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Evolutionary Biology Unit STAFF

Dr. Stephen Donnellan
Mark Adams
Dr Steven Cooper
Terry Reardon
Jan Birrell
Malcolm Krieg

Meredith Smith PhD, Reproductive Physiologist, passed away in 1998. Please forward any enquiries to Dr Stephen Donnellan.

Name: Dr. Stephen Donnellan B.Sc. (Hons) UNSW, Ph.D. Macquarie
Tel : 61-8-8303 4855
Fax: 61-8-8207 7222
Email: donnellan.steve@saugov.sa.gov.au

Position: Senior Scientist

Field work experience:
Australia - all states, New Guinea, Indonesia, Solomon Islands.

Professional experience:
1978-79 Casual Senior Lecturer (cell biology) - Inst. of Technology, Sydney.
1977-78 Scientist in Cytogenetics Unit - Prince of Wales Hospital, Sydney.
1979-84 Blood Bank Technician.
1985-90 Post-doctoral Research Scientist, South Australian Museum.
1991-present Senior Scientist
1992-present Affiliate Lecturer, Science faculty, University of Adelaide.

Research programs:
Evolution and Molecular Systematics of the vertebrate fauna of Australia and its near neighbours.
Molecular markers for natural resource management and conservation.

Recent Publications
Ratcliffe, R., Donnellan, S.C., Lanser, J.A., Manning, P. & Heuzenroeder, M. (1997). Interspecies sequence differences in the Mip protein from the genus Legionella: implications for function and evolutionary relatedness. Molecular Microbiology 25:1149-1158.

Saint, K., Austin, C., Donnellan, S.C. and Hutchinson, M.N. (1998). C-mos, a nuclear marker useful for squamate phylogenetic analysis. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 10: 259-263.

Keogh,S., Shine, R. and Donnellan, S.C. (1998). Phylogenetic relationships of terrestrial Australo-Papuan elapid snakes (subfamily Hydrophiinae) based on cytochrome and 16S rRNA sequences. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 10: 67-81.

Triantafillos, L., Donnellan, S.C. and Butler, A.J. (1998). Population genetic structure of the muricid gastropod Lepsiella vinosa in Gulf St Vincent, South Australia. Molluscan Research 19:31-42.

S. C. Donnellan, M.N. Hutchinson, and K. M. Saint. (1999). Molecular evidence for the phylogeny of Australian gekkonoid lizards. Biological Journal of the Linnean Society 67: 97-118.

S. C. Donnellan, K. McGuigan, R. Knowles, M. Mahony, and C. Moritz. (1999). Genetic evidence for species boundaries in frogs of the Litoria citropa species group (Anura: Hylidae). Australian Journal of Zoology 47: 275-293.

Georges, A., Birrell, J., Saint, K.M., McCord, W. and S.C. Donnellan. (1999). A phylogeny for the Pleurodira based on mitochondrial and nuclear gene sequence variation. Biological Journal of the Linnean Society 67: 213-246.

Aplin, K.and Donnellan, S.C. (1999). An extended description of the Pilbara Death Adder, Acanthophis wellsi Hoser (Serpentes: Elapidae), with notes on the Desert Death Adder, A. pyrrhus Boulenger, and identification of a possible hybrid zone. Records of the Western Australian Museum 19: 277-298.

Hutchinson, M. & Donnellan, S.C. (1999). Genetic variation and taxonomy of Ctenotus uber orientalis Storr (Squamata: Scincidae) with a description of a new species. Records of the South Australian Museum 32: 173-189.

W. J. S. Smith, W. S. Osborne, S.C. Donnellan, and P. D. Cooper. (1999). The systematic status of earless dragon lizards Tympanocryptis (Reptilia: Agamidae) in eastern Australia. Australian Journal of Zoology 47: 551-564.

Students
Post-graduates:
Lesley Rawlings, Genetics Department, University of Adelaide. Project "The molecular systematics of Pythons".

