The University of Western Australia

Assoc/Prof Roberta Bencini

Associate Professor
School of Animal Biology

Contact details

Address

School of Animal Biology
The University of Western Australia (M092)
35 Stirling Highway
CRAWLEY WA 6009
Australia

Phone

6488 2521

Fax

6488 2243

Email

roberta.bencini@uwa.edu.au

Qualifications

BSc Milan, PhD W.Aust.

Biography

After completing a PhD on lactation physiology of sheep, I was appointed as an academic at The University of Western Australia in 1993. In 1995 I started developing new teaching programs on wildlife management. Soon I started supervising postgraduate students with projects in wildlife conservation. It was one of these students, Dr Harriet Mills, who expressed an interest in a PhD project on the Dibbler (Parantechinus apicalis).
We started working together on the dibbler in 1997 when I became a member of the Dibbler Recovery Team and we were part of the expedition that collected the founders of a captive colony established at Perth Zoo. From this colony we established a new population of dibblers on Escape Island. This has considerably improved the chance of survival for the species. My team has investigated the island ecosystems inhabited by dibblers since 1997. This work culminated in the discovery that the availability of resources determines die-off in the males of this species.

Key research

Ecology and management of endangered marsupials and wildlife management.

Methods of mitigating the negative effects of roads and other developments on wildlife, including underpasses and rope bridges.

Publications

Roberta Bencini
Publications
BOOKS AND BOOK CHAPTERS
Murray T.L. and Bencini R. (2011). Exploring the commercial potential of sheep milk. Rural Industries Research & Development Corporation. In press. Accepted May 2010.
Bencini R., Atzori A.S. Nudda A., Battaccone G., and Pulina G. (2010). Improving the quality and safety of sheep milk. In Improving the safety and quality of milk. Volume 2: Improving quality in milk products, M. Griffiths (ed). Woodhead Publishing Ltd. 347-401.
Chambers B.K. and Bencini R. (2010). The impact of human disturbance on the population dynamics and ecology of tammar wallabies (Macropus eugenii) on Garden Island, Western Australia. In Macropods: the biology of kangaroos, wallabies and rat-kangaroos. G.M. Coulson and M.D.B. Eldridge (eds). CSIRO Publishing. 211-218.
Chambers B.K., Dawson R., Wann J. and Bencini R. (2010). Speed limit, verge width and day length are the major factors correlated with the number of road-kills of tammars (Macropus eugenii) on Garden Island, Western Australia. In Macropods: the biology of kangaroos, wallabies and rat-kangaroos. G.M. Coulson and M.D.B. Eldridge (eds). CSIRO Publishing. 293-300.
McMillan A., Coupland, G., Mills H.R.and Bencini R. (2010). Determining the diet of tammar wallabies (Macropus eugenii) on Garden Island, Western Australia using stable isotope analysis. In Macropods: the biology of kangaroos, wallabies and rat-kangaroos. G.M. Coulson and M.D.B. Eldridge (eds). CSIRO Publishing. 171-178.
Paplinska J.Z., Bencini R., Fisher D.O., Newell G., Goldizen A.W., Hazlitt S.L., Sigg D.P., Finlayson G., Munn A., Chambers B.K., Mayberry C. and Taggart D. (2010). Sperm competition in the Macropodoidea: a review of evidence. In Macropods: the biology of kangaroos, wallabies and rat-kangaroos. G.M. Coulson and M.D.B. Eldridge (eds). CSIRO Publishing. 65-76.
Stubbs A., Abud G. and Bencini R. (2009). Dairy Sheep Manual. Farm Management Guidelines. Rural Industries Research & Development Corporation Publ No 08/205, ISBN 174151 794X.
Adams M., Bencini R. and Macfarlane C.K. (2006). Climate. In Ecology: An Australian Perspective. P. Attiwill & B. Wilson (eds), Melbourne, Oxford University Press. Second Edition. 73-89.
Bencini R. (2005). Dairy products and farming techniques for the sheep milking industry. Rural Industries Research & Development Corporation Publ No 05/142, ISBN 174151 2050.
Bencini R. (2004). The milking management of sheep In “Animal health and production Compendium”. A multimedia project of CABI Information.
http://www.cabicompendium.org/ahpc/library/html/production/milking_management_of_sheep.htm
Bencini R. and Abud G. (2004). The milking management of goats In “Animal health and production Compendium”. A multimedia project of CABI Information. http://www.cabicompendium.org/ahpc/library/html/production/milking_management_of_goats.htm
Nudda A., Battaccone G., Bencini R. and Pulina G. (2004). Nutrition and milk quality. In Dairy Sheep Nutrition. G. Pulina (editor), CABI Publishing. 129-149.
Pulina G., Editor, and Bencini R., Technical Reader (2004). Dairy sheep nutrition. CABI Publishing,Wallingford, UK 222 pp. ISBN 0 85199 681 7.
Adams M., Bencini R. and Macfarlane C.K. (2003). Climate. In Ecology: An Australian Perspective. P. Attiwill & B. Wilson (eds), Melbourne, Oxford University Press. 36-53.
Bencini R. and Agboola S.O. (2003). Marketable products from sheep milk. Rural Industries Research & Development Corporation Publ. No 02/143, ISBN 0 64258542 3.
Nudda A., Battaccone G., Bencini R. and Pulina G. (2002). Nutrition and milk quality. In Dairy Sheep Feeding and Nutrition. G. Pulina (editor), Bologna, Avenue Media. 197-228.
Bencini R. (1999). Development of specialty sheep milk dairy products – Increasing the market scope. Rural Industries Research & Development Corporation Publ. No 99/69, ISBN 0 64257998 9.

