About

My research program consists of two broad, overlapping components: 1. evolution, ecology and conservation, and 2. systematics and taxonomy. Needless to say my interests are broad and I incorporate a variety of field, lab and experimental techniques in my research. I am particularly interested in processes of population divergence (particularly in mating traits) and the formation of new species. My main study system is hybrid zones between lineages of Green-eyed Treefrogs (Litoria serrata and L. myola) in rainforests of the Wet Tropics region of north-east Australia. These hybrid zones are fascinating and current projects revolve around determining the importance of reinforcement (increased premating isolation due to selection against maladaptive hybridisation) in speciation. Other projects I am currently working on include: targeted surveys for ‘missing’ and declined frogs; ecology and systematics of dipteran parasites of frogs; conservation of highly localised Queensland frogs and reptiles; and the invasion and impact of the Asian House Gecko in Australia.

Much of my research has involved frogs and reptiles but this has been largely a product of their suitability for the research questions to date. My interests are taxonomically broad.

Teaching
  • BZ2705: Australian Vertebrate Fauna (Level 2; TSV)
  • BZ3001: Field Studies in the Equatorial Tropics: Borneo (Level 3; TSV)
  • BZ3220: Population and Community Ecology (Level 3; TSV)
  • BZ3740: Wildlife Ecology and Management (Level 3; TSV)
  • BZ5220: Population and Community Ecology (Level 5; TSV)
  • BZ5705: Australian Vertebrate Fauna (Level 5; TSV)
  • BZ5740: Wildlife Ecology and Management (Level 5; TSV)
Research Disciplines
Socio-Economic Objectives
Honours
Awards
  • 2009 - Eureka Prize - ABRS Early Career Species Discovery
  • 2003 - Henry Seibert Award - Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles (International)
Fellowships
  • 2011 to 2014 - ABRS BushBlitz Research Fellowship (2011-2014)
  • 2007 to 2010 - ARC Australian Postdoctoral (APD) Research Fellowship (2007-2010)
Publications

These are the most recent publications associated with this author. To see a detailed profile of all publications stored at JCU, visit ResearchOnline@JCU. Hover over Altmetrics badges to see social impact.

Journal Articles
Book Chapters
  • Hero J, Roberts J, Hoskin C, Lowe K, Narayan E and Bishop P (2015) Austral amphibians: Gondwanan relicts in peril. In: Austral Ark: the state of wildlife in Australia and New Zealand. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK, pp. 440-466
  • Reside A, Ceccarelli D, Isaac J, Hilbert D, Moran C, Llewelyn J, Macdonald S, Hoskin C, Pert P and Parsons J (2014) Biodiversity: adaptation pathways and opportunities. In: Adaptation Pathways and Opportunities for the Wet Tropics NRM Cluster Region: volume 1: introduction, biodiversity and ecosystem services. James Cook University, Cairns, QLD, Australia, pp. 11-74
More

ResearchOnline@JCU stores 66+ research outputs authored by Dr Conrad Hoskin from 1999 onwards.

Current Funding

Current and recent Research Funding to JCU is shown by funding source and project.

Wet Tropics Management Authority - Student Research Grant Scheme

Conservation of the Spotted?tailed Quoll across the Wet Tropics mountaintops

Indicative Funding
$1,200
Summary
The northern subspecies of Spotted?tailed Quoll (Dasyurus maculatus gracilis) is genetically divergent, highly isolated, and restricted to high elevation rainforest of the Wet Tropics. It is listed as Endangered at both the Federal (EPBC) and State (NCA) level. Dasyurus m. gracilis has declined substantially due to a number of possible threats and only appears to survive in five small, disjunct areas across the central and northern Wet Tropics mountains. For effective management, it is vital that we understand the decline and genetic structuring of Spotted?tailed Quoll populations across the Wet Tropics. This project aims to: 1) Use distribution modelling to identify areas of quoll loss/persistence and assess possible reasons for the decline, in order to identify threats and key areas for conservation management, and 2) Use genomics to determine genetic structuring between subpopulations, in order to understand isolation and connectivity between populations and direct conservation actions
Investigators
Adriana Uzqueda, Conrad Hoskin and Scott Burnett (College of Science & Engineering and Sunshine Coast University)
Keywords
Dasyurus maculatus gracilis; Dasyuridae; Genomics; Spotted?tailed Quoll; Modelling

