Supported by the Lizard Island Reef Research Foundation 1 William Street Sydney Research Station NSW 2010 Australia T +61 2 9320 6000 australianmuseum.net.au Australian Museum Supported by the Lizard Island Reef Research Foundation Lizard Island Research Station australianmuseum.net.au 2017 Report Lizard Island Research Station 2017 Report LIRS Directors The Lizard Island Research Station acknowledges the Dr Lyle Vail AM and Dr Anne Hoggett AM traditional owners of Jiigurru, the Dingaal people, on whose land the research station is situated. The Lizard Island Lizard Island Research Station Research Station respects elders past and present, and PMB 37 welcomes all who visit the research station. Cairns QLD 4892 Australia T + 61 (0)7 4060 3977 E
[email protected] australianmuseum.net.au/lizard-island-research-station Australian Museum Research Institute Dr Rebecca Johnson, Director T + 61 (0)2 9320 6237 Cover The featherstar Anneissia bennetti has many colour variations. E
[email protected] Above A sea fan on the exposed reef slope of the Lizard Island Group. 1 Welcome For 45 years, the Lizard Island Research 2017 was our 39th year of supporting Station (LIRS) has helped the world to science at the Australian Museum’s better understand, manage and conserve Lizard Island Research Station. We are the Great Barrier Reef, one of Australia’s now celebrating our 40th Anniversary most treasured ecosystems. and are very proud of the contribution we have been able to make over this The role of the Australian Museum field period. The best measure of its worth is station in supporting thousands of the research projects and publications visiting scientists to undertake world- detailed in the LIRS Annual Reports, leading research into the biodiversity of including this one.