Craig Franklin
Professor Craig Franklin is the newly elected Animal Section Secretary.
Background
Craig has been a member of the SEB for 15 years, initially joining while as research fellow in Professor Ian Johnston's group at The University of St. Andrews. He continued his close association with the SEB when he moved to The University of Queensland in 1995 where he is currently a Professor in Zoology and an Australian Professorial Research Fellow. In 1998 Craig was awarded the Presidents Medal.
Craig has a strong interest in experimental biology/physiology, and his research incorporates both lab and field based studies and uses a range of molecular, physiological and ecological techniques and tools. Craig believes the scope and variety of his research program, which covers many of the animal focus groups in the SEB allows him to have a very broad appreciation of the interests of members.
Craig will provide a fresh perspective to the SEB as to date his involvement in the administration and direction of the SEB has been minimal. For the 2009 annual meeting he organised a symposium on Conservation Physiology which was well attended and which brought in new participants to the meeting and encouraged student participation.
Goals and Priorities
Craig is committed to the diverse interests and needs of the members of the SEB. An important role he sees would be in supporting the direction of the current focus groups in the animal section but also encouraging members to form new groups emanating from recent developments in experimental biology. This could be achieved by initially running "satellite symposiums" as part of the annual meeting to gauge the support and interest for a particular research area. Craig isa strong proponent of the benefits that come from the cross-fertilization of traditional disciplines of biological research (ecology, genetics, physiology, evolutionary biology and molecular biology). He believes empowering members, including students and young scientists, to come up with less traditional focus areas is progressive and forward moving and is necessary for the SEB to evolve.
Craig's goals and priority focus areas include to:
- form stronger links with other biological societies
- further increase the internationalism of the SEB, through encouraging the invitation of keynote speakers who have not traditionally attended SEB meetings
- maintain and encourage strong student and young scientist participation
- provide a conduit for members to form and implement new groupings
Academic Qualifications
1983 BSc(Hons) University of Canterbury, N.Z.
1989 Ph.D. University of Canterbury, N.Z
2002 Honorary Doctorate University of Goteborg, Sweden
Short Biography
Craig Franklin is an Australian Professorial Fellow and Professor in Zoology at The University of Queensland. He has been a member of academic staff at The University of Queensland since 1995, arriving from the Gatty Marine Laboratory at the University of St Andrews, Scotland where he was a research fellow.
His research program focuses on how animals such as fish, frogs and crocodiles can survive and function in extreme and often hostile environments and under challenging conditions. He is a strong proponent of wildlife conservation and has a number of research projects assessing the impact of environmental change and human disturbance.
Craig runs a large research group and has ongoing collaborations with external agencies including Australia Zoo, Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, and Antarctica, New Zealand. He is probably best known for his work on estuarine crocodiles, and is currently using remote sensing technology to track their movements and behaviours in far north Queensland, Australia. He is highly regarded in peer circles for his work on estuarine crocodiles and is a member of the Queensland Ministerial Crocodile Advisory Committee.
Craig has published over a 150 scientific articles, including papers in the prestigious journals Science and Nature. He was a recipient for the Whitley Book Award for a proceedings on “Crocodilian Biology and Evolution” and has recently written a field guide to Antarctica; the “Antarctica Cruising Guide” published by AWA Press.
He has been awarded a number of prestigious prizes during his career, including being appointed as an Australian Professorial Fellow by the Australian Research Council; receiving an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Göteborg, Sweden; and receiving the President’s Medal from the Society for Experimental Biology, UK. Craig is also acknowledged as an outstanding teaching, being a recipient of The University of Queensland Award for Excellence in Teaching and twice a finalist in the Australian Awards for University Teaching for 1st year biology team teaching.
Awards, Prizes and Distinctions
2006-2011 Professorial Research Fellowship – Australian Research Council
2003 ___ Degree of Doctor Honoris Causa from the University of Goteborg, Sweden (Honorary doctorate)
2003 _____ Finalist for Australian Awards for University Teaching – Innovation & practical approach to team teaching in large 1st year classes.
