Gitanjali Katrak, School of Biological Sciences, Flinders University

	School of Biological Sciences Faculty of Science & Engineering

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Ms Gitanjali Katrak

Contact Details

Phone:	+61 8 8201 3078
Fax:	+61 8 8201 3015
Email:	gitanjali.katrak@flinders.edu.au
Location:	Room 034, Biological Sciences building (building 51)

Teaching

Professional Skills for Marine Biologists (BIOL1301)
Marine and Terrestrial Animal Diversity (BIOL2271)

Research

Role of the grapsid crab, Helograpsus haswellianus, as in ecosystem engineer in the ecology of South Australian saltmarshes

The focus of my project is to gain an understanding of the role of the burrowing grapsid crab, Helograpsus haswellianus, in the ecology of South Australian saltmarshes.

It is hypothesized that the burrowing activity of this species rather than its feeding or competitive activities have the greatest effects on the biota in the area. Therefore, this study is being approached from an ecosystem-engineering perspective – i.e. that the species, directly or indirectly, modulates the availability of resources to other species by causing physical state changes in biotic or abiotic materials. Given that ecosystem engineers can strongly influence their surroundings, future management of endangered saltmarsh communities may be possible through the management of H. haswellianus.

Supervisors

Dr Sabine Dittmann
Prof Peter Fairweather

Presentations

Katrak, G., Seuront, L. and Dittmann, S. (2006) Variation in burrow morphology of the grapsid crab, Helograpsus haswellianus, between saltmarsh sites in South Australia. Presented at the joint SWS/AMSA Catchments to Coasts conference in Cairns.

Publications

Katrak, G., and Bird, F.L. (2003). Comparative effects of the large bioturbators, Trypaea australiensis and Heloecius cordiformis, on intertidal sediments of Western Port, Victoria, Australia. Marine and Freshwater Research 54: 701 - 708.

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