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Bruce Webber

@DrBruceWebber

Global change ecologist: conservation, bioinvasions & climate change 🌳🐜🐈🐊 | adventurer | coffee enthusiast | photographer (views my own)

 Western Australia
linktr.ee/drbrucewebber
Joined August 2012
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433Media
Photo by Bruce Webber (@DrBruceWebber)Photo by Bruce Webber (@DrBruceWebber)Photo by Bruce Webber (@DrBruceWebber)Photo by Bruce Webber (@DrBruceWebber)Photo by Bruce Webber (@DrBruceWebber)Photo by Bruce Webber (@DrBruceWebber)Photo by Bruce Webber (@DrBruceWebber)Photo by Bruce Webber (@DrBruceWebber)Photo by Bruce Webber (@DrBruceWebber)Photo by Bruce Webber (@DrBruceWebber)
Long-range population connectivity and limited restrictions on gene flow have shaped the evolution and diversification of flying-foxes across the Indo-Australian Archipelago. Our #newpaper has implications for conservation, speciation and #biosecurity. OA: doi.org/10.1111/eva.70329
Pteropus flying-fox species included in the study and their geographic distributions. (A) Map of the ranges of the four flying-fox species native to the Australian mainland (https://www.iucnredlist.org). (B) Photographs of the four flying-fox species. Image credit: Adam McKeown and Eric P. Vanderduys.

ALT Pteropus flying-fox species included in the study and their geographic distributions. (A) Map of the ranges of the four flying-fox species native to the Australian mainland (https://www.iucnredlist.org). (B) Photographs of the four flying-fox species. Image credit: Adam McKeown and Eric P. Vanderduys.

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Flying-foxes are highly mobile, but gene flow isn't uniform: isolation-by-distance in Pteropus alecto, panmixia in P. poliocephalus & P. scapulatus, and asymmetric hybridization shape their evolution and diversification 🦇🧬 doi.org/10.1111/eva.70329
Flying fox of the species Pteropus poliocephalus

ALT Flying fox of the species Pteropus poliocephalus

Sampled Pteropus flying-fox species and their geographic distributions. (A) Ranges of the four flying-fox species native to the Australian mainland. (B) Photographs of the four flying-fox species. Image credit: Adam McKeown and Eric P. Vanderduys.

ALT Sampled Pteropus flying-fox species and their geographic distributions. (A) Ranges of the four flying-fox species native to the Australian mainland. (B) Photographs of the four flying-fox species. Image credit: Adam McKeown and Eric P. Vanderduys.

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Something big is coming... 👀 The most ambitious opportunity in Bush Heritage’s 35-year history is almost here. Sign up to be the first to hear about it! bit.ly/4hRvuGO 📸 Matt Horspool @vagarystudio
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I spoke this morning with Mark Gibson on @abcperth Breakfast radio about where WA is at with the Cat Act Amendment Bill to provide clarity that local governments need to implement cat containment laws. Listen here (from 2:34:55): abc.net.au/listen/programs/p…
A content pet cat sits inside in front of a window basking in the soft sunlight.

ALT A content pet cat sits inside in front of a window basking in the soft sunlight.

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We know that the bill has cross-party support in the upper house too, with the The Greens (WA) and Legalise Cannabis Australia being strong supporters of cat containment.
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We have one more sitting week for parliament in October. Prioritising this bill next week will prevent the deaths of millions of native animals and hundreds of pet cats. We owe it to all creatures great and small to step up and get this done.
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Which species will you be voting for in the 2026 ABC Australian insect of the year? Vote here: abc.net.au/news/2026-10-02/2… My vote goes to the gold Christmas beetle (Anoplognathus aureus) from FNQ. Sadly, this stunning beetle could be in decline: invertebratesaustralia.org/c…
The gold Christmas beetle (Anoplognathus aureus). Found in far north Queensland from Rockhampton to Cape York. Photo: Lachlan (iread @ iNaturalist)

ALT The gold Christmas beetle (Anoplognathus aureus). Found in far north Queensland from Rockhampton to Cape York. Photo: Lachlan (iread @ iNaturalist)

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An awkward juxtaposition from @ABCaustralia's website this morning captures the disconnect between global change observations being made around the world and the choices being made around actions to avert this crisis. The hypocrisy is shameful.
A screen grab of ABC News Australia's website showing an article on 'unprecedented' glacier melting from global warming next to a news release stating that the G7 will release 100 million barrels of oil to help curb soaring prices.

ALT A screen grab of ABC News Australia's website showing an article on 'unprecedented' glacier melting from global warming next to a news release stating that the G7 will release 100 million barrels of oil to help curb soaring prices.

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In an era of predatory journals, substandard reviewing and AI slop, the peer review process is increasingly frustrating. This Freudian slip in our latest cover letter draft might be the new word that we are all looking for, where revisions and reviews are dominated by rebuttals!
A new word: revut (verb) /rɪˈvʌt/ : to argue repetitively that statements or claims are not true in order to correct or improve an idea, piece of writing etc.

ALT A new word: revut (verb) /rɪˈvʌt/ : to argue repetitively that statements or claims are not true in order to correct or improve an idea, piece of writing etc.

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Passionate about cat management and biodiversity? Interested in making a difference to animal welfare? Come and join the @WAFCWG as our Senior Project Coordinator. Applications close 27 Aug! Please share. Details 👇
WA Feral Cat Working Group (@WAFCWG) profile pictureWA Feral Cat Working Group@WAFCWGAug 20
Job opportunity: Senior Project Coordinator at @WAFCWG Help improve cat management across Western Australia through information sharing, research facilitation and collaboration. Please share & tag! Further details: external.jobs.uwa.edu.au/job… Closing: Thu 27 Aug 2026
The WA Feral Cat Working Group is recruiting. Come and join us as our Senior Project Coordinator. Applications close Thu 27 August.