JOURNAL ARTICLES (IN SCHOLARLY REFEREED JOURNALS)
Lohr C.A., Esmaili T., Mills H.R. and Bencini R. (2011). Estimating the age structure of a population of brushtail possums (Trichosurus vulpecula) by comparing tooth wear and cementum lines. Australian Mammalogy. Accepted 31.1.2011
Chambers B.K. and Bencini R. (2010). Road mortality reduces survival and population growth rates of tammar wallabies on Garden Island, Western Australia. Wildlife Research. 37, 588-596.
Harris I.M., Mills H.R. and Bencini R. (2010). Multiple individual southern brown bandicoots (Isoodon obesulus fusciventer) and foxes (Vulpes vulpes) use underpasses installed at a new highway in Perth, Western Australia. Wildlife Research. 37, 127-133.
Mayberry C., Maloney S.K., Mawson P. and Bencini R. (2010). Seasonal anoestrus in western grey kangaroos (Macropus fuliginosus ocydromus) in south-western Australia. Australian Mammalogy. 32, 189-196.
Miller S., Bencini R. and Hartmann P.E. (2010). Consumption of milk by quokka (Setonyx brachyurus) young. Australian Journal of Zoology. 58, 121-126.
Lohr C.A., Mills H., Robertson H. and Bencini R. (2009). Deslorelin implants control fertility in urban brushtail possums (Trichosurus vulpecula) without impacting negatively on their body condition index. Wildlife Research. 36, 324-332.
Miller S., Bencini R. and Hartmann P.E. (2009). Composition of the milk of the quokka, Setonyx brachyurus. Australian Journal of Zoology. 57, 11-21.
Murray T.L., Blache D.B. and Bencini R. (2009). The selection of dairy sheep on calm temperament before milking and its effect on management and milk production. Small Ruminant Research. 87, 45-49.
Hetherington C.A., Algar D., Mills H. and Bencini R. (2007). Increasing the target-specificity of ERADICAT® for feral cat (Felis catus) control by encapsulating a toxicant. Wildlife Research. 34, 467-471.
Banchero G.E., Perez Clariget R., Bencini R., Lindsay D.R., Milton J.T.B. and Martin G.B. (2006). Endocrine and metabolic factors involved in the effect of nutrition on the production of colostrum in female sheep. Reproduction Nutrition Development. 46, 447-460.
Clément P., Agboola S.O. and Bencini R. (2006). A study of polymorphism in milk proteins from local and imported breeds in Australia by capillary electrophoresis. Lebensmittel-Wissenschaft und Technologie. 39, 63-69.
Muirhead S., Blache D., Wykes B. and Bencini R. (2006). Roo-Guard® sound emitters are not effective at deterring tammar wallabies (Macropus eugenii) from a source of food. Wildlife Research. 33, 131-136.
Start A.N., Moro D., Adams M. and Bencini R. (2006). Dunnarts from Boullanger Island: New evidence and reassessment of a taxonomic issue with resource implications. Australian Mammalogy. 28, 51-58.
Burton M. and Bencini R. (2005). Consumer acceptance of new sheep milk cheeses. Australian Agribusiness Review. 13, Paper 6.
Iaschi S.P.A., Hui J., Chong F.N., Strange A, Strange M., Bencini R, Tay G.K. (2004). Comparison of the milk quality of the South African Boer and Australian rangeland goats. Small Ruminant Research. 53, 181-184.
Wolfe K.M., Mills H.R., Garkaklis M.J. and Bencini, R. (2004). Post-mating survival in a small marsupial is associated with nutrient inputs from seabirds. Ecology. 85, 1740-1746.
Bencini R., Knight T.W. and Hartmann P.E. (2003). Secretion of milk and milk components in sheep. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture. 43, 529-534.
Kitessa, S.M., Peake, D., Bencini R. and Williams A.J. (2003). Fish oil metabolism in ruminants. III. Transfer of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) from tuna oil into sheep's milk. Animal Feed Science & Technology. 108, 1-14.
Miller S., Bencini R., Mills H.R. and Moro D. (2003). Food availability for the dibbler, Parantechinus apicalis, on Boullanger and Whitlock Islands, Western Australia. Wildlife Research. 30, 649-654.
Bencini R. (2002). Factors affecting the clotting properties of sheep milk. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture. 85, 705-719.
Nudda A., Bencini R., Mijatovic S., and Pulina G. (2002). The yield and composition of milk in Sarda, Awassi and Merino sheep milked unilaterally at different frequencies. Journal of Dairy Science. 85, 2879-2884.
Bencini R., McCulloch C., Mills H.R. and Start A.N. (2001). Habitat and diet of the dibbler (Parantechinus apicalis) on two islands in Jurien Bay. Wildlife Research. 28, 465-468.
Chan C.F., Chiswell G.M. Bencini R., Hackett L.P., Dusci L.J. and Ilett K.F. (2001). Quantification of naltrexone and 6, beta-naltrexol in plasma and milk using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry; application to studies in the lactating sheep. Journal of Chromatography B. 761, 85-92.
Mills H.R. and Bencini R. (2000). New evidence for facultative male die-off in island populations of dibblers (Parantechinus apicalis). Australian Journal of Zoology. 48, 501-510.
Nudda A., Pulina G., Vallebella R., Bencini R. and Enne G. (2000). Ultrasound technique for measuring mammary cistern size of dairy ewes. Journal of Dairy Research. 67, 101-106.
Wolfe K.M., Robertson H. and Bencini R. (2000). The Mating Behaviour of the dibbler, Parantechinus apicalis, in captivity. Australian Journal of Zoology. 48, 541-550.
Bencini R. and Pulina G. (1997). The quality of sheep milk. A review. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture. 37, 485-504.
Bencini R. and Johnston K. (1996). Factors affecting the clotting properties of sheep milk. International Dairy Federation Bulletin special issue on production and utilization of sheep and goats milk 3, 199-204.
Pulina G., Bencini R. and Rassu S.P.G. (1996). Relation between birth weight of lambs and milk production in ewes. Agricoltura Mediterranea. 126, 316-319.
Bencini R. (1995). Use of intramuscular oxytocin injections to measure milk output in non dairy sheep and its effect on milk composition. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture. 35, 563-565.
Knight T.W. and Bencini R. (1993). Evaluation of two indirect selection criteria for dairy milk yield in Poll Dorset ewes. New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research. 36, 223-229.
Knight T.W., Bencini R., Haack N.A. and Death A.F. (1993). Effects of shearing on milk yields and milk composition in machine milked Dorset ewes. New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research. 36, 123-132.
Bencini R., Martin G.B., Purvis I.P. and Hartmann P.E. (1992). Use of oxytocin to measure milk output in Merino ewes and its effect on fat content. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture. 32, 601-603.

