PhD candidate
Gehrmann Building, Level 8
School of Biological Sciences – UQ
St Lucia QLD 4072
Australia
T: +61 7 33659753
m.mihaljevic@uq.edu.au
Research interests
Evolutionary patterns, taxonomy, marine benthic organisms (echinoids, corals)
Current project
The Neogene evolution of coral reefs from the South China Sea (more…)
The Indo-Pacific region is considered highest marine biodiversity hotspot, but there is still comparatively scarce knowledge regarding its origin and evolution. The main goal of this project is to raise our understanding of evolution of marine biodiversity by investigating the Neogene evolution of coral reefs from the South China Sea. During my PhD project I will focus on (1) reconstruction of marine palaeoenvironments in time of origination of the Indo-Pacific marine hotspot; (2) analysis of temporal changes in coral diversity; (3) systematical description of new fossil corals and detailed records of their temporal and spatial distribution. The newly gained knowledge of past biodiversity changes may provide insight to allow us to predict changes in biodiversity caused by present environmental fluctuations.
SUPERVISORS: Prof. John M. Pandolfi (UQ) & Dr Kevin Welsh (UQ)
Publications
- Mihaljević, M., Jerjen, I. & Smith, A. 2011. The test architecture of Clypeaster (Echinoidea, Clypeasteroida) and its phylogenetic significance. ZooTaxa, 2983: 21-38.
- Mihaljević, M., Klug, C., Aguilera, O., Wyss, P., Lüthi, T. & Sánchez-Villagra, M.R. 2010. Venezuelan echinoids: their fossil record and new material from the Neogene. Palaeontologia Electronica, 13(3), 13.3.20A.