ALT The WA Feral Cat Working Group is recruiting. Come and join us as our Senior Project Coordinator. Applications close Thu 27 August.

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Philippa Nikulinsky is a botanical artist and illustrator who's artistic works, scientific drawings and detailed field notes provide a rich insight into Western Australia's floristic diversity. The magic that can happen when science and art come together! abc.net.au/news/2026-08-15/h…
Nikulinsky's artworks span decades of change in the West Australian landscape. (ABC Science: Peter de Kruijff)

ALT Nikulinsky's artworks span decades of change in the West Australian landscape. (ABC Science: Peter de Kruijff)

Much like a botanist, Philippa has notebooks filled with plant specimens. (ABC Science: Peter de Kruijff)

ALT Much like a botanist, Philippa has notebooks filled with plant specimens. (ABC Science: Peter de Kruijff)

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Vote for your favourite Australian wildflower as part of a fantastic floral festival for National #ScienceWeek. The fascinating science behind these blooming beauties is as incredible as their visual impact. Which flower will win? abc.net.au/news/science/2026…
These 10 Aussie wildflowers have superpowers. Pick your favourite

These 10 Aussie wildflowers have superpowers. Pick your favourite

Move over waratahs and banksias! These 10 flowers from the unsung understorey are not just pretty faces, they have surprising tricks up their sleeves.   

abc.net.au
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You really love science You hate writing papers and dealing with reviewers… It does not need to be like this Get a copy of A Pocket Guide to Scientific Writing and Publishing
Image from Martin A. Nuñez (@Martin_A_Nunez)
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"The greatest question we confront, possibly the greatest question humanity has ever confronted, is whether we can hit the social tipping points before we hit the environmental tipping points." - @GeorgeMonbiot for the @guardian theguardian.com/membership/2…
Don’t despair about what’s happening to our planet. That’s what they want you to feel

Don’t despair about what’s happening to our planet. That’s what they want you to feel

There are social tipping points when the seemingly impossible suddenly becomes inevitable. Good journalism plays an essential role in helping drive these shifts and shows us how real change can happen

theguardian.com
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A #newpaper reveals that feral cats in Australia likely kill far more Australian native animals than previously thought. DNA analysis picked up more small and soft bodied prey compared to traditional gut content assessments. theconversation.com/feral-ca…
Feral cats likely kill far more Australian native animals than we thought: first DNA analysis

Feral cats likely kill far more Australian native animals than we thought: first DNA analysis

We cannot fence the whole of Australia. Therefore, we need to know which species are most at risk from cats.

theconversation.com
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It's International Cat Day, make it a day to care more about pet cats. Share your views on the WA Cat Act review using our guidance based on the latest scientific knowledge: tinyurl.com/wacatact Be part of a better future for pet cats, wildlife and people in Western Australia.
An image of a pet cat resting on a couch celebrating International Cat Day and asking people to share feedback on the WA Cat Act review via the following link: https://tinyurl.com.wacatact

ALT An image of a pet cat resting on a couch celebrating International Cat Day and asking people to share feedback on the WA Cat Act review via the following link: https://tinyurl.com.wacatact

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WA is reviewing its Cat Act and wants your feedback. The @WAFCWG have prepared evidence-based content to use for answering their questions. For the sake of cats, people and wildlife, we need to get this right. Read up and submit your views before 31 Aug! wafcwg.org.au/media_post/wes…
Make a contribution to the future of responsible cat ownership in Western Australia. Prepare your own submission to the Cat Act review using our guidelines for download from our WAFCWG website.

ALT Make a contribution to the future of responsible cat ownership in Western Australia. Prepare your own submission to the Cat Act review using our guidelines for download from our WAFCWG website.

Make a contribution to the future of responsible cat ownership in Western Australia. Prepare your own submission to the Cat Act review using our guidelines. Our highest priority recommendations include: • A centralised registration and management system for cats (and ideally all pets). • Early age sterilisation no later than four months of age. • Mandatory permanent containment at the state level. • A significant education campaign for all aspects of responsible pet cat ownership. • A clearer binary approach to terminology (owned, unowned) across WA’s cat-related policy and legislation. • Consistency in laws across the state, including consistent enforcement, numbers of cats a household can own and the reporting of cat management metrics. • Use-based cost sharing to support centralised cat management facilities. Download the full recommendations from our website.

ALT Make a contribution to the future of responsible cat ownership in Western Australia. Prepare your own submission to the Cat Act review using our guidelines. Our highest priority recommendations include: • A centralised registration and management system for cats (and ideally all pets). • Early age sterilisation no later than four months of age. • Mandatory permanent containment at the state level. • A significant education campaign for all aspects of responsible pet cat ownership. • A clearer binary approach to terminology (owned, unowned) across WA’s cat-related policy and legislation. • Consistency in laws across the state, including consistent enforcement, numbers of cats a household can own and the reporting of cat management metrics. • Use-based cost sharing to support centralised cat management facilities. Download the full recommendations from our website.

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The Cat Act is being reviewed in Western Australia, public comment is open. Next week the @WAFCWG will be publishing our guidance on the changes needed to improve responsible pet cat ownership in Western Australia. We encourage you to use our guidance to shape your submission!
A content grey cat sits on a couch

ALT A content grey cat sits on a couch

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Let's put nature at the centre of decision‑making! Join @BushHeritageAus in Perth WA for our Allies For Nature breakfast to hear leaders from across sectors reimagining a nature‑positive future. 📅 31 Jul 📍 State Reception Centre, Frasers King Park 🎟️ bit.ly/4f1Ty7p
Image from Bruce Webber (@DrBruceWebber)
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