Mr Nicholas Payne

Qualifications

Bachelor of Environmental Science with 1st Class honours (University of Adelaide) 2001-2006

Doctor of Philosophy (2007-present) University of Adelaide. Supervisors: Assoc. Prof Bronwyn Gillanders (University of Adelaide), Dr Jayson Semmens (TAFI).

Research Interests

My current research is aimed at providing insights into movement patterns of giant Australian cuttlefish (Sepia apama) in northern Spencer Gulf. This fascinating species forms a unique spawning aggregation each winter over a small rocky reef near Whyalla, South Australia; a global phenomenon that attracts extensive interest from the scientific and ecotourism communities.  Despite its importance, significant gaps in knowledge of this species remain: Where do they come from? Do individuals remain at the spawning site for extended periods? What happens to recruits post-spawning? I employ a combination of tools - acoustic telemetry, microchemistry, physiology and biochemistry - to provide answers to some of these questions, and to achieve a greater understanding of the ecology of S. apama.

Recent Grants/Awards:

2010- ANZ Holsworth Wildlife Research Endowment ($4,500)

2009- Santos Ltd. research grant ($12,230)

2009- MISA travel grant ($1,500)

2009- Field Naturalists Society of SA ($3,500)

2008- Sir Mark Mitchell Research Foundation ($4,620)

2008- The Australian Geographic Society ($2,500)

2008- Field Naturalists Society of SA ($2,975)

2007- The Australian Geographic Society ($3,000)

2007- ANZ Holsworth Wildlife Research Endowment ($4,720)

Publications

 

Payne NL, Gillanders BM, Seymour RS, Webber DM, Snelling EP & Semmens JM (2011) Accelerometry estimates field metabolic rate of giant australian cuttlefish Sepia apama during breeding. Journal of Animal Ecology. 80 (2), pp 422-430. DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2656.2010.01758.x.

Payne NL, Gillanders BM & Semmens JM (2010) Breeding durations as estimators of adult sex ratios and population size. Oecologia. 165 (2), pp 341-347. DOI: 10.1007/s00442-010-1729-7.

Payne NL, Gillanders BM, Webber DM & Semmens JM (2010) Interpreting diel activity patterns from acoustic telemetry: the need for controls. Marine Ecology Progress Series. 419, pp 295-301. DOI: 10.3354/meps08864.

Kampf J, Payne NL & Malthouse P (2010) Marine connectivity in a large inverse estuary. Journal of Coastal Research. 26 (6), pp1047-1056. DOI: 10.2112/jcoastres-d-10-00043.1.

Payne NL & Gillanders BM (2009) Assemblages of fish along a mangrove-mudflat gradient in temperate Australia. Marine and Freshwater Research. 60(1) pp 1-13.

Entry last updated: Wednesday, 12 Sep 2012