I am currently a Research Scientist in Fauna Conservation in the Science Division of Dept of Parks and Wildlife. My research focuses primarily on the conservation genetics of threatened and priority-listed West Australian mammal species, including genetic assessment of animal translocations, resolution of taxonomic issues to support conservation listings and understanding the population genetics of varied fauna to support conservation planning and decision-making. I also have a background in research on the ecological genetics of a range of temperate and tropical plant species.
- Conservation genetics of threatened plants and animals
- Genetic management of reintroduced populations
- Plant-animal interactions (seed dispersal, pollen dispersal)
- Mating systems and gene flow analysis
- Molecular species identification
- Scat DNA analysis
Academic qualifications:
2007 Doctor of Philosophy, University of Adelaide, SA - "A survey of the reproductive ecology and patterns of pollen-mediated gene flow in Eucalyptus camaldulensis and E. leucoxylon paddock trees"
1998 Bachelor of Science Honours, University of Adelaide, SA - "Enhanced transport of nutrients through soil cores with the addition of organic amendments"
1997 Bachelor of Science, University of Adelaide, SA - Majors in Botany and Zoology
Positions held:
Mar 2012 - Current: Research Scientist, Department of Parks and Wildlife, Government of Western Australia, WA
Mar 2010 - Feb 2012: Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Tulane University, New Orleans, USA
Feb 2008 - Mar 2010: Research Fellow, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Adelaide/Department for Environment and Heritage, SA Government, Adelaide, SA
Mar 2006 - Jul 2007: Research Associate, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Wollongong, NSW
Jan 2004 - Jan 2006: Research Assistant, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Wollongong, NSW
Sept 2001 - Dec 2002: Research Scientist, Evolutionary Biology Unit, South Australian Museum, SA
Adjunct Positions:
Lecturer, School of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Murdoch University, WA
Membership of Professional Societies:
INTECOL
Society for Ecological Restoration
Sun R, Ottewell K, Byrne M (2021). Genetic relationships of Isoodon bandicoot species in southern and western Australia. Available at https://www.dpaw.wa.gov.au/about-us/science-and-research/publications-resources/111-science-division-information-sheets. Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, Western Australia, Information Sheet 103, 2 p.
Thavornkanlapachai R, Levy E, Li Y, Cooper SJB, Byrne M, Ottewell K (2021). Disentangling the genetic relationships of three closely-related bandicoot species across southern and Western Australia. Diversity 13,
Thavornkanlapachai R, Mills HR, Ottewell K, Friend JA, Kennington WJ (2021). Temporal variation in the genetic composition of an endangered marsupial reflects reintroduction history. Diversity 13,
Cowen S, Rayner K, Sims C, Friend T, Knox F, Ottewell K et al. [Gibson L] (2020). Dirk Hartog Island National Park Ecological Restoration Project: stage two, year two, translocation and monitoring report. Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, Kensington, WA. 64 p.
Cowen S, Sims C, Ottewell K (2020). Monitoring and translocation of banded and rufous hare-wallabies. Available at https://www.dpaw.wa.gov.au/about-us/science-and-research/publications-resources/111-science-division-information-sheets. DBCA, Kensington, WA. Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, Western Australia, Information Sheet 96/2020, 2 p.