Kym Ottewell, Environmental Biology Department, University of Adelaide. Project: "Are mating patterns disrupted for scattered eucalypts in agricultural settings? Implications for revegetation programs".

Sarah Smith, Environmental Biology Department, University of Adelaide Project: "The evolution of placentation in Eugongylus group skinks".

Honours ö2000
Phil Jordan, Biological Sciences, Flinders University. Project: "The development of microastellite markers for pythons".

Chris Grant, Environmental Biology Department, University of Adelaide. Project: "The evolutionary relationships of rock dragons (Ctenophurus decresii species group)".

Volunteers: Dr. Brian James - Molecular systematics and stock structure of penaeid prawns.

Name: Mark Adams B.Sc. (Hons)
Tel : 61-8-8207 7305
Fax: 61-8-8207 7222
Email: adams.mark@saugov.sa.gov.au

Position: Senior Scientist

Career Biography:

• the Evolutionary Biology Unit's longest-serving researcher, with over 23 years experience in the molecular systematics of the Australian fauna.

• over 100 refereed publications on a great diversity of organismal groups encompassing bacteria, protozoans, invertebrates, and most vertebrate groups.

• a leading authority on allozyme electrophoresis, one of the first molecular techniques and still of great relevance to all three areas of molecular systematics (species-boundaries, population substructure, and evolutionary relationships).

• a co-author of a major international reference book on allozyme analysis (Richardson, BJ, Baverstock, PR, & Adams, M (1986). Allozyme Electrophoresis: a Handbook for Animal Systematics and Population Studies. Academic Press, Sydney).

• the senior investigator on an Australian Research Council-funded study ($205,000 over three years) of parthenogenesis (reproduction without sex) in the native skink genus Menetia.

• provides fee-for-service (either for new research projects (see attachment) or genetic monitoring of laboratory rodents (see attachment) and /or subsidised allozyme analyses (for collaborative projects, please inquire) to the Australian biomedical community (260 projects undertaken since 1984).

• expertise in the genetic quality control of Australian inbred strains of laboratory rats and mice.

• considerable experience in the supervision of graduate and post-graduate students undertaking molecular systematic projects.

• field experience in all Australian mainland states and in Papua New Guinea.

• worked collaboratively with more than 200 researchers (excluding current or past Museum staff) from over 40 different institutions/departments worldwide (including the CSIRO, most Australian Universities, numerous medical research institutions and state wildlife authorities).

Research Programs:

• Molecular systematics of selected problem groups amongst the Australian vertebrate fauna. Most recent estimates generally agree that only a small proportion (1-10%) of all the earthâs species have been discovered and named. This fundamental gap in human knowledge is even more pronounced for Australia, which houses an estimated 20% of planetâs biodiversity but only 1% of its taxonomists. To make matters worse, the traditional methods of identifying new species using morphology (external or internal body features) permit only an imperfect cataloguing of species biodiversity. This is because (1) different species need not be distinguishable by their appearance alone, and (2) a single species may display morphological diversity which mimics the presence of two or more species. This research program uses various molecular genetic techniques to determine whether the traditional taxonomic frameworks currently applied to selected vertebrate groups (amongst the fishes, frogs, reptiles, and mammals) warrant re-assessment. Already to date some of the "species" examined have turned out to comprise six or more genuine species, most of which can be distinguished morphologically once within-species variability and between-species differences can be properly accounted for. Current projects involve a re-assessment of species boundaries in dasyurid marsupials (Dasycercus spp.; Sminthopsis macroura group), bats (Vespadelus regulus), skinks (Ctenotus atlas group; Egernia stokesii group), the moloch (Moloch horridus) and the turtle frog (Myobatrachus gouldii).

