Publications
Phylogeography and evolutionary dynamism of marine gastropods from the Lord Howe Island Group
Marine gastropods from the Lord Howe Island Group (LHIG), located ~580 km off continental Australia, exhibit recent genetic connections to both tropical and temperate regions. A study using mitochondrial DNA sequences revealed that most LHIG species of the muricid subfamily Ergalataxinae, particularly Tenguella marginalba, share close relationships with temperate mainland conspecifics, while endemic taxa like Cellana howensis and Bembicium flavescens show tropical and southern temperate affinities, respectively. The most recent common ancestors (MCRAs) of these species postdate the archipelago's emergence, suggesting either recent colonization or the influence of Pleistocene environmental changes on their genetic diversity. This research sheds light on the dynamic evolutionary history of marine gastropods in the LHIG, challenging assumptions about long-term endemism.
Preliminary surveys of the endangered Lord Howe Island cockroach Panesthia lata (Blattodea: Blaberidae) on two islands within the Lord Howe Group, Australia
A significant population of the endangered Lord Howe Island cockroach (Panesthia lata) persists on Blackburn and Roach islands, with estimates of 10,000 and 3,500 individuals respectively. The species exhibits a preference for sheltering within specific microenvironments, such as beneath the Banyan tree on Blackburn Island or in Leafy Flat Sedge habitat on Roach Island, rather than foraging openly. This behavior suggests that surface counts underestimate population sizes, while novel attraction stations show potential for more accurate monitoring without disturbing habitats. The cockroach appears to play a role in soil conditioning and nutrient cycling, feeding primarily on dead vegetation. Maintaining rodent-free status on these islands is critical for the species' survival, offering hope for reintroduction efforts once eradication programs are completed.
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