Cowen S, Smith M, McArthur S, Ottewell K (2020). Scats all you got? Developing faecal monitoring techniques to evaluate translocation success of trap-shy mammal species (ABSTRACT). In Australian Mammal Society Online Conference, Lismore 2020: Book of Abstracts p. 12
Ottewell K, Thavornkanlapachai R, McArthur S, Spencer PBS, Tedeschi J, Durrant B et al. [Byrne M] (2020). Development and optimisation of molecular assays for microsatellite genotyping and molecular sexing of non-invasive samples of the ghost bat, Macroderma gigas. Molecular Biology Reports 47, pp. 5635–5641
Rick K, Mitchell N, Ottewell K, Travouillon KJ (2020). Understanding patterns of phenotypic and genetic divergence in island mammals to improve conservation outcomes (ABSTRACT). In Australian Mammal Society Online Conference, Lismore 2020: Book of Abstracts p. 24
Semple L, Ottewell K, Sims C, Simianer H, Byrne M (2020). Genetic viability of a reintroduced population of south-western common brush-tail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula hypoleucus), Western Australia. Pacific Conservation Biology 26, pp. 282–292
Skey E, Shaw R, Ottewell K, Spencer P (2020). Landscape genetics and simulation approach to understanding connectivity in small mammals in the Pilbara, WA (POSTER ABSTRACT). In Book of Abstracts: Ecological Society of Australia, 60th Anniversary Conference, 30 November-4 December 2020 pp. 105–106
Thavornkanlapachai R, Armstrong K, Hanrahan N, Ottewell K (2020). A new diagnostic tool for non-invasive genetic monitoring of the ghost bat, Macroderma gigas: custom-designed SNP arrays using the Agena MassArray platform (ABSTRACT). In Australian Mammal Society Online Conference, Lismore 2020: Book of Abstracts p. 24
White DJ, Ottewell K, Spencer PBS, Smith M, Short J, Sims C et al. (2020). Genetic consequences of multiple translocations of the banded hare-wallaby in Western Australia. Diversity 12,
White LC, Thomson VA, West R, Ruykys L, Ottewell K, Kanowski J et al [Byrne M] (2020). Genetic monitoring of the greater stick-nest rat meta-population for strategic supplementation planning. Conservation Genetics 21, pp. 941–956
Binks R, Gibson N, Ottewell K, Macdonald B, Byrne M (2019). Predicting contemporary range-wide genomic variation using climatic, phylogeographic and morphological knowledge in an ancient, unglaciated landscape. Journal of Biogeography 46, pp. 503–514
Firman RC, Ottewell KM, Fisher DO, Tedeschi JN (2019). Range-wide genetic structure of a cooperative mouse in a semi-arid zone: evidence for panmixia. Journal of Evolutionary Biology 32, pp. 1014–1026
Levy E, Byrne M, Huey JA, Hillyer MJ, Firman RC, Ottewell K (2019). Limited influence of landscape on the genetic structure of three small mammals in a heterogenous arid environment. Journal of Biogeography 46, pp. 539–551
Nilsson K, Renwick J, Ottewell K (2019). Genetic analysis of Petrogale lateralis lateralis at two sites in Cape Range National Park. Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, Kensington, WA. 14 p.
Ottewell K, McArthur S, van Leeuwen S, Byrne M (2019). Cave use by the ghost bat (Macroderma gigas) at the West Angelas mine site: survey results October 2018. Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, Kensington, WA. 13 p.
Ottewell K, McArthur S, van Leeuwen S, Byrne M (2019). Ghost bat (Macroderma gigas) genetic monitoring, Robe River 2018: final report to Biologic Pty Ltd. Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, Kensington, WA. 22 p.
Ottewell K, Pitt G, Pellegrino B, van Dongen R, Kinloch J, Willers N, Byrne M (2019). Remnant vegetation provides genetic connectivity for a critical weight range mammal in a rapidly urbanising landscape. Landscape and Urban Planning 190, pp.
Raudino H, Tyne J, Smith A, Ottewell K, McArthur S, Kopps A et al. [Waples K] (2019). Challenges of collecting blow from small cetaceans. Ecosphere 10,
Rick K, Ottewell K, Lohr C, Thavornkanlapachai R, Byrne M, Kennington WJ (2019). Population genomics of Bettongia lesueur: admixing increases genetic diversity with no evidence of outbreeding depression. Genes 10,
Thavornkanlapachai R, Kennington WJ, Ottewell K, Friend JA, Mills HR (2019). Dispersal, philopatry and population genetic structure of the mainland dibbler, Parantechinus apicalis. Conservation Genetics 20, pp. 1087–1099
Thavornkanlapachai R, Mills HR, Ottewell K, Dunlop J, Sims C, Morris K et al. (2019). Mixing genetically and morphologically distinct populations in translocations: asymmetrical introgression in a newly established population of the boodie (Bettongia lesueur). Genes 10,
Cooper SJB, Ottewell K, MacDonald AJ, Adams M, Byrne M, Carthew SM et al. (2018 (ie 2020)). Phylogeography of southern brown and golden bandicoots: implications for the taxonomy and distribution of endangered subspecies and species. Australian Journal of Zoology 66, pp. 379–393
Ottewell K, McArthur S, van Leeuwen S, Byrne M (2018). Cave use by the ghost bat (Macroderma gigas) at the West Angelas mine site. Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, Kensington, WA. 15 p.
Ramalho CE, Ottewell KM, Chambers BK, Yates CJ, Wilson BA, Bencini R et al. (2018). Demographic and genetic viability of a medium-sized ground-dwelling mammal in a fire prone, rapidly urbanizing landscape. PLoS One 13, pp. 1–21
Barrett RL, Roalson EH, Ottewell K, Byrne M, Govindwar SP, Yadav SR. et al. (2017). Resolving generic boundaries in Indian-Australasian Cleomaceae: circumscription of Areocleome, Arivela and Corynandra as distinct genera. Systematic Botany 42, pp. 694–708
Cowan M, Mead-Hunter R, Ho K, Guthrie N, Mullins B, Quinlan K et al. [Ottewell K] (2017). Development of ethically acceptable techniques for invertebrate wet-pit trapping: a report to the Department of Parks and Wildlife’s Animal Ethics Committee. Department of Parks and Wildlife, Kensington, WA. 63 p.
