PhD student:
Conservation, Management and Protection of Black Cockatoos in South-west Australia using DNA profiling technology.
The black cockatoo is an Australian faunal icon under increasing pressure from habitat destruction and poaching. The illegal trade in wildlife is a significant factor in conservation with rare Black Cockatoo species selling for up to AUD$30,000 on the black market. A number of black cockatoo species such as theCalyptorhyncus lathami (Kangaroo Island Glossy Black Cockatoo), Calyptorhyncus banksia naso (Forest Red Tail Black Cockatoo), Calyptorhyncus latirostris (Short Billed White Tail Black Cockatoo) and Calyptorhyncus baudenii (Long billed White Tail Black Cockatoo) are considered Endangered or Threatened. This study will undertake to develop microsatellite DNA markers for Black cockatoos utilising well-established methodology. The microsatellite DNA markers identified will be used to design a DNA profiling tool specifically for Black cockatoos. This DNA profiling tool will useful in combating the poaching of Black cockatoos from the wild. The Black cockatoos traded by individuals posing as breeders will be DNA profiled and the profiles will establish the relatedness of the birds and therefore the validity of the individuals claim that the birds were bred in captivity.
Honours Student 2006:
Thesis title: The conservation significance of island versus
mainland populations of the Western Chestnut Mouse (Pseudomys nanus) in WA