DOCSLIB.ORG

Hierarchical Genetic Structure of the Introduced Wasp Vespula

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Hierarchical Genetic Structure of the Introduced Wasp Vespula MEC1291.fm Page 1423 Monday, May 7, 2001 4:58 PM Molecular Ecology (2001) 10, 1423–1432 HierarchicalBlackwell Science, Ltd genetic structure of the introduced wasp Vespula germanica in Australia MICHAEL A. D. GOODISMAN,*‡ ROBERT W. MATTHEWS† and ROSS H. CROZIER* *Department of Genetics, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, 3083, Australia and Department of Zoology and Tropical Ecology, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, 4811, Australia, †Department of Entomology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA Abstract The wasp Vespula germanica is a highly successful invasive pest. This study examined the population genetic structure of V. germanica in its introduced range in Australia. We sampled 1320 workers and 376 males from 141 nests obtained from three widely separated geographical areas on the Australian mainland and one on the island of Tasmania. The genotypes of all wasps were assayed at three polymorphic DNA microsatellite markers. Our analyses uncovered significant allelic differentiation among all four V. germanica popu- lations. Pairwise estimates of genetic divergence between populations agreed with the results of a model-based clustering algorithm which indicated that the Tasmanian popu- lation was particularly distinct from the other populations. Within-population analyses revealed that genetic similarity declined with spatial distance, indicating that wasps from nests separated by more than ~25 km belonged to separate mating pools. We suggest that the observed genetic patterns resulted from frequent bottlenecks experienced by the V. germanica populations during their colonization of Australia. Keywords: DNA microsatellite, introduced species, migration, social insects, yellowjacket wasp Received 7 October 2000; revision received 8 January 2001; accepted 8 January 2001 siderable harm to indigenous wildlife because they are Introduction voracious polyphagous predators on native arthropods The organization of natural ecosystems may be disrupted and outcompete other animals for food (e.g. Moller & by the invasion of foreign species (Mooney & Drake 1986; Tilley 1989; Beggs & Wilson 1991; Fordham 1991; Harris Drake et al. 1989; Williamson 1996). Social insects are a 1991; Beggs 2000). particularly notorious group of invaders. Various intro- V. germanica was first discovered in Australia on the duced termites, ants and wasps have caused substantial island of Tasmania in 1959 (V. germanica colonization of environmental and economic harm in many of their intro- Australia reviewed by Crosland 1991; Spradbery & duced habitats (Vinson 1986; Williams 1994; Moller 1996). Maywald 1992). However, it was not recorded on the The European wasp or German yellowjacket, Vespula Australian mainland until 15 years later. By then it was germanica, is an especially successful and destructive social found in Adelaide, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney. Sub- insect in its introduced range. Originating from Europe, sequently V. germanica established itself as a major pest Asia and North Africa, V. germanica now enjoys a nearly throughout the south-east of the country. Estimates of the circumglobal distribution, having established populations natural dispersal rate of V. germanica indicate that the wasp in North America, South America, South Africa, New can spread no more than ~1000 m per year (Thomas 1960; Zealand and Australia (Spradbery 1973; Akre & MacDonald Edwards 1980; Crosland 1991). This relatively short dis- 1986; Clapperton et al. 1989). Vespula wasps cause con- persal distance cannot account for the rapid appearance of V. germanica in Australian cities separated by hundreds of kilometres. Rather, the movement of V. germanica over such long distances probably results from the accidental trans- Correspondence: Michael A. D. Goodisman. ‡Present address: c/o Dr Wells Lab-Department of Biochemistry, Biological Sciences West, port of hibernating queens (Thomas 1960; Crosland 1991; PO Box 210088, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721-0088, USA. Spradbery & Maywald 1992). Such human-aided dispersal Fax: 520-621-9288; E-mail: [email protected] normally involves the movement of relatively few queens © 2001 Blackwell Science Ltd MEC1291.fm Page 1424 Monday, May 7, 2001 4:58 PM 1424 M. A. D. GOODISMAN, R. W. MATTHEWS and R. H. CROZIER Fig. 1 Current distribution of Vespula germanica in Australia by interim biogeographic region (modified and reprinted with permission from Clarke et al. 2001) and locations of four populations sampled in this study. (Crosland 1991), and thus causes bottlenecks during the Materials and methods establishment of wasp