SEMINAR: OI Seminar Series - Jean Paul Hobbs

Title: Determining extinction risk in Western Australia's endemic reef fishes

Abstract: In the terrestrial environment, endemic species have experienced the highest rates of extinction over the last 400 years because they exhibit a range of vulnerable ecological, biological and genetic traits. Although there have been fewer reported extinctions in the marine environment during the same period, it does appear that marine endemics are also susceptible to extinction. However, we do not know if marine endemics have a heightened risk of extinction for the same reasons as their terrestrial counterparts. In this talk I will examine extinction risk traits in endemic marine fishes and outline areas of future research. Determining whether terrestrial based patterns and theories apply in the marine environment is crucial for identifying marine species most at risk of extinction; an urgent priority given the recent global changes that are occurring in this system. Developing effective management strategies for conserving marine species requires identifying which species have the greatest risk of extinction and why. This is particularly relevant to Western Australia, which is a global hotspot for endemic marine species.