Project Details
Description
Last week, the GBR Marine Park Authority confirmed that the Great Barrier Reef is currently going through its fifth mass coral bleaching event in just eight years. In the face of rapid environmental change, cognition becomes crucial for individual survival and species persistence by facilitating behavioural plasticity, yet substantial knowledge gaps persist concerning the effects of reef degradation on animal cognition.
I aim to investigate the impacts of coral reef physical complexity on native fish cognition through learning assays and exploring potential correlations between cognitive performance and personality traits. The project represents a step-change in understanding the effects of environmental change on fish cognition by moving beyond the laboratory to test predictions in the field.
I aim to:
1. Investigate the effects of the loss of physical structures provided by hard corals on damselfish cognition.
2. Assess if different levels of habitat complexity favour personality traits in damselfish.
3. Examine if the cognitive abilities of damselfish are influenced by an individual's personality.
In year 1, I will run laboratory pilot trials raising wild-caught damselfish in high-complexity or low-complexity environments, assessing their cognitive capabilities through several learning and personality assays (Aim 1 & 2). In addition, I will start data collection on Lizard Island investigating inhibitory control and personality traits (i.e., boldness, neophilia) in damselfish in the wild (Aim 1 – 3). In years 2 and 3, I will collect data in the field to investigate reversal and spatial learning.
PhD outcomes:
• Understand the impact of degrading coral reef habitat complexity on reef fish cognition.
• Inform management approaches by highlighting the cognitive aspects of the ecological impact of coral reef degradation.
• Conclusions that are broadly applicable across coral reef taxa, including species of high economic importance.
• Foster greater awareness and ignite public engagement
I aim to investigate the impacts of coral reef physical complexity on native fish cognition through learning assays and exploring potential correlations between cognitive performance and personality traits. The project represents a step-change in understanding the effects of environmental change on fish cognition by moving beyond the laboratory to test predictions in the field.
I aim to:
1. Investigate the effects of the loss of physical structures provided by hard corals on damselfish cognition.
2. Assess if different levels of habitat complexity favour personality traits in damselfish.
3. Examine if the cognitive abilities of damselfish are influenced by an individual's personality.
In year 1, I will run laboratory pilot trials raising wild-caught damselfish in high-complexity or low-complexity environments, assessing their cognitive capabilities through several learning and personality assays (Aim 1 & 2). In addition, I will start data collection on Lizard Island investigating inhibitory control and personality traits (i.e., boldness, neophilia) in damselfish in the wild (Aim 1 – 3). In years 2 and 3, I will collect data in the field to investigate reversal and spatial learning.
PhD outcomes:
• Understand the impact of degrading coral reef habitat complexity on reef fish cognition.
• Inform management approaches by highlighting the cognitive aspects of the ecological impact of coral reef degradation.
• Conclusions that are broadly applicable across coral reef taxa, including species of high economic importance.
• Foster greater awareness and ignite public engagement
| Status | Active |
|---|---|
| Effective start/end date | 13/08/24 → 12/08/25 |