populations. The purpose of this study is to investigate the population Sampling genetic structure of the V. germanica in Australia using DNA microsatellite markers. The manner in which V. germanica Vespula germanica wasps were collected from annual colon- has colonized Australia leads us to predict that introduced ies in the austral summer and autumn of 1998/99. Samples populations will display a particular pattern of hierarchical were obtained from populations around the cities of genetic structure. Specifically, if V. germanica populations Adelaide, Canberra and Melbourne, which are found on underwent bottlenecks when they were founded, then the Australian mainland, and Hobart, which is located on they should also have been subjected to strong episodes of the Australian island of Tasmania (Fig. 1). Wasps were genetic drift (Chakraborty & Nei 1977). Genetic drift, in turn, netted individually, collected from excavated nests, or would have resulted in significant differentiation among captured in Malaise traps. All wasps captured away independently founded populations. We do not anticipate from their nests (e.g. those captured in Malaise traps) substantial structure within populations because we expect were assumed to originate from different nests and thus that the flight capabilities of queens would be sufficient to represent genetically independent samples. Once caught, homogenize allele frequencies on a local level. Overall, this specimens were immediately frozen or placed in 95% study should help elucidate the manner in which social ethanol for subsequent DNA analysis. The samples con- insects establish populations when introduced into new sisted mostly of workers; however, males were also obtained habitats. opportunistically. © 2001 Blackwell Science Ltd, Molecular Ecology, 10, 1423–1432 MEC1291.fm Page 1425 Monday, May 7, 2001 4:58 PM GENETIC STRUCTURE OF INTRODUCED V. GERMANICA 1425 AluI, AscI, BspDI, BsrGI, DdeI, DraI, EcoRV, HinfI, MseI, Laboratory methods SspI, Tsp509I and XbaI according to supplier recommenda- We assayed the genotypes of all individuals at three poly- tions. The fragments were electrophoresed on a 3.5% agarose morphic microsatellite markers, Rufa 5, Rufa 18 and Rufa gel containing ethidium bromide and visualized with UV 19, originally developed for V. rufa (P. Thorén, unpublished light. results). Genomic DNA for microsatellite analysis was extracted from single V. germanica legs using a variation Statistical analyses of the Chelex® protocol (Walsh et al. 1991) as described by Crozier et al. (1999). The loci were polymerase chain Allele frequencies at the three microsatellite markers within reaction (PCR) -amplified using either fluorescently or each of the four populations were estimated using the radioactively labelled PCR primers. program relatedness 4.2, with nests weighted equally To visualize microsatellites using fluorescent techniques, (Queller & Goodnight 1989). Nei’s (1987) unbiased estimate the forward primers of Rufa 5, 18 and 19 were first labelled of gene diversity, with TET, FAM and TET dyes, respectively. PCRs were µ µ − Σ 2 − conducted in a final volume of 15 L containing 3 L hjk = 2n (1 i pijk )/(2n 1) (1) genomic DNA and 0.75 U Taq DNA polymerase (Promega), and a final concentration of 200 µm dNTPs, 0.5 µm of each of where n is the number of diploid individuals sampled × the forward and reverse PCR primers and 1 Promega Buffer and pijk is the frequency of allele i at locus j (for j = 1 – 3 (with 1.5 mm MgCl2). PCR products were then electro- where Rufa 5, Rufa 18 and Rufa 19 are loci 1, 2 and 3) in phoresed and scored on an ABI Prism 377 DNA Sequencer. population k (for k = 1 – 4 where Adelaide, Canberra, To visualize microsatellites using radioactivity, the for- Hobart and Melbourne are populations 1, 2, 3 and 4), was ward PCR primer for amplifying each locus was first end- used as a measure of variability for each marker in each labelled with [γ33P]ATP. PCRs were then carried out in a population. final volume of 10 µL containing 2 µL genomic DNA, 5 µg We investigated if the levels of genetic variation differed bovine serum albumin (New England Biolabs) and 0.4 U across southeastern Australia by testing if the mean gene Taq DNA polymerase, and a final concentration of 167 µm diversity of all three microsatellite markers, dNTPs, 0.4 µm of unlabelled reverse primer, 0.1 µm of µ Σ unlabelled forward primer, 0.03 m of radioactively end- Hk = ( j hjk)/3 labelled forward primer and 1× Promega Buffer (with 1.5 mm MgCl2). PCR products were run on 5% denaturing varied among the four populations. We conducted these polyacrylamide gels at a constant power of 65 W for 3–4 h comparisons using two different population sample sizes and then scored after exposing the dried gel to film (Kodak to account for instances where multiple wasps were col- or Fuji) overnight. For