JOURNAL ARTICLES (IN TECHNICAL NON REFEREED JOURNALS)
Bencini R. (1999). Sheep milking at The University of Western Australia. Land Management Society Newsletter. March 1999, 20-21.
Bencini, R. and Johnston, K. (1997). Factors affecting the clotting properties of sheep milk. Sheep Dairy News. 14, 29-30.
Bencini, R. and Pulina, G. (1997). The quality of sheep milk: a review. Wool Technology & Sheep Breeding. 45, 182-220.
Brandano P., Bencini R. and Pulina G. (1996). La qualitá del latte nella specie ovina. L'allevatore di ovini e caprini Assonapa Publishers. 13, 7-11.
Bencini, R. and Purvis, I. W (1990). The yield and composition of milk from Merino sheep. Wool Technology & Sheep Breeding. 38, 71-73.
MULTIMEDIA PROJECTS
Bencini R. and Hennig W. S. (1997). 'Animal Stack': a computer simulated animal dissection. The University of Western Australia.
CONFERENCE PUBLICATIONS (FULL WRITTEN PAPERS IN REFEREED PROCEEDINGS)
Murray T.M, Blache D.B. and Bencini R. (2006). Calm dairy ewes produce more milk than nervous dairy ewes. Proceedings Australian Society of Animal Production. 26, 44.
Sart S., Bencini R., Blache D.B. and Martin G.B. (2004). Calm ewes produce milk with more protein than nervous ewes. Proceedings Australian Society of Animal Production. 28, 307.
Bencini R. and Hennig W. S. (1997). 'Animal Stack': a computer simulated animal dissection. In Pospisil, R. and Willcoxson, L. (Eds), Learning Through Teaching, p31-33. Proceedings of the 6th Annual Teaching Learning Forum, Murdoch University, February 1997. Perth: Murdoch University.
Milton J., Bencini R., Murphy P.M. and Davidson R. (1996). Yield and composition of milk and growth of lambs from ewes supplemented with canola meal. Proceedings Australian Society of Animal Production. 21, 376.
Bencini R. and Knight T. W. (1994). Double cupping and machine stripping optimise the yield and the composition of sheep milk. Proceedings Australian Society of Animal Production. 20, 171-174.
Bencini R., Hartmann P.E. and Lightfoot R.J. (1992). Comparative dairy potential of Awassi x Merino and Merino ewes. Australian Association of Animal Breeding and Genetics. 10, 114-117.
Bencini R. and Lindsay D.R. (1990). Problemi e prospettive della ricerca scientifica sugli ovini in Australia. In 'Nuove prospettive della ricerca sugli ovi-caprini' (New prospects in sheep and goats research). 23.11.1990, Varese, Italy. 197-214.
Bencini R. and Purvis I.W. (1990). The yield and composition of milk from Merino sheep. Proceedings Australian Society of Animal Production. 18, 144-148.

