Large vertebrate herbivores in the marine system are rare. Further, each extant species has a slow growth rate and a low and variable reproductive rate that contribute to their status as endangered or vulnerable to extinction. We conduct research on dugongs and green turtles in an attempt to understand why their growth and life histories are protracted compared to terrestrial herbivores of similar body size, and if life history is constrained by nutritional factors. These studies examine herbivory from perspectives of food availability and quality, digestive efficiency (functional morphology and physiology of the herbivore's digestive system), foraging behaviour and energetics. These studies have important conservation application since they lead to a better understanding of habitat requirements and resource availability for vulnerable species.

Examples of projects

• Biomechanical properties of seagrasses in relation to herbivory
• Studies on the dentition and tooth wear in the dugong
• Probable use of tusks by extinct dugongids
• The basis of diet selection in dugongs
• Diet selection by green turtles
• Mechanical digestion of seagrass by green turtles
• The effects of temperature on digestion by green turtles
• Water turnover and metabolism in marine herbivores
• Dive patterns of dugongs in a shallow water habitat