both the fluorescent and radioactive lected per nest. First, we conservatively took the sample methods, the PCR cycling profiles for the three markers size within each population to equal the number of nests ° began with an initial denaturation at 94 C for 2 min, and from which wasps were obtained (Nk). Second, we considered then proceeded with 30 or 35 cycles of 93 °C for 30 s, 55 °C a less restrictive sample size, which incorporated informa- (Rufa 5 and 19) or 52 °C (Rufa 18) for 30 s, and 72 °C for tion on the total number of haploid genomes detected 30 s, followed by a final extension of 72 °C for 10 min. in a given population. This method relies on the fact The wasps were also screened for restriction fragment- that annual V.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • An Analysis of the Primary Health Care Access Program in the Northern Territory: a Major Aboriginal Health Policy Reform
    An analysis of the Primary Health Care Access Program in the Northern Territory: A major Aboriginal health policy reform Clive Rosewarne and John Boffa Central Australian Aboriginal Congress Inc. This paper describes the development of and lessons learned in implementing the Primary Health Care Access Program (PHCAP) in the Northern Territory. The implementation of the PHCAP is a major Aboriginal health policy reform. PHCAP provides an opportunity for Aboriginal people to gain access to properly resourced comprehensive primary health care (PHC) services. PHCAP is described in its unique funding model that attempts to address tensions within the federal governance system. In this paper we argue that access to PHC services is a key determinant of health and that funding of PHC services has been inadequate and inequitable throughout the Northern Territory. The implementation of PHCAP is reforming the existing health system and leading to the establishment of new PHC services. We analyse the barriers encountered in this process. The PHCAP funding model is analysed for its adequacy and design strength to address federal relations. We consider issues of workforce shortage that will limit our capacity to implement the program and the need for effective regional PHC support services. We conclude that the basic funding model within PHCAP - a grant payment plus access to the Medicare Benefits Schedule and Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme - is the best possible way to fund comprehensive PHC at the present time, and call for bipartisan party commitment to fully realise the potential of this program to address Aboriginal health inequalities. Key words: Aboriginal primary health care policy Aboriginal Australians experience a greater burden Health Care Access Program (PHCAP).
    [Show full text]
  • Exploring Diversity Management in Australian Organisations
    QUT Digital Repository: http://eprints.qut.edu.au/ French, Erica L. and Strachan, Glenda and Burgess, John (2008) Exploring diversity management in Australian organisations. In: 16th Annual Conference of the International Employment Relations Association : Diversity and New Employment Relations, 29 June – 2 July 2008, Nijmegen, the Netherlands. © Copyright 2008 [please consult the authors] IERA Conference 2008, Nijmegan Track: Gender, diversity within organizations and the future of work Exploring Diversity Management in Australian Organisations Erica French, School of Management, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia Glenda Strachan, School of Management, Griffith University, Brisbane, Australia John Burgess, Graduate School of Business, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, Australia Abstract Diversity management recognises the differences across employees in terms of personal attributes. In organisations, the aim of equity and diversity strategies is to recognise and incorporate these differences into policies and practice to achieve equity outcomes or enhance business practices. Many Australian organisations, both public and private, proclaim on their websites that they have equity and diversity management strategies but the extent and type of these policies vary widely. The focus of this paper is an analysis of the different policy approaches within Australian organisations, and the drivers for these differing approaches. The article will examine the following key areas: 1) What is managing diversity (MD) and what are its origins in an Australian context? In particular, what factors are driving a MD approach by Australian organisations? 2) What is the national legislative and public policy (Australian) context in which equity and diversity policies are operating within organisations? The paper plots the trajectory of Australian approaches to equity and MD, including legislative approaches (anti-discrimination legislation and equal opportunity legislation) as well as non-legislated approaches.
