University of Tasmania, Australia

Dr Julianne O'Reilly-Wapstra

Lecturer - Research Fellow

PhD (Tas)

Contact Details

Teaching Responsibilities

• KPA378 - Plant Science Research
  
• KPA379 - Plant Ecology
  
• KPZ163 - Ecology

Publications

• Iason, G.I., O’Reilly-Wapstra, J.M., Brewer, M., Summers, R.W., Moore, B.M., 2010, 'Do multiple herbivores maintain chemical diversity of Scots pine monoterpenes? ', Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B, In press
• O’Reilly-Wapstra, J.M., Bailey, J.K., McArthur, C. and Potts, B.M., 2010, 'Genetic- and chemical-based resistance to two mammalian herbivores varies across the geographic range of Eucalyptus globulus.', Evolutionary Ecology Research, 12, 1-16
• O’Reilly-Wapstra, J.M. and Cowan, P., 2010, 'Native plant/herbivore interactions as determinants of the ecological and evolutionary effects of invasive mammalian herbivores: the case of the common brushtail possum.', Biological Invasions, 12, 373-387
• Barbour, R.C., O’Reilly-Wapstra, J.M., De Little, D.W., Jordan, G.J., Stean, D.A., Humphreys, J.R., Bailey, J.K., Whitham, T.G. and Potts, B.M., 2009, 'A geographic mosaic of genetic variation within a foundation tree species and its community-level consequences.', Ecology, 90, 1762-1772
• Freeman, J.S., O’Reilly-Wapstra, J.M., Vaillancourt, R.E., Wiggins, N. and Potts, B.M., 2008, 'Quantitative trait loci for key defensive compounds affecting herbivory of eucalypts in Australia.', New Phytologist., 178, 846-851
• O’Reilly-Wapstra, J.M., Iason, G.R. & Thoss, V., 2007, 'The role of genetic and chemical variation of Pinus sylvestris seedlings in influencing slug herbivory.', Oecologia, 152, 82-91
• O'Reilly-Wapstra, J.M., Potts, B.M., McArthur, C. & Davies, N.W., 2005, 'Effects of nutrient variability on the genetic based resistance of Eucalyptus globulus to a mammalian herbivore and on plant defensive chemistry. ', Oecologia, 142, 597-605

Full Publications List

Research Interests

My research focuses on plant/animal interactions, predominantly plant/herbivore interactions. My core research investigates the ecological and evolutionary relationships between eucalypts and their native mammalian herbivores. Most projects are focused on aspects of herbivore feeding preferences, plant defensive chemistry and plant genetics. I am also interested in the responses of plants to herbivory, the in-direct effects of herbivory on other organisms and the responses of herbivores to heterogeneous foraging environments. Most of my research encompasses field, lab and captive feeding trials. Other research interests include:

• extended genetic effects of eucalypt plant secondary metabolites (PSMs) on communities and ecosystems
• effects of climate change on PSMs and the knock-on effects to vertebrate and invertebrate herbivores
• effects of forestry practices on small mammal communities.

Research Areas

• Ecology, Biodiversity and Conservation
• Eucalypt Genetics

Research Project/s

• Does aggregated retention provide suitable habitat for mammal conservation in old growth forests? (Doctorate)
• Genetic and environmental variation in phytochemistry and browsing susceptibility in Eucalyptus globulus (Doctorate)
• The effect of drought and a changing environment on quantitative traits in Eucalyptus species and the extended consequences on communities and ecosystems. (Doctorate)