Studies of evolutionary relationships are implicit in all modern systematic studies, for example those systematic research projects described on pages about crustaceans, echinoderms, fishes and polychaetes. However, a number of other current research projects focus on evolutionary relationships and the biogeographic history of marine organisms in southern Australia and the southern oceans:
A Latitudinal Gradient In The Biodiversity Of Marine Benthos In The Southern Hemisphere (Dr Gary Poore and Dr Robin Wilson). This project, funded by the Australian Research Council, is an investigation of latitudinal gradients in marine benthos in the southern hemisphere and a test of biogeographic models that purport to explain the composition of the marine fauna of southern Australia.
Biogeographic tests of Earth history (Dr Robin Wilson). Knowledge of the systematics of polychaete worms and other marine invertebrates is used to address questions in Gondwanan biogeography, such as timing of separation of faunas of Australia, New Zealand and other Gondwanan land masses.
Biogeography of southern Australian estuaries (Dr Robin Wilson). Genetic relationships between estuarine invertebrate populations, with differing dispersal capability, will address questions of the longevity of river systems, environmental change, and the impact of fluctuating sea level.
Evolutionary effects of Pleistocene glaciations (Dr Tim O'Hara, Dr Janette Norman). This is a study of genetic divergence between two populations of the brittle-star Clarkcoma pulchra.
Population genetics of seamount animals (Dr Tim O'Hara). The tops of deep-sea mountains appear to be islands of specialised habitat. This project will examine whether populations of 2 animals are reproductively isolated on a range of seamounts off Southern Tasmania.
Phylogeny and biogeography of ophiocomid brittlestars (Dr Tim O'Hara). This project will examine how and where species of brittle stars (echinoderms) have evolved in the Australian marine environment using molecular techniques.