Primarily centred around the evolutionary changes in morphology, physiology and behaviour of crustaceans which have enabled colonisation of land from aquatic habitats. Additionally, I have wide interests in the physiology of crustaceans generally including respiratory physiology and anatomy, osmotic and ionic regulation, nitrogenous excretion, digestive physiology and calcium metabolism during moulting.

 

These studies involve field work and experiments in the arid zone and on Christmas Island in the Indian Ocean and physiological, biochemical, anatomical and ultrastructural studies in the laboratory.

 

My group has worked on crayfish, mudcrabs, shore crabs, terrestrial crabs and isopods in recent times. Studies in progress include work on calcium excretion, endogenous cellulase activity and cellulolytic capabilities of herbivorous land crabs and the ability of these animals to cope with tannins in their leaf diets and sensory physiology of coenobitids.