About
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Introduction
Professor Jean-Marc Hero is a vertebrate ecologist with expertise in biodiversity assessment and monitoring, conservation biology, spatial ecology and integrating Indigenous Knowledge & Culture in tertiary education.
Additional affiliations
July 2019 - January 2021
Position
- Senior Lecturer
Description
- Focus on Biodiversity Conservation and advancing Indigenous Science and Culture in higher education.
January 1997 - December 2016
January 2011 - December 2016
Publications
Publications (277)
The breakdown of plant material fuels soil functioning and biodiversity. Currently, process understanding of global decomposition patterns and the drivers of such patterns are hampered by the lack of coherent large‐scale datasets. We buried 36,000 individual litterbags (tea bags) worldwide and found an overall negative correlation between initial m...
More than a third of the world’s amphibian species are listed as Threatened or Extinct, with a recent assessment identifying 45 Australian frogs (18.4% of the currently recognised species) as ‘Threatened’ based on IUCN criteria. We applied structured expert elicitation to 26 frogs assessed as Critically Endangered and Endangered to estimate their
p...
Habitat destruction is a key threatening process for amphibians. Modified or anthropogenic waterbodies can be used to compensate for habitat loss, with several amphibian species utilizing created or modified waterbodies. We measured usage of anthropogenic/modified waterbodies by adult and tadpole frog species, including threatened species, in coast...
The Program for Biodiversity Research (PPBio) is an innovative program designed to integrate all biodiversity research stakeholders. Operating since 2004, it has installed long-term ecological research sites throughout Brazil and its logic has been applied in some other southern-hemisphere countries. The program supports all aspects of research nec...
Simmonds, Michael J., Surendran Sabapathy, and Jean-Marc Hero. Rate-pressure product responses to static contractions performed at various altitudes. High Alt Med Biol. 00:000-000, 2021.
Background:
Adventure tourism has led to an unprecedented number of individuals being exposed to altitude, including those with subclinical cardiometabolic disord...
The Program for Biodiversity Research (PPBio) is an innovative program designed to integrate all biodiversity research stakeholders. Operating since 2004, it has installed long-term ecological research sites throughout Brazil and its logic has been applied in some other southern-hemisphere countries. The program supports all aspects of research nec...
Climate change poses significant emerging risks to biodiversity, ecosystem function and associated socioecological systems. Adaptation responses must be initiated in parallel with mitigation efforts, but resources are limited. As climate risks are not distributed equally across taxa, ecosystems and processes, strategic prioritization of research th...
Bengal tigers (Panthera tigris tigris) serve a pivotal role as an apex predator in forest ecosystems. To increase our knowledge on factors impacting the viability and health of this endangered species, we studied the gut microbiota in 32 individual Bengal tigers from three geographically separated areas (Chitwan National Park (CNP), Bardia National...
The phylogenetic clustering of the identified H9 segment to that of other prevalent AIV isolated from wild and domestic birds of mixed geographical origin suggest a possible role of migratory birds in worldwide viral spread.
The phylogenetic clustering of the identified H9 segment to that of other prevalent AIV isolated from wild and domestic birds of mixed geographical origin suggest a possible role of migratory birds in worldwide viral spread
[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0133035.].
Tiger (Panthera tigris) populations are in danger across their entire range due to habitat loss, poaching and the demand for tiger parts. The Bengal tiger (Panthera tigris tigris) is an endangered apex predator with a population size estimated to be less than 200 in Nepal. In spite of strict wildlife protection laws, illegal trade of tiger parts is...
Tiger (Panthera tigris) populations are in danger across their entire range due to habitat loss, poaching and the demand for tiger parts. The Bengal tiger (Panthera tigris tigris) is an endangered apex predator with a population size estimated to be less than 200 in Nepal. In spite of strict wildlife protection laws, illegal trade of tiger parts is...
A1.5% agarose gel electrophoresis image of tiger species identification PCR targeting cytochrome-b region of the mitochondrial DNA.
(DOCX)
Delta K plot of STRUCTUREHARVESTER result demonstrating the optimal value (K = 3) under LOCPRIOR model.