Morris K, Page M, Thomas N, Ottewell K (2017). A strategic framework for the reconstruction and conservation of the vertebrate fauna of Dirk Hartog Island, 2017-030. Department of Parks and Wildlife, Kensington, WA. 28 p.
Ottewell K, McArthur S, van Leeuwen S, Byrne M (2017). Population genetics of the ghost bat (Macroderma gigas) in the Pilbara bioregion. Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, Kensington, WA. 39 p.
Ottewell K, Morris K, Page M, Thomas N, Byrne M (2017). Genetic management of fauna reintroductions (ABSTRACT). In 12th International Mammalogical Congress, Perth, Western Australia, 9th-4th July 2017: Abstract Book p. 82
Quinlan K, MacDonald B, Ottewell K, Pinder A (2017). Trialling the use of eDNA to detect the invasive redclaw crayfish (Cherax quadricarinatus) in and around Karijini and Millstream national parks. Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, Kensington, WA. 13 p.
Thavornkanlapachai R, Mills HR, Ottewell K, Kennington WJ, Friend JA (2017). Temporal variation in the genetic composition of a newly established population of dibbler (Parantechinus apicalis) reflects translocation history (ABSTRACT). In 12th International Mammalogical Congress, Perth, Western Australia, 9th-4th July 2017: Abstract Book p. 89
Cooper SJB, Ottewell K, MacDonald A, Cremona T, Carthew SM (2016). Implications of uncertain taxonomy for conservation management: case studies on bandicoots and gliders (ABSTRACT). In Abstracts, 13-15 April, 2016: NRM Science Conference 2016: Sharing Science for Better Outcomes p. 44
King R, Ottewell K, Coates D, Byrne M (2016). DNA: unlocking secrets. Landscope 32(2), pp. 36–39
Ottewell K, Byrne M, Coates D (2016). Historical and contemporary population structure of quenda (Isoodon obesulus) in a rapidly developing urban landscape (ABSTRACT). In ESA16 book of abstracts: Ecological Society of Australia, annual conference: Diversity: pattern, process and prospects, 28 November to 2 December 2016, Fremantle, Western Australia p. 63
Ottewell K, Coughran D, Gall M, Irvine L, Byrne M (2016). A recent stranding of Omura’s whale (Balaenoptera omurai) in Western Australia. Aquatic Mammals 42, pp. 193–197
Ottewell KM, Bickerton DC, Byrne M, Lowe AJ (2016). Bridging the gap: a genetic assessment framework for population-level threatened plant conservation prioritization and decision-making. Diversity and Distributions 22, pp. 174–188
Quinlan K, Ottewell K (2016). A test case for the use of DNA barcoding using Berosus (order Coleoptera). Conservation Science Western Australia 10, pp. 1–4
Barrett R, Ottewell K, Byrne M, Coates D, Thiele K (2015). The tangled web of Australian spider flowers: a multifaceted approach to understanding the evolution of the Australian Cleome clade (ABSTRACT). In Australasian Systematic Botany Society Annual Conference, Canberra 2015: Building Our Botanical Capital: Program and Abstracts p. 14
Breed MF, Ottewell KM, Gardner MG, Marklund MHK, Stead MG, Harris JBC et al. (2015). Mating system and early viability resistance to habitat fragmentation in a bird-pollinated eucalypt. Heredity 115, pp. 100–107
Ottewell K, Barrett R, Byrne M, Coates D, Thiele K (2015). Complex variation in Cleome tetrandra and C. viscosa in the Australian monsoonal tropics (ABSTRACT). In SASB 2015 Conference Abstract Book (Oral & Poster) p. 21
Ottewell K, Dunlop J, Thomas N, Morris K, Coates D, Byrne M (2014). Evaluating success of translocations in maintaining genetic diversity in a threatened mammal. Biological Conservation 171, pp. 209–219
Breed MF, Stead MG, Ottewell KM, Gardner MG, Lowe AJ (2013). Which provenance and where? Seed sourcing strategies for revegetation in a changing environment. Conservation Genetics 14,
Ottewell K (2013). it’s all in the genes: quenda genetic diversity in the spotlight. WATSNU 19(2), pp. 2–3
