Lesley Alton
BSc (Hons) University of Adelaide
PhD Candidate
Research History
I commenced my PhD in May 2007 and am investigating the interactive effects of UV-B radiation and temperature on embryonic and larval anurans. I specifically aim to determine the effect of temperature on the DNA-repairing enzyme, photolyase, and the effect of UV-B on larval fitness in the hope of advancing our understanding of the potential role of increasing UV radiation, due primarily to the depletion of ozone, and climate change in the cause of anuran population declines.
Prior to my PhD candidature I was employed by the South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI) where I was involved in a project that aimed to examine the impact of water quality, including salinity, on the recruitment dynamics of native and exotic fish species in the Murray-Darling Basin. For this project I was responsible for developing laboratory experiments to determine the salinity tolerance of larval fish in order to assess the risk of rising salinity levels to native and exotic fish populations. This work is currently ongoing at SARDI and findings will be presented at the Australian Society of Limnology in December 2007.
During my Honours year I undertook a research project that investigated the effect of changes in aerial oxygen partial pressure (Po2) and barometric pressure on bimodal (i.e. aerial and aquatic) respiration and air-breathing behaviour in a freshwater air-breathing fish, the pearl gourami. This project incorporated a hyperbaric chamber within a standard flow-through respirometry system to alter the barometric pressure, which has never before been used in the study of air breathing fish making this project highly innovative. Although the barometric pressure component of this project did not lead to any conclusive results with regard to the role of air breathing in buoyancy control, the experimental manipulations of aerial Po2 offered insight into the mechanisms involved in respiratory control in air-breathing fish. Using a novel approach, I was able to make inferences regarding the presence and role of chemoreceptors at the site of aerial respiration, an area of research that has received little attention within the literature.
Education
2007 – Current
PhD Candidate
The University of Queensland
Supervisors: Prof. Craig E. Franklin and Dr Robbie S. Wilson
2004
B.Sc.(Hons), Environmental Biology
First Class
Thesis: “Effect of aerial oxygen content and barometric pressure on bimodal gas exchange and air-breathing behaviour in Trichogaster leeri”, The University of Adelaide
Supervisor: Prof. Roger S. Seymour
2000 – 2004
B.Sc., Environmental Biology
The University of Adelaide
Employment
2006 – 2007
Research Officer (PSO1-3)
South Australian Research and Development Institute
Aquatic Sciences Centre (Inland Waters Program)
Teaching Experience
2007
ZOOL2030 Experimental and Physiological Zoology
ZOOL3005 Animal Ecophysiology
Awards and Scholarships
2007 Australian Postgraduate Award
2004 Ecophysiology of Animals Honours Scholarship, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Adelaide
2003 Life-time member of the University of Adelaide Chapter of the Golden Key International Honour Society
Publications
Alton, L.A., White, C.R. and Seymour, R.S. (2007) Effect of aerial O2 partial pressure on bimodal gas exchange and air-breathing behaviour in Trichogaster leeri. Journal of Experimental Biology 210: 2311-2319.
Publications: Reports
Alton, L.A. and Ye, Q. (2007) A literature review on key fish species. In Investigation of Water Quality and Fish assemblages in the Patawalonga System, pp 27-84. (Eds. Q. Ye and J. Brookes). South Australian Research and Development Institute (Aquatic Sciences), Adelaide, 104pp. SARDI Publication Number F2007/000xxx-1.
Publications: Conference Proceedings
Alton, L.A. (2004) Effects of aerial oxygen content on bimodal gas exchange in Trichogaster leeri. ANZSCPB Proceedings 21: 29.
Seminars Presented
2004
Effects of aerial oxygen content on bimodal gas exchange in Trichogaster leeri, ANZSCPB 21st Annual Meeting, University of Wollongong, Australia.
Contact Details
School of Integrative Biology
The University of Queensland
St Lucia, Brisbane
Australia, 4072
Email: l.alton@uq.edu.au
Ph: +61 7 3346 9868