Dr Tyrone Lavery

PhD
Research Fellow
ANU College of Science
T: + 61 2 6125 9015

Areas of expertise

  • Vertebrate Biology 310914
  • Biogeography And Phylogeography 310402
  • Animal Systematics And Taxonomy 310401
  • Terrestrial Ecology 310308

Research interests

I have wide intrests in mammalogy, taxonomy, conservation biology and island biogeography in Australia and the South-west Pacific. My current research focuses on a range of long-term monitoring activities to track the ecological health of Kosciuszko National Park.

With Australia's Threatened Species Recovery Hub I worked to develop cost appropriate, cost-effective and practical monitoring protocols for threatened species like wiliji (West Kimberley rock-wallaby), and priotise monitoring for Australia's threatened species and species affected by the 2019–2020 bushfire crisis.

My work in the South-west Pacific focuses on searches for undescribed species and I have studied many of the region's rare and unique mammals, discovering how they are related, where they occur and the threats they are facing. Through this work I endeavour to support Pacific Island communities seeking to conserve their forests. The culmination of this work is the forthcoming book Mammals of the South-west Pacific (CSIRO Publishing) which combines published and unpublished data collected over years of field work to form a definitive guide to the mammals of the region.

Biography

2010–2014 PhD

School of Agriculture and Food Sciences, The University of Queensland

2014–2016 Postdoctoral Research Fellow

School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland

2016–2018 Postdoctoral Research Fellow

Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago and The University of Kansas

2019–Present Research Fellow

Fenner School of Envirnment and Society, The Australian National University

Researcher's projects

  • Ecological Health Performance Scorecards for Kosciuszko National Park
  • Ecology and conservation of giant rats of the South-west Pacific
  • Techniques for long-term monitoring of rock-wallabies (Petrogale spp.)
  • Systematics of far north Queensland white-footed dunnarts (Sminthopsis leucopus)
  • Evolution and systematics of Solomon Islands leaf-nosed bats (Hipposideros)

Current student projects

Aurelie Kanishka, PhD student. Investigating the impact of increased competition with common brushtail possums (Trichosurus vulpecula) in the decline of bush rats (Rattus fuscipes) in Booderee National Park.

Past student projects

John Lamaris, Masters student. Life history of the Admiralty cuscus (Spilocuscus kraemeri) and customary management on Manus Island, Papua New Guinea

Edmond Bateé, Honours student. Assessing the sustainability of ngali nut (Canarium indicum) harvest by Indigenous Solomon Islanders

Corzzierrah Posala, Masters student. Feeding preferences and behaviour of two Solomon Islands endemic fruit bats: Pteropus rayneri & Dobsonia inermis

 

Return to top

Updated:  30 March 2024 / Responsible Officer:  Director (Research Services Division) / Page Contact:  Researchers