UNE Environment

30/01/2025

Exciting News for the new Year!

We’re merging our two pages: UNE Science and UNE Environment, are merging into UNE Science & Environment

The plan is to make the new page BIGGER and BETTER, as we’ll continue covering everything science at UNE, with a special focus on Biology, Chemistry, Ecology, Environmental Science, Exercise & Sports Science, Geoscience, Earth Science, Mathematics, Palaeontology, Computer Science, Botany, Conservation, Research, and much more!

Here’s what you can still expect to see:
• Updates on our students
• Spotlight on staff
• Updates on our research
• Coverage of Intensive Schools
• Fun and engaging content that highlights the best parts of being a student at UNE

We hope to see you over Following UNE Science & Environment Soon

This Page will no longer be posting content.

28/01/2025

Figuring out how ancient animals interacted with each other while feeding is a big challenge for scientists studying fossils. In this case, UNE’s Dr Phil Bell is among researchers who discovered a rare bite mark on the neck bone of a young Cryodrakon boreas, a flying reptile from around 76 million years ago, in Alberta, Canada.

“Finding these little interactions in the fossil record is really exciting. It's not just some dead bone at this point, it becomes something more: a record of behaviour, an actual moment in time when one animal was feeding on another.” Dr Bell explained.

After looking at the shape of the bite and comparing it to the teeth of possible animals that could have made it, they think the most likely culprit is a crocodile-like animal. However, it’s unclear whether the bite came from a predator hunting the pterosaur or from a scavenger eating its remains.

“Pterosaur bones are extremely rare in these deposits. They're so thin that the moment they're exposed, they begin to disintegrate. So finding an intact vertebra, and one that preserves a bite mark, is extraordinary. Literally one in a million. With so few bones of pterosaurs, it's hard to not only know what species they represent, but also what roles they played in the ecosystem. With fossils like this, we get both of those pieces of information.”

Dr Phil Bell is a joint author (Caleb M. Brown, Phil R. Bell, Holly Owers, Brian J. Pickles) on the following journal article. Check it out for more details on this exciting research. Link in Bio

Published online by Cambridge University Press: 23 January 2025, pp. 1-10

12/01/2025

The documentary Rola[STONE], Directed by UNE Geoscientist Dr Marissa Betts in collaboration with Anaiwan Elders, explores the connections between geology, landscape and cultural knowledge on Anaiwan Country around Armidale, New South Wales.

It shows how the landscape can be read through a scientific lens and through the Dreaming stories of those who have deep connections to Country.

Rola is the Anaiwan word for “stone”. This film explores the inseparable connection between geology, landscapes and culture on Anaiwan Country (Northern Tabl...

09/01/2025

While working on her thesis ‘Bees under stress’, Carolyn Sonter had to battle personal loss, natural disasters, COVID restrictions, and the varroa mite incursion.

However, Dr Sonter persisted, celebrating her graduation in December with her 90-year-old dad who also achieved his PhD at UNE 30 years ago!

This one’s a great read 👇

26/12/2024

As 2024 comes to a close, we're reflecting on the incredible strides made by the UNE research community. From innovative breakthroughs to tackling real-world challenges, our researchers have been at the forefront of discovery.

Read more: https://linktr.ee/unesabl

24/12/2024

Australians love Christmas so much that we have Christmas Beetles, Christmas Crabs and a Christmas Bush – it seems we’ll take any excuse to add a festive touch to our flora and fauna!

Christmas Beetle
Christmas Beetles are known for their vibrant colours and typically emerge around the Christmas period. There are about 36 species in the family Scarabaeidae, with all but one species being unique (endemic) to Australia, including 21 species found in New South Wales.

Christmas Bush
The Australian Christmas Bush (Ceratopetalum gillivrayi) is a native plant known for its vibrant red bracts that bloom around Christmas time. Found mainly in Queensland and New South Wales, it can grow as a shrub or small tree.

Christmas Crab
Christmas Island’s mass red crab migration is one of the most incredible natural processes on Earth. Every year, millions of large red crabs emerge from the forest and make their way to the ocean to breed, swarming across roads, streams, rocks and beaches.
Image: Red crab bathing in the sea. Photo: Chris Bray Source: https://christmasislandnationalpark.gov.au

Can you think of any others we've missed? Drop them below! 👇

UNE Science

19/12/2024

Failure to effectively manage succession can have disastrous consequences – for the farm business, for farm families, and for rural communities that rely on inter-generational farming families to support physical and social infrastructure.

The first national survey of farm business succession to be made in 20 years has been launched by a team from the University of New England, AU (UNE), with the aim of improving one of the most challenging aspects of agriculture.

To be statistically robust, the survey will need 700-plus respondents - so please send this on to anyone who you think may be able to contribute!

https://www.une.edu.au/research/research-centres-institutes/the-australian-centre-for-agriculture-and-law/une-farm-succession-survey

10/12/2024

The Blue Tongue Skink is one of Australia’s iconic reptiles, often spotted right here on UNE’s Armidale campus! With their chunky bodies and stumpy legs, they’re frequently mistaken for snakes due to their unique slithering. Found across Australia, Blueys thrive in urban gardens, feeding on insects, fruits, and plants.

Unlike most reptiles, they give live birth, with some species having over 10 young at once. Adults defend themselves by flattening their bodies, hissing, and flashing their vibrant blue tongues.

As temperatures rise, keep an eye out for these lovable lizards on campus and in your own backyard!

The Blue Tongue Skink is one of Australia’s iconic reptiles – a giant, chunky lizard with attitude and stumpy little legs. They are often mistaken for death adders (or other snakes) due to their un…

03/12/2024

Northern Tablelands Local Land Services, in partnership with the University of New England, AU, have been hard at work catching adult Bell’s Turtle (Wollumbinia belli) females before the start of the breeding season in a significant effort to save the endangered species from fox predation.

Bell’s Turtles are only found in the Northern Tablelands of NSW, but the species is facing an immense threat, with foxes eating 90-100% of eggs laid each year. While the cohort of adult Bell’s turtles over 50 years old is strong, the number of juvenile turtles in local waterways has been diminishing due to this predation.

READ MORE in the Guyra Gazette:

Endangered Bell’s Turtles captured - Guyra Gazette

02/12/2024

We’re so proud to share that our very own Jennifer Corderoy, who’s studying Rural Science at University of New England, AU, has been awarded the Order of Australia Association Foundation Scholarship!

The Governor-General, Her Excellency, the Hon. Sam Mostyn AC, announced the five new Order of
Australia Association Foundation Scholars following a Round Table Conference at Admiralty
House.

This $40,000 scholarship, thanks to Mr. Tim Fairfax AC, will help Jennifer continue making amazing strides in her studies and future career. We couldn’t be more excited for her and can’t wait to see all the incredible things she’ll do!

https://oaafoundation.org.au/scholars-announced/