Professor Jen McComb

Room: BioSc/3.017

Research

Conservation and utilisation of Australian native species.

Projects

Projects on flora conservation at CALM jointly supervised by Jen McComb and Dr David Coates or Dr Margaret Byrne. Students who have not done Molecular Biology may include this unit in their Honours program.

1. Genetic and ecological consequences of population fragmentation in the insect pollinated triggerplant Stylidium caricifolium in the Dongolocking Tarin rock area
This project will build on studies already underway in this area that aim to understand and quantify how genetic and demographic processes interact to influence the viability and long-term conservation value of native plant populations in remnant vegetation, and relate this to easily measured landscape and population parameters. This information can then be used to identify and prioritize high viability remnants for in-situ conservation and target them as sources of high quality seed for revegetation and restoration. The project also aims to test conservation genetics theory regarding the genetic deterioration of small fragmented populations but focuses on common species rather that rare species. This is important since it is the more abundant species that are the critical components of landscapes with regard to maintenance of broader ecosystem function such as hydrology and nutrient cycling, as well as provision of habitat for other native organisms. This project will involve the use of molecular genetic and field base ecological and demographic techniques.

2. Genetic and ecological consequences of population fragmentation in the rare bird pollinated species Calothamnus sp. Whicher.
Like Project 1 this project is directed towards understanding how genetic and demographic processes interact to influence the viability and long-term conservation value of native plant populations in remnant vegetation. However in this case the focus is on the unique Busselton ironstones ecosystem.

Calothamnus sp. Whicher is rare narrow endemic found only in the Whicher Range area near Busselton. It is localised to specific vegetation associated with ironstone where much of its habitat has been cleared for agricultural production and mining. A study on a closely related but common species Calothamnus quadrifidus (as part of the work mentioned in Project 1) has demonstrated significant effects of habitat fragmentation in terms of reduced genetic variation, mating system changes and reduced reproductive output as populations become smaller and more isolated. The aim of this project will be to determine whether similar changes occur in fragmented populations of this narrow endemic species and use that information to better inform its conservation and the conservation of remnant vegetation in this area. This project will involve the use of molecular genetic and field base ecological and demographic techniques.

3. Genetic structure and the conservation status of the rare species Laxmannia jamesii
Laxmannia jamesii is a rare species occurring as two localised disjunct population groups one near Busselton and the other near Albany. It was previously listed as a threatened species until the discovery of extensive populations in the Albany area. There are indications that the Busselton form is a different taxon possibly a new species and if so its extremely localised distribution and rarity would require its listing as a threatened species. The aim of this project is to investigate evolutionary relationships and genetic structure among the L. jamesii populations and determine whether the Busselton form warrants status as new taxon and listing on the threatened species list. This project will involve field surveys and the use of molecular genetic and phylogenetic techniques.

4. Genetic and ecological consequences of rarity in the critically endangered ghost wattle Acacia sciophanes
Acacia sciophanes is an extremely rare species covering a geographic range of less than 7 Km. It is currently listed as threatened and ranked as critically endangered occurring in a heavily fragmented landscape where much of the native vegetation has been cleared for agricultural production. It develops into a diffuse, openly branched, wispy shrub up to 2.3 m tall and is closely related to a more common species Acacia anfractuosa that occurs over a range of some 200km. Previous studies indicate that it is characterised by reduced genetic diversity and increased inbreeding in its two populations but there is no clear evidence for inbreeding depression and reduced reproductive output influencing the viability of these populations. The aim of this project will be to expand previous mating system, genetic diversity and ecological studies to determine which key factors if any will limit the viability and long term survival of this species. This project will involve the use of molecular genetic and field base ecological and demographic techniques

5. Hybridisation and the origin of a new species in Stylidium caricifolium complex
The Stylidium caricifolium (Stylidiaceae) complex consists of seven currently recognized species and a taxon of putative hybrid origin. These taxa vary in geographical distribution from widespread, extending over a range of 500 km, to extremely localized covering a range of only 0.5 km. The taxon of putative hybrid origin is geographically restricted and rare and has yet to be formally recognised although it is likely to be a new species. To date hybridisation has not been considered an important process in the evolution of the south-west flora although it has recently proven to be a complicating factor in assessing the taxonomic status of a number of Critically Endangered Flora. Studies suggest that this rare Stylidium taxon is a distinct species that has evolved following past hybridisation between S. caricifolium and S. affine. The aim of this project is to further investigate the origin of this putative hybrid taxon using molecular genetic markers such as cp DNA and also re-assess the importance of hybridisation in the evolution and conservation of the south-west flora. This project will involve field surveys and the use of molecular genetic and phylogenetic techniques.

6. Plant Tissue Culture Projects at Kings Park
Opportunities also exist for conducting research at Kings Park and Botanic Gardens on conservation projects involving plant tissue culture. These will be co-supervisied by Jen McComb and Dr Eric Bunn or Dr Kingsley Dixon.

Propagation of ecologically important monocots through somatic embryogenesis.
Several monocot species required for mine site rehabilitation are especially difficult to propagate using conventional means. The project will involve induction  of somatic embryos of monocot species, and methods of improving conversion rate to normal seedlings. This will include use of plant growth regulators and carbohydrate sources as well as physical methods.

Back to Honours Projects