Professor Rocky de Nys
Head of Aquaculture
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PhD in Marine chemical ecology and natural products chemistry, James Cook University Postdoctoral Fellow in Pharmaceutical Biology, ETH, Switzerland ARC Postdoctoral and Research Fellow in Marine Chemical Ecology and Biofouling, University of New South Wales. Integrated Aquaculture and Ecology Laboratory, James Cook University |
Research Interests
Integrated Aquaculture and Ecology Lab (link to 2006, 2007 reports)
Research interests are grouped under five programs - Biofouling; Sponge biology, ecology and aquaculture; Algal ecology and aquaculture; Sustainable aquaculture systems; Microalgae for biodiesel
Current Projects Include
Biofouling
Biofouling research focuses on identifying antifouling mechanisms in the marine environment, and the development and implementation of novel antifouling technologies. Specific areas include identifying natural physical and chemical antifouling mechanisms, non-toxic surface mediated antifouling technologies, and developing bio-mimetic antifouling technologies. Current joint projects with CSIRO, NIWA, and collaboration with the aquaculture industry, are developing new technologies for targeted applications.
Sponge biology, ecology and aquaculture
The sponge program investigates the fundamental biology and ecology of sponges and focuses on sponge reproduction, larval biology, feeding biology, natural products chemistry, and chemical ecology of sponges. This work is a collaborative program with AIMS and provides a fundamental science platform for the AIMS sponge aquaculture program, including the culture of sponges for high value marine natural products.
Algal ecology and aquaculture
A program of research in algal ecology and aquaculture is developing with a focus on the genus Caulerpa. The high growth rates of Caulerpa, its resistance to herbivores, and in some cases its high value as an edible seaweed means it has become the target for the bioremediation of waste-water from land-based aquaculture systems. In conjunction with other algae we have a developing program in algal bioremediation, and the aquaculture of tropical algae for a diversity of commercial uses. This program links directly with that in sustainable aquaculture.
Sustainable aquaculture systems
The algal research is part of a broader approach to developing sustainable aquaculture systems through the design and integration of plant and herbivore production with intensive marine and freshwater aquaculture systems. The development of sustainable low nutrient discharge systems is critical for the future of aquaculture, and we are developing integrated systems using both terrestrial and marine plants to minimise nutrient release and maximise productivity. A significant new development in this program is the production of microalgae for the extraction of high value oils and the production of biodiesel.
Microalgae for biodiesel
Research is rapidly developing on the selection and culture of microalgal strains for the production of high yields of oils for biodiesel production, and high value oils for human consumption (omega-3 and omega-6). In addition, these processes produce algae cake suitable for livestock feeds. These bioreactor-based systems can link directly into the bioremediation of nitrogen rich aquaculture and municipal wastewater streams, and also fix CO2. There is an obvious synergy between renewable fuels through algal production and environmental sustainability, with outstanding potential to deliver win-win commercial-environmental outcomes. JCU in partnership with MBD Biodiesel is developing a long-term collaborative program in the renewable energy industry with a focus on microalgae for biodiesel.
Currently Supervised Projects
Staff
Dr Nicholas Paul – Lecturer in Aquaculture - Algal ecology and aquaculture / Sustainable aquaculture systems (link to Nick’s page)
Nick leads the group’s research program on algal ecology and aquaculture, and integrating algal culture into aquaculture production systems (sustainable aquaculture). He also leads research into the ecology of algae-herbivore interactions.
Dr Steve Whalan – Postdoctoral Fellow – Biofouling (link to Steve’s page)
Steve is a Postdoctoral Fellow in the collaborative CSIRO-JCU Biofouling program developing new antifouling technologies based on surface effects. He also has strong interests in sponge biology and larval biology.
Finn Baumgartner - Researcher, Sustainable Aquaculture
Finn manages the operations of the sustainable aquaculture program on the integration of algae into aquaculture production systems to remove nitrogen and value-add to existing products.
Michelle Condy - Researcher, Biofouling
Michelle is a researcher in the collaborative CSIRO-JCU Biofouling program developing new antifouling technologies based on surface effects.
Postgraduate Students
Hugh Macintosh – Biofouling
Hugh is undertaking a PhD investigating the larval biology and ecology of tropical shipworms. The project has a focus on larval settlement preferences and the factors affecting settlement choices and post-settlement success.
Scott Seymour - Algal ecology and aquaculture / Sustainable aquaculture
Scott is undertaking a PhD on utilizing the biodiversity of tropical algae to select appropriate species for integration into integrated aquaculture. The project aims to quantify the dynamics of sustainable integrated system for barramundi – algae – herbivore (sea urchin) systems.
Pedro Henrique de Paula Silva – Algal ecology and aquaculture / Sustainable aquaculture
Pedro is completing his MSc (Research) into the application of “Green tide” algae for bioremediation. The project has is quantifying the effectiveness of green tide algae for nitrogen removal in the bioremediation ponds of tropical pond aquaculture systems.
Sarah Castine – Algal ecology and aquaculture / Sustainable aquaculture
Sarah is undertaking a PhD on the interaction between algal species used in bioremediation and meso-grazers. The project focuses on the ecology of the unique mesocosms established in tropical pond aquaculture.