2002 Whitley Book Award (New South Wales, Zoological Society) for "Crocodilian Biology and Evolution"
2000 The University of Queensland Teaching Excellence Award.
2000 Finalist in Australian Universities Teaching Awards (1st yr Biology Team)
1999 Commendation for Excellence in Teaching. The University of Queensland
1997 President's Medal - Society for Experimental Biology (UK).
1995 QEII ARC Fellowship (award declined in favour of lectureship at University of Queensland)
1992 Leverhulme Fellowship for Visiting Scientists - University of St. Andrews, Scotland
1991 University of Queensland Post-doctoral fellowship
1990 Prince and Princess of Wales Science Award - Royal Society of N.Z.
1990 Best Poster Presentation - Physiology Society of N.Z.
1989 Massey University Post-doctoral Fellowship
1987 Young Scientist Award - Australian & N.Z. Society for Cell Biology
1987 Outstanding Student Presentation - Australian & N.Z. Society for Cell Biology
1984 University Grants Committee - Post graduate scholarship
1984 Senior Scholarship - University of Canterbury
1983 Percival Memorial Prize in Zoology (Top undergraduate)
Research
Summary of research interests
The underlying emphasis and direction of my research deals with the flexibility and plasticity of physiological systems in ectotherms in response to environmental change. My approach is to examine whole animal performance and the physiological responses of organ systems to the effects of environmental parameters such as temperature, salinity and oxygen levels in an attempt to determine physiological competency and whether compensatory mechanisms can be (acclimation) or have been (evolutionary adaptation) employed. I am particularly interested to initiate and apply experimental and physiological approaches to conservation issues and I am a strong proponent of the emerging field of Conservation Physiology.
My achievements within the research field of ecological and conservation physiology are wide ranging. I aim to examine within the fishes, amphibians and reptiles, the physiological challenges that are imposed by different environments and I take an integrative approach (i.e. behavioural, morphological, physiological, biochemical & molecular traits). I have provided below a brief summary of my achievements in the key areas I am currently active in.
Conservation Physiology
We are in the midst of a global biodiversity crisis where the impacts of various anthropogenic pressures are largely to blame. Understanding and predicting how animals respond to environmental change is becoming increasingly important as ecosystems are modified and threatened by human activity and rapid population growth. Effects of anthropogenic disturbance are wide-ranging and can influence all levels of biological organisation: from the genome, to biochemical and physiological function; to organismal performance, and to the maintenance of ecosystem services and biodiversity. The challenge ahead for biologists is to predict how organisms will respond and, if possible, adapt to rapid environmental change. Such information will be critical in order to predict the likely implications for loss of biodiversity and the development of conservation management plans.
Conservation Physiology explores the responses of organisms to anthropogenic threats and attempts to determine the ecophysiological constraints dictated by current conditions and future environmental change. Underpinned by ecological and physiological theory, conservation physiology takes a multidisciplinary and integrative approach that encompasses both field and laboratory based research. It aims to determine and assess the proximate abiotic factors that impose fitness consequences upon the organisms as a result of anthropogenic threats and thus allows us to forecast the responses of organisms to environmental change. As such it will assist in determining the degree of threat to organisms and therefore help to set priority areas for conservation action.
Conservation based projects currently being conducted in my laboratory include:
i. Thermal sensitivity of polar fish and predicted responses to climate change
ii. Effect of UV-B radiation of frog development and performance
iii. Thermal plasticity and dependence of intertidal mollusks
iv. Impact of dams on bimodal breathing turtles
Physiological Strategies of Aestivating Frogs
We have discovered that muscle atrophy (wasting) is inhibited in the green-striped burrowing frog despite being immobile for 9-12 months during aestivation. This is an exciting finding, as muscle disuse atrophy is a serious pathology affecting humans as a consequence of limb immobilisation, extended bed-rest, and space travel. We are currently, looking at how muscle atrophy is prevented, focusing on the role of metabolic depression, anti-oxidants and endogenous opioids.
