I graduated with a BSc (Hons) in Zoology from the University of Western Australia (1990) before undertaking my PhD in Neuroscience at UWA (1991 - 1996).  After carrying out post-doctoral research in Zimbabwe and South Africa, I returned to Western Australia and undertook an MSc in Environmental Science (2005) shortly before accepting my position at Murdoch University. 

I currently work with a large group of highly industrious postdocs, postgrad and honours students.  Much of our research focuses on translational ecology, where improving our understanding of the physiology and behaviour of vertebrates has conservation or welfare implications.  For example, understanding factors such as key habitat requirements, or physiological limitations of a particular species can be used to guide management and conservation.  Interpreting specific behaviour enables us to improve welfare of individuals (e.g. livestock, in zoos or during translocations).  Since such applied research is a two way street, we also utilise conservation or management issues to guide our research, and students are encouraged to select projects that are identified by industry and government as issues of concern for them. 

Research
Postdocs and Students
Refereed Publications

Contact details
School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences,
Murdoch University, Murdoch WA 6150, AUSTRALIA
Phone:   +61 (8) 9360 6577
Fax:      +61 (8) 9310 4144
E-mail:   t.fleming@murdoch.edu.au

Using behaviour as an objective measure of animal welfare

Murdoch has recently commenced a research programme established to develop objective measures of animal welfare.  As part of this research programme, we are investigating Qualitative Behavioural Assessment (QBA) as an integrated measure of animal welfare.  QBA is a technique developed by Françoise Wemelsfelder (Scottish Agricultural College, UK) as a means of assessing the behavioural expression of animals.  We are validating this method as a tool for welfare assessment under Australian production industry conditions.  Ongoing studies examine QBA for sheep and cattle.

The team involved in this research includes: Trish Fleming, Anne Barnes, Teresa Collins, David Beatty, David Miller, Catherine Stockman, Sarah Wickham (all Murdoch University), in collaboration with Dominique Blache (The University of Western Australia), Bill Bateman (University of Pretoria) and Françoise Wemelsfelder (Scottish Agricultural College, UK).

The role of vegetation structure and composition as habitat for fauna 

Plant pathology: We have recently been successful in establishing a State Centre of Excellence in Climate Change and Woodland and Tree Health.  As part of this Centre, we are engaged in research examining the effects of habitat loss upon wildlife across a variety of habitats.  In association with the Tuart Health Response Group, we are examining how the loss of tuart (Eucalyptus gomphocephala) affects habitat structure and vegetation composition and thus fauna biodiversity (Australian Research Council - ARC; 2006-8).  Future work will examine the effects upon native fauna of declines in wandoo (E. wandoo) (and other tree species).   

I have been working closely with the Centre for Phytophthora Science and Management at Murdoch University, where we have been working on various aspects of the influence of plant pathogens on fauna.  In particular we have focussed on the effects of the plant pathogen Phytphthora cinnamomi upon vegetation structure and composition, and therefore indirect effects upon fauna (e.g. the mardo and honeypossum).

Minesite rehabilitation: As a part of ARC-funded linkage projects (2005- ) with Alcoa World Alumina Australia and the Department of Environment and Conservation, we have been examining management of rehabilitated bauxite mines in order to accelerate the return of vertebrate fauna.  This research focuses on identifying key features of the jarrah forest that are important for mammals and reptiles.

   
A range of jarrah forest inhabitants, including the western bearded dragon (Pogona minor minor),
marbled gecko (Christinus marmoratus), mardo and western pygmy possum (Cercatetus concinnus).

Are nest boxes a useful resource for fauna?

A question that arises when animals are translocated to new sites is whether their new environment can be favourably enriched through the provision of resources such as nest boxes.  In this project, we determined the individual nest box design preferences of ringtail possums before releasing them at a translocation site where we had peppered the trees with nest boxes and then tracked their uses of these resources. 

Mesopredator release – how does fox baiting influence the ecology of the carpet python?

Southwest carpet pythons feed on numerous threatened native species, including the tammar wallaby, numbat, woylie and western ringtail possum.  This project is investigating the ‘mesopredator release’ hypothesis which suggests that python numbers increase when foxes are removed through fox baiting.  Additionally, we are investigating how microhabitat selection influences the pythons’ thermal biology. 

  
The south-west carpet python (Morelia spilota imbricata) is listed as ‘in need of special protection’ whilst its diet items are ‘endangered’ in more ways than one.

Nectarivore ecophysiology

My primary research focus over the last few years has been the ecology and physiology of nectarivores. Nectarivorous birds (e.g. sunbirds, hummingbirds and honeyeaters) are faced with extreme physiological challenges due to their diet and their tiny size, which makes them exciting and interesting subjects.

