Waikato University, MSc

Biodiversity of terrestrial invertebrates in southern Victoria Land

This project expands on previous research to describe patterns of biodiversity for terrestrial invertebrates (e.g. springtails and mites) from study sites in the Victoria and Wright Valley's using traditional, morphology-based, taxonomic and molecular approaches. Information will be provided on the origin, evolutionary relationships and present day dispersal patterns of Antarctic invertebrate taxa. Ultimately, this will improve our knowledge of Antarctic biodiversity , and provide critical information for the formulation of Specially protected Areas within the Ross Rea region to protect existing levels of diversity.

Publications
McGaughran, A. Genetic diversity and phylogeography of New Zealand and Antarctic anrthropods. M.Sc., University of Waikato. 2005. Allan Wilson Centre for Molecular Ecology and Evolution, Massey University.