Vincent "Billy" van Uitregt

BSc (Hons 1) University of Queensland

PhD candidate

Supervisors: Dr Robbie Wilson, Dr Craig White & Dr Tim Hurst

 

Research Interests

After a long and arduous first year of PhD research I settled into a project that satisfies my new found appreciation of evolutionary ecology aswell as having potential for application in human health. I'm asking questions about the evolution of antipredator behaviour in mosquito larvae and how this theory can be harnessed for control of vectors of human pathogens. Larvae of many mosquitoes species respond to chemical cues from predators by reducing activity, presumably reducing their conspicuousness to the predators. Evolutionary theory suggests that inducing this behaviour should be costly, otherwise we would expect them to always have this behavioural phenotype. If the costs of inducing this behavioural phenotype manifest in the adult life stage in a way that would reduce their ability to transmit pathogens, we may be able to develop a novel and effective mosquito control method using synthetic predator cues. The implimentation of Green Urban Design and reintroduction of water tanks throughout Queensland (particularly the south-east) has renewed concerns for mosquito bourne pathogens. 

My Honours research focussed on amphibians, investigating the influence of temperature on the negative effects of ultraviolet B (UVb) radiation.  I hypothesised that the negative effects of UVb should be greater at cooler temperatures via retarded enzymatic repair of the DNA damage UVb induces.  I tested this hypothesis experimentally rearing embryonic and larval stiped marsh frogs (Limnodynastes peronii) under high and low UVb treatments at both 20 and 30 degreesC.  The results were highly indicative of an increased sensitivity of L. peronii to UVb at cooler temperatures.  UVb irradiance is generally greater at high altitudes while temperatures steadily drop up the altitudinal gradient.  This might explain why some species are declining at the higher altitudes of their distribution.

Personal Interests

My PhD is predominantly based in the laboratory. So whenever possible I try and get out of the lab by giving others in our research group a hand with field based projects. Tutoring on the various undergraduate field trips run through our school is a good time filler also. Getting paid to be out in the field and talk science and ecology with undergraduates...Not a bad gig!

 

Publications

van Uitregt VO, Wilson RS, Franklin CE (2007) Cooler temperatures increase sensitivity to Ultraviolet B radiation in embryos and tadpoles of the striped marsh frog Limnodynastes peronii.  Global Change Biology, 13, 1114-1121.

Full Text PDF (154KB)

Contact Details

School of Integrative Biology
The University of Queensland
St Lucia, Brisbane
Australia, 4072
Email: v.vanuitregt@uq.edu.au
Ph: +61 7 3365 4774