Rhys Coleman
PhD Candidate

Bio21 Institute
University of Melbourne
Parkville Vic 3010
Ph: +61 3 8344 2519
Fax: 61 3 8344 2279
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Ecology and conservation of the dwarf galaxias (Galaxiella pusilla)

The dwarf galaxias (Galaxiella pusilla), Mack (1936), is listed as being of National significance in Australia under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act, 1999 and State significance in Victoria and Tasmanian legislation. Although it has a high conservation status, comparatively little is known about the ecology of this species. This lack of knowledge significantly constrains our ability to protect existing populations and implement management actions to encourage the expansion and distribution of these populations. The purpose of my PhD research project is to develop a better  understanding of the ecology of this species, including basic biology, critical habitat, population genetic structure and diversity, population  fragmentation and survival mechansisms that will ultimately inform conservation planning for this species.  The research project is being conducted through the Department of Zoology at Melbourne University, including external supervision from Tarmo Raadik of the Arthur Rylah Institute at the Department of Natural Resources and Environment and Dr Vin Pettigrove from Melbourne Water. Professor Ary Hoffmann and Dr Melissa Carew are the University of Melbourne supervisors. The research project is funded by Melbourne Water.