Associate Professor Ian Tibbetts
Associate Professor

Ian Tibbetts

Email: 
Phone: 
+61 7 336 54830

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

Ecology Fisheries sciences Zoology

Qualifications

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

Research interests

  • Ecology of grazers

Search Professor Ian Tibbetts’s works on UQ eSpace

142 works between 1991 and 2025
All (142) Journal Article (121) Book Chapter (5) Conference Publication (4) Book (3) Other Outputs (9)

21 - 40 of 142 works

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

2022

Journal Article

Key research priorities for the future of fish and fisheries in Australia

Williams, Samuel M., Tibbetts, Ian R. and Holmes, Bonnie J. (2022). Key research priorities for the future of fish and fisheries in Australia. Pacific Conservation Biology. doi: 10.1071/pc21073

Key research priorities for the future of fish and fisheries in Australia

2022

Journal Article

Assassins and apples: the environmental constraints of two snails that threaten Australian aquatic systems

Bodley, Brenton, Holmes, Bonnie J., Williams, Samuel M., Tibbetts, Ian R., Burfeind, Dana D. and McDougall, Carmel (2022). Assassins and apples: the environmental constraints of two snails that threaten Australian aquatic systems. Marine and Freshwater Research, 73 (12), 1510-1519. doi: 10.1071/mf22176

Assassins and apples: the environmental constraints of two snails that threaten Australian aquatic systems

2021

Journal Article

Delimiting cryptic species within the brown-banded bamboo shark, Chiloscyllium punctatum in the Indo-Australian region with mitochondrial DNA and genome-wide SNP approaches

Fahmi, Tibbetts, Ian R., Bennett, Michael B. and Dudgeon, Christine L. (2021). Delimiting cryptic species within the brown-banded bamboo shark, Chiloscyllium punctatum in the Indo-Australian region with mitochondrial DNA and genome-wide SNP approaches. BMC Ecology and Evolution, 21 (1) 121, 121. doi: 10.1186/s12862-021-01852-3

Delimiting cryptic species within the brown-banded bamboo shark, Chiloscyllium punctatum in the Indo-Australian region with mitochondrial DNA and genome-wide SNP approaches

2021

Journal Article

Population structure of the brown-banded bamboo shark, Chiloscyllium punctatum and its relation to fisheries management in the Indo-Malay region

Fahmi, Tibbetts, I.R., Bennett, M.B., Ali, A., Krajangdara, T. and Dudgeon, C.L. (2021). Population structure of the brown-banded bamboo shark, Chiloscyllium punctatum and its relation to fisheries management in the Indo-Malay region. Fisheries Research, 240 105972, 105972. doi: 10.1016/j.fishres.2021.105972

Population structure of the brown-banded bamboo shark, Chiloscyllium punctatum and its relation to fisheries management in the Indo-Malay region

2021

Journal Article

Global connections with some genomic differentiation occur between Indo‐Pacific and Atlantic Ocean wahoo, a large circumtropical pelagic fish

Haro‐Bilbao, Isabel, Riginos, Cynthia, Baldwin, John D., Zischke, Mitchell, Tibbetts, Ian R., Thia, Joshua A. and Bernardi, Giacomo (2021). Global connections with some genomic differentiation occur between Indo‐Pacific and Atlantic Ocean wahoo, a large circumtropical pelagic fish. Journal of Biogeography, 48 (8), 2053-2067. doi: 10.1111/jbi.14135

Global connections with some genomic differentiation occur between Indo‐Pacific and Atlantic Ocean wahoo, a large circumtropical pelagic fish

2021

Journal Article

Reproductive biology of a bamboo shark as a framework for better fisheries management

Fahmi, Oktaviyani, Selvia, Bennett, Michael B., Dudgeon, Christine L. and Tibbetts, Ian R. (2021). Reproductive biology of a bamboo shark as a framework for better fisheries management. Marine and Freshwater Research, 72 (7), 964-977. doi: 10.1071/MF20189

Reproductive biology of a bamboo shark as a framework for better fisheries management

2021

Other Outputs

Submission to Independent Review of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999

Roberson, Leslie, Tibbetts, Ian and Davey, Madeline (2021). Submission to Independent Review of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. Canberra, ACT, Australia: Australian Government Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water.

Submission to Independent Review of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999

2021

Journal Article

Age and growth of the tropical oviparous shark, Chiloscyllium punctatum in Indonesian waters

Fahmi, Kurniawan, Wanwan, Tibbetts, Ian R., Oktaviyani, Selvia, Dudgeon, Christine L. and Bennett, Michael B. (2021). Age and growth of the tropical oviparous shark, Chiloscyllium punctatum in Indonesian waters. Journal of Fish Biology, 99 (3) jfb.14778, 921-930. doi: 10.1111/jfb.14778

Age and growth of the tropical oviparous shark, Chiloscyllium punctatum in Indonesian waters

2020

Other Outputs

Delimiting cryptic species in a shark with a low dispersal capability

Fahmi, Fahmi, Tibbetts, Ian, Bennett, Mike and Dudgeon, Chris (2020). Delimiting cryptic species in a shark with a low dispersal capability. doi: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-130246/v1

Delimiting cryptic species in a shark with a low dispersal capability

2020

Journal Article

An unconventional flavivirus and other RNA viruses in the sea cucumber (Holothuroidea; Echinodermata) virome

Hewson, Ian, Johnson, Mitchell R. and Tibbetts, Ian R. (2020). An unconventional flavivirus and other RNA viruses in the sea cucumber (Holothuroidea; Echinodermata) virome. Viruses, 12 (9) 1057, 1057. doi: 10.3390/v12091057

An unconventional flavivirus and other RNA viruses in the sea cucumber (Holothuroidea; Echinodermata) virome

