Dr Jane Williamson

Lecturer

PhD (UNSW)
MSc (Uni Auckland)
Bsc (USyd)

Department of Biological Sciences
Macquarie University
Sydney NSW 2109
Australia

Ph : +61 2 9850 8167
Fax: +61 2 9850 8245
Email: jwilliamson@bio.mq.edu.au

Summary of Research Interests

My research focuses on life-history aspects of marine organisms, particularly the relative effects of recruitment versus post-recruitment processes on the demography of marine herbivores. My current interests are diverse and can be broadly categorized into the following areas: effect of chemical cues from marine algae on settlement and metamorphosis of marine herbivores; ecology of marine plant-animal interactions; and aquaculture of Australian edible sea urchins. Past projects include: the effects of elevated nutrients on marine algae and corals, epifaunal composition of marine algae, and effects of natural disturbances on the community structure of soft-bottom macro-invertebrates.

Affiliations

President, NSW Branch, Australian Marine Sciences Association
Member, National Shellfisheries Association of the USA
Member, World Aquaculture Society
Member, International Society of invertebrate Reproduction and Development
Member, Australian Marine Science Association
Member, Ecological Society of Australia
Member, The Australian Museum Society
Member, NSW Aquatic Ecological Research Program

Selected publications

Williamson, J. E., Carson, D. G., de Nys, R. and P. D. Steinberg (2002) Demographic consequences of an ontogenetic shift by a sea urchin in response to host plant chemistry. Ecological Monographs (submitted).

de Nys, R., Millar, A., Williamson, J. E., Taylor, R. B. and P. D. Steinberg (2002) Drift seaweed types, nutritional value, and site selection for abalone enhancement and ranching. The Proceedings of the NSW Fisheries Abalone Enhancement and Ranching Workshop (in press).

Watson, M. J., de Nys, R., Williamson, J. E., Heasman, M. and P. D. Steinberg (2002) Settlement of Haliotis rubra in response to marine algae. The Proceedings of the NSW Fisheries Abalone Enhancement and Ranching Workshop (in press).

Williamson, J. E. and P. D. Steinberg (2002) Reproductive cycle of the sea urchin Holopneustes purpurascens (Temnopleuridae: Echinodermata). Marine Biology 140: 519—532.

Koop, K., Booth, D., Broadbent, A., Brodie, J., Bucher, D., Capone, D., Coll, J., Dennison, W., Erdmann, M., Harrison, P., Hoegh-Guldberg, O., Hutchings, P., Jones, G. B., Larkum, A. W. D., O’Neil, J., Steven, A., Tentori, E., Ward, S., Williamson, J. and D. Yellowlees (2001) ENCORE: The effect of nutrient enrichment on coral reefs. Synthesis of results and conclusions. Marine Pollution Bulletin 42: 91—120.

Williamson, J. E., de Nys, R., Kumar, N., Carson, D. G. and P. D. Steinberg (2000) Induction of metamorphosis in the sea urchin Holopneustes purpurascens by a metabolite complex from the algal host Delisea pulchra. Biological Bulletin 198: 332—345.

Hoegh-Guldberg, O. and J. Williamson (1999) Availability of two forms of dissolved nitrogen to the coral Pocillopora damicornis and its symbiotic zooxanthellae. Marine Biology 133: 561—570.

Rogers, C. N., Williamson, J. E., Carson, D. G. and P. D. Steinberg (1998) Diel vertical movement by mesograzers on seaweeds. Marine Ecology Progress Series 166: 301—306.

Williamson, J. E. and R. G. Creese (1996) Colonisation and persistence of patches of the crustose brown alga Pseudolithoderma sp. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 203: 191—208.

Williamson, J. E. and R. G. Creese (1996) Small invertebrates inhabiting the crustose alga Pseudolithoderma sp. (Ralfsiaceae) in northern New Zealand. New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research 30: 221—232.

Williamson, J. E. and T. A. V. Rees (1994) Nutritional interaction in an alga-barnacle association Oecologia 99: 16-20.