Wet Tropics Management Authority - Student Research Grant Scheme

The impact of yellow crazy ants on key invertebrates, skinks and frogs of the Wet Tropics

Indicative Funding
$1,300
Summary
This project aims to increase the understanding of the effects of the invasive yellow crazy ant. This will be achieved by conducting surveys of skinks, frogs and invertebrate across a number of sites. Certain sites will have crazy ant infestations, while others will be in similar, uninvaded habitats. Data from the invaded and uninvaded sites will be compared to examine the direct and indirect effects on biodiversity and community structure that yellow crazy ants have. This will allow us to better understand the risk they pose to the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area.
Investigators
Dylan Case, Lori Lach and Conrad Hoskin (College of Science & Engineering)
Keywords
Yellow Crazy Ant (Formicidae); Wet Tropics World Heritage Area; Litoria myola (Hylidae); Invasive species; Community structure; Skinks (Scincidae)

Natural Resource Assessments Pty Ltd - Contract Research

Threatened frog surveys Kuranda

Indicative Funding
$22,715
Summary
Perform frog surveys on the KUR-World site and provide a report on threatened stream-associated frogs to NRA Environmental Consultants. Surveys will target threatened stream-breeding frogs after wet weather. The report will outline frog presence and abundance and recommendations on required habitat, stream buffers and ways to minimise ecological impacts.
Investigators
Conrad Hoskin (College of Science & Engineering)
Keywords
threatened frog; Biodiversity survey; Impact Assessment

Plant Biosecurity CRC Ltd - Contract Research

Asian House Gecko Research

Indicative Funding
$53,468
Summary
Research o the calling behaviour and movements of Asian House Geckos. This project will use experiments and field data to assess the determinants of calling behaviour in the Asian House Geckos. The results will be used to refine methods for detecting this invasive species. The research will also include a mark-recapture field study to understand the scalel of movements of Asian House Geckos in urban and bushland areas.
Investigators
Conrad Hoskin in collaboration with Jessica Waugh and Megan Higgie (College of Science & Engineering)
Keywords
Calling; Movements; Invasive Species; Gecko; Asian House Gecko; Wildlife Management

Reever & Ocean Pty Ltd - Contract Research

Endangered Frog Surveys Kuranda

Indicative Funding
$35,192
Summary
This project is to survey wildlife at a site in the Kuranda region, with particular focus on endangered frog species.
Investigators
Conrad Hoskin (College of Science & Engineering)
Keywords
Impact Assessment; Endangered Species; Frogs
Supervision

Advisory Accreditation: I can be on your Advisory Panel as a Primary or Secondary Advisor.

These Higher Degree Research projects are either current or by students who have completed their studies within the past 5 years at JCU. Linked titles show theses available within ResearchOnline@JCU.

Current
  • Can Species Interactions Cause Rapid Niche Adaptation? (PhD , Secondary Advisor)
  • Species Interations and the Evolution of Mating Traits (PhD , Secondary Advisor)
  • Understanding the Ecology and Impacts of the Asian House Gecko (Hemidactylus Frenatus) (PhD , Primary Advisor)
  • Biogeography and systematics of the Slender-legged Tree Frog species group in the Amazon Basin (PhD , Primary Advisor)
  • Pheromones as a mating trait in Australian lizards: understanding diversity in morphologically conservative taxa (PhD , Primary Advisor)
  • Cane Toads in Wet Tropical Rainforest and thier Potential Impacton Spotted-tailed Quolls (PhD , Primary Advisor)
Completed
Collaboration

The map shows research collaborations by institution from the past 7 years.
Note: Map points are indicative of the countries or states that institutions are associated with.

  • 5+ collaborations
  • 4 collaborations
  • 3 collaborations
  • 2 collaborations
  • 1 collaboration
  • Indicates the Tropics (Torrid Zone)

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Email
Phone
Location
  • 28.220, Marine & Tropical Biology 2 (Townsville campus)
Advisory Accreditation
Primary Advisor
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  5. Dr Lori Lach
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