Diving Physiology and Behaviour
Understanding how diving vertebrates remain submerged for extended periods and the importance of cardiovascular responses and accessory respiratory structures in achieving long dives has been a strong focus of my lab over the past ten years. We are currently studying:
i. the diving ecology and movements of freshwater and estuarine crocodiles
ii. the impact of environmental change and habitat disturbance on bimodal breathing turtles
iii. the trade-offs between diving and digestion in file snakes
Thermal Biology
I have a significant research program that investigating the effect of temperature on physiological systems in fish, amphibians and reptiles. Studies include:
i. cardiovascular control during thermoregulation in reptiles
ii.effect of temperature change on the cardiovascular system and performance of polar fish
iii. thermal dependence and plasticity in intertidal mollusks.
Salt and Water Balance in crocodiles
We are currently looking at the control and plasticity of salt glands in the estuarine crocodile, Crocodylus porosus in response to environmental salinity & diet. Here, we are taking an integrative approach applying molecular and physiological tools to understand the mechanisms operating in this euryhaline species to maintain osmoregulatory homeostasis.
Publications (past 5 years)
Peer-review Papers
2009
Franklin, C.E., Read, M. A., Kraft, P.G., Liebsch, N., Irwin, S. R. and Campbell, H.A. (2009). Remote monitoring of crocodilians: Implantation, attachment and release methods for transmitters and data-loggers. Marine and Freshwater Research, 60, 284-292.
Carey G.R., Kraft, P.G., Cramp, R.L. and Franklin, C. E. (2009). Effect of incubation temperature on muscle morphology of barramundi (Lates calcarifer) at hatch and post-exogenous feeding. Journal of Fish Biology 74, 77-89.
Carey, G.R. and Franklin, C.E. (2009). Effect of incubation and rearing temperature on locomotor ability in barramundi Lates calcarifer Bloch, 1790. Marine and Freshwater Research, Marine and Freshwater Research 60 (3): 203-210.
Clark, N.J., Gordos, M.A. and Franklin, C.E. (2009). Implications of River Damming: The Influence of Aquatic Hypoxia on the Diving Physiology and Behaviour of the Endangered Mary River Turtle, Elusor macrurus. Animal Conservation (accepted Dec08).
Campbell, H.A., Sullivan, S., Gordos, M.A., Read, M.A. and Franklin, C.E. (2009). Why do crocodiles dive?: An in-depth telemetric study of the freshwater crocodile. Functional Ecology (Accepted April 2009)
Berner, N. J., Else, P. L., Hulbert A. J., Symonds B. L., Cramp R. L. and Franklin C. E. (2009). Metabolic depression during aestivation does not involve remodeling of membrane fatty acids in the Australian frogs Cyclorana alboguttata and Cyclorana australis. Journal of Comparative Physiology B (Accepted April 2009)
Alton, L.A., Wilson, R.S. and Franklin, C.E. (2009). Risk of predation enhances the lethal effects of UV-B in amphibians. Global Change Biology(Accepted April 2009)
Kayes, S.M., Cramp, R.L., Hudson, N. J. and Franklin, C. E. (2009). Surviving the drought: Burrowing frogs save energy by increasing metabolic efficiency. Journal of Experimental Biology. (Accepted April 2009).
Evans O., Caragata E.P., McMeniman, C.J., Woolfit , M. Green, D.C., Williams, C. R., Franklin, C.E., O’Neill, S.L., and McGraw, E.A. (2009). Increased locomotor activity and metabolism of Aedes aegypti infected with a life-shortening strain of Wolbachia pipientis. Journal of Experimental Biology (accepted Feb 2009).
2008
Storey, E.M. Kayes, S.M, de Vries, I; Franklin, C.E. (2008). Effect of water depth, velocity, and temperature on the surfacing frequency of the bimodally respiring turtle Elseya albagula. Functional Ecology 22, 840-846.
