Skip to menu Skip to content Skip to footer
Associate Professor Ian Tibbetts
Associate Professor

Ian Tibbetts

Email: 
Phone: 
+61 7 336 54830

Overview

Background

I grew up on the Devon coast hunting among the fucoids for crabs and shrimp. I undertook research while at school on the diet of blennies. At university in Swansea, south Wales, and as a marine Biology student I investigated informally the behaviour of intertidal pool dwelling organisms andmore formally (Hons) the ecology of benthic invertebrates. My PhD at the University of Queensland delved into the ecology and evolution of halfbeaks (Hemiramphidae) . My research track-record since reflects both my early interests and those developed subsequent to my PhD. I have published in diverse fields reflecting my general curiosity about marine life, and in particular the dynamic between evolution and action addressing challenges to extant paradigms that my extensive time in the field have prompted.

Availability

Associate Professor Ian Tibbetts is:
Available for supervision
Media expert

Fields of research

Qualifications

  • Bachelor (Honours) of Science (Advanced), University of Wales
  • Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland

Research interests

  • Ecology of grazers

Works

Search Professor Ian Tibbetts’s works on UQ eSpace

139 works between 1991 and 2023

1 - 20 of 139 works

Featured

2013

Journal Article

Multi-gene barcoding to discriminate sibling species within a morphologically difficult fish genus (Sillago)

Krück, Nils C., Tibbetts, Ian R., Ward, Robert D., Johnson, Jeffrey W., Loh, William K. W. and Ovenden, Jennifer R. (2013). Multi-gene barcoding to discriminate sibling species within a morphologically difficult fish genus (Sillago). Fisheries Research, 143, 39-46. doi: 10.1016/j.fishres.2013.01.007

Multi-gene barcoding to discriminate sibling species within a morphologically difficult fish genus (Sillago)

Featured

2013

Journal Article

Life-history traits of a small-bodied coastal shark

Gutteridge, Adrian N., Huveneers, Charlie, Marshall, Lindsay J., Tibbetts, Ian R. and Bennett, Mike B. (2013). Life-history traits of a small-bodied coastal shark. Marine and Freshwater Research, 64 (1), 54-65. doi: 10.1071/MF12140

Life-history traits of a small-bodied coastal shark

Featured

2012

Journal Article

Potential effects of fishing on cleaning interactions in a tropical reef

Silvano, R. A. M., Tibbetts, I. R. and Grutter, A. S. (2012). Potential effects of fishing on cleaning interactions in a tropical reef. Coral Reefs, 31 (4), 1193-1198. doi: 10.1007/s00338-012-0950-8

Potential effects of fishing on cleaning interactions in a tropical reef

Featured

2012

Journal Article

Catch and effort from a specialised recreational pelagic sport fishery off eastern Australia

Zischke, Mitchell T., Griffiths, Shane P. and Tibbetts, Ian R. (2012). Catch and effort from a specialised recreational pelagic sport fishery off eastern Australia. Fisheries Research, 127-128, 61-72. doi: 10.1016/j.fishres.2012.04.011

Catch and effort from a specialised recreational pelagic sport fishery off eastern Australia

Featured

2012

Journal Article

Electric field detection in sawfish and shovelnose rays

Wueringer, Barbara E., Jnr, Lyle Squire, Kajiura, Stephen M., Tibbetts, Ian R., Hart, Nathan S. and Collin, Shaun P. (2012). Electric field detection in sawfish and shovelnose rays. PLoS One, 7 (7 Article No. e41605) e41605, e41605. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0041605

Electric field detection in sawfish and shovelnose rays

Featured

2011

Journal Article

Does sympatry affect trophic resource use in congeneric tidepool fishes? A tale of two gobies Favonigobius lentiginosus and Favonigobius exquisitus

Chargulaf, C. A., Krück, N. C. and Tibbetts, I. R. (2011). Does sympatry affect trophic resource use in congeneric tidepool fishes? A tale of two gobies Favonigobius lentiginosus and Favonigobius exquisitus. Journal of Fish Biology, 79 (7), 1968-1983. doi: 10.1111/j.1095-8649.2011.03132.x

Does sympatry affect trophic resource use in congeneric tidepool fishes? A tale of two gobies Favonigobius lentiginosus and Favonigobius exquisitus

Featured

2011

Journal Article

Why can't young fish eat plants? Neither digestive enzymes nor gut development preclude herbivory in the young of a stomachless marine herbivorous fish

Day, Ryan D., German, Donovan P. and Tibbetts, Ian R. (2011). Why can't young fish eat plants? Neither digestive enzymes nor gut development preclude herbivory in the young of a stomachless marine herbivorous fish. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology B-Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 158 (1), 23-29. doi: 10.1016/j.cbpb.2010.09.010