    [Show full text]
  • Does the Military Train Men to Be Violent Criminals? New Evidence from Australia's Conscription Lotteries
    A Service of Leibniz-Informationszentrum econstor Wirtschaft Leibniz Information Centre Make Your Publications Visible. zbw for Economics Siminski, Peter; Ville, Simon P.; Paull, Alexander Working Paper Does the military train men to be violent criminals? New evidence from Australia's conscription lotteries IZA Discussion Papers, No. 7152 Provided in Cooperation with: IZA – Institute of Labor Economics Suggested Citation: Siminski, Peter; Ville, Simon P.; Paull, Alexander (2013) : Does the military train men to be violent criminals? New evidence from Australia's conscription lotteries, IZA Discussion Papers, No. 7152, Institute for the Study of Labor (IZA), Bonn This Version is available at: http://hdl.handle.net/10419/69455 Standard-Nutzungsbedingungen: Terms of use: Die Dokumente auf EconStor dürfen zu eigenen wissenschaftlichen Documents in EconStor may be saved and copied for your Zwecken und zum Privatgebrauch gespeichert und kopiert werden. personal and scholarly purposes. Sie dürfen die Dokumente nicht für öffentliche oder kommerzielle You are not to copy documents for public or commercial Zwecke vervielfältigen, öffentlich ausstellen, öffentlich zugänglich purposes, to exhibit the documents publicly, to make them machen, vertreiben oder anderweitig nutzen. publicly available on the internet, or to distribute or otherwise use the documents in public. Sofern die Verfasser die Dokumente unter Open-Content-Lizenzen (insbesondere CC-Lizenzen) zur Verfügung gestellt haben sollten, If the documents have been made available under an Open
    [Show full text]
  • Sustainable Australia: Containing Travel in Master Planned Estates
    Sustainable Australia: Containing Travel in Master Planned Estates Author Yigitcanlar, Tan, Dodson, Jago, Gleeson, Brendan, Sipe, Neil Published 2006 Conference Title Refereed Proceedings of the 2nd Bi-Annual National Conference on the State of Australian Cities Copyright Statement © The Author(s) 2006 Griffith University. For information about this conference please refer to the publisher's website or contact the authors. The attached file is reproduced here with permission of the copyright owners for your personal use only. No further distribution permitted. Downloaded from http://hdl.handle.net/10072/13153 Link to published version www.griffith.edu.au Griffith Research Online https://research-repository.griffith.edu.au Infrastructure 13 Sustainable Australia: Containing Travel in Master Planned Estates Tan Yigitcanlar Urban Research Program, Griffith University Email: [email protected] Jago Dodson Urban Research Program, Griffith University Brendan Gleeson Urban Research Program, Griffith University Neil Sipe Urban Research Program, Griffith University ABSTRACT Low density suburban development and excessive use of automobiles are associated with serious urban and environmental problems. These problems include traffic congestion, longer commuting times, high automobile dependency, air and water pollution, and increased depletion of natural resources. Master planned development suggests itself as a possible palliative for the ills of low density and high travel. The following study examines the patterns and dynamics of movement in a selection of master planned estates in Australia. The study develops new approaches for assessing the containment of travel within planned development. Its key aim is to clarify and map the relationships between trip generation and urban form and structure. The initial conceptual framework of the paper is developed in a review of literature related to urban form and travel behaviour.
