Andy Davis

Director of Institute for Conservation Biology & Environmental Management (ICBEM)

Associate Professor
35.G01D
+61 2 4221 3432
adavis@uow.edu.au
Lab: 35.G01B & C
Lab: +61 2 4221 4370

Have you seen these fish? Report a sighting - Local fish listed as Vulnerable or Conservation Dependant by the EPBC Act.

Common ascidians of the Sydney Region

Research Interests

Ecology of invertebrate larvae

Chemical ecology

Defensive strategies in marine invertebrates

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

Structure and dynamics of invertebrate assemblages

Pattern and determinants of biodiversity

Additional research information on Caulerpa taxifolia

Monitoring fish assemblages with Baited Remote Underwater Video (BRUV)

Representative Publications

Broad A., Knott N., Turon X. & A.R. Davis (2010) Effects of a shark repulsion device on rocky reef fishes: no shocking outcomes. Note In: Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 408: 295-298.

Davis A.R. & D.W. Ward (2009) The establishment and persistence of species rich patches in a species poor landscape: role of a structure-forming subtidal barnacle.  Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 380: 187-198.

Ferguson A.M. & A.R. Davis (2008) Heart of glass: spicule armament and physical defence in temperate reef sponges. Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 372: 77-86.

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

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.

Searchable Publications List

Current Students

PhD

Marie-Clare Demers, Project title: Ecological processes in Posidonia australis, an endangered seagrass marine community.

Matt Rees, Project Title: Developing seascape models for pelagic and demersal fish assemblages.

Masters

Jessica Rugge, Project title: Seeking abiotic surrogates for reef invertebrate assemblages using an Automated Underwater Vehicle (AUV).

Lauren Cole, Project title: Connecting reefs: Drift algae and rafting invertebrates.

Gerard Ricardo, Project title: Dynamics of invertebrate larvae in salt marshes.  (Co-supervised with Dr Todd Minchinton).

Honours

Laura Lopez, Project title: Indigenous mussels as heavy metal bio-accumulators: the role of  bio-turbators.

Lachlan Fetterplace, Project title: Temperate sand-flat fish assemblages in Jervis Bay Marine Park across a depth range.

Jessica Holan, Project title: Behavioural responses of four gastropod species to predatory cues under lab and field conditions: effects of an acidified ocean.

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 activity?

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 defences in deterring predators for sessile invertebrates? To what extent are these defences inducible?

See also the Honours Topics page

Lab Highlights

2010
Andy Davis, Convenor Australian Marine Science Association (AMSA) Conference, New Waves in Marine Science.

Daniel Coleman, AMSA oral awards; Victorian Marine Science Consortium Award,
Editor’s Choice Award Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research
Awarded Best Performance in the Bachelor of Marine Science Honours

2009
Liz West, three papers accepted from her honours project on Caulerpa taxifolia

2008
Maiko Lutz, winner Jim Campbell Award for best School of Biological Sciences Honours thesis

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-Distinguished 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