Why can't young fish eat plants? Neither digestive enzymes nor gut development preclude herbivory in the young of a stomachless marine herbivorous fish

2023

Journal Article

Short‐term resilience to climate‐induced temperature increases for equatorial sea turtle populations

Staines, Melissa N., Versace, Hayley, Laloë, Jacques‐Olivier, Smith, Caitlin E., Madden Hof, Christine A., Booth, David T., Tibbetts, Ian R. and Hays, Graeme C. (2023). Short‐term resilience to climate‐induced temperature increases for equatorial sea turtle populations. Global Change Biology, 29 (23), 6546-6557. doi: 10.1111/gcb.16952

Short‐term resilience to climate‐induced temperature increases for equatorial sea turtle populations

2023

Journal Article

The importance of nutrition-sensitive fisheries management: Women's dietary diversity in Marovo Lagoon, Solomon Islands

Rabbitt, Sheridan, Lilley, Ian, Albert, Simon, Albert, Joelle and Tibbetts, Ian (2023). The importance of nutrition-sensitive fisheries management: Women's dietary diversity in Marovo Lagoon, Solomon Islands. Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development, 13 (1), 1-17. doi: 10.5304/jafscd.2023.131.004

The importance of nutrition-sensitive fisheries management: Women's dietary diversity in Marovo Lagoon, Solomon Islands

2023

Journal Article

Is mushy tuna syndrome a growing problem for the tuna industry?

Peter, Soni Maria Jacob, Blomberg, Simone P., Holden, Matthew H., Hoffman, Louwrens C. and Tibbetts, Ian R. (2023). Is mushy tuna syndrome a growing problem for the tuna industry?. Foods, 12 (19) 3590, 1-11. doi: 10.3390/foods12193590

Is mushy tuna syndrome a growing problem for the tuna industry?

2023

Journal Article

Grazing activity of Clibanarius corallinus (H. Milne Edwards, 1848) (Decapoda: Anomura: Diogenidae) on epilithic algae in Australian coral reefs

Bravo, Henrique and Tibbetts, Ian R. (2023). Grazing activity of Clibanarius corallinus (H. Milne Edwards, 1848) (Decapoda: Anomura: Diogenidae) on epilithic algae in Australian coral reefs. Journal of Crustacean Biology, 43 (3) ruad044, 1-5. doi: 10.1093/jcbiol/ruad044

Grazing activity of Clibanarius corallinus (H. Milne Edwards, 1848) (Decapoda: Anomura: Diogenidae) on epilithic algae in Australian coral reefs

2023

Journal Article

Tidal migrations of juvenile Sillago spp. in a subtropical intertidal nursery seascape

Giaroli, Max L., Chargulaf, Craig A., Gilby, Ben L. and Tibbetts, Ian R. (2023). Tidal migrations of juvenile Sillago spp. in a subtropical intertidal nursery seascape. Marine and Freshwater Research, 74 (14), 1193-1210. doi: 10.1071/mf23033

Tidal migrations of juvenile Sillago spp. in a subtropical intertidal nursery seascape

2023

Journal Article

Sea surface temperature affects the reproductive biology of female pearl perch (Glaucosoma scapulare Macleay, 1881) in Queensland, Australia

Campbell, Matthew J., Joiner, Jaimee E., McLennan, Mark F. and Tibbetts, Ian R. (2023). Sea surface temperature affects the reproductive biology of female pearl perch (Glaucosoma scapulare Macleay, 1881) in Queensland, Australia. Journal of Applied Ichthyology, 2023 5529782, 1-10. doi: 10.1155/2023/5529782

Sea surface temperature affects the reproductive biology of female pearl perch (Glaucosoma scapulare Macleay, 1881) in Queensland, Australia

2023

Journal Article

The future of fish and fisheries in Australia: prioritisation of research needs through a horizon scanning approach

Williams, Samuel M., Tibbetts, Ian R. and Holmes, Bonnie J. (2023). The future of fish and fisheries in Australia: prioritisation of research needs through a horizon scanning approach. Pacific Conservation Biology, 30 (1) PC23020. doi: 10.1071/pc23020

The future of fish and fisheries in Australia: prioritisation of research needs through a horizon scanning approach

2023

Other Outputs

Sand temperature and sea turtle hatchling sex ratios of the Conflict Islands, Papua New Guinea

Staines, Melissa, Tibbetts, Ian and Booth, David (2023). Sand temperature and sea turtle hatchling sex ratios of the Conflict Islands, Papua New Guinea. The University of Queensland. (Dataset) doi: 10.48610/b7814cd

Sand temperature and sea turtle hatchling sex ratios of the Conflict Islands, Papua New Guinea

2022

Journal Article

Operational sex ratio estimated from drone surveys for a species threatened by climate warming

Staines, Melissa N., Smith, Caitlin E., Madden Hof, Christine A., Booth, David T., Tibbetts, Ian R. and Hays, Graeme C. (2022). Operational sex ratio estimated from drone surveys for a species threatened by climate warming. Marine Biology, 169 (12) 152, 1-11. doi: 10.1007/s00227-022-04141-9

Operational sex ratio estimated from drone surveys for a species threatened by climate warming

2022

Other Outputs

Data for operational sex ratio of green turtles in the Great Barrier Reef.