    [Show full text]
  • Economic Impact of E. Coli O111 Outbreak in 1995 in Australia
    American Journal of Applied Sciences 1 (4): 302-308, 2004 ISSN 1546-9239 © Science Publications, 2004 Economic Impact of E. Coli O111 Outbreak in 1995 in Australia 1Shahjahan Ali Khandaker and 2Mohammad Alauddin 1Health Economics Unit, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare Government of Bangladesh, Dhaka, Bangladesh 2School of Economics, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD. 4072, Australia Abstract: Increased incidence of food-borne illnesses is a matter of significant concern for the community and the government alike. An outbreak of E. coli O111 that occurred in Australia in 1995 affected 200 people of whom 22 developed HUS while one person died. This study analyses the economic costs of the outbreak. The total cost of the outbreak is estimated to be A$5. 61 million. Productivity loss represented the highest percentage of outbreak costs (66%) due to death, disability and chronic illness. The direct medical costs contributed 33%. The estimated loss could be even higher if all costs could be quantified. Nevertheless, the findings provide an idea of the policy maker regarding the extent and nature of the damage that could result from an outbreak. The severity of the damage warrants allocation of necessary resources to prevent such occurrences. Key words: E. coli Outbreak, Food-Borne Illness, Economic Costs, Productivity Loss INTRODUCTION Communicable Disease Control Unit of the Health Commission (SACDCU) issued a press release noting There has been an increasing trend of foodborne the link of this outbreak with a sausage prepared from illnesses and outbreaks throughout the world. These are beef[9]. a matter of concern for the community and the A locally produced fermented sausage (mettwurst) government alike.
    [Show full text]
  • Australian Student Experiences and Refl
    Status of current research on the implication of climate change on built environment Lisa Guan School of Engineering Systems, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia Abstract: The cyclical interaction between climate change and building performance is of dynamic nature and both elements are essentially the cause and the effect of each other. On one hand, buildings contribute significantly to the global warming process. On the other hand, climate change is also expected to impact on many aspects of building performance. In this paper, the status of current research on the implication of climate change on built environment is reviewed. It is found that although present investigation has covered broad areas of research, these studies are generally only limited to the qualitative analyses. It is also highlighted that, although it is widely realized that reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the building sector is very important, the adoption of a complementary adaptation strategy to prepare the building for a range of climate change scenarios is also necessary. Due to the lack of holistic approach to generate future hourly weather data, various approaches have been used to generate different key weather variables. This ad hoc situation has seriously hindered the application of building simulation techniques to the climate change impact studies, in particular, in providing quantitative information for policy and design development. Conference theme: Indicators of sustainable development: space, energy, water, waste Keywords: climate change, built environment, building research, weather data 1. INTRODUCTION One of the main functions of buildings is to act as a climatic modifier, separating the indoor built environment from the external climate.
    [Show full text]
  • International Journal of Drug Policy 10 \(1999\) 299–303
    Laws applying to minor cannabis offences in Australia and their evaluation Simon Lenton, David McDonald, Robert Ali, Timothy Moore Published as: Lenton, S., McDonald, D., Ali, R., Moore, T. (1999) Laws applying to minor cannabis offences in Australia and their evaluation. International Journal of Drug Policy. 10(4), 299-303. Introduction Cannabis is the most widely used illicit drug in Australia. About 31% of Australians aged 14 years and over have ever used the drug while 13% have used it in the previous 12 months. During this same period, some 44% of males aged 20–29 years have used it (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 1999). However, while cannabis is not a harm free drug, many argue that the most probable public health risks of cannabis use itself are likely to be small to moderate because of the relatively small proportion of the population who are heavy users (Hall, 1995). In Australia, many recognise that the public health consequences of the application of the criminal law against cannabis users may be at least as significant as those of cannabis use itself (McDonald and Atkinson, 1995). As a consequence, a number of states and territories have adopted legislative and regulatory models incorporating either infringement notices or formal cautions for cannabis possession and use (Table 1). More than 70% of the Australian public believe that civil, rather than criminal penalties, should apply to minor cannabis offences (Bowman and Sanson- Fisher, 1994; Lenton and Ovenden, 1996). Strict prohibition Victoria (VIC), Queensland (QLD), New South Wales (NSW), Western Australia (WA) and Tasmania (TAS) all have maintained legislative systems of total prohibition of cannabis.