(DOCX)
Values of mean log-likelihood and Delta K for each assumed K (K = 1 to 6) of both supervised (with LOCPRIOR) and unsupervised (without LOCPRIOR) models.
(DOCX)
Seized tiger skin sample (F-NP-0011) provided by Central Investigation Bureau(CIB) of Nepal.
(DOCX)
A 3% agarose gel electrophoresis image of sex identification PCR of tiger forensic samples targeting Amelogenin gene.
Females have asingle band at 214 bp and males havetwo bands at 194 bp and 214 bp.
(DOCX)
Forensic samples provided by the Central Investigation Bureau(CIB) of Nepal.
(DOCX)
Summary of PCR amplification success, genotyping accuracy and genotyping error rates for 8 microsatellite loci for all processed tiger samples (n = 401) collected in three protected areas (Chitwan National Park, Bardia National Park, and Shuklaphanta Wildlife Reserve) to build baseline tiger genetic database.
(DOCX)
Phylogenetic tree (UPGMA) generated from Nei’s genetic distance using 8 nuclear DNA microsatellite loci for 120 reference tiger samples and 14 forensic samples.
Samples are colored based on sampling locations. Green represents CNP, blue represents BNP, and red represents SWR samples. Forensic samples are in black. Clusters or clades are labeled acc...
Genotype data on 8 microsatellite loci of the identified tiger forensic samples.
(DOCX)
Delta K plot of STRUCTUREHARVESTER result demonstrating the optimal value (K = 4) under the model without LOCPRIOR information.
(DOCX)
Proportions of scat sampled and tigers identified from those scats across each study sites from NTGP.
(DOCX)
Methodology and results of distance-based phylogenetic analysis.
(DOC)
The strong association between amphibian activity, breeding and recruitment with local environmental conditions raises concerns regarding how changes in climate may affect the persistence of species populations into the future. Additionally, in a highly diverse assemblage of anurans, competition for breeding sites affects the time and duration of a...
Determining the role of an infectious agent in contributing to wildlife population declines is a pervasive problem in the field of conservation biology. We expand on a recently proposed broad investigative approach for disease, with a systematic framework outlining the specific types of individual- and population-scale empirical evidence required t...
With fewer than 200 tigers (Panthera tigris tigris) left in Nepal, that are generally confined to five protected areas across the Terai Arc Landscape, genetic studies are needed to provide crucial information on diversity and connectivity for devising an effective country-wide tiger conservation strategy. As part of the Nepal Tiger Genome Project,...
Thermo-cycling conditions for tiger species and sex identification PCR.
PCR: polymerase chain reaction; min: minute; sec: second; “x” indicates times; F: forward; R: reverse.
(DOC)
Summary results from analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) for tigers detected across three populations across the Terai Arc Landscape implemented in program ARLEQUIN 3.5 [53].
df = degree of freedom, P value (α = 0.05).
(DOC)
STRUCTURE bar plot at k = 2 (top) and k = 4 (bottom) visualizing individual-based genetic differentiation in tigers across the Terai landscape, Nepal.
(TIF)
Optimal number of genetic clusters (kmax) based on DIC (Deviance Information Criteria) for admixture models (CAR and BYM).
Both models selected three genetic clusters across the landscape. Error bars represent standard deviations.
(TIF)
Primers information for tiger specific species and sex identification.
bp: base pair; F: forward; R: reverse.
(DOC)
Summary of pair-wise migration rate (immigration and emigration) between three populations estimated in Program BayesAss+[70].
Net migration rates (immigration-emigration) were estimated as 0.02 for CNP, -0.08 for SWR, and +0.10 for BNP; “+” indicate migrant receiving from other population; “-” indicate contributing migrant to other population.
(DO...
Results from program Bottleneck showing the expected and actual numbers of loci with heterozygosity excess under the respective mutation models, and significance of heterozygosity excess.
IAM: Infinite Allele Model; TPM: Two-Phase Mutation Model; SMM: Stepwise-Mutation Model. Assuming any mutation model, a Wilcoxon test results with P<0.05 signifie...
