Population connectivity in marine macroalgae Halley Mary Stirling Durrant BSc (Hons), GradCertRes Submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy School of Biological Sciences University of Tasmania November 2015 Statements by the author Declaration of originality This thesis contains no material which has been accepted for a degree or diploma by the University or any other institution, except by way of background information and duly acknowledged in the thesis, and to the best of my knowledge and belief no material previously published or written by another person except where due acknowledgement is made in the text of the thesis, nor does the thesis contain any material that infringes copyright. Authority of access This thesis may be made available for loan and limited copying and communication in accordance with the Copyright Act 1968. Statement regarding published work contained in thesis The publishers of the papers comprising Chapters 2, 3 and 5 hold the copyright for that content, and access to the material should be sought from the respective journals. The remaining non-published content of the thesis may be made available for loan and limited copying and communication in accordance with the Copyright Act 1968. Signed Halley M.S. Durrant Date: 30th November 2015 i Statement of co-authorship The following people contributed to the publication of work undertaken as part of this thesis: Halley Durrant (Candidate), School of Biological Sciences, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia Christopher Burridge (Author 2), School of Biological Sciences University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia Neville Barrett (Author 3), Institute of Marine & Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia Graham Edgar (Author 4), Institute of Marine & Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia Melinda Coleman (Author 5), Department of Primary Industries, NSW Fisheries, Coffs Harbour, New South Wales, Australia; and National Marine Science Centre, Southern Cross University, Coffs Harbour, New South Wales, Australia Brendan Kelaher (Author 6), National Marine Science Centre and Centre for Coastal Biogeochemistry Research, School of Environment, Science and Engineering, Southern Cross University, Coffs Harbour, New South Wales, Australia Michael Gardner (Author 7), School of Biological Sciences, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia; and Evolutionary Biology Unit, South Australian Museum, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia. Chapter details and relative author contributions are listed below: Chapter 2 is published as: Durrant, H. M. S., Burridge, C. P., Kelaher, B. P., Barrett, N. S., Edgar, G. J. and Coleman, M. A. (2014). Implications of macroalgal isolation by distance for networks of Marine Protected Areas. Conservation Biology, 28: 438–445. The candidate was the primary author. The Candidate conducted data analysis in collaboration with author 6. The candidate and authors 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 contributed to the development of main ideas and approach, as well as refining the text. ii Statement of co-authorship Chapter 3 is published as: Durrant H.M.S., Burridge C.P., and Gardner M.G. (2015). Isolation via next generation sequencing of microsatellites from the Tasmanian macroalgae Lessonia corrugata (Lessoniaceae). Applications in Plant Sciences, 3(7):1500042 The candidate was the primary author. Author 7 assisted with laboratory work. The candidate as well as authors 2 and 7 contributed to developing the main ideas, and approach as well as in refining the text. Chapter 4 is in preparation: Durrant, H.M.S., Barrett, N.S., Edgar, G.J. and Coleman, M.A., and Burridge, C.P. (in prep). The influence of habitat on population connectivity in the macroalgae Lessonia corrugata (Lessoniaceae) The candidate was the primary author and conducted all field and laboratory work. The candidate conducted all of the data analysis in collaboration with and assistance from author 2. The candidate as well as author 2 developed the main ideas and approach. The candidate and authors 2, 3, 4, and 5 assisted with refining the text. Chapter 5 is published as: Durrant, H.M.S., Barrett N.S., Edgar, G.J., Coleman M.A., and Burridge C.P. (2015). Shallow phylogeographic histories of key species in a biodiversity hotspot. Phycologia, 54 (6): 556–565. The candidate was the primary author and conducted all of the laboratory work. Authors 3 and 4 provided fieldwork assistance. The candidate conducted all of the data analysis with assistance from author 2. The candidate as well as author 2 developed the main ideas and approach. Authors 2, 3, 4 and 5 assisted with refining the text. iii Statement of co-authorship We the undersigned agree with the above stated “proportion of work undertaken” for each of the above published (or submitted) peer-reviewed manuscripts contributing to this