CONFERENCE FULL WRITTEN (NOT REFEREED)
Bencini R. (2001). Factors affecting the quality of ewe’s milk. Proceedings 7th Great Lakes Dairy Sheep Symposium, November 1-3 2001 Eau Claire. Wisconsin. 52-83 (keynote speaker).
Bencini R. (2001). The Australian Sheep Dairy Industry. Proceedings 7th Great Lakes Dairy Sheep Symposium, November 1-3 2001 Eau Claire. Wisconsin. 170-177 (keynote speaker).
CONFERENCE PUBLICATIONS (ABSTRACTS)
Willers N., Bencini R., Mawson P., Morris K. (2010). Population dynamics in the black-flanked rock wallaby in the central wheatbelt of Western Australia. 56th Australian Mammal Society meeting & Rock Wallaby Symposium, 5-9th July 2010, Canberra, Australia.
Harris I., Mills H.R. and Bencini R. (2009). Multiple individual soouthern brown bandicoots (Isoodon obesulus fusciventer) and foxes (Vulpes vulpes) use underpasses installed at a new highway in Perth, Western Australia. Proceedings of the Breaking the Barriers Symposium, Brisbane 6-8 May 2009.
Mayberry C., Maloney S.K., Mawson P., Bencini R. and Martin G.B. (2009) Managing fertility of female western grey kangaroos (Macropus fuilginosus ocydromus) with deslorelin has no serious behavioural effects. 43rd Congress of the International Society for Applied Ethology, 6 – 10 July, 2009, Cairns, Australia.
Mayberry C., Willers N., Maloney S.K., Mawson P., Mitchell J. and Bencini R. (2009). Evidence of toxoplasma and neospora infection in western grey kangaroos (Macropus fuliginosus ocydromus) but not black-flanked rock wallabies (Petrogale lateralis lateralis) in south-western Western Australia. Semi-centenary and 55th Meeting of the Australian Mammal Society, Perth, Western Australia 5-9 July 2009.
Willers N., Bencini R., Matson P., Martin G. B., Morris K., Mawson P. (2009). Use of contraceptive deslorelin implants to manage reproduction in black-flanked rock wallabies (Petrogale lateralis lateralis) in Western Australia. 10th International Mammalogical Congress, 9th – 14th August, 2009, Mendoza, Argentina.
Bencini R. (2008). Lactation in dairy animals. Proceedings of the 14th International Conference of The International Society for Research in Human Milk and Lactation, Perth 31st January - 5th February 2008, 7 (keynote speaker).
Chambers B.K. and Bencini R. (2008). Human disturbance alters the population dynamics of tammar wallabies (Macropus eugenii) on Garden Island, Western Australia. Proceedings of the 21st scientific meeting of the Australasian Wildlife Management Society, Fremantle 24-27 November 2008.
Mayberry C., Mawson P., Maloney S. and Bencini R. (2008). Western grey kangaroos (Macropus fuliginosus ocydromus) show minimal behavioural changes following treatment of some females with deslorelin. Proceedings of the 21st scientific meeting of the Australasian Wildlife Management Society, Fremantle 24-27 November 2008.
Willers N., Bencini R., Morris K., Mawson P., Martin G.B. and Roberts D. (2008) Female black-flanked rock wallabies (Petrogale lateralis lateralis) treated with deslorelin show no adverse impacts on liveweight. Proceedings of the 21st scientific meeting of the Australasian Wildlife Management Society, Fremantle 24-27 November 2008.
Mayberry C., Maloney S.K., Matson P., Bencini R. and Martin G.B. (2008). Depot formulation of Deslorelin® suppresses reproduction in female western grey kangaroos (Macropus fuliginosus ocydromus). Proceedings of the 54th Australian Mammal Society Conference, Darwin, Northern Territory, 29 September - 1st October 2008. 33.