Century-wide land-use change detected in the Terai Arc using Anthrome 2.0 datasets[36].
(TIF)
Spatial autocorrelogram for Panthera tigris tigris in the Terai Arc Landscape, Nepal.
The spatial correlogram for tigers (n = 78) shows the genetic correlation coefficient (r) as a function of geographic distance across defined spatial distance classes. Dashed red lines represent upper (U) and lower (L) bounds of the null hypothesis based on 9,999...
Genetic variability of 17 candidate microsatellite loci screened and “*” indicates loci used in this study.
NA, number of alleles; Ho, observed heterozygosity.
(DOC)
Magnitude of ∆k± SD (rate of change in the log probability of k; SD: standard deviation) and Ln P(k) ± SD (posterior probability of the data; SD: standard deviation) as a function of k(number of sub-populations) detected three and four genetic clusters in the sampled population following [60].
(TIF)
In animals and plants, symbiotic bacteria can play an important role in disease resistance of host and are the focus of much current research. Globally, amphibian population declines and extinctions have occurred due to chytridiomycosis, a skin disease caused by the pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd). Currently amphibian skin bacteria are...
Many animals use sounds produced by conspecifics for mate identification. Female insects and anuran amphibians, for instance, use acoustic cues to localize, orient toward and approach conspecific males prior to mating. Here we present a novel technique that utilizes multiple, distributed sound-indication devices and a miniature LED backpack to visu...
Body size is directly linked to key life history traits such as growth, fecundity, and survivorship. Identifying the causes of body size variation is a critical task in ecological and evolutionary research. Body size variation along altitudinal gradients has received considerable attention; however, the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood....
Infectious diseases can be key threatening processes for biodiversity conservation. However, establishing the relative importance of disease (among other threatening processes) as a driver of species declines can be challenging. Bias in the directions that a research field may take as it develops – due to factors such as conservation policy, fundin...
Koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) populations in south-east Queensland are in decline. Although various studies have looked at broad-scale tree preference and habitat quality, there has been little attempt to quantify fine-scale activity shifts from one year to the next or examination of activity at the mesoscale. This study quantified koala activity...
A traditional design-reliant estimate of abundance is calculated by multiplying a density estimate obtained from transects to reflect the size of the study area. This type of estimate tells nothing about the nature of a species' distribution between the samples. In contrast, model-based inference can better estimate abundance by interpolating trans...
Amphibian reproductive biology and activity are highly sensitive to environmental cues. For amphibian conservation in the face of climate change, a clear priority is to investigate impacts of variable weather on breeding activity and detectability. This study assessed variation in the phenology, intensity and detectability of calling for a threaten...
Bright colouration appearing in one sex only can be driven by components of sexual selection including female choice, male competition or mate recognition. Male Litoria wilcoxii undergo rapid colour change from brown to yellow during amplexus, however, the function, if any, is unknown. We tested possible behavioural functions by observing breeding...
The Bengal tiger (Panthera tigris tigris) and the snow leopard (Panthera uncia) are highly endangered apex predators. These charismatic animals are categorized as flagship and umbrella species, and hence are the focus of many conservation programs. Protecting tiger and snow leopard also safeguards the entire habitat in which they reside, including...
It is well known that the disease chytridiomycosis, caused by the fungal pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) has contributed to amphibian declines worldwide. The impact of Bd varies, with some species being more susceptible to infection than others. Recent evidence has shown that Bd can have sub-lethal effects, whereby increases in stress...
Rapid skin colour changes in amphibians and other colour changing animals are possible due to different distributions of pigment cells (chromatophores) and the movement of pigment within them. Amphibians possess three types of chromatophore: xanthophores, iridophores and melanophores which are collectively referred to as the dermal chromatophore un...
In an environment that is changing due to anthropogenic processes, managers responsible for conservation of threatened species need to know environmental limits beyond which those species are at risk of extinction. We demonstrate estimation of environmental limits for a threatened species using a novel combination of response modeling techniques. O...
The Brazilian Amazon rain forest has lost
c.
