Dr Bonnie Holmes’ research focuses on the biology and ecology of large sharks and fish. Bonnie has specialised in using techniques such as satellite telemetry to understand and answer complex questions about how these species use their habitat in time and space. Bonnie also has an interest in population genetics, and has undertaken behaviour ecology work on a diversity of keystone species marine species, ranging from teleost fishes to marine mammals. The research has been important for improving the sustainability of species management, as well as understanding food web ecology and how humans impact upon it.
Further to her applied research, Bonnie spent several years working in sustainability assessment at Fisheries Queensland where she was involved in developing key fisheries assessment techniques to monitor stock status of fisheries resources, as well as management of the aquatic invasives program for Biosecurity Queensland. Currently she has both HDR and Honours students working on shark and fish biology, ecology and genetics, as well as invasive freshwater fish research in Queensland.
Professional Memberships
- Oceania Chondrichthyan Society – Past Council Member
- Australian Society for Fish Biology – Alien Fishes Committee Past Co-Chair
- Freshwater Vertebrate and Invertebrate Working Group – Environment & Invasives Committee, former Executive Officer
Professional Roles
- Co-Lead - Marine and Terrestrial Megafauna Cluster UniSC
- Deputy Program Coordinator – BAnimEco
- Cat B member - UniSC Animal Ethics Committee
Research areas
- fish and shark biology, ecology and genetics
- fisheries research
- invasive species
- animal behaviour
Teaching areas
- Animal Ecology
Dr Bonnie Holmes’ specialist areas of knowledge include the biology and ecology of large sharks and fish. Bonnie has specialised in using techniques such as satellite telemetry to understand and answer complex questions about how these species use their habitat in time and space. Bonnie also has an interest in population genetics, and has undertaken behaviour ecology work on a diversity of keystone species marine species, ranging from teleost fishes to marine mammals.
In the news
Aggressive shrimps and surprising predators make life tough for spanner crabs
19 Jan 2023For years, fishers have suspected sharks of stealing their spanner crab catch.
Jaws hold crucial insights into fate and future of tiger sharks
17 May 2022USC is part of an international study that used DNA retrieved from historical tiger shark jaws over the past century to reveal that population decline is changing the genetic diversity of one of the ocean’s apex predators.