HudsonN.J, Lonhienne T.G.A., Franklin C.E., Harper, G.S. and Lehnert, S.A.(2008). Epigenetic-mediated gene silencing in dormant desert frogs. Journal of Comparative Physiology B. 178, 729-734.
Clark, N.J., Gordos M.A. and Franklin, C.E. (2008). Diving Behaviour, Aquatic Respiration, and Blood Oxygen Affinity: A Five Species Comparison of Australian Turtles. Journal of Zoology275, 399-406.
Cramp, RL; Meyer, EA; Sparks, N; Franklin, CE (2008). Functional and morphological plasticity of crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) salt glands. Journal of Experimental Biology 211, 1482-1489.
Pillans, RD; Good, JP; Anderson, WG; Hazon, N; Franklin, CE. (2008). Rectal gland morphology of freshwater and seawater acclimated bull sharks Carcharhinus leucas. Journal of Fish Biology 72, 1559-1571.
Clark, NJ; Gordos, MA; Franklin, CE (2008). Thermal plasticity of diving behavior, aquatic respiration, and locomotor performance in the Mary River turtle Elusor macrurus. Physiological and Biochemical Zoology 81, 301-309.
Lavidis, NA; Hudson, NJ; Choy, PT; Lehnert, SA; Franklin, CE (2008). Role of calcium and vesicle-docking proteins in remobilising dormant neuromuscular junctions in desert frogs. Journal of Comparative Physiology A. Neuroethology, sensory neural and behavioural physiology 194, 27- 37.
2007
Seebacher, F. and Franklin, C.E. (2007). Redistribution of blood within the body is important for thermoregulation in an ectothermic vertebrate (Crocodylus porosus). Journal of Comparative Physiology B. 177, 841-848.
Read MA, Grigg GC, Irwin SR, Shanahan D, Franklin CE (2007) Satellite tracking reveals long distance coastal travel and homing by translocated estuarine crocodiles, Crocodylus porosus. PLoS ONE 2(9): e949. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0000949
Franklin, C.E., Davison, W. and Seebacher, F. (2007). Antarctic fish can compensate for rising temperatures: Thermal acclimation of cardiac performance in Pagothenia borchgrevinki. Journal of Experimental Biology 210, 3068-3074
van Uitregt, V. O., Wilson, R.S. and Franklin, C. E. (2007). Cooler temperatures increase sensitivity to ultraviolet B radiation in embryos and larvae of the frog, Limnodynastes peronii. Global Change Biology 13, 1114-1121.
Gordos, M.A., Hamann, M., Schauble C.S., Limpus C.J., and Franklin, C.E. (2007). Diving behaviour of Elseya albagula from a naturally flowing and hydrologically altered habitat. Journal of Zoology 272, 458-469.
Cramp, R. L., Hudson, N. J., Holmberg, A., Holmgren, S. and Franklin, C. E. (2007). The effects of saltwater acclimation on neurotransmitters in the lingual salt glands of the estuarine crocodile, Crocodylus porosus. Regulatory Peptides 140, 55-64.
Hudson, N. J., Harper, G. S., Allingham, P. G., Franklin, C. E., Barris, W. and Lehnert, S. A.(2007). Skeletal muscle extracellular matrix remodelling after aestivation in the green striped burrowing frog, Cyclorana alboguttata. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology a-Molecular & Integrative Physiology 146, 440-445.
Symonds, B. L., James, R. S. and Franklin, C. E.(2007). Getting the jump on skeletal muscle disuse atrophy: preservation of contractile performance in aestivating Cyclorana alboguttata (Gunther 1867). Journal of Experimental Biology 210, 825-835.
2006
Kraft, P. G., Wilson, R. S., Franklin, C. E. and Blows, M. W. (2006). Substantial changes in the genetic basis of tadpole morphology of Rana lessonae in the presence of predators. Journal of Evolutionary Biology 19, 1813-1818.
