Ecology and evolution of marine invasive species
European Green Crab Carcinus Maenus in Tasmania
One of our major research themes is determining the spread and impacts of invasive marine species, including native species that are becoming problematic under a shifting climate. The research focuses on understanding the ecological and evolutionary processes that lead to their successful establishment and spread at local and biogeographic scales, and the direct and indirect effects invasive species have on native biota.
Lab folk work on a number of marine invaders nationally and internationally including crabs, gastropods and macrophytes.
News
UNSW-led research has uncovered a battle raging beneath the waves as armies of tiny microbes fight to determine whether exotic marine plants invade new territory and replace native species.
“We found that microbes associated with native species provide resistance to invasion, and microbes associated with invaders break down this resistance and promote invader spread.”
Read full article here.
The global pest alga Caulerpa taxifolia (bright green) invading a seagrass bed in New South Wales.
Relevant publications
Gribben PE and JE Byers. 2020. Comparative biogeography of marine invaders across their native and introduced ranges. In Oceanography and Marine Biology: An Annual Review. 58: 395-438.
Gribben PE, AGB Poore, MS Thomsen, P Quesey, E Weschke and JT Wright. 2020. Habitat provided by native species facilitates higher abundances of an invader in its introduced compared to native range. Scientific Reports 10: 6385. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-63429-2
The native invader Caulerpa filifmis colonising coastline on the east coast of Australia