• Molecular systematics of selected problem groups amongst the Australian invertebrate fauna. In comparison to the vertebrate fauna, Australiaâs invertebrate fauna are even more problematic, both in terms of how many species there are and how those species are related to one another in evolutionary time. This is because vertebrates, as a high profile group, have received much of the taxonomic attention devoted to the earthâs fauna, despite representing only a tiny fraction of its total biodiversity. This research program uses allozyme analysis to provide a molecular genetic baseline to assist with species determination in key invertebrate groups (ie of major economic or medical impact on humans or currently being revised using new morphological criteria). Current projects involve species boundaries and/or generic affinities within scorpions (Lychas, Isometroides, Australobuthus, and Archisometrus), gall-forming wasps (Ophelimus), orb-weaving spiders (Nephila), and native bees (Lestis and Exoneura).

• Evolutionary origins, clonal structure, and comparative biology of unisexual (all female, clonally-reproducing) forms in the native skink Menetia. Recently-discovered unisexual (all female, clonally-reproducing) forms within the skink Menetia greyii represent only the second such case in any indigenous Australian vertebrate. Elucidation of the evolutionary origins and clonal structure of unisexual Menetia is therefore important in its own right, as well as an essential pre-requisite for testing both established and contentious hypotheses about the evolutionary and ecological attributes of unisexual lineages. The information obtained from this study is also critical to any future detailed investigation of the ecological interactions between sexual and unisexual Menetia, and between different clones of the same unisexual lineage.

• Hybrid carp gudgeons of the Murray-Darling: unisexual lineages or novel evolutionary scenario? Recent studies of carp gudgeons have demonstrated multiple species within this important native group of Murray-Darling fishes, and indicated the likely presence of unisexual (clonally-reproducing, usually all-female) forms. Confirmation of what would be Australiaâs first unisexual fish is both an important milestone and an essential pre-requisite for testing various evolutionary and ecological hypotheses about unisexual lineages. The information obtained will also benefit other research fields, including the ecology of native freshwater fishes, the study of hybridization, the potential of fish as laboratory animal models, and the environmental monitoring of an ecosystem of world significance.

• Molecular systematics of the freshwater fishes of the South Australia The native freshwater fishes of Australia, little studied until recent times, are gradually assuming a more important role in a number of research disciplines, including freshwater ecology, environmental assessment and monitoring, and biogeography. However, recent molecular genetic studies of several Australian groups have revealed that the current taxonomy is grossly inadequate, with some genera (eg Hypseleotris, Mogurnda, Chlamydogobius) being considerably more speciose than has been recognized. This program will use the molecular genetic techniques of allozyme electrophoresis and DNA sequence analysis to examine species boundaries, evolutionary relationships, and population substructuring in a selection of the freshwater fish groups whose distributions centre on South Australia, in particular those of the Murray-Darling and in desert regions.

Recent Publications:

Mayo, G. M., Austin, A. D., and Adams, M. (1997). Morphological and electrophoretic taxonomy of the Australian eucalypt leaf-blister sawflies, Phylacteophaga spp. (Hymenoptera: Pergidae). Bulletin of Entomological Research 87:595-608.

Hurst, P. S., Gray, S., Schwarz, M. P., Tilley, J. A., Foran, A. C.,and Adams, M. (1997). Increased nest cofounding and high intra-colony relatedness in the bee Exoneura bicolor (Hymenoptera: Apidae): results from an experimental situation. Australian Journal of Ecology 22:419-424.

Southgate, R., Palmer, C., Adams, M., Masters, P., Triggs, B., and Woinarski, J. Population and habitat characteristics of the golden bandicoot (Isoodon auratus) on Marchinbar Island, Northern Territory. Wildlife Research 23:647-664.

Spencer, P. B. S., Adams, M., Marsh, H., Miller, D. J., and Eldridge, M. D. B. (1997). High levels of genetic variability in an isolated colony of rock wallabies (Petrogale assimilis): evidence from three classes of molecular markers. Australian Journal of Zoology 45:199-210.

Wallman, J. F., and Adams, M. (1997). Molecular systematics of Australian carrion-breeding blowflies of the genus Calliphora (Diptera: Calliphoridae). Australian Journal of Zool. 45:337-356.

