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:

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

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

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

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

2007- Santos Research grant ($7,080)

2007- Holsworth Wildlife Research Endowment ($4,700)

Publications

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: Thursday, 15 Oct 2009