Elizabeth James

Conservation Geneticist

email: elizabeth.james@rbg.vic.gov.au
ph.: +61 (0)3 9252 378

 Liz James is the Conservation Geneticist at the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne. Her research interests are in the genetic aspects of plant variation and reproduction. Projects involve studies of the patterns of genetic variation and breeding systems in rare and threatened Australian species with the aim of providing information that can be used to develop recovery strategies for plants at risk such as species whose numbers have declined significantly in recent decades. Linking a number of studies is the relationship between rarity, population and clonal reproduction with the way genetic variation is dispersed between plant populations. Projects include molecular studies of Senecio behrianus (Asteraceae), defining clonal growth in Melaleuca ericifolia (Myrtaceae), conservation biology of holly-leafed grevilleas (Proteaceae) and Diuiris fragrantissima, Dipodium and other species within the family Orchidaceae. These collaborative projects run in conjunction with staff from DSE, La Trobe, Melbourne and Victoria Universities and post-graduate students Randall Robinson, Gareth Holmes and Zoe Smith.

Papers

James, E.A., Brown, A.J. (2000). Morphological and genetic variation in the endangered Victorian endemic grass Agrostis adamsonii Vickery (Poaceae). Australian Journal of Botany 48, 383-395.

Warburton, C.L., James, E.A., Fripp, Y.J., Trueman, S.J., Wallace, H.M. (2000). Clonality and sexual reproductive failure in remnant populations of Santalum lanceolatum (Santalaceae). Biological Conservation 96, 45-54.

Ashburner, G.R., Faure, M.G., James, E.A., Thompson, W.K., Halloran, G.M. (2001). Pollination and breeding system of a population of Tall Coconut Palm, Cocos nucifera L. (Arecaaceae) on the Gazelle Peninsula of Papua New Guinea. Pacific Conservation Biology 6, 344-351.

Bartolome, M. Walsh, N.G., James, E.A., Ladiges, P. (2002). A New, Rare species of Acacia from North East Victoria. Australian Systematic Botany 15, 465-475.

Coates, F., Walsh, N., James, E.A. (2002). Threats to the survival of the Grampians Pin Cushion Lily (Borya mirabilis, Liliaceae) – a short range endemic from western Victoria. Australian Systematic Botany 15, 477-483.

James, E.A., Ryan, M.C., Fripp, Y.J., Brown, A.J. (2002). Genetic evidence supports reclassification of Agrostis billardierei var. filifolia and A. aemula R.Br. var. setifolia as a single species, A. punicea (Poaceae). Muelleria 16, 29-38.

Kimpton, S., James, E.A., Drinnan, A. (2002). Reproductive biology and genetic diversity in Grevillea infecunda (Proteaceae), a rare plant with no known seed production. Australian Systematic Botany 15, 485-492.

Mole, B.J., Duretto, M.F., Ladiges, P.Y., James, E.A. (2002). Variation within Asterolasia asteriscophora sensu lato (Rutaceae: Boronieae) and the recognition of new taxa in eastern Australia. Muelleria 16, 87-112.

Garrick, R.C., Orthia, L.A, James, E.A. (2003). Genetic comparison of populations of the rare Gorae Leek Orchid, Prasophyllum diversiflorum Nicholls (Orchidaceae). Muelleria 18, 79-88.

Orthia, L.A., Garrick, R.C., James, E.A. (2003). Genetic comparison between Victorian and Tasmanian populations of Prasophyllum correctum D.L. Jones (Orchidaceae) suggests separate species. Muelleria 18, 89-98.

Smith, Z.F., Ladiges, P., James, E.A. (2004). Morphological and genetic variation within the rare daisy Olearia pannosa Hook. subsp. cardiophylla (F. Muell) D.A. Cooke. Muelleria 20, 33-48.

Smith, Z.F., Murphy, D., James, E.A., McLean, C.B. (2005). Investigation of the Diuris "punctata" group in south-eastern Australia based on nuclear and chloroplast sequencing. Selbyana (in press)