Funded by the ARC (2006-8), we have been collaborating with researchers in South Africa to compare and contrast how honeyeaters and sunbirds deal with their nectar diet.  We have investigated aspects of sugar digestion, sugar absorption, nitrogen balance, and the renal and gastrointestinal handling of water.  These projects complement data on American hummingbirds, and provide greater understanding of how the physiological capacities of different groups of nectarivorous birds relate to their ecology and evolution.

The team involved in this research includes: Trish Fleming, Todd McWhorter (University of Adelaide), and Sue Nicolson (University of Pretoria) and students from both Murdoch and UP.

Native vegetation and honeyeaters

In many part of the Western Australian wheatbelt, less than 10% of the former extent of native vegetation remains, and small patches of vegetation continually succumb to edge effects.  I used GIS to examine how honeyeater distributions are linked to remnants of native vegetation in southwest Western Australia.  These findings indicate the dependence upon native vegetation for various honeyeater species and a significant role for floral diversity in determining the location of honeyeaters.
 

The role of termite mounds as habitat for fauna

The mounds of Macrotermes termites are a significant feature of the African savannah and have a unique vegetation structure and composition.  In Zimbabwe, we determined that Macrotermes mounds are utilised extensively by small mammals, and may also provide breeding refuges for amphibians.   Unfortunately, the value of these mounds as refuges for fauna is not widely recognised, and they may be dismantled and the soils used to fertilise agricultural land.  

Non-flying mammal pollination

In the Cape Floristic Region (South Africa), I quantified both sides of the mutualistic relationship between Protea humiflora and its non-flying mammal pollinators.  The rare Cape spiny mouse plays an important role in pollination of these plants and also plays an important role in seed dispersal for a number of Leucodendron species.  The presence of these mice is therefore important in ensuring seed set and dispersal and therefore the distribution of multiple plant species.

We have also examined the role giraffes play in pollinating knobthorns (Acacia nigrescens).  The giraffe is the largest mammal that shows a significant seasonal dependence on flowers.  This study examined the nutritional rewards offered by knobthorn flowers and alternate browse, and the pollination benefits afforded to the plants.

Defence behaviour

I am involved in on-going behavioural ecology projects with Bill Bateman (University of Pretoria).  We have been particularly interested in the interaction between autotomy (i.e. the defensive loss of a body part in order to escape entrapment) and the costs incurred by utilising this mechanism.  To date, we have investigated various aspects of leg autotomy in crickets and tail autotomy in lizards.

Reproduction and behaviour

In collaboration with Nigel Bennett (University of Pretoria) and David Miller (Murdoch University), we have been further unravelling the close links between physiology and behaviour in mole-rats. Mole-rats live in large subterranean colonies (up to 80 individuals in the Damaraland mole-rat) within which, only one female and 1-3 males are reproductively active. The remaining ‘subordinate’ animals within this colony do not reproduce. We are looking for clues as to the mechanisms of both suppression and rapid onset of sexual behaviour in these subordinate animals. We have also examined circadian rhythms in endogenous melatonin concentrations in these entirely subterranean animals.

I have investigated aspects of the general biology, breeding, foraging behaviour and dispersal patterns in various species of South African rodents.

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Bateman, P.W., P.A. Fleming. 2009. To cut a long tail short: a review of lizard caudal autotomy studies carried out over the last twenty years. Journal of Zoology, London  277: 1-14.

Bateman, P.W., P.A. Fleming. 2009. There will be blood: autohaemorrhage behaviour as part of the defence repertoire of an insect. Journal of Zoology, London  278: 342-348.

Craig, M.D., A.H. Grigg, M.J. Garkaklis, R.J. Hobbs, C.D. Grant, P.A. Fleming, G.E.S. Hardy. 2009. Does habitat structure influence capture probabilities? A study of reptiles in a eucalypt forest. Wildlife Research  36: 509-515.

Craig, M.D., R.J. Hobbs, A.H. Grigg, M.J. Garkaklis, C.D. Grant, P.A. Fleming, G.E.S. Hardy. 2009. Does thinning and burning sites revegetated after bauxite mining improve habitat for terrestrial vertebrates? Restoration Ecology  doi: 10.1111/j.1526-100X.2009.00526.x.

Craig, M.D., R.J. Hobbs, A.H. Grigg, M.J. Garkaklis, C.D. Grant, P.A. Fleming, G.E.S. Hardy. 2009. Effects of thinning and burning restoration on vertebrates. Restoration Ecology  In press.