    [Show full text]
  • Couple Relationship Education in Australia
    Couple Relationship Education in Australia W. KIM HALFORDw MICHELE SIMONSz In Australia, the strengthening of marriage through relationship education has re- ceived strong governmental policy support and some modest financial support. Couple relationship education services are offered by a variety of community-based, church- affiliated, and church-based providers. There is a strong emphasis on providing pro- grams that are developed locally in response to perceived couple needs and government policies. Available evaluations show that most couples who attend education value the service, but relationship education providers need to do a better job reaching out to couples at high risk for future relationship problems, and more research is needed on the effects of education on long-term marital outcomes. There is significant scope for building on current initiatives to incorporate evidence-based approaches and to expand the program reach to more couples. Fam Proc 44:147–159, 2005 he Australian government promotes couple relationship education as an impor- Ttant element of strengthening marriage and reducing the personal and social costs of separation and divorce (House of Representatives Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs, 1998). In this article, we analyze the offering of relation- ship education in Australia. We begin by describing some contextual factors about Australia that shape the offering of relationship education. We then describe the approaches taken to relationship education in Australia, and the funding and provi- sion of education. A critical evaluation of the current services is offered, focusing on the content and reach of relationship education. THE AUSTRALIAN CONTEXT OF COUPLE RELATIONSHIP EDUCATION Australia is a geographically large country (approximately the same size as the mainland United States) with a relatively small but densely concentrated population.
    [Show full text]
  • Technology Transfer Through Spinoff Companies: CSIRO – 1985 to 1995
    l l l CONTENTS l Forward 3 l Executive surrunary 4 l Study report 5 Introduction 5 l Methodology 7 l Results 9 l Discussion 15 Future Directions 16 I References 18 Case study Preschem 20 J Case study Castec 2 1 J Case Study : ActionLaser 22 J J The Author This study was conducted while Lyndal Thorburn was Manager ( Policy and Liaison) J of the CS/RO Institute of Information Science and Engineering. She is now Director of Advance Consulting & Evaluation Pty Ltd. J J Acknowledgement The author acknowledges the constructive comments made on earlier drafts of this J paper by Brad Collis, Judy Marcure, David Symington and Garrett Upstill. J 2 J I l l l Foreword l ·1 CSIRO has an important role in transferring the benefits of its research to assist Australian l industry. It does this in a number of ways including collaborative and contract research and licensing technologies. The subject of this working paper, the generation of spin-off companies, is another way technology may be transferred from research organisations and l academic institutions but one which has received little study in Australia to date. This paper has been commissioned to better understand the creation of spin-offs from l CSIRO, and the Organisation's record relative to comparable institutions overseas. A better understanding of the recent experience of these companies will assist future policy l development in relation to spin-offs. It reveals a significant number of companies that have been established by CSIRO staff who I have based their enterprise primarily on knowledge developed within CSIRO projects.
    [Show full text]
  • 190823 AFMA Response R29-19 ASIC CP315 FFSP
    23 August 2019 Alan Worsley Senior Specialist Australian Securities and Investments Commission Brisbane QLD 4001 By email: [email protected] Dear Mr Worsley ASIC CP 315 – Foreign financial services providers The Australian Financial Markets Association (AFMA) is making comment on Consultation Paper 315 – Foreign financial service providers (CP 315). Our comments in the Attachment are divided into two sections. The first section restates our views set out in response to CP 301 on why the path being taken with the proposals in CP 315 to use licensing is flawed at a policy level and the steps we will take as an association to raise the need for a fit for purpose made regulation to give ASIC the toolkit it needs. AFMA is of the view that a proper long term solution needs to be found with regard to the extra-territorial application of the Corporations Act in respect of foreign financial services providers which are not operating in Australia. AFMA wishes to work collaboratively with ASIC and the Government in developing a suitable regulation to meet this need. The second section is directed to responding directly to the issues raised in CP 315 from a practical perspective. The technical comments should not be taken as implied agreement with the proposals in CP 315. In fact, many of the comments illustrate the inconsistency, anomalies and problems with the licensing and limited exemptions path. Please contact David Love either on 02 9776 7995 or by email [email protected] if further clarification or elaboration is desired. Yours sincerely David Love General Counsel & International Adviser Australian Financial Markets Association ABN 69 793 968 987 Level 25, Angel Place, 123 Pitt Street GPO Box 3655 Sydney NSW 2001 Tel: +612 9776 7995 Email: [email protected] Attachment – Section 1 ASIC CP 315 – Foreign financial services providers 1.
