Dr Sterling Tebbett ~ Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Marine Ecology
Marine & Aquaculture Sciences
- About
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- Teaching
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- MB3160: Evolution and Ecology of Reef Fishes (Level 3; TSV)
- Interests
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- Research
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- Coral reef ecology with particular emphasis on the role of algae.
- Understanding the feeding ecology and ecological roles of reef fishes.
- The influence of disturbances and stressors on coral reef organisms and ecosystem functioning.
- Developing frameworks for identifying, quantifying, and managing critical ecosystem functions on coral reefs.
- Experience
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- 2022 to 2024 - Postdoctoral Research Fellow, James Cook University (Townsville)
- 2019 to 2022 - Doctoral Candidate, James Cook University (Townsville)
- 2017 to 2018 - Research Assistant, James Cook University (Townsville)
- Research Disciplines
- Socio-Economic Objectives
I originally come from Noosa, Australia, but have been in Townsville at JCU since 2012. Currently I am a postdoctoral research fellow in the Research Hub for Coral Reef Ecosystem Functions at James Cook University, Australia. My primary activity in this position is conducting research that centres on the functional ecology of coral reefs, with this work covering an array of taxonomic groups across multiple spatial scales. Specifically, my research ranges from conducting small-scale field-based studies that examine the functional roles of key organisms and the interactions between them, through to global-scale studies that use a macroecological approach to understand how coral reefs function, and have changed, at large scales. My current role also involves teaching in undergraduate and postgraduate courses, with a particular focus on the ecology and evolution of reef fishes. I also remain an avid aquarium-keeper, with eight-years of experience working in the aquarium industry prior to diving into the world of coral reef research.
- Honours
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- Awards
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- 2023 - Dean’s Award for Higher Degree by Research Excellence
- 2022 - Australian Marine Sciences Association-NQ conference award
- 2020 - Virginia Chadwick Award for an Outstanding Publication
- 2017 - Dr R Palmerston-Rundle Prize for Biological Sciences
- 2015 - James Cook University Academic Medal (Bachelor Coursework)
- 2015 - Port of Townsville Limited Prize in Marine Biology
- 2015 - Chris Alexander Memorial Prizes for Marine Biology (Prize B)
- Publications
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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
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- Douglas S, Tebbett S, Choukroun S, Goatley C and Bellwood D (2023) Depth stratified light trap sampling reveals variation in the depth distribution of late-stage cryptobenthic reef fish larvae. Coral Reefs, 42 (2). pp. 507-512
- Tebbett S, Schlaefer J, Bowden C, Collins W, Hemingson C, Ling S, Morais J, Morais R, Siqueira A, Streit R, Swan S and Bellwood D (2023) Bio-physical determinants of sediment accumulation on an offshore coral reef: A snapshot study. Science of the Total Environment, 895.
- Tebbett S, Crisp S, Evans R, Fulton C, Pessarrodona A, Wernberg T, Wilson S and Bellwood D (2023) On the Challenges of Identifying Benthic Dominance on Anthropocene Coral Reefs. BioScience, 73 (3). pp. 220-228
- Tebbett S, Connolly S and Bellwood D (2023) Benthic composition changes on coral reefs at global scales. Nature Ecology and Evolution, 7 (1). pp. 71-81
- Tebbett S, Bennett S and Bellwood D (in press) A functional perspective on the meaning of the term ‘herbivore’: patterns versus processes in coral reef fishes. Coral Reefs,
- Arjunwadkar C, Tebbett S, Bellwood D, Bourne D and Smith H (2022) Algal turf structure and composition vary with particulate loads on coral reefs. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 181.
- Bowden C, Streit R, Bellwood D and Tebbett S (2022) A 3D perspective on sediment turnover and feeding selectivity in blennies. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 180.
- Crisp S, Tebbett S and Bellwood D (2022) A critical evaluation of benthic phase shift studies on coral reefs. Marine Environmental Research, 178.
- Morais J, Morais Araujo R, Tebbett S and Bellwood D (2022) On the fate of dead coral colonies. Functional Ecology, 36 (12). pp. 3148-3160
- Pessarrodona A, Tebbett S, Bosch N, Bellwood D and Wernberg T (2022) High herbivory despite high sediment loads on a fringing coral reef. Coral Reefs, 41 (1). pp. 161-173
- Schlaefer J, Tebbett S, Bowden C, Collins W, Duce S, Hemingson C, Huertas V, Mihalitsis M, Morais J, Morais R, Siqueira A, Streit R, Swan S, Valenzuela J and Bellwood D (2022) A snapshot of sediment dynamics on an inshore coral reef. Marine Environmental Research, 181.
- Scott M, Tebbett S, Whitman K, Thompson C, Mancini F, Heupel M and Pratchett M (2022) Variation in abundance, diversity and composition of coral reef fishes with increasing depth at a submerged shoal in the northern Great Barrier Reef. Reviews in Fish Biology and Fisheries, 32. pp. 941-962
- More
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ResearchOnline@JCU stores 48+ research outputs authored by Dr Sterling Tebbett from 2016 onwards.
- Current Funding
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Current and recent Research Funding to JCU is shown by funding source and project.
Lizard Island Research Station - Postdoctoral Fellowships
The evolution of a critical ecosystem function for the future of coral reefs
- Indicative Funding
- $14,400 over 1 year
- Summary
- Early in their evolutionary history, surgeonfishes established close links with coral reefs. Today they play essential roles in these threatened ecosystems. Despite this importance, the evolutionary context of some of their ecosystem functions is yet to be understood. This project aims to quantify the role of sediment removal and transportation throughout the evolution of surgeonfishes. More specifically, we will measure the dry weight of sediment found in the guts of surgeonfish species belonging to different clades, and model it through evolutionary time. This would provide fundamental knowledge about an ecosystem function that is critical for the future of coral reefs.
- Investigators
- Alexandre Siqueira Correa, Sterling Tebbett and Isabelle Ng (College of Science & Engineering)
- Keywords
- Surgeonfishes; Phylogeny; Feeding ecology; Sediment removal; Gut contents; Ancestral reconstructions
- Supervision
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Advisory Accreditation: I can be on your Advisory Panel as a 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
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- Planktivorous fishes on coral reefs: A trophic exploration (PhD , Secondary Advisor)
- Data
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These are the most recent metadata records associated with this researcher. To see a detailed description of all dataset records, visit Research Data Australia.
- Bellwood, D. (2020) Data from: Subconscious biases in coral reef fish studies. James Cook University
- Tebbett, S. (2019) Data from: A 3D perspective on sediment accumulation in algal turfs: implications of coral reef flattening. James Cook University
- Collaboration
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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)
Connect with me
- Phone
- Location
- Advisory Accreditation
- Secondary Advisor
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My research areas
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