Murray, T.L., Bencini, R. and Blache, D.B. (2008). Selection for calm temperament improves the milking behaviour of ewes. Proceeding 4th International Workshop on the Assessment of Animal Welfare at Farm and Group Level, Ghent, 10-13 September 2008, pp 103.
Willers N., Matson P., Bencini R. and Martin G.B. (2008). Suprelorin® implants prevent reproduction in female black-flanked rock wallabies (Petrogale lateralis lateralis). Proceedings of the 54th Australian Mammal Society Conference, Darwin, Northern Territory, 29 September - 1st October 2008. 33.
Chambers B.K. and Bencini R. (2007). Human disturbance significantly alter the population dynamics of tammar wallabies (Macropus eugenii) on Garden Island, Western Australia. Proceedings of the 20th scientific meeting of the Australasian Wildlife Management Society, Canberra 2-5 December 2007, 70.
Hetherington C., Bencini R., Mills H.R., and Robertson H. (2007). Using deslorelin to manage brushtail possums (Trichosurus vulpecula) at Perth Zoo. Proceedings of the 20th scientific meeting of the Australasian Wildlife Management Society, Canberra 2-5 December 2007, 78.
Chambers B.K., Dawson R., Wann J. and Bencini R. (2006). Using GIS to determine factors affecting road kills of tammar wallabies (Macropus eugenii) on Garden Island, Western Australia. Proceedings of the symposium "Macropods in the 21st century: genome to GIS”. Melbourne, 6-7 July 2006. 78.
Donaldson F., Bencini R., Vercoe P.E. and Morris K. (2006). Fuctuating asymmetry in boodie (Bettongia lesueur) populations has not been increased by recent translocations. Proceedings of the 19th scientific meeting of the Australasian Wildlife Management Society, Auckland 4-7 December 2006, 91.
Chambers B.K. and Bencini R. (2006). The impact of human disturbance on the population dynamics and ecology of tammar wallabies (Macropus eugenii) on Garden Island, Western Australia. Proceedings of the symposium "Macropods in the 21st century: genome to GIS”. Melbourne, 6-7 July 2006. 86.
Harris I., Mills H.R. and Bencini R. (2006). The use of underpasses by quenda (Isoodon obesulus fusciventer) on a newly constructed highway in Perth, Western Australia. Proceedings of the 19th scientific meeting of the Australasian Wildlife Management Society, Auckland 4-7 December 2006, 78.
Mayberry C., Mawson P., Maloney S. and Bencini R. (2006). Seasonal breeding in western grey kangaroos (Macropus fuliginosus ocydromus) on a peri-urban nature reserve in the south west of Western Australia. Proceedings of the 19th scientific meeting of the Australasian Wildlife Management Society, Auckland 4-7 December 2006, 51.
McMillan A., Coupland G., Chambers B.K., Mills H.R. and Bencini R. (2006). Determining the diet of tammar wallabies (Macropus eugenii) on Garden Island, Western Australia using stable isotopes analysis. Proceedings of the symposium "Macropods in the 21st century: genome to GIS” Melbourne, 6-7 July 2006. 70.
Paplinska J.Z., Bencini R., Fisher D.O., Newell G., Goldizen A., Chambers B., Mayberry C. and Taggart D. (2006). Sperm competition in the superfamily macropodoidea. Proceedings of the symposium "Macropods in the 21st century: genome to GIS”. Melbourne, 6-7 July 2006. 87.
Bencini R., Hetherington C., Mills H.R. and Algar D. (2005). Developing a cat specific bait- Capsule consumption by feral cats (Felis catus) and non-target species in the field. Proceedings of the 18th scientific meeting of the Australasian Wildlife Management Society, Hobart 21-24 November 2005. 45.