Tierney, S. M., Schwarz, M. P., and Adams, M. (1997). Social behaviour in an Australian allodapine bee Exoneura (Brevineura) xanthyoclypeata (Hymenoptera: Apidae). Australian Journal of Zoology 45:385-398.

MacArthur, A., Adams, M., and Shattuck, S. O. (1998). A morphological and molecular revision of Campanotus terebrans (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) from southern Australia. Australian Journal of Zoology 45:579-598.

Aplin, K. P., and Adams, M. (1998). New species of gekkonid and scincid lizards (Squamata) from the Carnarvon Basin region of Western Australia: morphological and genetic studies of 'cryptic species'. Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia 81:201-223.

Labrinidis, A., Cooper, S. J. B., Adams, M., and Baczocha, N. (1998). Systematic affinities of island and mainland populations of the dunnart Sminthopsis griseoventer in Western Australia: data from allozymes and mitochondrial DNA. Pacific Conservation Biology 4: 289-295.

Bryars, S., and Adams, M. (1999). An allozyme study of Australian blue swimmer crabs Portunus pelagicus: stock delineation in southern Australia and evidence for an additional species in northern waters. Marine Freshwater Research 50:15-26.

Moseby, K. E., Brandle, R., and Adams, M. (1999). Distribution, habitat, and conservation status of the rare dusky hopping-mouse Notomys fuscus (Rodentia: Muridae). Wildlife Research 26: 479-494.

Brandle, R., Moseby, K. E., and Adams, M. (1999). The distribution, habitat requirements, and conservation status of the plains rat Pseudomys australis (Rodentia: Muridae). Wildlife Research 26: 463-477.

Bull, N. J., and Adams, M. (2000). Matrilineal recognition: Can Exoneura robusta individuals distinguish kin from familiar nestmates? Ethology 106: 117-130.

Grant-funded positions:

Michael Gardner (Research Scientist)
Project:- "Microsatellite and mitochondrial DNA analyses of sexual and asexual forms of the skink genus Menetia."

Ralph Foster (Research Assistant)
Project:- "Mitochondrial DNA, allozyme analyses, and breeding biology of sexual and asexual forms of the skink genus Menetia."

Post-graduate students: Michael Hammer (Department of Environmental Biology, University of Adelaide)
Project:- "Molecular systematics and conservation biology of South Australian pygmy perch."

Lianos Triantafilos (University of the Northern Territory)
Project:- "Species boundaries and stock structure in selected squid species of southern Australia."

Name: Dr. Steve Cooper PhD
Tel : 61-8-8303 5575
Fax : 61-8-8207 7222
Email:cooper.steve@saugov.sa.gov.au

Position: Research Scientist; Affiliated lecturer (level B), Department of Genetics, University of Adelaide

Research interests:
Steven Cooper specialises in the application of DNA techniques (PCR/ sequencing and microsatellite analyses) in the fields of invertebrate molecular systematics (waterbeetles, bees, thrips, grasshoppers), phylogeography of Australian fauna (bats, marsupials, lizards), behavioural ecology (lizards, bees, thrips), molecular evolution (globin genes) and conservation genetics (dunnarts). He is currently supervising or co-supervising two honours students, three Ph.D students, one M.Sc. student, two postdoctoral researchers and two research assistants in various projects in the above fields, and three Ph.D students who recently submitted their theses.

Research Programs:

• Molecular Phylogeography of southern and central Australian fauna In this project I aim to use a new approach, based on a combination of detailed molecular genetic analyses, computer simulations and population modelling, to investigate the origin and evolution of vertebrate fauna in southern and central Australia and their response to major ecological, climatic and geomorphological changes over the past several million years. The project will help identify regions of high genetic biodiversity in central and southern regions of Australia and provide important new taxonomic data.

