Tiny Giants Uncovered

Sunshine Coast Council

Cairncross Conversations 2023: Learn from the Queensland Museum researchers who undertook the Reserve's first invertebrate survey in 2021

Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve

Tiny Giants was a special survey of invertebrate biodiversity undertaken at Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve in 2021 by researchers from the Queensland Museum and the Entomological Society of Queensland. This was the first time invertebrates had been methodically studied in the rainforest and provided important baseline data on numerous species that are integral to the ecological functioning of the reserve.In this extended Cairncross Conversation, the Queensland Museum research team will discuss their findings with the community.From ants hiding under tree bark, dung beetles burrowing through the soil, spiders who live in suspended leaf-litter to undescribed ‘stiletto flies’ - you’ll be amazed at the invertebrate biodiversity living in our rainforest. The following guest speakers will have you looking more closely at the invertebrates in our environment and valuing the incredible role they play in keeping ecosystems healthy.Guest speakers:<ul><li>Dr Mike Rix is Principal Scientist (Terrestrial Biodiversity) and Curator (Arachnology) for Queensland Museum. During Tiny Giants he focused particularly on the 11 mygalomorph spider species at Mary Cairncross, such as trapdoors, and documented a new record of pelican spider for the reserve. Dr Rix has dedicated most of his career to working with collections and to taxonomically documenting the remarkable spider faunas of Australia and the other Austral continents. He has described 230 species in eight families.</li></ul><ul><li>Dr Christine Lambkin was formerly Curator of Entomology for Queensland Museum and is now an Honorary Research Fellow. Her main research interest is the evolution, taxonomy and biodiversity of flies (Diptera). Dr Lambkin specialises in descriptions of new species and genera of bee flies and stiletto flies based on analyses of morphological and molecular data.</li><li>Dr Kathy Ebert, is acting Curator and Research Scientist (Entomology) for Queensland Museum. She is also a teaching assistant at the University of Queensland. Dr Ebert's primary research interests are in dung beetle behaviour and taxonomy (Coleoptera).</li><li>Dr Chris Burwell is Senior Curator of Entomology for Queensland Museum. Dr Burwell's research interests focus on the taxonomy, biology and ecology of Hymenoptera: the bees, wasps and especially ants. He also has expertise and a keen interest in dragonflies and damselflies.</li></ul>Staff and volunteers are very excited to welcome the Queensland Museum team back to the Sunshine Coast and hope you will join in learning about their important research.Registration is essential.

Image: "Citizen Antennae" panel on the role of citizen science in invertebrate research, October 2021. Speakers (left to right) Dr Christine Lambkin (QM), Dr Penny Mills (ESQ), Dr Michael Rix (QM), Dr Chris Burwell (QM), Dr Andy Howe (USC), Dr Jessa Thurman (UQ) and Professor David Schoeman (USC).

This event is part of the Cairncross Conversations series: environmental, informative and on-point learning experiences for the community, held at Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve's Rainforest Discovery Centre.

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Tiny Giants Uncovered

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