Mathie, N. J. and Franklin, C. E. (2006). The influence of body size on the diving behaviour and physiology of the bimodally respiring turtle, Elseya albagula. Journal of Comparative Physiology B-Biochemical Systemic and Environmental Physiology 176, 739-747.
Anderson, W. G., Pillans, R. D., Hyodo, S., Tsukada, T., Good, J. P., Takei, Y., Franklin, C. E. and Hazon, N. (2006).The effects of freshwater to seawater transfer on circulating levels of angiotensin II, C-type natriuretic peptide and arginine vasotocin in the euryhaline elasmobranch, Carcharhinu's leucas. General and Comparative Endocrinology 147, 39-46.
Niehaus, A. C., Wilson, R. S. and Franklin, C. E.(2006). Short- and long-term consequences of thermal variation in the larval environment of anurans. Journal of Animal Ecology 75, 686-692.
Pillans, R. D., Anderson, W. G., Good, J. P., Hyodo, S., Takei, Y., Hazon, N. and Franklin, C. E. (2006). Plasma and erythrocyte solute properties of juvenile bull sharks, Carcharhinus leucas, acutely exposed to increasing environmental salinitv. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 331, 145-157.
Kraft, P. G., Franklin, C. E. and Blows, M. W. (2006). Predator-induced phenotypic plasticity in tadpoles: extension or innovation? Journal of Evolutionary Biology 19, 450-458.
Hazon, N., Anderson, W. G., Wells, A. W., Good, J. P., Pillans, R. D. and Franklin, C. E. (2006). Ion and urea regulation in elasmobranch fish. Journal of Experimental Zoology Part a-Comparative Experimental Biology 305A, 132-132.
Gordos, M. A., Limpus, C. J. and Franklin, C. E.(2006). Response of heart rate and cloacal ventilation in the bimodally respiring freshwater turtle, Rheodytes leukops to experimental changes in aquatic PO2. Journal of Comparative Physiology B-Biochemical Systemic and Environmental Physiology 176, 65-73.
Hudson, N. J., Lehnert, S. A., Ingham, A. B., Symonds, B., Franklin, C. E. and Harper, G. S. (2006). Lessons from an estivating frog: sparing muscle protein despite starvation and disuse. American Journal of Physiology-Regulatory Integrative and Comparative Physiology 290, R836-R843.
2005
Seebacher, F., and Franklin, C.E., (2005). Cardiovascular mechanisms during thermoregulation in reptiles. International Congress Series 1275, 242-249.
Cramp, R. L. and Franklin, C. E. (2005). Arousal and re-feeding rapidly restores digestive tract morphology following aestivation in green-striped burrowing frogs. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology a-Molecular & Integrative Physiology 142, 451-460.
Franklin, C. E., Taylor, G. and Cramp, R. L. (2005). Cholinergic and adrenergic innervation of lingual salt glands of the estuarine crocodile, Crocodylus porosus. Australian Journal of Zoology 53, 345-351.
Seebacher, F. and Franklin, C. E. (2005). Physiological mechanisms of thermoregulation in reptiles: a review. Journal of Comparative Physiology B-Biochemical Systemic and Environmental Physiology175, 533-541.
Anderson, W. G., Good, J. P., Pillans, R. D., Hazon, N. and Franklin, C. E. (2005). Hepatic urea biosynthesis in the euryhaline elasmobranch Carcharhinus leucas. Journal of Experimental Zoology Part a-Comparative Experimental Biology303A, 917-921.
Seebacher, F., Davison, W., Lowe, C. J. and Franklin, C. E. (2005). A falsification of the thermal specialization paradigm: compensation for elevated temperatures in Antarctic fishes. Biology Letters 1, 151-154.
Anderson, W. G., Hyodo, S., Tsukada, T., Meischke, L., Pillans, R. D., Good, J. P., Takei, Y., Cramb, G., Franklin, C. E. and Hazon, N. (2005). Sequence, circulating levels, and expression of C-type natriuretic peptide in a euryhaline elasmobranch, Carcharhinus leucas. General and Comparative Endocrinology 144, 90-98.