Chambers B.K. and Bencini R. (2005). Age and sex bias in the road kills of tammar wallabies (Macropus eugenii) on Garden Island, Western Australia. Proceedings of the Australian Mammal Society Conference, Albany, Western Australia, 4-8 July 2005. 24.
Gardner A., Richards, J., Bencini R. and Mills H.R. (2005). The habitat preferences and population demography of the quenda (Isoodon obesulus) in an urban environment. Proceedings of the Australian Mammal Society Conference, Albany, Western Australia, 4-8 July 2005. 30.
Hetherington C., Mills H.R., Algar D. and Bencini R. (2005). Capsule consumption by feral cats (Felis catus) and non-target species in the field. Proceedings of the Australian Mammal Society Conference, Albany, Western Australia, 4-8 July 2005. 16.
Stewart A.G., Bencini R., Bradshaw D. and Friend J.A. (2005). Population dynamics of an endangered marsupial (Parantechinus apicalis) and feral house mice (Mus domesticus) on the Jurien Bay Islands in Western Australia. Proceedings of the Australian Mammal Society Conference, Albany, Western Australia, 4-8 July 2005. 15.
Donaldson F., Vercoe P.E., Morris K. and Bencini R. (2004). The boodie: biology for conservation. Proceedings of the Australian Mammal Society Conference, Tanunda, South Australia, 5-8 July 2004. 16.
Durmic Z., Hutton P.G., Vercoe P.E. and Bencini R. (2004). Bacterial diversity in sheep fed diets rich in linoleic acid. Proceedings of the Australian Society of Microbiology Conference, Sydney, 26 September – 1 October 2004. 75.
Miller S., Bencini R. and Hartmann P.E. (2004). Composition of milk in the quokka (Setonix brachyurus). Proceedings of the Australian Mammal Society Conference, Tanunda, South Australia, 5-8 July 2004. 33.
Stewart A.G., Bencini R., Bradshaw D. and Friend J.A. (2004). Water and sodium turnovers of dibblers (Parantechinus apicalis) and house mice (Mus domesticus) on islands in Jurien Bay. Proceedings of the Australian Mammal Society Conference, Tanunda, South Australia, 5-8 July 2004. 39.
Wolfe K., Garkaklis M. and Bencini R. (2004). Living the good life: habitat preference of dibblers (Parantechinus apicalis) within seabird colonies in Western Australia. Proceedings of the Australian Mammal Society Conference, Tanunda, South Australia, 5-8 July 2004. 45.
Wolfe K.M., Mills H.R., Garkaklis M. and Bencini R. (2003). Conservation of an endangered carnivore in Western Australia: Seabirds increase survivorship in populations of dibblers. Proceedings of the 3rd International Wildlife Management Congress, Christchurch, New Zealand, 1-5 December 2003. Poster Session 3, 21.
McCulloch C., Mills H.R., Start A.N. and Bencini R. (1999). Habitat and dietary preferences of the Dibbler (Parantechinus apicalis) on two islands in Jurien Bay. Proceedings of the Carnivorous Marsupials Symposium, University of Sydney, 5-8 July 1999. 25-26.
Mills H.R. and Bencini R. (1999). Postmating survival of male dibblers in island populations. Proceedings of the Carnivorous Marsupials Symposium, University of Sydney, 5-8 July 1999. 24.
Wolfe K., Robertson H. and Bencini R. (1999). The Mating Behaviour of the Dibbler (Parantechinus apicalis) in captivity. Proceedings of the Carnivorous Marsupials Symposium, University of Sydney, 5-8 July 1999. 23.
Bencini R. and Hennig S.W. (1997). 'Animal Stack': a computer simulated animal dissection. Proceedings HERDSA Conference. 19, 23.
Pulina G., Bencini R. and Rassu S.P.G. (1996). Relation between birth weight of lambs and milk production in ewes. Stocarstvo. 50, 199-203.
Bencini R. (1993). Intramuscular oxytocin injections induce milk ejection in non-dairy ewes. Proceedings 3rd Annual WA Endocrine Science Symposium. 22.