Staines, Melissa, Tibbetts, Ian and Booth, David (2022). Data for operational sex ratio of green turtles in the Great Barrier Reef.. The University of Queensland. (Dataset) doi: 10.48610/aa1b050

Data for operational sex ratio of green turtles in the Great Barrier Reef.

2022

Journal Article

Testing a model to assess women’s inclusion and participation in community-based resource management in Solomon Islands

Rabbitt, Sheridan, Tibbetts, Ian R., Albert, Simon and Lilley, Ian (2022). Testing a model to assess women’s inclusion and participation in community-based resource management in Solomon Islands. Maritime Studies, 21 (4), 1-19. doi: 10.1007/s40152-022-00282-1

Testing a model to assess women’s inclusion and participation in community-based resource management in Solomon Islands

2022

Journal Article

The ecological importance of the accuracy of environmental temperature measurements

Staines, Melissa N., Booth, David T., Laloë, Jacques-Oliver, Tibbetts, Ian R. and Hays, Graeme C. (2022). The ecological importance of the accuracy of environmental temperature measurements. Biology Letters, 18 (8) 20220263, 1-6. doi: 10.1098/rsbl.2022.0263

The ecological importance of the accuracy of environmental temperature measurements

2022

Book Chapter

Marine fishes

Williams, Samuel M., Holmes, Bonnie J., Barnett, Adam, Rogers, Troy, Fetterplace, Lachlan, Middleton, Heather, Mitchell, Jonathan, Sih, Tiffany, Harasti, David, Sheaves, Marcus, Henderson, Christopher J., Tibbetts, Ian R., Mitchell, Laurie , Martin, Tyson, Pepperell, Julian, Moore, Andy, Skelton, Megan, Taylor, Matthew, Gilby, Ben L., Chargulaf, Craig, Cortesi, Fabio, Currey-Randall, Leanne M., Tracey, Sean, Rabbitt, Sheridan and Campbell, Matthew (2022). Marine fishes. Wildlife research in Australia: practical and applied methods. (pp. 519-542) edited by Bradley Smith, Helen Waudby, Corinne Alberthsen and Jordan Hampton. Clayton South, VIC, Australia: CSIRO Publishing. doi: 10.1071/9781486313457