Kraft, P. G., Wilson, R. S. and Franklin, C. E.(2005). Predator-mediated phenotypic plasticity in tadpoles of the striped marsh frog, Limnodynastes peronii. Austral Ecology 30, 558-563.
Cramp, R. L., Franklin, C. E. and Meyer, E. A.(2005). The impact of prolonged fasting during aestivation on the structure of the small intestine in the green-striped burrowing frog, Cyclorana alboguttata. Acta Zoologica 86, 13-24.
Hudson, N. J., Lavidis, N. A., Choy, P. T. and Franklin, C. E. (2005). Effect of prolonged inactivity on skeletal motor nerve terminals during aestivation in the burrowing frog, Cyclorana alboguttata. Journal of Comparative Physiology a-Neuroethology Sensory Neural and Behavioral Physiology 191, 373-379.
Seebacher, F., Franklin, C. E. and Read, M.(2005). Diving behaviour of a reptile (Crocodylus johnstoni) in the wild: Interactions with heart rate and body temperature. Physiological and Biochemical Zoology 78, 1-8.
Pillans, R. D., Good, J. P., Anderson, W. G., Hazon, N. and Franklin, C. E. (2005). Freshwater to seawater acclimation of juvenile bull sharks (Carcharhinus leucas): plasma osmolytes and Na+/K+-ATPase activity in gill, rectal gland, kidney and intestine. Journal of Comparative Physiology B-Biochemical Systemic and Environmental Physiology 175, 37-44.
2004
Seebacher, F. and Franklin, C. E. (2004). Integration of autonomic and local mechanisms in regulating cardiovascular responses to heating and cooling in a reptile (Crocodylus porosus). Journal of Comparative Physiology B-Biochemical Systemic and Environmental Physiology 174, 577-585.
Gordos, M. A., Franklin, C. E. and Limpus, C. J.(2004). Effect of water depth and water velocity upon the surfacing frequency of the bimodally respiring freshwater turtle, Rheodytes leukops. Journal of Experimental Biology 207, 3099-3107.
Pillans, R. D. and Franklin, C. E. (2004). Plasma osmolyte concentrations and rectal gland mass of bull sharks Carcharhinus leucas, captured along a salinity gradient. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology a-Molecular & Integrative Physiology138, 363-371.
Goudkamp, J. E., Seebacher, F., Ahern, M. and Franklin, C. E. (2004). Physiological then-noregulation in a crustacean? Heart rate hysteresis in the freshwater crayfish Cherax destructor. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology a-Molecular & Integrative Physiology138, 399-403.
Gordos, M. A., Franklin, C. E., Limpus, C. J. and Wilson, G. (2004). Blood-respiratory and acid-base changes during extended diving in the bimodally respiring freshwater turtle Rheodytes leukops. Journal of Comparative Physiology B-Biochemical Systemic and Environmental Physiology 174, 347-354.
Pillans, R. D., Franklin, C. E. and Tibbetts, I. R.(2004). Food choice in Siganus fuscescens: influence of macrophyte nutrient content and availability. Journal of Fish Biology 64, 297-309.
Hudson, N. J., Bennett, M. B. and Franklin, C. E.(2004). Effect of aestivation on long bone mechanical properties in the green-striped burrowing frog, Cyclorana alboguttata. Journal of Experimental Biology 207, 475-482.
Books
Carey, P.W. and Franklin C.E. (2009). Antarctica Cruising Guide 2nd edition. Awa Press, Wellington, N.Z. 233pp.
Carey, P.W. and Franklin C.E. (2006). Antarctica Cruising Guide. Awa Press, Wellington, N.Z. 233pp.
Grigg, G.C., Seebacher, F. and Franklin, C.E. (2001). Crocodilian Biology and Evolution. Surrey Beatty and Sons, Chipping Norton, N.S.W.