Corals
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Dr Carden Wallace, Principal Scientist |
Zoe Richards (PhD Student, James Cook University)
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Section
The Museum of Tropical Queensland (MTQ) houses the world's major collections of reef-building corals from publications since 1970 as well as historic collections from the Queensland Museum. The Museum plays a fundamental role in coral reef research and training, particularly in the areas of coral taxonomy and biology. Our facilities include large collection stores with laboratory and teaching areas. Current anthozoan research at the Museum focuses on staghorn corals of the world (genus Acropora) and the coral faunas of marginal and coastal coral reefs of Queensland. Topics range from biodiversity to historical biogeography and evolution, worldwide distribution patterns, taxonomy and systematics. The section is also revising the Australian sea anemones. Researchers at the Museum are particularly interested in application of knowledge to coral reef conservation and sustainable management of coral reefs, as seen in many of our overseas collaborations.
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Find out about becoming an intern. Find out more about the Museum of Tropical Queensland
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Much of the research conducted at the MTQ revolves around the extensive coral collections. The main collections held are the Great Barrier Reef Collection (Australian Institute of Marine Science Monographs), the World Wide Acropora Collection ("Staghorn Corals of the World", C.C. Wallace) and a general worldwide corals collection ("Corals of the World", J.E.N. Veron). These collections include approximately 200 holotypes and 40 000 specimens and cover most of the species of reef-building corals from the Indo-Pacific region. The collections provide the basis for interaction with and advice to researchers and students from around the world. Research visits to the collections are most welcome.
Current Research Projects
Current research programs in the section include: phylogeny and evolution of Acropora, distribution patterns of Acropora worldwide with current emphasis on the Indian Ocean, Fossil history of Acropora (with The Natural History Museum, Royal Holloway University, London and others), revision of the Actiniaria (sea anemones) of Australia (with University of Kansas Museum), molecular evolution of staghorn corals (with Academia Sinica of Taiwan), corals of Moreton Bay South East Queensland (with University of Queensland and Southern Cross University) and corals of inshore Queensland (with the Australian Institute of Marine Science).
Coral Identification Service
Identification of corals can be a very challenging and time-consuming activity. Because of the great morphological variability within many species of corals the taxonomic schemes may be quite complex and require interpretation by an expert. In addition, identification often requires microscopic examination of the skeleton and comparison with identified specimens from a recognised collection. Museum of Tropical Queensland provides a specialist coral identification service that utilises our extensive collections and facilities as well as the expertise of our staff. This service is available to scientists, reef managers and conservation workers, aquarists etc. for a small fee. For identification we usually require a small specimen. However, identifications can often be made from photographs (close ups) that can be submitted as digital images attached to an email. It is worth noting that coral specimens submitted from outside Australia must be accompanied by a CITES export certificate.
Museum of Tropical Queensland Coral Section offers international internship opportunities without renumeration to applicants with appropriate qualifications seeking experience with corals and/or sea anemones. Applications are considered with justifications and a curiculum vitae individually at any time of the year.
Persons coming to Australia for unpaid work must apply to the Australian Department of Immigration and Foreign Affairs for an Occupational Training Visa through an accredited agency, and must possess comprehensive health, accident and third-party liability insurance for the duration of their stay. The applicant can apply for a period of stay ranging from one to four months.