Roles, responsibilities and expertise

I coordinate several undergraduate units and supervise many postgraduate students.

Future research

Methods to reduce the negative impact of roads and development of wildlife.
Use of stable isotopes to determine the role of marine inputs in the diets of fauna inhabiting coastal and island areas.

Funding received

My current research on road ecology is mainly supported by Main Roads WA for projects on fauna crossing structures.
I have also attracted grants from the Australian Research Council (ARC) for work on the dibbler (Parantechinus apicalis) and from the Committee for the Advencement of University teaching (CAUT) for the development of a computer simulated animal dissection.

Industrial relevance

Road kills are a problem for both animals and people. The average damage to a car for hitting a kangaroo is about $3000.
Our work aims at reducing road kills by researching the efficacy of amelioration measures such as underpasses and rope bridges.

Languages

English and Italian

Memberships

Australian Mammal Society (Vice President)
Australasian Wildlife Management Society
Women and Infants Research Foundation
Dairy Industry Association of Australia

Honours and awards

1996 - UWA Excellence in Innovation in Teaching Award – Commendation
1997 - UWA Research Assistance Award for Outstanding Teachers
2001 - Pearson Education Uniserve Science Teaching Award – Nomination (national award for innovative use of computers in tertiary teaching)

Previous positions

1995 - 2001 Lecturer, Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, The University of Western Australia.
1992 - 1994 Associate Lecturer, Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, The University of Western Australia.
1990 - 1991 MAF (Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries) Technology Research Fellow at Flock House Research Station, Bulls, New Zealand.

Teaching

I lecture in Science and its communication, Animal Resource Management, Wildlife Conservation & Management, Animal Production

Current external positions

Vice President of the Australian Mammal Society

Current projects

Other research projects conducted by my postgraduate students include:
Wildlife management of overabundant populations of marsupials (possums, kangaroos, rock wallabies) thorugh fertility control.
Influence of road kills on wildlife and use of underpasses by fauna.
Ecology of the quokka (Setonix brachyurus).

Research profile

Research profile and publications