2020

Journal Article

Differences in diet and foraging behaviour of commercially important rabbitfish species on coral reefs in the Indian Ocean

Ebrahim, A., Martin, T. S. H., Mumby, P. J., Olds, A. D. and Tibbetts, I. R. (2020). Differences in diet and foraging behaviour of commercially important rabbitfish species on coral reefs in the Indian Ocean. Coral Reefs, 39 (4), 977-988. doi: 10.1007/s00338-020-01918-6

Differences in diet and foraging behaviour of commercially important rabbitfish species on coral reefs in the Indian Ocean

2020

Journal Article

The commercially important shoemaker spinefoot, Siganus sutor, connects coral reefs to neighbouring seagrass meadows

Ebrahim, Ameer, Bijoux, Jude P., Mumby, Peter J. and Tibbetts, Ian R. (2020). The commercially important shoemaker spinefoot, Siganus sutor, connects coral reefs to neighbouring seagrass meadows. Journal of Fish Biology, 96 (4) jfb.14297, 1034-1044. doi: 10.1111/jfb.14297

The commercially important shoemaker spinefoot, Siganus sutor, connects coral reefs to neighbouring seagrass meadows

2020

Other Outputs

Sea turtle nest temperatures for Staines et al. (2020) Milman_Nest_Temperature

Tibbetts, Ian, Staines, Melissa and Booth, David (2020). Sea turtle nest temperatures for Staines et al. (2020) Milman_Nest_Temperature. The University of Queensland. (Dataset) doi: 10.14264/c90b3d0

Sea turtle nest temperatures for Staines et al. (2020) Milman_Nest_Temperature

2019

Journal Article

Comparative morphology of the electrosensory system of the epaulette shark Hemiscyllium ocellatum and brown-banded bamboo shark Chiloscyllium punctatum

Gauthier, Arnault R. G., Whitehead, Darryl L., Tibbetts, Ian R. and Bennett, Michael B. (2019). Comparative morphology of the electrosensory system of the epaulette shark Hemiscyllium ocellatum and brown-banded bamboo shark Chiloscyllium punctatum. Journal of Fish Biology, 94 (2), 313-319. doi: 10.1111/jfb.13893

Comparative morphology of the electrosensory system of the epaulette shark Hemiscyllium ocellatum and brown-banded bamboo shark Chiloscyllium punctatum

2019

Journal Article

Recolonization of mollusc assemblages in mangrove plantations damaged by Typhoon Chan-hom in the Philippines

Salmo, Severino G., Tibbetts, Ian R. and Duke, Norman C. (2019). Recolonization of mollusc assemblages in mangrove plantations damaged by Typhoon Chan-hom in the Philippines. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science, 228 106365, 106365. doi: 10.1016/j.ecss.2019.106365

Recolonization of mollusc assemblages in mangrove plantations damaged by Typhoon Chan-hom in the Philippines

2019

Journal Article

What's the catch in who fishes? Fisherwomen's contributions to fisheries an food security in Marovo Lagoon, Solomon Islands

Rabbitt, Sheridan, Lilley, Ian, Albert, Simon and Tibbetts, Ian R. (2019). What's the catch in who fishes? Fisherwomen's contributions to fisheries an food security in Marovo Lagoon, Solomon Islands. Marine Policy, 108 103667, 1-7. doi: 10.1016/j.marpol.2019.103667

What's the catch in who fishes? Fisherwomen's contributions to fisheries an food security in Marovo Lagoon, Solomon Islands

2019

Book

Moreton Bay Quandamooka and Catchment: past, present, and future

I.R. Tibbetts, P.C. Rothlisberg, D.T. Neil, T.A. Homburg, D.T. Brewer and A.H. Arthington eds. (2019). Moreton Bay Quandamooka and Catchment: past, present, and future. Brisbane, QLD, Australia: The Moreton Bay Foundation.

Moreton Bay Quandamooka and Catchment: past, present, and future

2019

Journal Article

Fishing for cash – village attitudes towards fish exports in Marovo Lagoon, Solomon Islands

Rabbitt, Sheridan, Lilley, Ian, Albert, Simon and Tibbetts, Ian R. (2019). Fishing for cash – village attitudes towards fish exports in Marovo Lagoon, Solomon Islands. Women in Fisheries Information Bulletin, 30-33.

Fishing for cash – village attitudes towards fish exports in Marovo Lagoon, Solomon Islands

Current funding

  • 2021 - 2025
    Biology, ecology and population structure of sailfish (Istiophorus platypterus)
    Research Donation Generic
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2021 - 2023
    UQ x WWF Turtle Cooling Project Field Work
    World Wide Fund for Nature Australia
    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

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

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

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Benjamin Mos

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Citizen science plays a key role in resolving the global population structure of sailfish (Istiophorus platypterus) and predicting environmental influences of its catch distribution in Australian waters

    Principal Advisor

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Biology of Sailfish in the Indo-Pacific

    Principal Advisor

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Proximate factors of "Mushy Tuna Syndrome" in Skipjack Tuna and an Amelioration Plan for South Pacific 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: Dr Simone Blomberg, Professor Peter Mumby

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Citizen science plays a key role in resolving the global population structure of sailfish (Istiophorus platypterus) and predicting environmental influences of its catch distribution in Australian waters

    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

    Other advisors: Dr Benjamin Mos

  • 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

    Proximate factors of "Mushy Tuna Syndrome" in Skipjack Tuna and an Amelioration Plan for South Pacific Fishers and Processors.

    Principal Advisor

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

  • Master Philosophy

    Incorporating realistic fisheries into the design of Marine Protected Areas

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Peter Mumby

  • Doctor Philosophy

    How First Nation knowledge is honoured in understanding ocean care for the future of fisheries

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Associate Professor Marnee Shay

Completed supervision

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

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