Breed MF, Marklund MHK, Ottewell KM, Gardner MG, Harris JBC, Lowe AJ (2012). Pollen diversity matters: revealing the neglected effect of pollen diversity on fitness in fragmented landscapes. Molecular Ecology 21, pp. 5955–5968
Browne L, Ottewell K, Karubian J (2015) Short-term genetic consequences of habitat loss and fragmentation for the neotropical palm Oenocarpus bataua. Heredity doi:10.1038/hdy.2015.35
Roberts DG, Ottewell KM, Whelan RJ, Ayre DJ (2014) Is the post-disturbance composition of a plant population determined by selection for outcrossed seedlings or by the composition of the seedbank? Heredity 112(4): 409-414
Breed MF, Ottewell KM, Gardner MG, Marklund MHK, Dormontt EE, Lowe AJ (2013) Mating patterns and pollinator mobility are critical traits in forest fragmentation genetics. Heredity doi:10.1038/hdy.2013.48
Breed MF, Stead MG, Ottewell KM, Gardner MG, Lowe AJ (2013) Which provenance and where? Seed sourcing strategies for revegetation in a changing environment. Conservation Genetics 14(1): 1-10
Breed MF, Gardner MG, Ottewell KM, Navarro CM, Lowe AJ (2012) Shifts in reproductive assurance strategies and inbreeding costs associated with habitat fragmentation in Central American mahogany. Ecology Letters 15(5): 444-452.
Breed MF, Marklund MHK, Ottewell KM, Gardner MG, Harris JBC, Lowe AJ (2012) Pollen diversity matters: revealing the neglected effect of pollen diversity on fitness in fragmented landscapes. Molecular ecology 21(24): 5955-5968.
Breed MF, Ottewell KM, Gardner MG, Marklund MHK, Stead MG, Harris JBC, Lowe AJ (2012) Mating system and early viability resistance to habitat fragmentation in a bird-pollinated eucalypt. Heredity doi:10.1038/hdy.2012.72
Karubian J, Browne L, Bosque C, Carlo T, Galetti M, et al. (2012) Seed dispersal by neotropical birds: Emerging patterns and underlying processes. Ornitologia Neotropical 23: 9-24.
Ottewell K, Grey E, Castillo F, Karubian J (2012) The pollen dispersal kernel and mating system of an insect-pollinated tropical palm, Oenocarpus bataua. Heredity 109: 332–339
Breed MF, Ottewell KM, Gardner MG, Lowe AJ (2011) Clarifying climate change adaptation responses for scattered trees in modified landscapes. Journal of Applied Ecology 48(3): 637-641
Forrest CN, Ottewell KM, Whelan RJ, Ayre DJ (2011) Tests for inbreeding and outbreeding depression and estimation of population differentiation in the bird-pollinated shrub Grevillea mucronulata. Annals of Botany 108(1): 185-195
Ottewell KM, Bickerton D, Lowe AJ (2011) Can a seed bank provide demographic and genetic rescue in a declining population of the endangered shrub Acacia pinguifolia? Conservation Genetics 12(3): 669-678.
Ayre D, O’Brien E, Ottewell K, Whelan R (2010) The accumulation of genetic diversity within a canopy?stored seed bank. Molecular Ecology 19(13): 2640-2650
Ottewell KM, Donnellan SC, Paton DC (2010) Evaluating the demographic, reproductive and genetic value of eucalypt paddock trees for woodland restoration in agricultural landscapes. Restoration Ecology 18: 263-272
Ayre DJ, Ottewell KM, Krauss SL, Whelan RJ (2009) Genetic structure of seedling cohorts following repeated wildfires in the fire?sensitive shrub Persoonia mollis ssp. nectens. Journal of Ecology 97(4): 752-760
Ottewell KM, Donnellan SC, Lowe AJ, Paton DC (2009) Predicting reproductive success of insect- versus bird-pollinated scattered trees in agricultural landscapes. Biological Conservation142(4): 888-898
Ottewell KM, Donnellan SC, Moran GF, Paton DC (2005) Multiplexed microsatellite markers for the genetic analysis of Eucalyptus leucoxylon (Myrtaceae) and their utility for ecological and breeding studies in other Eucalyptus species. Journal of Heredity 96(4): 445-451
Gardner MG, Ottewell K, Adams M (2004) Isolation of microsatellites in a parthenogenetic lizard Menetia greyii (Scincidae) and their utility in sexual species of the Menetia greyii complex. Molecular Ecology Notes 4(2): 219-221
