Investigating tiger shark predation on threatened dugongs and green turtles in Shark Bay World Heritage Area

My PhD investigates the ecological interactions between tiger sharks, turtles, and dugongs using a cross-disciplinary approach that integrates movement and feeding ecology. For this funding year, I will focus on dietary markers to determine how much tiger sharks rely on these threatened species as prey. Using fatty acid analysis, I will assess the trophic niches of these species, revealing inter- and intraspecific dietary preferences and their functional roles in the food web. This research will address critical gaps in our understanding of predator-prey dynamics and ecosystem resilience following environmental disturbances.