JCU > Research Portfolio > Dr Vanessa Messmer

About

Research Disciplines: Ecology (0602)

Ecological Applications (0501)

Environmental Science and Management (0502)
Socio-Economic Objectives: Expanding Knowledge (9701)

Flora, Fauna and Biodiversity (9608)

Ecosystem Assessment and Management (9605)

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

Cowan Z, Pratchett M, Messmer V and Ling S (2017) Known predators of crown-of-thorns starfish (Acanthaster spp.) and their role in mitigating, if not preventing, population outbreaks. Diversity, 9 (1). pp. 1-19
Pratchett M, Cameron D, Donelson J, Evans L, Frisch A, Hobday A, Hoey A, Marshall N, Messmer V, Munday P, Pears R, Pecl G, Reynolds A, Scott M, Tobin A, Tobin R, Welch D and Williamson D (2017) Effects of climate change on coral grouper (Plectropomus spp.) and possible adaptation options. Reviews in Fish Biology and Fisheries, 27. pp. 297-316
Wilmes J, Matthews S, Schultz D, Messmer V, Hoey A and Pratchett M (2017) Modelling growth of juvenile crown-of-thorns starfish on the northern Great Barrier Reef. Diversity, 9 (1). pp. 1-11
Cinner J, Pratchett M, Graham N, Messmer V, Fuentes M, Ainsworth T, Ban N, Bay L, Blythe J, Dissard D, Dunn S, Evans L, Fabinyi M, Fidelman P, Figueiredo J, Frisch A, Fulton C, Hicks C, Lukoschek V, Mallela J, Moya A, Penin L, Rummer J, Walker S and Williamson D (2016) A framework for understanding climate change impacts on coral reef social–ecological systems. Regional Environmental Change, 16 (4). pp. 1133-1146
Hoey A, Howells E, Johansen J, Hobbs J, Messmer V, Bradbury D, Wilson S and Pratchett M (2016) Recent advances in understanding the effects of climate change on coral reefs. Diversity, 8 (2). pp. 1-22
Harrison H, Saenz-agudelo P, Al-Salamah M, Messmer V, Pratchett M and Berumen M (2015) Microsatellite multiplex assay for the coral-eating crown-of-thorns starfish, Acanthaster cf. planci. Conservation Genetics Resources, 7 (3). pp. 627-630
Holbrook S, Schmitt R, Messmer V, Brooks A, Srinivasan M, Munday P and Jones G (2015) Reef fishes in biodiversity hotspots are at greatest risk from loss of coral species. PLoS One, 10 (5). pp. 1-12
Johansen J, Pratchett M, Messmer V, Coker D, Tobin A and Hoey A (2015) Large predatory coral trout species unlikely to meet increasing energetic demands in a warming ocean. Scientific Reports, 5. pp. 1-8
Cooke S, Messmer V, Tobin A, Pratchett M and Clark T (2014) Refuge-seeking impairments mirror metabolic recovery following fisheries-related stressors in the Spanish flag snapper (Lutjanus carponotatus) on the Great Barrier Reef. Physiological and Biochemical Zoology, 87 (1). pp. 136-147
Johansen J, Messmer V, Coker D, Hoey A and Pratchett M (2014) Increasing ocean temperatures reduce activity patterns of a large commercially important coral reef fish. Global Change Biology, 20 (4). pp. 1067-1074
Messmer V, Blowes S, Jones G and Munday P (2014) Experimental evaluation of diversity-productivity relationships in a coral reef fish assemblage. Oecologia, 176 (1). pp. 237-249
Messmer V, Jones G, Munday P and Planes S (2012) Concordance between genetic and species diversity in coral reef fishes across the pacific ocean biodiversity gradient. Evolution, 66 (12). pp. 3902-3917

More: ResearchOnline@JCU stores 19+ research outputs authored by Dr Vanessa Messmer from 2005 onwards.

Current Funding

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

Australian Museum - Crown-of-Thorns Starfish research grants

Microhabitat preferences and post-settlement demography for juvenile crown-of-thorns starfish (COTS)

Indicative Funding: $35,717
Summary: We will document fine-scale (within reef) variation in the abundance of juvenile (0+ year old) CoTS and relate patterns of abundance to specific features of the local habitat (e.g., depth and aspect) and micro-habitat (eg., cover of different coralline algae and corals) to further refine where to find newly settled CoTS. In areas with high settlement of CoTS, we will also quantify early post-settlement growth and mortality for a single cohort of CoTS, by measuring the local abundance and size structure of juvenile CoTS at selected locations through the course of 1 year.
Investigators: Morgan Pratchett, Jennifer Wilmes, Andrew Hoey and Vanessa Messmer (ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies)
Keywords: Acanthaster; Demography; Settlement; Disturbance; Coral Reefs

Fisheries Research & Development Corporation - Annual Competitive Round

Establishing baselines and assessing vulnerability of commercially harvested corals across northern Australia

Indicative Funding: $260,000 over 3 years (administered by Department of Fisheries (WA))
Summary: This project is critically important to provide necessary data on the distribution, abundance and biology of commonly harvested corals across northern Australia, both to ensure that current harvest levels and practices are sustainable and address legislative requirements for harvesting and exporting species listed under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).
Investigators: Morgan Pratchett and Vanessa Messmer in collaboration with Stephen Newman (ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies and WA Department of Fisheries)
Keywords: Corals; aquarium fishery; Stock Assessment; Population Structure; Vulnerability

Australian Museum - Crown-of-Thorns Starfish research grants

Settlement collectors as an early warning system for outbreaks of crown-of-thorns starfish

Indicative Funding: $25,000
Summary: The purpose of this project is to quantify patterns of larval settlement using purpose-built settlement collectors. If effective, this will provide an early warning system to forewarn of new or continued outbreaks up to 18 months before increased densities of Acanthaser sp. Are typically detected within reef habitats. This research will not only help to target current control efforts but help to establish when and where COTS actually settle (ie preferred settlement habitats) which will facilitate improved predictions about the distribution and spread of starfish across the Great Barrier Reef.
Investigators: Morgan Pratchett and Vanessa Messmer (ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies)
Keywords: Acanthaster; Crown-of-Thorns Starfish; Settlement; Disturbance; Management; Genetics

Department of the Environment and Energy - Director of National Parks - Contract Research

Updated review of research and monitoring in Australia's Commonwealth Marine Reserves relating to natural values

Indicative Funding: $40,821 over 2 years
Summary: Review and summarise all information (including scientific literature, technical reports and other relevant outputs of scientific research and monitoring) relevant to Australia?s Commonwealth Marine Reserves (CMRs). Relevance to CMRs will be assessed on the basis of geographic overlapping with CMR boundaries and adjacent areas and relevance (eg connectivity) to the CMRs'values, including any literature that links uses or pressures to natural values. All information will be incorporated into an updated CMR research database for the Australian Director of National Parks.
Investigators: Andrew Hoey, Morgan Pratchett and Vanessa Messmer (ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies)
Keywords: Commonwealth Marine Reserves; Tropical Reef; Temperate Reef; Resource Management; Ecosystem Health

Supervision

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

Predation on the Early Life Stages of the Crown-of-thorns Starfish (Acanthaster cf. solaris) (PhD , Secondary Advisor)
Distribution and Abundance of Juvenile Crown-of-Thorns Starfish on the Great Barrier Reef (PhD , Secondary Advisor)
Reconstructing and Forecasting Outbreaks of Crown-of-thorn starfish (A. planci) on the Great Barrier Reef (PhD , Secondary Advisor)

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.