ; Kaddis, CS;
Zimmer, CA; Loo, JA (2016) A multifunctional
chemical cue drives opposing demographic
processes and structures ecological communities.
Ecology, 97: 2232–2239.
Zimmer, RK; Ferrier, GA; Zimmer, CA (2016)
KEYSTONEin: A glycoprotein cue drives predation
on mussels and structures rocky intertidal
communities. Marine Ecology Progress Series,
564: doi: 10.3354/meps11939.
Heron Island Research Station
Heron Island
via Gladstone QLD 4680
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Shearwater chick on Heron Island - E. Perkins