The Invertebrate Systematics and Biodiversity Lab is a collaborative team of scientists committed to high-impact research in the biological sciences.
Members of the team apply modern analytical and genomics techniques to answer questions of taxonomy, systematics, biogeography, ecology and conservation science.
We work on a broad diversity of study animals, from wasps and crickets, to spiders, crustaceans, fish and beyond.
Wasp Taxonomy and Systematics
Approximately 67% of Australia’s insect fauna is currently undescribed, un-named and therefore unknown to science. The majority of these species fall within ‘hyper-diverse’ groups, with a huge proportion being wasps belonging to the order Hymenoptera.
Dr Erinn Fagan-Jeffries leads a team of researchers dedicated to describing and naming new species of parasitoid wasps, and unravelling the relationships between them, and the environments they live within.
Recent Papers
Groundwater-dependent Ecosystems and Subterranean Fauna
More than 30% of Australia’s freshwater needs are met through the use groundwater, meaning that effective management of this resource is critical to our environmental, economic and social sustainability.
Dr Michelle Guzik leads a team of researchers developing new environmental DNA (eDNA) and metagenomics techniques to rapidly and accurately assess the vulnerability of Australian groundwater ecosystems and their taxa.
Dr Danielle Stringer and Dr Rachael King undertake taxonomic and systematics work to improve our understanding of groundwater-associated taxa.
Recent Papers
Cave Cricket Taxonomy and Systematics
Cave crickets are a nocturnal group of insects threatened by climate change, habitat loss, and their poor ability to disperse and adapt to different environmental conditions. These insects also act as keystone species in subterranean habitats worldwide. Despite their ecological value, their biodiversity remains poorly known and many species remain undescribed. Conservation is impossible if we don’t know a species exists.
Dr Perry Beasley-Hall leads a research program dedicated to untangling the evolutionary relationships of these enigmatic critters and describing their Australian biodiversity.
Recent Papers
Arid-lands Freshwater Ecology
Australia’s arid interior is expected to become increasingly dry due to the impacts of climate change. There is concern that if freshwater ecosystems are not effectively managed, much of Australia’s inland biodiversity will decline or be lost entirely.
Dr Brock Hedges and Kantine Liu research the impacts to ephemeral freshwater rock-holes, and propose management strategies for this unique ecosystem.
Invertebrate Systematics and Biodiversity Lab 