Andy Davis Position:   Associate Professor Room:   35.G01D Phone No:   +61 2 4221 3432 Email:   adavis@uow.edu.au Lab/other loc:   35.G01B & C Lab Phone:   +61 2 4221 4370

Research Interests

Ecology of invertebrate larvae.

Chemical ecology.

Defensive stategies in marine invertebrates

Human impacts on natural systems, including the impact of introduced marine pests.

Structure and dynamics of invertebrate assemblages.

Patterns and determinants of biodiversity

Additional Research Information on Caulerpa taxifolia

 

Representative Publications

Wright, J.T. & A.R. Davis (2006) Demographic feedback between clonal growth and fragmentation in an invasive seaweed Ecology 87:1744-1754.

Roberts, D.E, A.R. Davis & S. P Cummins (2006) Experimental manipulation of shade, silt, nutrients and salinity on the temperate reef sponge Cymbastela concentrica . Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 307: 143-154.

Przeslawski, R., Davis A.R. & K. Benkendorff (2005) Synergistic effects associated with climate change and the development of rocky shore molluscs. Global Change Biology 11: 1-8.

Davis, A.R. & J. Bremner (1999) Potential antifouling natural products from Ascidians: a review. In: M. Fingerman, R. Nagabhushanam & M.F. Thompson (eds) Recent Advances in Marine Biotechnology Vol. III: Biofilms, Bioadhesion, Corrosion and Biofouling.  Pp. 259-308, Science Publishers Inc., New Hampshire, USA.

Davis, A.R., D.E. Roberts & S.P. Cummins (1997) Rapid invasion of a sponge-dominated deep-reef by Caulerpa scalpelliformis (Chlorophyta) in Botany Bay, New South Wales Aust J. Ecol., 22: 146-150

Davis, A.R. & D.J. Campbell (1996) Two levels of spacing and limits to local population density for settled larvae of the ascidian Clavelina moluccensis: a nearest neighbour analysis. Oecologia 108: 701-707.

 

Current Students

Postdoctoral Fellow

Dr Jeff Wright

Research Interests:
Marine ecology and evolutionary biology
Factors determining seaweed population abundance and genetic structure
Marine-plant herbivore interactions
Marine invasive species
Webpage

 

Postgraduate Students

Peter Barnes

"Utility of epifaunal invertebrates in detecting anthropogenic impacts in estuaries”. (Co-supervised by Dr D. Roberts - with APA(Industry) support)

David Ward

“Towards the development of a sustainable Turban shell fishery”. (co-supervised by Dr N. Andrew (Formerly DPI (Fisheries), with APA (Industry) support.

Pia Winberg

“Macrofaunal assemblages in intertidal soft sediments: the utility of marine protected areas” (Co-supervised by Dr Alan Jones - Australian Museum)

 

Suggested Topics for Future Students

What are the pattern and determinants of spatial and temporal variation in recruitment of solitary ascidians.

Sterols and free-fatty acids in molluscan egg masses can be effective antimicrobial compounds; do they also play an antifeedant role?

Are sessile-invertebrate assemblages in shallow coastal lakes structured from the top down or by the availability of suitable settlement substrata?

What are the ecological impacts of Caulerpa spp. on the structure of rocky intertidal and subtidal zone assemblages?

What are the patterns of biodiversity in coastal lakes in central and southern NSW and, selecting appropriate taxa, can effective surrogates be identified?

Mycosporine-like Amino Acids (MAAs) are apparently effective sunscreens; do they also possess antimicrobial or antifeedant acivity?

Does exposure of adult invertebrates to conditions anticipated under climate change affect the provisioning and performance of their offspring?

What is the relative importance of physical vs. chemical defenses in dissuading predators for sessile invertebrates? To what extent are these defenses inducible?

See Also the Honours Topics Page

Lab Highlights

2007

Liz West, two papers accepted from her honours project on Caulerpa taxifolia

2006

Andy Davis, Distinguished Visiting Scholar, University of Canberra

2004

Rachel Przeslawski, winner New Scientist and British Council writing competition – “Sunburnt Seaslugs”, published in NewScientist
Matt Kindred, winner Alan Sefton award for best Environmental Science Honours thesis

2003

Amanda Watson, winner Jim Campbell Award for best School of Biological Sciences Honours thesis
Gabbia davisi (Bithyniidae:Mollusca) discovered in southwest Queensland

2000

Kirsten Benkendorff, winner Young Australian of the Year (Science & Technology Category)

Abbreviated CV

Academic Degrees

PhD (Zoology) University of Adelaide, Australia, 1987

MSc (Hons -1st class) University of Auckland, New Zealand, 1982

B.Sc (Zoology major) University of Auckland, New Zealand, 1980

 

Academic and Research Appointments

2000-present Associate Professor in Biology, University of Wollongong

2006  Dinstinguished Visiting Scholar, University of Canberra

1993-2000 Senior Lecturer in Biology, University of Wollongong

1996 Visiting Research Fellow - Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences

1989-1993 Lecturer in Biology, University of Wollongong

1987-1989 Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution Postdoctoral Fellowship

1987 Lecturer in Statistics & Computing, South Australian College of Advanced Education