thesis: Signed: Signed: Christopher Burridge Anthony Koutoulis Primary Supervisor Head of School School of Biological Sciences School of Biological Sciences University of Tasmania University of Tasmania 30th November 2015 30th November 2015 iv Acknowledgments I would first like to say an enormous thank you to my supervisors who have made this PhD an enjoyable learning experience, constantly taking the time to answer all of my questions and teach me at every opportunity. Your patience and support are thoroughly appreciated. Melinda Coleman who supervised me from afar and was always eager to offer assistance, despite the distance between us. Her understanding of macroalgae, locally and worldwide, has been of great benefit to the project. Neville Barrett who undertook many hours of fieldwork collecting my samples, and Graham Edgar for ARC support. Both Neville and Graham have imparted a great deal of local and scientific knowledge over the course of my project, acting as a fund of information. A particular mention to Chris Burridge my primary supervisor. Throughout my time as his student he never ceased to amaze me in regards to the time he puts into each and every one of his students. Thank you for always having your door open, calming me down when aspects of the project failed, and for taking the time to teach me new techniques and ideas at every available opportunity. I have learnt more than I thought possible, and will always be grateful for your patience and sense of humour. I am forever astounded and thankful for research collaboration. Sample collections would not have been possible if it were not for Liz Oh (IMAS), Rick Stuart-Smith (IMAS), Antonia Cooper (IMAS) Bryan Woods (Australian Marine Ecology), Steffan Howe (Parks Victoria), Dave Miller (DENR, SA), Alecia Belgrove (Deakin University) and Peter Unmack (University of Canberra) and Justin Hulls (IMAS). A Particular mention to Mailie Gall (Gouws et al.) for not only collecting samples for me, but for being a good friend and colleague. For practical laboratory skills I would like to thank Adam Smolenski, who is an absolute asset to the UTAS genetics lab. Thank you for all the times you stayed late to teach me a new technique. No question was ever too naieve, and I can honestly say I have enjoyed the many months I spent in the laboratory. For help with everything administrative I would also like to thank the patient team we have in the School of Biological Sciences: Felicity Wilkinson, Jodi Noble, Clancy Carver, Rose Pongratz and Barry Rumbold. v Acknowledgements For funding support I would like to thank the Holsworth Wildlife Research Endowment, for without this funding much of this research would not have been possible. Also to the Australian Research Council, University of Tasmania and the School of Biological Sciences. Throughout my PhD I was lucky enough to have a strong network of friends to keep me sane. To those at the University of Tasmania: Gini Andersen, Nick Fountain-Jones and Anna Brüniche-Olsen, just to name a few. A particular mention to Bronwyn Fancourt, who provided coffee when it was needed most, answers to many questions, and a friendly ear when I needed to talk. Thank you also for allowing me to volunteer on your own project and get out in the field when I needed a change of scenery. Those field trips and early morning starts were a welcome change and a great experience. To those outside of UTAS, you have been a breath of fresh air when I needed it most. Courtney Bell and Katie Caire, you’ve been absolutely fabulous. Joanne Steel, for our many phone calls and laughs. Dawn, Paul and Alexander Squire, for taking care of me and making me laugh. To all those mentioned here and more, I am so lucky to have found you along the way; I am surely a happier and better person for having you all in my life. Thanks also goes to my extended family, particularly my cousin Holly for the late nights spent listening to what must have been a substantial amount of rambling on my part; it was a great distraction and release. Included in this are my inlaws (Phill, Rosemarie, Amanda and Nathan), who provided help to me in so many ways. A special mention also goes to my furry study companions, Sammy and Clancy, for their calming influence and much needed entertainment throughout my whole time at university. To my mother Mary and father Les, if it were not for the both of you I would not have made it this far. Thank you for everything you do for me, your support and belief in me has been unwavering for as long as I can remember. It is truly a pleasure and a privilege to have you as my parents. One of my biggest thank yous goes to my husband Brad. Even whilst coping with his wifes PhD induced mood swings, he still managed to provide a calming influence to my life. His constant support and encouragement has helped me reach the end of this road, and I am vi Acknowledgements grateful to have had him to share it with.