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Research

CDU Researcher Profile

Find a researcher by: Last name | Research area
Name: Dr Keith Christian
Qualifications: Ph.D.
Main role: Animal Physiologist and Ecologist
Phone: +61 8 8946 6706
Fax: +61 8 8946 6847
Email: keith.christian@cdu.edu.au
Address: Charles Darwin University, Northern Territory, Australia, 0909School of Science and Primary Industries, Faculty of Education, Health and Science

Research Interests

Animal physiology and ecology in general, with emphasis on the physiological and behavioral adaptations of amphibians and reptiles in response to the physical environment. Principal research areas include:
  • comparative physiology
  • physiological ecology
  • exercise physiology
  • thermoregulatory biology
  • respiratory physiology
  • biophysical ecology

Recent Publications

  1. Peng, R.K. and Christian, K. (2004) The weaver ant, Oecophylla smaragdina (Hymenoptera:Formicidae), an effective biological control agent of the red-banded thrips, Selenothrips rubrocinctus (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) in mango crops.  International Journal of Pest Management, 50 (2), pp107-114
  2. Seymour, R.S., Christian, K., Bennett, M.B., Baldwin,J., Wells, R.M.G. and Baudinette, R.V.(2004) Partitioning of respiration between gills and air-breathing organs in response to aquatic hypoxia and exercise in the tarpon, Megalops cyprinoids.  Physiological and Biochemical Zoology, 77 (5), pp760-767
  3. Eamus, D., Christian, K. (2003). Ecology an Australian Perspective: Monsoonal Tropical Australia. Melbourne, Vic, Australia: Oxford University Press.
  4. Nielsen, M.G., Christian, K. and Birkmose, D. (2003). Carbon dioxide concentrations in the nests of the mud dwelling mangrove ant Polyrhachis sokolova Forel (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Australian Journal of Entomology, 42(4), 357-362.
  5. Wells, R.M.G.,l Baldwin, J., Seymour, R.S., Baudinette, R.V., Christian, K. and Bennett M. B. (2003). Oxygen transport capacity in a facultative air-breathing fish, Megalops cyprinoides: compensations for strenuous exercise. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part A 134 (2003) 45-53, 134(1), 45-53.Christian, K.A., Webb, J.K. and Schultz, T.J. (2003). Physiological ecology of blue tongue lizards (Tiliqua scincoides) in a seasonal tropical environment. Oecologia, 136(4), 515-523.
  6. Peng, R., Christian, K. A. and Gibb, K. (2002). Biological Control of Amblypelta spp (Hemiptera: Coreidae) using Oecophylla smaragdina (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) - progress, prospects and challenges. International Symposium on Tropical and Sub Tropical Fruits, Cairns, Australia.
  7. Frappell, P., Schultz, T. and Christian, K. A. (2002). Oxygen transfer during aerobic exercise in a varanid lizard, Varanus mertensi, is limited by the circulation. The Journal of Experimental Biology, 205 (17), pp 2725-2736.
  8. Webb, J. K., Christian, K. A., & Fisher P. (2002). Fast Growth and Early Maturation in a Viviparous Sit-and-Wait Predator, the Northern Death Adder (Acanthopis praelongus), from Tropical Australia. Journal of Herpetology, 36 (3), pp 505-509.
  9. Frappell, P., Schultz, T., Christian, K. A. (2002). The respiratory system in varanid lizards: determinants of O2 transfer. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology, 133 (2), pp 239-258.
  10. Christian, K. A. and Bedford, G. (2000). Digestive Efficiency in Some Australian Pythons. Copeia 2000, pp 829 - 834.
  11. Christian, K. A., Pamula Y, Baudinette R 1997. Energetic costs of activity by lizards in the field. Functional Ecology, 11, pp 392 - 397.
  12. Christian, K. A. (1998). Thermoregulation by the short-horned lizard (Phrynosoma douglassi) at high elevation. Journal of Thermal Biology 23 (6), pp 395 - 399.
  13. Christian, K. A. and Bedford, G. (1998). Standard metabolic rate and preferred body temperatures in some Australian pythons. Australian Journal of Zoology, 46, pp 317 - 328.
  14. Christian, K. A., Peng, R. and Gibb, K. (1998). Locating queen ant nests in the green ant, Oecophylla smaragdina (Hymenoptera, formicidae). Insectes Sociaux, 45, pp 477 - 480.

Current Projects

  • Integrated control of mango insect pests using green ants as a key element. Southern Fruit Research Institute (Vietnam), Northern Territory University, ACIAR $720731 Prince of Songkla University (Thailand), Department of Agricultural Extension (Thailand). 01-Jan-01 30-Jun-04.

Recent Completions Supervised

PhD

  • Christine Schlesinger: The effect of a temporary variable environment and grazing on ground-active lizards in mulga and shrublands of central Australia. Lodged: 23/12/99.
  • Peter Whitehead : Dynamics of habitat use by the magpie goose: implications for conservation management. Lodged: 22/04/98.
  • Gavin Bedford: Metabolic Physiology, Digestive Efficiency and Energetics of Some Australian Pythons. Lodged: 04/07/97.

Masters

  • Carol Palmer: Ecology of the black flying fox Pteropus alecto in the seasonal tropics of northern Australia: Resource tracking in a landscape mosaic and role in seed dispersal. Lodged: 05/02/98.

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