• The origins, evolution and diversity of a newly discovered subterranean fauna from calcrete aquifers of central Western Australia. Recently a very rich and diverse subterranean invertebrate fauna was unexpectedly discovered from calcrete formations associated with palaeodrainage channels of the Yilgarn Craton in Western Australia. Most of the discovered fauna appear to be obligate subterranean water animals (stygobites, known collectively as stygofauna) and comprise unknown species in diverse invertebrate groups including water beetles (Dytiscidae), crustaceans such as Bathynellacea (Crustacea), crangonyctoids (Amphipoda), Cyclopidae (Copepoda) and Ostracoda. Only 9% of the major calcrete deposits have so far been sampled, yet to date, these deposits each has a unique assemblage of different species that have never previously been studied. In the current proposal I aim to use molecular phylogenetic techniques to investigate the diversity and evolution of this remarkable new fauna. Groundwater associated with calcrete formations are a major source of potable and industrial water in the arid zone and are subjected to dewatering operations associated with mining operations. Water abstractions and mine dewatering may substantially lower water tables and increase salinity levels to an extent causing modification or loss of these fragile ecosystems. The knowledge of the origin, diversity, and evolutionary importance of the stygofauna resulting from this project will focus arguments for managing water abstraction levels and waste disposal so as to permit persistence of this unique fauna.

Recent publications:

Cooper, S.J.B., Bull, C.M. & Gardner, M.G. (1997) Characterisation of microsatellite loci from the socially monogamous lizard Tiliqua rugosa using a PCR-based isolation technique. Molecular Ecology 6: 793-5

Bull, C.M., Cooper, S.J.B. & Baghurst, B.C. (1998) Social monogamy and extra pair fertilization in an Australian lizard, Tiliqua rugosa. Behav. Ecol. Sociobiol. 44: 63-72.

Cooper, S.J.B., Reardon, T. & Skilins, J. (1998) Molecular systematics of Australasian rhinolophid bats (Chiroptera: Rhinolophidae) Australian Journal of Zoology 46: 203-220.

Labrinidis, A., Cooper, S.J.B., and Adams, M. (1998) The systematic affinities of island and mainland populations of the dunnart Sminthopsis griseoventer in Western Australia: data from allozymes and mitochondrial DNA. Pacific Conservation Biology 4: 289-295.

Reyes, S. G., Cooper, S. J. B. and Schwarz, M. P. (1999) Species phylogeny of the bee subgenus Exoneurella Michener (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Allodapini): evidence from molecular and morphological data sets. Annals of the Ent. Soc. of America 92: 20-29.

Blacket, M.J., Krajewski, C., Labrinidis, A., Cambron, B., Cooper, S.J.B., Westerman, M. (1999) Systematic relationships within the dasyurid marsupial tribe Sminthopsini - a multigene approach Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 12: 140-155.

Lee, M-H, Shroff, R., Cooper, S.J.B. and Hope, R.M. (1999) Evolution and molecular characterisation of a -globin gene from the Australian echidna Tachyglossus aculeatus (Monotremata) Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 12: 205-214.

Gardner, M.G., Cooper, S.J.B., Bull, C.M. & Grant, W. (1999) Isolation and characterisation of microsatellite loci from a social lizard, Egernia stokesii, using a modified enrichment procedure. Journal of Heredity 90: 301-304.

Bull, C.M. & Cooper, S.J.B. (1999) Relatedness and avoidance of inbreeding in the lizard, Tiliqua rugosa. Behav. Ecol. Sociobiol. 46: 367-372

Gardner, M.G., Bull, C.M., Cooper, S.J.B. & Duffield, G.A. (2000) Microsatellite mutations in litters of the Australian lizard Egernia stokesii. J. Evol. Biol. 13: 551-560.

Wheeler, D., Hope, R.M., Cooper, S.J.B., Dolman, G., Webb, G., Gooley, A.A., Goodman, M., Bottema, C.D.K. and Holland, R.A.B. (200*) An orphaned mammalian b -globin gene of ancient evolutionary origin. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA (submitted).