Fleming, P.A., P.W. Bateman, L. Verburgt, M. Scantlebury. 2009. Jettisoning ballast or fuel? Caudal autotomy and locomotory energetics of the Cape dwarf gecko Lygodactylus capensis (Gekkonidae). Physiological and Biochemical Zoology  82: 756-765.

Beatty, D.T., A. Barnes, P.A. Fleming, E. Taylor, S.K. Maloney. 2008. Effect of fleece on core and rumen temperature in sheep. Journal of Thermal Biology  33: 437-443.

Davis, C., P.A. Fleming, M.D. Craig, A.H. Grigg, G.E.S. Hardy. 2008. Development of a funnel trap for capture of small arboreal reptiles in south-Western Australia. Amphibia-Reptilia  29: 413-423.

Fleming, P.A., S. Xie, K. Napier, T.J. McWhorter, S.W. Nicolson. 2008. Nectar concentration affects sugar preferences in two Australian honeyeaters and a lorikeet. Functional Ecology  22: 599-605.

Köhler, A., L. Verburgt, P.A. Fleming, S.W. Nicolson. 2008. Changes in nectar concentration: how quickly do whitebellied sunbirds (Cinnyris talatala) adjust feeding patterns and food intake? Journal of Comparative Physiology B  178: 785-793.

Napier, K.R., T.J. McWhorter, P.A. Fleming. 2008. Mechanism and rate of glucose absorption differ between an Australian honeyeater (Meliphagidae) and a lorikeet (Loriidae). Journal of Experimental Biology  211: 3544-3553.

Napier, K.R., C. Purchase, T.J. McWhorter, S.W. Nicolson, P.A. Fleming. 2008. The sweet life: diet sugar concentration influences paracellular glucose absorption. Biology Letters  4: 530-533.

Craig, M.D., M.J. Garkaklis, G.E.S.J. Hardy, A.H. Grigg, C.D. Grant, P.A. Fleming, R.J. Hobbs. 2007. Ecology of the western bearded dragon (Pogona minor) in unmined forest and forest restored after bauxite mining in south-west Western Australia. Australian Journal of Zoology  55: 107-116.

Fleming, P.A., P.W. Bateman. 2007. Just drop it and run: the effect of limb autotomy on running distance and locomotion energetics of field crickets (Gryllus bimaculatus). Journal of Experimental Biology  210: 1446-1454.

Fleming, P.A., S.D. Hofmeyr, S.W. Nicolson. 2007. Role of insects in the pollination of Acacia nigrescens (Fabaceae). South African Journal of Botany  73: 49-55.

Fleming, P.A., D.L. Muller, P.W. Bateman. 2007. Leave it all behind: A taxonomic perspective of autotomy in invertebrates. Biological Reviews  82: 481-510.

Peck, A., M.D. Craig, R.J. Hobbs, A.H. Grigg, K. Brennan, P.A. Fleming. 2007. Spiders in restored habitat: How important are dead standing trees? Australasian Arachnology  76: 12-13.

Swinburn, M.L., P.A. Fleming, M.D. Craig, A.H. Grigg, M.J. Garkaklis, R.J. Hobbs, G.E.S. Hardy. 2007. The importance of grasstrees (Xanthorrhoea preissii) as habitat for mardo (Antechinus flavipes leucogaster) during post-fire recovery. Wildlife Research  34: 640-651.

Bateman, P.W., P.A. Fleming. 2006. Sex and the single (-eared) female: Leg function, limb autotomy and mating history trade-offs in field crickets (Gryllus bimaculatus). Biology Letters  2: 33-35.

Bateman, P.W., P.A. Fleming. 2006. Males are selective too: mating, but not courtship, with sequential females influences choosiness in male field crickets (Gryllus bimaculatus). Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology  59: 577-581.

Bateman, P.W., P.A. Fleming. 2006. Increased susceptibility to predation for autotomized house crickets (Acheta domestica). Ethology  112: 670-677.

Bateman, P.W., P.A. Fleming. 2006. Sex, intimidation and severed limbs: the effect of simulated predator attack and limb autotomy on calling behavior and level of caution in the field cricket Gryllus bimaculatus Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology  59: 674-681.

Fleming, P.A., S.D. Hofmeyr, S.W. Nicolson, J.T. du Toit. 2006. Are giraffes pollinators or flower predators of Acacia nigrescens in Kruger National Park, South Africa? Journal of Tropical Ecology  22: 1-7.

Bateman, P.W., P.A. Fleming. 2005. Direct and indirect costs of limb autotomy in field crickets Gryllus bimaculatus. Animal Behaviour  69: 151-159.

