My lab generally uses genetic tools, laboratory experiments and field studies to understand the impacts of past change on species distributions and the processes that constrain and connect present day populations. I’m also interested in the use of state-of-the-art genetic tools to better understand impacts on ecological communities. Predominantly, I’m interested in freshwater ecosystems, but also work in terrestrial and marine systems. Usually I take one or 2 honours students each year, February and August starts are fine, but may be project dependent. Contact me (n.murphy@latrobe.edu.au) for more info.
Project descriptions:
Overcoming evolutionary limits on food web recovery in Western Victorian Ramsar Lakes.
The saline lakes of western Victoria are RAMSAR listed but in poor ecological shape and many of these lakes have undergone drastic changes in the invertebrate communities. Species such as snails and amphipods previously dominated the food chain, but are now locally extinct in many lakes. This project will examine the limitations for recovery of this community and use an experimental approach to test hypotheses about recovery.
Understanding aquatic invertebrate diversity in alpine or desert springs.
My lab has identified a significantly diverse community of invertebrates inhabiting the both the springs and headwaters of the Australian alpine region and the springs of arid central Australia. Much more needs to be done to help understand the evolution and ecology of these community. This project could involve ecological studies describing distribution limits, population genetic studies of connectivity or phylogenetic studies of speciation.
DNA, diet and small fish conservation.
Many small bodied freshwater fish are under considerable pressure from both introduced predators and competitors. There is much conjecture about the impact of competitors such as the insidious mosquito fish, but there are many gaps in our knowledge. This project will used advanced genetic techniques to study the diet of gambusia and examine the overlap with native fish species. The information from this study will help to understand the impact of competition amongst small fish species.
Assessing the impact of invasive deer through DNA studies
This project will use DNA analyses of invasive deer scats to help understand deer impacts. there are two components main questions for this study: 1) Do deer help spread invasive weeds through digestion and 2) What is the impact of deer diets on native plant species. This project can involve a combination of DNA methods with seed viability testing.
Dispersal evolution and ecology for the restoration of terrestrial detritivores.
Terrestrial invertebrate detritivores are crucial for the recycling of organic matter and may be critical for transport of fungal and microbial elements. However we know little about how these species move through the landscape, and importantly, how they are likely to respond to habitat restoration. This study will can use a combination of laboratory and field studies of dispersal and or population genetics to understand how terrestrial detritivores disperse and under what circumstances are they likely to A) move into restored habitats, or B) respond favourably to active translocation.
Other projects: – Discuss with me.
Molecular Biodiversity Lab 