Ibrahim, K.M., Cooper, S.J.B. & Hewitt, G.M. (200*) Recombination in an anonymous nuclear DNA marker of the European meadow grasshopper, Chorthippus parallelus. Proc. R. Soc. Lond. Series B. (submitted).

Cooper, S.J.B., Adams, M. & Labrinidis, A. (200*) Phylogeography of the Australian dunnart Sminthopsis crassicaudata (Marsupialia: Dasyuridae). Aust. J. Zool. (submitted).

Leys, R., Cooper, S.J.B. and Schwarz, M.P. (200*) Molecular phylogeny of the large carpenter bees, genus Xylocopa (Hymenoptera: Apidae) based on mitochondrial DNA sequences. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution (submitted).

Gardner, M.G., Bull, C.M., Cooper, S.J.B. & Duffield, G.A. (200*) Genetic monogamy in the social Australian lizard Egernia stokesii. Behav. Ecol. Sociobiol. (submitted).

Gardner, M.G., Bull, C.M., Cooper, S.J.B. & Duffield, G.A. (200*) Family structure and inbreeding avoidance in stable aggregations of the Australian lizard Egernia stokesii Molecular Ecology (submitted)

Cooper, S.J.B., Day, P.R, Reardon, T.B. and Schulz, M. (200*) Assessment of species boundaries in Australian Myotis (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) using mitochondrial DNA. Journal of Mammalogy (submitted)

Bull, C.M., Griffin C. L., Bonnett, M., Gardner, M.G. and Cooper, S.J.B. (200*) Recognition of related individuals in the Australian lizard Egernia striolata. Behav. Ecol. Sociobiol. (submitted).

Blacket, M. J., Adams M., Cooper S. J. B., Krajewski, C. and Westerman M. (200*) Systematics and Evolution of the Dasyurid Marsupial Genus Sminthopsis: I. The macroura Species Group. J. Mammalian Evolution (submitted)

Graduate students:
Susan Hinze (Genetics Department, Adelaide University), Phil Jordon (Biotechnology, Flinders University)

Research associates:
Prof. Mike Bull (Flinders University)- Lizard social organisation and mating systems

Dr Michael Schwarz, Dr Katja Hogendoorn, Dr Nick Bull (Flinders University)- Social evolution of bees and thrips

Dr Rory Hope (Adelaide University), Assoc. Prof. Robert Holland (U. of NSW), Assoc. Prof. A. Gooley (Proteome Systems)- Marsupial globin genes: evolution and function

Dr. Bill Humphreys (WA Museum), Dr Chris Watts (SA Museum)- Evolution of waterbeetle stygofauna from the Yilgarn Craton, WA.

Prof. Godfrey Hewitt, Dr Kamal Ibrahim (University of East Anglia, UK), Dr. Ken Aplin (WA Museum)- Phylogeography of southern Australian vertebrates

Dr. Mike Westerman, Dr Mark Blacket (La Trobe University)- Molecular systematics of dunnarts (Sminthopsis: Marsupialia).

Dr Sue Carthew (Adelaide University) - Population biology and mating systems of yellow-bellied and sugar gliders.

Name : Terry Reardon
Senior Technical Officer
Tel : 61-8-8207 7460
Fax: 61-8-8207 7222
Email: reardon.terry@saugov.sa.gov.au

Research Programs:
Population genetics of endangered Australian butterflies, Taxonomy and distribution of Australo-Papuan bats.Bat ultrasound calls recorded on ANABAT - 15 South Australian species available by arrangement with Terry Reardon.

Name : Jan Birrell
Senior Technical Officer
Tel : 61-8-8207 7462
email: birrell.jan@saugov.sa.gov.au

Name : Malcolm Krieg
Senior Technical Officer
Tel : 61-8-8207 7453
email: krieg.malcolm@saugov.sa.gov.au