Nicolson, S.W., D. Hoffmann, P.A. Fleming. 2005. Short-term energy regulation in nectar-feeding birds: the response of whitebellied sunbirds (Nectarinia talatala) to a midday fast. Functional Ecology  19: 988-994.

Vasicek, C.A., B. Malpaux, P.A. Fleming, N.C. Bennett. 2005. Melatonin secretion in the Mashona mole-rat, Cryptomys darlingi - influence of light on rhythmicity. Physiology and Behavior  83: 689-697.

Fleming, P.A., D.A. Gray, S.W. Nicolson. 2004. Osmoregulatory response to acute diet change in an avian nectarivore: rapid rehydration following water shortage. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology A  138: 321-326.

Fleming, P.A., D.A. Gray, S.W. Nicolson. 2004. Circadian rhythm of water balance and aldosterone excretion in the whitebellied sunbird Nectarinia talatala. Journal of Comparative Physiology B  174: 341-346.

Fleming, P.A., B. Hartman Bakken, C.N. Lotz, S.W. Nicolson. 2004. Concentration and temperature effects on sugar intake and preferences in a sunbird and a hummingbird. Functional Ecology  18: 223-232.

Fleming, P.A., S.W. Nicolson. 2004. Sex differences in space use, body condition and survivorship during the breeding season in the Namaqua rock mouse, Aethomys namaquensis. African Zoology  39: 123-132.

Gray, D.A., P.A. Fleming, S.W. Nicolson. 2004. Dietary intake effects on arginine vasotocin and aldosterone in cloacal fluid of whitebellied sunbirds (Nectarinia talatala). Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology A  138: 441-449.

Fleming, P.A., J.P. Loveridge. 2003. Miombo woodland termite mounds: resource islands for small vertebrates? Journal of Zoology, London  259: 1-8.

Fleming, P.A., S.W. Nicolson. 2003. Osmoregulation in an avian nectarivore, the whitebellied sunbird Nectarinia talatala: response to extremes of diet concentration Journal of Experimental Biology  206: 1845-1854.

Fleming, P.A., S.W. Nicolson. 2003. Arthropod fauna of mammal-pollinated Protea humiflora: ants as an attractant for insectivore pollinators? African Entomology  11: 9-14.

Nicolson, S.W., P.A. Fleming. 2003. Nectar as food for birds: the physiological consequences of drinking dilute sugar solutions. Plant Systematics and Evolution  238: 139-153.

Nicolson, S.W., P.A. Fleming. 2003. Energy balance in the whitebellied sunbird, Nectarinia talatala: constraints on compensatory feeding, and consumption of supplementary water. Functional Ecology  17: 3-9.

Richter, T.A., B. Malpaux, P.A. Fleming, A.J. Molteno, N.C. Bennett. 2003. Melatonin secretion in a strictly subterranean mammal, the Damaraland mole-rat (Cryptomys damarensis). Journal of Zoology, London  261: 1-7.

Fleming, P.A., S.W. Nicolson. 2002. How important is the relationship between Protea humiflora (Proteaceae) and its non-flying mammal pollinators? Oecologia  132: 361-368.

Fleming, P.A., S.W. Nicolson. 2002. Opportunistic breeding in the Cape spiny mouse (Acomys subspinosus). African Zoology  37: 101-105.

Midgley, J., B. Anderson, A. Bok, P.A. Fleming. 2002. Scatter-hoarding of Cape Proteaceae nuts by rodents. Evolutionary Ecology Research  4: 623-626.

Fleming, P.A., A.M. Harman, L.D. Beazley. 1997. Changing topography of the RPE resulting from experimentally induced rapid eye growth. Visual Neuroscience  14: 449-461.

Harman, A.M., P.A. Fleming, R.V. Hoskins, S.R. Moore. 1997. Development and aging of cell topography in the human retinal pigment epithelium. Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science  38: 2016-2026.

Fleming, P.A., C.R. Braekevelt, A.M. Harman, L.D. Beazley. 1996. Retinal pigment epithelium and photoreceptor maturation in a wallaby, the quokka. Journal of comparative Neurology  370: 47-60.

Fleming, P.A., A.M. Harman, L.D. Beazley. 1996. Development and ageing of the RPE in a marsupial, the quokka. Experimental Eye Research  62: 457-469.

Fleming, P.A., A.M. Harman, L.D. Beazley. 1996. Retinal pigment epithelium topography in the mature quokka, Setonix brachyurus. Experimental Eye Research  62: 85-93.

Fleming, P.A., A.M. Harman, L.D. Beazley. 1993. Topography and maturation of the RPE in a wallaby. Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science  34: 874.