Evolution in the phylum Onychophora

Support from an Ecological Society of Australia Student Research Award will facilitate a population genetics study on the ecological and evolutionary processes driving divergence in a putative species-complex of onychophorans (velvet worms) located in southeastern New South Wales. The data generated will be applied to understanding ecological interactions and the environmental factors influencing divergence and distributions in the taxon currently recognised as Euperipatoides rowelli. The knowledge gained will be directly applied to conserving biodiversity among this biologically significant taxon at Tallaganda State Forest, which is subject to ongoing anthropogenic impacts of logging, changed fire regimes and the present and future challenges imposed by a changing climate. Data generated will also be used to underpin future studies of onychophoran populations elsewhere.