    [Show full text]
  • Teacher Transculturalism and Cultural Difference: Addressing Racism In
    The International Education Journal: Comparative Perspectives Vol 14, No 2, 2015, pp.51-62 Special Edition: ANZCIES Conference Proceedings 2014 http://iejcomparative.org Teacher transculturalism and cultural difference: Addressing racism in Australian schools Niranjan Casinader Monash University, Australia: [email protected] Lucas Walsh Monash University, Australia: [email protected] ABSTRACT The increasing cultural diversity of students in Australia's schools is one of the salient changes in education over the last 30 years. In 2011, nearly half of all Australians had one or more parents born overseas, with migration from China, the Indian subcontinent and Africa increasing during the early 2000s (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2012). However, despite these long established patterns of exposure to a multicultural environment, the incidence of racism experienced by children in Australian schools remains highly problematic. Recent research has shown that around 70% of school students witness or experience some form of racism (Mansouri, Jenkins, Morgan & Taouk, 2009). This paper argues that, although the reasons for this persistent marginalisation of cultural difference are multivariate, the background attitudes of teacher educators cannot be ignored. It posits that, in line with recent research (Casinader, 2014), the development and awareness of transcultural modes of thinking in educators, which are inclusive and reflective of different cultural approaches, are essential for modelling an educational environment for students in which cultural difference is accepted and prized, and not held up as a point of separation. It is also argued that such a transition will be facilitated only when the existing monocultural reality of the Australian teaching profession) is acknowledged and addressed.
    [Show full text]
  • TIMSS 07 : Taking a Closer Look at Mathematics and Science in Australia Sue Thomson, Nicole Wernert, Catherine Underwood and Marina Nicholas
    TIMSS 07: Taking a closer look at mathematics and science in Australia TIMSS 07 Sue Thomson, Nicole Wernert, Catherine Underwood and Marina Nicholas : Taking a closer look at mathematics and science in Australia : Taking www.acer.edu.au Sue Thomson, Nicole Wernert, Catherine Underwood and Marina Nicholas Sue Thomson, Nicole Wernert, Results from the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) 2007 National Library of Australia Cataloguing-in-Publication entry Author: Thomson, Sue. Title: TIMSS 07 : taking a closer look at mathematics and science in Australia/ Sue Thomson ... [et al.]. ISBN: 9780864319166 (pbk.) Series: TIMSS Australia monograph ; 11. Notes: Bibliography. Subjects: Mathematics--Study and teaching--Australia--Evaluation. Mathematical ability--Testing--Statistics. Science--Study and teaching--Australia--Evaluation. Scientific ability--Australia--Statistics. Other Authors/ Contributors: Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study. Australian Council for Educational Research. Dewey Number: 371.260994 ❖ Table of Contents Executive Summary . i List of Tables . xi List of Figures . .xiv Acknowledgements . xvii Membership of the National Advisory Committee . .xviii Reader’s Guide . .xix Chapter 1 Introduction . .1 Why TIMSS . .1 Research model for IEA studies . .2 Organisation of TIMSS . .3 What is assessed in TIMSS? . .4 Development of the TIMSS assessment tasks . .4 What did TIMSS 2007 participants do? . .4 How results are reported . .5 Who participates in TIMSS? . .6 Countries . .6 Schools and students . .6 TIMSS and PISA . .9 Organisation of this report . .9 Chapter 2 Assessing mathematics and science in TIMSS . .11 The Australian education system . .11 National goals for schooling . .12 Statements of learning . .12 TIMSS and the National Assessment Program . .12 How are mathematics and science assessed in TIMSS? .
    [Show full text]