Developing life tables for feral fallow deer (Dama dama) using growth-ring analysis in teeth

Project description

This project presents an opportunity to learn specialist and widely transferrable mammal-aging techniques within a multidisciplinary team with expertise in population ecology, invasive-species management, and ecological modelling.  The student will analyse annual growth rings (cementum annuli) in feral fallow deer (Dama dama) teeth, aging individual deer and deriving demographic parameters (e.g., survival probability) for South Australia’s feral fallow deer population. Australia’s feral deer population is increasing, causing escalating impacts to the natural environment, primary production, public safety, and threatening biosecurity. In South Australia there are approximately 40,000 feral deer. Coordinated by the Department of Primary Industries and Regions South Australia (PIRSA), the South Australian Government has embarked on an ambitious goal of eradication by 2032. Researchers at Flinders University are supporting the eradication effort, using mathematical modelling approaches to simulate feral deer population change under various control scenarios, and identify interim population reduction targets necessary to achieve eradication within the program timeframe. Demographic parameters (age-specific survival and fertility) are essential for accurate population projections, yet these are not widely reported for fallow deer, Australia’s most wide-spread, and South Australia’s most abundant, feral deer species. Cementum annuli analysis is a reliable technique for aging deer and if applied to a representative population sample, can quantify demographic parameters necessary for population models. Working in partnership with Flinders University, South Australian Museum and the Department of Primary Industries and Regions South Australia, the student will receive supervision from Professor Corey Bradshaw and industry representatives. Laboratory facilities at the South Australian Museum will be available to prepare tooth thin sections and do cementum annuli analysis on teeth collected from culled fallow deer.

Co-supervisors

Peter Hamnett, PhD candidate in the Global Ecology Laboratory, will supervise much of the laboratory and field components of this project.

Assumed knowledge

- basic population ecology - basic invasive species ecology - basic laboratory etiquette

Supervisors research focus

See https://www.flinders.edu.au/people/corey.bradshaw

Industry involvement

Department of Primary Industries and Regions, South Australia (PIRSA); South Australian Museum

Note: You need to register interest in projects from different supervisors (not a number of projects with the one supervisor).
You must also contact each supervisor directly to discuss both the project details and your suitability to undertake the project.