Marine fishes

Funding

Past funding

  • 2021 - 2023
    UQ x WWF Turtle Cooling Project Field Work
    World Wide Fund for Nature Australia
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2024
    Biology, ecology and population structure of sailfish (Istiophorus platypterus)
    Research Donation Generic
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2019
    Continuous flow isotope ratio mass spectrometer (CF-IRMS) and ancillary preparation systems for carbon, nitrogen and sulfur isotope microanalysis for archaeology, biology, earth and environmental scie
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2020
    Developing frameworks for scaling sustainable community based conservation in Solomon Islands (Placeholder Record)
    MacArthur Foundation (John & Catherine MacArthur)
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2018
    Implementation of novel conservation partnerships in Solomon Islands
    MacArthur Foundation (John & Catherine MacArthur)
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2018
    Seahorses and pipefish lose critical seagrass habitat to killer algae
    Sea World Research and Rescue Foundation Inc
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2015
    Recovery of habitat and ecosystem services following the installation of Environmentally Friendly Moorings
    SEQ Catchments Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2017
    Strengthening Emerging Frameworks for Conservation Across Melanesian Island Arcs
    MacArthur Foundation (John & Catherine MacArthur)
    Open grant
  • 2012
    Using biodiesel cleanup agents to reduce impacts on mangroves and tidal wetland ecosystems from oils (ARC Linkage Project Administered by James Cook University)
    James Cook University
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2012
    Population genomics to predict conservation effects of marine reserves: an example from SE Queensland
    Sea World Research and Rescue Foundation Inc
    Open grant
  • 2010 - 2012
    Using biodiesel cleanup agents to reduce impacts on mangroves and tidal wetland ecosystems from oils spills
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2010
    Development of Electrofishing method targeting juvenile lungfish
    Queensland Bulk Water Supply Authority trading as Seqwater
    Open grant
  • 2010
    Trophic linkages in the Wivenhoe Dam (Modification - Purse Seine)
    Queensland Bulk Water Supply Authority trading as Seqwater
    Open grant
  • 2010 - 2011
    Life History, Demographics and Recruitment of the Australian Lungfish (Neoceratodus forsteri) in South East Queensland
    UQ FirstLink Scheme
    Open grant
  • 2009 - 2010
    Assessment of littoral fish community recruitment patterns in Wivenhoe Dam in response to variable water levels
    Queensland Bulk Water Supply Authority trading as Seqwater
    Open grant
  • 2009 - 2012
    Assessment of pelagic fish community recruitment patterns in Wivenhoe Dam
    Queensland Bulk Water Supply Authority trading as Seqwater
    Open grant
  • 2009 - 2010
    The Potential for Top Predators to Influence the Water Quality of Wivenhoe Lake
    Queensland Bulk Water Supply Authority trading as Seqwater
    Open grant
  • 2009 - 2010
    Spawning, recruitment and habitat assessment of Lungfish in SEQ
    Queensland Bulk Water Supply Authority trading as Seqwater
    Open grant
  • 2009
    Waterborne Exposure of Australian Bass to Ethanol Estradiol
    Queensland Bulk Water Supply Authority trading as Seqwater
    Open grant
  • 2009 - 2010
    Health Assessment of Australian Bass and Other Key Biota in SEQ Storages
    Queensland Bulk Water Supply Authority trading as Seqwater
    Open grant
  • 2009 - 2011
    ResTeach 2009 0.2 FTE School of Biological Sciences
    Open grant
  • 2008 - 2009
    Life history mapping of fish species of concern in Wivenhoe Dam: Part (2) Identification of inchthyoplankton
    Queensland Bulk Water Supply Authority trading as Seqwater
    Open grant
  • 2008 - 2009
    Health Assessment of Australian Bass population in Wivenhoe Dam
    South East Queensland Water Corporation Limited
    Open grant
  • 2007 - 2008
    Trophic linkages in the Wivenhoe Dam
    South East Queensland Water Corporation Limited
    Open grant
  • 2007 - 2010
    Developing and field testing community management systems to protect the coral reefs and marine ecosystems of Marovo Lagoon in the Solomon Islands
    MacArthur Foundation (John & Catherine MacArthur)
    Open grant
  • 2004 - 2007
    Conserving the Marine Biodiversity of Marovo Lagoon, Solomon Islands
    MacArthur Foundation (John & Catherine MacArthur)
    Open grant
  • 1999 - 2001
    Optimisation of growth in Anguilla australia and Anguilla reinhardtii in support of Australian Aquaculture Industry
    ARC Collaborative Grant (SPIRT)
    Open grant
  • 1998 - 2001
    Biological electric field sensors
    Department Defence - Defence Science & Technology
    Open grant
  • 1998
    The feeding, growth and reproduction of the labrid fish, Choerodon venustus (De Vis)
    Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority
    Open grant
  • 1997
    Obligatory benthic micro-carnivory in post-larval whiting: Sillago ciliata and S. maculate meiobenthic interactions
    University of Queensland New Staff Research Grant
    Open grant

Supervision

Availability

Associate Professor Ian Tibbetts is:
Available for supervision

Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.

Supervision history

Current supervision

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Development of alternative commercial fishing gear, methods and technology

    Principal Advisor

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Sex ratios of sea turtle hatchlings and breeding turtles in a warming climate

    Principal Advisor

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Assessing the biology and connectivity of deep-water finfish on Australia's east coast and impacts on fleet dynamics

    Principal Advisor

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Biology of Sailfish in the Indo-Pacific

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Christine Dudgeon

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Proximate factors of Mushy Tuna Syndrome and an amelioration plan for fishers and processors.

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Simone Blomberg, Dr Matthew Holden, Professor Louw Hoffman

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Resilience potential of coral reefs in Indonesia Resilience potential of coral reefs in Indonesia (a study case between MPA and non-MPA)

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Peter Mumby

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Assessing the biology and connectivity of deep-water finfish on Australia's east coast and impacts on fleet dynamics

    Principal Advisor

Completed supervision

Media

Enquiries

Contact Associate Professor Ian Tibbetts directly for media enquiries about:

  • Coral reef ecology
  • Fish - sediment and rocky shore pools
  • Fish biology
  • Fishes - herbivorous
  • Fishes - impoundement
  • Fishes - riverine
  • Fishes - stomachless
  • Flyingfish
  • Garfish
  • Longtom - fish
  • Moreton Bay - marine life
  • Reef ecology
  • Reef systems - grazing
  • Rock pools - fish
  • Sauries - fish
  • Solomon Islands - marine life
  • Stomachless fishes

Need help?

For help with finding experts, story ideas and media enquiries, contact our Media team:

communications@uq.edu.au