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Phylogeography of the Gondwanan Orthocladiinae (Diptera: Chironomidae)Matthew N Krosch PhD 2007 - 2011 
Faculty Institute for Sustainable Resources/Faculty of Science and Technology Supervisor/s Dr Andrew Baker, Aspro Peter Mather Thesis Abstract Within the non-biting midge Orthocladiinae sub-family, one genus thought to be part of the relict Gondwanan clade is Echinocladius. This genus occurs extensively in cool, shaded streams along the east coast of Australia. Its position within the molecular phylogeny of the broader Gondwanan Orthocladiinae clade has not been tested. Furthermore, a recent genetic study of the species Echinocladius martini in north-eastern Queensland suggested that populations were fragmented during the late Pleistocene in response to rainforest contractions brought on by the systemic drying of the Australian continent.
This project will focus on one of the taxa identified in this most recent study, to more accurately determine dispersal abilities and habitat preferences. By using molecular data in conjunction with altitude, surrounding vegetation type, in-stream substrate and traditional latitude-longitude data, inferences concerning the effect of restrictions to gene flow can be formulated and predictions made of the likely consequences of climate change and habitat fragmentation on members of the genus and freshwater invertebrates. |