17% of its originally forested portion, due to deforestation and selective logging. Forest degradation caused by logging contributes to loss of animal species that require specialized habitats to survive, such as woodcreepers that inhabit understorey areas. Habitat associations of woodcreeper species can...
Evaluation of physiological stress in the tiger (Panthera tigris) using faecal cortisol metabolite (FCM) enzyme immunoassays (EIAs) provides a powerful conservation physiology tool for the
species. However, it is important to validate non-invasive endocrine sampling techniques in field conditions to ensure that
the method provides a reliable parame...
Urban greenspaces harbor considerable biodiversity. Such areas include spontaneously vegetated spaces such as such as brownfields, street or railway verges and vacant lots. While these spaces may contribute to urban conservation, their informal and liminal nature poses a challenge for reviewing what we know about their value for biodiversity. The r...
Nepal boarders India and China and all three countries lie within the Central Asian Flyway for migratory birds. Novel influenza A H7N9 caused human fatalities in China in 2013. Subclinical infections of influenza A H7N9 in birds and the potential for virus dispersal by migratory birds prompted this study to assess avian H7N9 viral intrusion into Ne...
Nepal boarders India and China and all three countries lie within the Central Asian Flyway for migratory birds. Novel influenza A H7N9 caused human fatalities in China in 2013. Subclinical infections of influenza A H7N9 in birds and the potential for virus dispersal by migratory birds prompted this study to assess avian H7N9 viral intrusion into Ne...
Summary
1. Invasive species are amongst the most important agents of global change and understanding the mechanisms that afford them their ecological success is key to addressing their biodiversity impacts. The ecological theory of island invasion implies that small island ecosystems could permit invasive species to exploit novel ecological functio...
The bilby (Macrotis lagotis) is listed as Vulnerable in Australia, is strictly nocturnal and shy, and it has proven difficult to estimate its population abundance. The aim of this study was to determine methodology that would reliably estimate the abundance of the bilby within an enclosure at Currawinya National Park, south-west Queensland. Weestim...
Amphibians that utilise temporary wetlands with unpredictable hydrology are living on the edge, maintaining viable populations under variable climatic conditions. Information on their breeding ecology will provide insight into their adaptive capacity and resilience to climate change. The environmental factors influencing breeding of a temporary wet...
Australia and New Zealand are home to a remarkable and unique assemblage of flora and fauna. Sadly though, by virtue of their long isolation, and a naïve and vulnerable biota, both countries have suffered substantial losses to biodiversity since European contact. Bringing together the contributions of leading conservation biologists, Austral Ark pr...
A variety of environmental processes, including topography, edaphic and disturbance factors can influence vegetation composition. The relative influence of these patterns has been known to vary with scale, however, few studies have focused on environmental drivers of composition at the mesoscale. This study examined the relative importance of topog...
Sexual signalling using dynamic skin colouration is a key feature in some vertebrates; however, it is rarely studied in amphibians. Consequently, little is known about the hormonal basis of this interesting biological phenomenon for many species. Male stony creek frogs (Litoria wilcoxii) are known to change dorsal colouration from brown to lemon ye...
A population of Hyla beans was studied in central Amazonian rainforest during 15 years. The species differs from other intensively-studied gladiator frogs, Hyla rosenbergi and Hyla faber, in that males reach larger sizes than females, most reproduction is in the dry season, males call mainly from trees and rarely from nest basins, and most nest bas...
Glucocorticoid quantification using non-invasive methods provides a powerful tool for assessing the health and welfare of wildlife in zoo-based programmes. In this study, we provide baseline data on faecal-based glucocorticoid (cortisol) monitoring of Sumatran tigers (Panthera tigris ssp. sumatrae) managed at the Melbourne Zoo in Victoria, Australi...
The chytrid fungus, Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) has been implicated in amphibian declines in numerous amphibian populations around the world (Lötters et al. 2010). The pathogenic fungus infects the mouthparts of larval anurans, and the skin of adult amphibians, and this may lead to mortality of the host (Berger et al. 1998; Voyles et al. 20...