Heidi Luter – Sponge biology, ecology and aquaculture
Heidi is undertaking a PhD on sponge disease under the joint supervision of Steve Whalan and Nicole Webster (AIMS). The project aims to identify the nature and transmission of diseases within sponge populations.
Raymond Bannister - Sponge biology, ecology and aquaculture
Ray is completing a PhD investigating the effects of light, sediment and food availability on the feeding biology and ecology of the tropical sponges.
Future PhD Directions
Biofouling, natural antifouling mechanisms, and biomimetic fouling control
Sponge larval biology, settlement cues, and post-settlement success
Algal ecology and aquaculture, and sustainable aquaculture systems
Microalgae for biodiesel production
Teaching
AQ3320 (Not offered 2008 – 2007 Page )
Selected Publications
Integrated Aquaculture and Ecology Group - Publications 2007-2008
IAE staff and students are in bold
(DEST Category C1 Articles in peer reviewed scholarly journals)
1 Bannister RJ, Brinkman R, Wolff C, Battershill C, de Nys R. The distribution and abundance of Dictyoceratid sponges in relation to hydrodynamic features: identifying candidates and environmental conditions for sponge aquaculture. Marine and Freshwater Research 58, 624-633 2007
2 Ettinger-Epstein P, Battershill C, Whalan S, de Nys R.Temperature cues gametogenesis and larval release in a tropical sponge. Marine Biology 153, 171-178 2007
3 Ettinger-Epstein P, Motti CA, de Nys R, Wright AD, Battershill CN, Tapiolas DM. Acetylated sesterterpenes from the Great Barrier Reef sponge Luffariella variabilis. Journal of Natural Products 70, 648-651 2007
4 Guenther J, de Nys R. Surface microtopographies of tropical sea stars: Lack of an efficient physical defence mechanism against fouling. Biofouling 23, 419-429 2007
5 Guenther J, Heimann K, de Nys R. Pedicellariae of the crown-of-thorns sea star Acanthaster planci are not an effective defence against fouling. Marine Ecology Progress Series 340, 101-108 2007
6 Guenther J, Walker-Smith G, Waren A, de Nys R. Fouling-resistant surfaces of tropical sea stars. Biofouling 23, 413-418
7 Louden D, Inderbitzin S, Peng, Z, de Nys R. Development of a new protocol for testing bath sponge quality. Aquaculture 271, 275-285 2007
8 Louden D, Whalan S, Evans-Illidge E, Wolff C, de Nys R. An assessment of the aquaculture potential of the tropical sponges Rhopaloeides odorabile and Coscinoderma n. sp. Aquaculture 270, 57-67 2007
9 Nylund GM, Gribben PE, de Nys R, Steinberg PD, Pavia H. Surface chemistry versus whole cell extracts – antifouling tests with seaweed metabolites. Marine
Ecology Progress Series 329, 73-84,2007
10 Sherbrooke WC, Scardino AJ, de Nys R, Schwarzkopf L. Functional morphology of scale hinges used to transport water: Convergent drinking adaptations in desert lizards. Zoomorphology 126, 89-102 2007
11 Whalan S, Battershill C, de Nys R. Sexual reproduction of the brooding sponge Rhopaloeides odorabile. Coral Reefs 26, 655-663 2007
12 Whalan S, Battershill C, de Nys R. Variability in reproductive output across a water quality gradient for a tropical marine sponge. Marine Biology 153, 163-169 2007
2008
(DEST Category C1 Articles in peer reviewed scholarly journals)
1 Ettinger-Epstein P., Tapiolas D.M., Motti, C.A., Wright A.D., Battershill C., de Nys R Production of manoalide and its analogues by the sponge Luffariella variabilis is hardwired. Marine Biotechnology 10, 64-74 2008
2 Scardino AJ, Guenther J, de Nys R. Attachment point theory revisited: the fouling response to a microtextured matrix. Biofouling 24, 45-53 2008
3 Skindersoe, M.E., Ettinger Epstein P., Rasmussen T., Bjarnsholt T., de Nys R., Givskov M. Quorum sensing antagonism from marine organisms. Marine Biotechnology 10, 56-63 2008
4 Steger D, Ettinger-Epstein P, Whalan S, Hentschel U, de Nys R, Wagner M, Taylor M. Diversity and mode of transmission of ammonia-oxidising archea in marine sponges. Environmental Microbiology doi:10.1111/j.1462-2920.2007.01515.x
(DEST Category B1 Chapter in a scholarly book)
5 de Nys R, Ison O. Biofouling. The Biology and Culture of Pearl Oysters. (Southgate PC, Lucas J. eds) Elsevier Press 2008 ISBN
6 de Nys R, Guenther J, Uriz MJ. Natural fouling control. Biofouling. (Durr S, Thomason J. eds) Blackwell Publishing 2008 ISBN13 9781405169264
Contact details
Professor Rocky de Nys
Campus: Townsville
Phone : +61747814412
Fax: +61 7 4725 1570
Email : rocky.denys@jcu.edu.au
Note: Please direct all student enquiries through the School Secretary.
