Blog
Rare turtle's relationships resolved
Posted in Turtle Research on Jul 25, 2017
Congratulations to Xiuwen Zhang for her article resolving the phylogenetic relationships of the enigmatic Western Swamp Turtle using whole mitochondrial sequencing. The online version of the article, co-authored by Peter Unmack, Gerald Kuchling, Yinan Wang and Arthur Georges, appeared today in the journal Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution.
Tropical Turtle Diets
Posted in Turtle Research on May 31, 2017
Congratulations to Mick Welsh on publishing his honours work. There have been few community studies of Australian freshwater turtles. The present study examined the diet and microhabitat use of 5 species of freshwater turtles from the Daly River, Northern Territory. Dietary shift with age was observed for most turtle species, and between species there was differentiation of diet and microhabitat use. The study also showed that in the dry-season, freshwater turtles in a perennial tropical river like the Daly River rely on aquatic vegetation and molluscs. Photograph: Megacephalic Emydura victoriae from the Daly River.
Workshop: Museum genomics in practice
Posted in Turtle Research, Education and Outreach on Apr 05, 2017
Having a great time at the Museum Genomics in Practice workshop organised by Craig Moritz and the team at the Centre for Biodiversity Analysis.
Saving Piku -- PNG's iconic pig-nosed turtle
Posted in Turtle Research on Mar 30, 2017
Seven tribes, seven languages, seven cultures. The fate of the Pig-Nosed Turtle (Carettochelys insculpta) living in the Kikori River lies in the hands of all the local people who own its habitat in southern Papua New Guinea. Masters student Yolarnie Amepou gives her account of the Piku Project, operating out of Kikori in the PNG lowlands.
Risk-based ecohydrological assessement of flow regimes -- Qld DNRM
Posted in Turtle Research on Mar 29, 2017
Determining strategies to protect or restore flow regimes to achieve ecological outcomes is a focus of water policy and legislation in many parts of the world. A team from Queensland DNRM has developed a risk-based ecohydrological approach that links ecosystem values to desired ecological outcomes. This allows the relative risk from different flow management scenarios to be evaluated at relevant spatial-scales and a robust and useful foundation upon which to build the information needed to support water planning decisions. A case study using the eastern long-necked turtle is presented, with input from IAE staff and former students.
World Wildlife Day big success
Posted in Turtle Research, Education and Outreach on Mar 03, 2017
World Wildlife Day was celebrated by thousands of Port Moresby parents and children today at POM Nature Park. The day, organised by Michelle McGeorge of POM Nature Park featured a large number of stalls, including one manned by the Piku Team from the University of Canberra.
Endemic and Flagship Species Workshop
Posted in Turtle Research, Education and Outreach on Mar 01, 2017
The Endemic and Flagship Species Workshop kicks off at Lomana Hotel in Port Moresby today co-hosted by PNG CEPA and Mama Graun and sponsored by ExxonMobil PNG Ltd. The objective of the workshop is to bring together stakeholders with an interest in the newly established Protected Area Policy, to become aware of each others' activities and how they can benefit under the new policy. UC is represented by Carla Eisemberg, Yolarnie Amepou, Fiona Manu, Frank John and Arthur Georges of the Piku Team.
Scientists descend on Canberra to discuss Turtles in Crisis
Posted in Turtle Research on Feb 12, 2017
Many freshwater turtles in Australia are facing a crisis owing to the interplay of natural conditions (particularly drought) and human-induced changes to their environment. This symposium will bring together existing evidence to chart future knowledge needs so that we can better respond to freshwater turtle declines.
