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To learn more about my research projects, click on the topics below
Phospholipid fatty acid composition of skeletal muscle from dystrophin-deficient (mdx) mice
Habitat preferences of small ground-dwelling mammals in south-east Queensland
Reproductive Behaviour of the Julia Creek Dunnart (Sminthopsis douglasi)
Phospholipid fatty acid composition of skeletal muscle from dystrophin-deficient (mdx) mice
Participants
Dr Kerry Withers, Dr A. Hoey, Ms N. Laws, Mr Kim Larsen.
Project Summary
Membrane phospholipid fatty acid composition can influence many cellular processes. The aim of this research is to determine whether the phospholipid fatty acid composition of skeletal muscle of dystrophin-deficient (mdx) mice differs significantly from that of the control (C57BL10ScSn) mice. The mdx mouse is a widely used mouse model of muscular dystrophy.
Habitat preferences of small ground-dwelling mammals in south-east Queensland
Participants
1Ms Skye Page, 1Dr Kerry Withers,
1Dr Andrew Le Brocque
Project Summary
An understanding of the habitat preferences of native fauna is essential in developing effective conservation strategies. The aim of this research was to determine the preferences of small ground-dwelling mammals for distinctive habitat types present in Ravensbourne National Park in south-east Queensland.
Reproductive Behaviour of the Julia Creek Dunnart (Sminthopsis douglasi)
Participants
1Ms Alice Bjursell,
1Dr Kerry
withers, 2Dr Geoff Lundie - Jenkins, 1Dr Graeme Senior,
1Prof John Billingsley,
1Mr Mark Dunn
Collaborating Organisations
1University of Southern
Queensland (USQ)
2Queensland Parks & Wildlife, Toowoomba
David Fleay Wildlife Park, Burleigh Heads, Qld
Project Summary
The Julia Creek Dunnart (Sminthopsis douglasi) is a small carnivorous marsupial. S. Douglasi is an endangered species, restricted to areas of the Mitchell Grass Downs country of north-west Queensland. To secure and enhance the status of S. douglasi, a recovery plan has been developed by Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service. A captive breeding program at David Fleay Wildlife Park, Burleigh Heads is an integral component of this recovery plan. Ms Alice Bjursell (MSc student) is examining the reproductive behaviour of S. Douglasi. This research may provide a non-invasive way of identifying oestrus in S. Douglasi and thus facilitate the captive breeding of this species.
Participants
1Ms Kristan Ellerton, 1Dr Kerry withers, 2Mr Lee Allen 3Dr Allan Lisle, 1Prof John Billingsley
Collaborating Organisations
1University of Southern
Queensland (USQ)
2Department of Natural Resources, Toowoomba
3University of Queensland, Gatton
Project Summary
Wild dogs are regarded as a pest by the Australian livestock industry.
Determination of the age of free-ranging animals would be useful in developing
and assessing the effectiveness of management strategies for such fauna. We have
been examining techniques for determining the age of wild dogs and dingoes,
using canine teeth removed from the skulls of known age animals. The skulls were
obtained from a collection of wild dog skulls held at CSIRO Sustainable
Ecosystems, Canberra.
Ecological significance of bunya nuts
Participants
1Dr Kerry withers,
1Dr Ray
Marshall, 1Prof J. Billingsley,
1Mr Kim Larsen, 1Dr Neil McKilligan, 1Mr Patrick McConnell,
2Dr Geoff Lundie-Jenkins
Collaborating
Organisations
1University of Southern
Queensland (USQ)
2 Queensland Parks & Wildlife, Toowoomba
Project Summary
The Bunya Mountains National Park of Queensland, Australia is characterised by bunya pine trees (Araucaria bidwillii) which emerge above the forest canopy. A. bidwillii produces small male cones and large dark green female cones weighing up to 10 Kg which fall to the ground early in the year. Higher numbers of female cones fall approximately every three years. Bunya nuts (seeds) produced by the cones are a popular ‘bush tucker’ and are consumed by indigenous and other Australians, as well as native fauna. The aim of this study is to determine the ecological significance of bunya nuts for native fauna. We have been using video cameras to determine which fauna consume bunya nuts in the Bunya Mountains National Park. We are also examining the chemical composition of bunya nuts, to determine the nutrients available to both humans and native fauna.
Participants
1Dr Kerry withers, 1Prof John Billingsley, 1Mr Patrick McConnell
Collaborating Organisations
1University of Southern
Queensland (USQ)
Project Summary
Many small Australian marsupials utilize torpor. They reduce their body temperature and metabolic rate and thus their energetic costs, especially when it is cold and they are deprived of food. We have been examining the effects of various parameters such as thyroid hormones and dietary composition (fatty acid content of dietary lipids and protein content) on depth and duration of torpor in the small carnivorous marsupial Sminthopsis macroura.
Life in the Cold Conference 2004
Pesticides as Endocrine disruptors in native fauna
Participants
1Dr Kerry withers, 2Prof Tom Tomasi, 1Prof John Billingsley
Collaborating Organisations
1University of Southern
Queensland (USQ)
2Southwest Missouri State University, Springfield, MO, USA
Project Summary
Many environmental contaminants have been shown to be endocrine disruptors, although the physiological significance of such disruption is unclear. We have examined the effects of various thyroid-disrupting chemicals on the use of daily torpor in white-footed mice and the use of hibernation in 13-lined ground squirrels in the USA. The aim of the present project is to examine the effects of environmental contaminants on thyroid function and thermoregulation.
Uncoupling proteins in mammals
Participants
1Mr Martin Jastroch, 2Dr Kerry withers
Collaborating Organisations
1Philipps University, Marburg,
Germany
2University of Southern Queensland (USQ)
Project Summary
The presence of uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) in the mitochondrial inner membrane
of brown adipose tissue (BAT) increases the capacity for heat production at the
expense of ATP production. BAT is a major source of thermogenesis in small placentals, especially newborn mammals and hibernators. The primary function of
UCP1 is widely believed to be thermogenesis. However, the functions of UCP2 and
UCP3 are unclear. This research examines the distribution of these uncoupling
proteins and their functions in mammals.
Life in the Cold Conference 2004
Dr
Kerry Withers