Can genetics improve conservation outcomes?

Associate Professor Steve Donnellan will talk about how conservation outcomes can be improved by the use of molecular genetic analyses. Genetic data contribute to species discovery, surveying for biological diversity, choosing appropriate populations for translocations and for monitoring how populations can adapt to rapid climate change. Steve will use examples from his work on marsupials, birds, frogs and fishes from South Australia, Australia and New Guinea.

Steve Donnellan is the Chief Research Scientist of the Evolutionary Biology Unit at the South Australian Museum and also an Affiliate Professor at the University of Adelaide.

Steve moved from New South Wales to South Australia in 1985 to undertake research recovering the evolutionary history of Australia’s lizards. This work led to the establishment of a comprehensive collection of reptile and frog tissues from Australia and New Guinea.

In 1990 he joined the South Australian Museum’s staff and established the DNA laboratory there. His research since has focused on the evolution and biogeography of Australasian fauna and has used molecular genetic methods to examine issues in the population genetics, phylogeography and phylogenetic relationships of vertebrates and selected invertebrate groups.

Many of his research projects have been supported by the Australian Research Council (ARC). His work has been published in numerous scientific journals, including Biological Conservation, Evolution, International Journal for Parasitology, PLOS One, Restoration Ecology, Zoologica Scripta and Zootaxa.

You can attend this event at the Plympton Community Centre or virtually using Zoom communications software.

If you plan to attend in person, strict adherence to COVID-19 restrictions is important, and Community Centre management requires that

(1) visitors are fully vaccinated against Covid19 and carry proof of this with them while attending the venue

(2) physical distancing rules apply at all times 

(3) people wear masks except when eating or drinking.   

If you plan to attend in person, please send an email in advance to secretary@butterflyconservationsa.net.au stating event name(s), your name and vaccination status.

If you have not received a designated job to help organize the meeting you will not be admitted to the Hall until 6.15 pm.

Please sign in and provide your contact details (for insurance and contact tracing) and please use hand sanitiser.

Entry will be by donation (minimum $2) and bring a plate to share and a cup.   Will be great to see you there!

If you plan to attend virtually, please register in advance for this meeting: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0ld-GpqzkpHN3O5SbvHJ2bkvCnyFcHecjI

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

The Plympton Community Centre,  34 Long Street, Plympton.

(200 metres E of Marion Rd, and 300 metres N of Anzac Highway).

Bus from the city via Anzac Highway. Routes: 245, 248, 262, 263, 265, M44, N262.

Closest stop is Stop 9, then approximately 350 metre walk along Long Street.

Bus from the city via Marion Road. Routes 100, 101, H20.
Closest stop is Stop 10 (east side is approximately 100 metres south of Long street). Stop 10 (west side is on the other side of Moringie Ave. approx. 100 metres north of Long Street). Then approx.250 metre walk along Long Street.

At the start of meetings, a BCSA committee member gives a ten-minute presentation on a ‘Butterfly of the Month’.

Public talks schedule

If an advertised speaker is not available, we will try to provide an alternative speaker of similar interest.

The views of presenters are their personal views. The BCSA does not necessarily endorse any views expressed.