I have a four-year Bachelor of Science Degree in Agriculture (U of Kentucky), a Ph.D. in Biology (U of Miami), and a Masters of Business Administration (U of Pau). As a wildlife ecologist, I study the ecology and interactions of many animals and plants, but I have a special interest in pollination ecology, particularly when it involves bats. I love adventure and exploration, and what a treat to have hard-working, ethical, and humourous research students with whom to share discoveries! Nature conservation is my priority and that of my research students.
I am an associate researcher at NatureFiji-MareqetiViti, CARMABI (Curaçao), the Caribbean Footprint Foundation, and Kangaroo Island Research Station.
About me
I have a four-year Bachelor of Science Degree in Agriculture (U of Kentucky), a Ph.D. in Biology (U of Miami), and a Masters of Business Administration (U of Pau). As a wildlife ecologist, I study the ecology and interactions of many animals and plants, but I have a special interest in pollination ecology, particularly when it involves bats. I love adventure and exploration, and what a treat to have hard-working, ethical, and humourous research students with whom to share discoveries! Nature conservation is my priority and that of my research students.
I am an associate researcher at NatureFiji-MareqetiViti, CARMABI (Curaçao), the Caribbean Footprint Foundation, and Kangaroo Island Research Station.
About me
| Date | Title |
|---|---|
| 29/06/2024 |
Progress in Kangaroo Island bat research thanks to French Master’s student, https://theislanderonline.com.au/news/2024/06/29/progress-in-kangaroo-island-bat-research-thanks-to-french-masters-student/ |
| 25/04/2024 |
Getting wild on KI, https://theislanderonline.com.au/all-digital-editions/the-islander-25th-april-2024/ |
| 24/04/2024 |
UniSA visits Hanson Bay, https://theislanderonline.com.au/news/2024/04/24/unisa-visits-hanson-bay/ |
| 18/04/2024 |
Under the protective skirts of Australian grass-trees, https://www.currentconservation.org/under-the-protective-skirts-of-australian-grass-trees/ |
| 21/02/2024 |
Joy for nest box volunteers as little pygmy-possums found in unburned area, https://theislanderonline.com.au/news/2024/02/21/joy-for-nest-box-volunteers-as-little-pygmy-possums-found-in-unburned-area/ |
| 14/02/2024 |
Fungi of Kangaroo Island in the Biodiversity Databases of South Australia, https://theislanderonline.com.au/news/2024/02/14/fungi-of-kangaroo-island-in-the-biodiversity-databases-of-south-australia/ |
| 25/12/2023 |
Dragons host conference field trip, https://theislanderonline.com.au/news/2023/12/25/dragons-host-conference-field-trip/ |
| 14/12/2023 |
Kangaroo Island Next Box Project volunteers receive SA Government Premier’s Certificate, https://theislanderonline.com.au/news/2023/12/14/kangaroo-island-nest-box-project-volunteers-receive-sa-government-premiers-certificate/ |
| 11/12/2023 |
Wildlife conference at American River empowers Kangaroo Island community, https://theislanderonline.com.au/news/2023/12/11/wildlife-conference-at-american-river-empowers-kangaroo-island-community/ |
| 19/10/2023 |
Wildlife conference on KI, https://theislanderonline.com.au/news/2023/10/19/register-now-for-upcoming-2023-kangaroo-island-wildlife-conference/ |
| 04/05/2023 |
Kangaroo Island ants ‘play dead’ to avoid predators, https://www.unisa.edu.au/media-centre/Releases/2023/kangaroo-island-ants-play-dead-to-avoid-predators/ |
| 10/02/2023 |
CSIRO and University of South Australia research sheds light on long-distance travel of seabirds, https://www.theislanderonline.com.au/story/8077604/csiro-unisa-research-sheds-light-on-long-distance-travel-of-seabirds/?cs=1525 |
| 27/10/2022 |
Dr Sophie 'Topa' Petit finalist for Jill Hudson Award for Environmental Protection for 2022, https://www.theislanderonline.com.au/story/7957199/dr-sophie-topa-petit-finalist-for-environmental-protection-award/ |
| 10/08/2022 |
Kangaroo Island Nest Box Project providing animal homes after bushfires, https://www.theislanderonline.com.au/story/7855149/ki-nest-box-project-providing-animal-homes-after-bushfires/?cs=1525 |
| 27/06/2022 |
Zoom workshop on the frogs and reptiles of Kangaroo Island, https://www.theislanderonline.com.au/story/7797016/zoom-workshop-on-the-frogs-and-reptiles-of-ki/?cs=1525 |
| 20/06/2022 |
Hanson Bay Wildlife Sanctuary restoration planning with UniSA students, https://www.theislanderonline.com.au/story/7786852/hanson-bay-wildlife-sanctuary-restoration-planning-with-unisa-students/ |
| 15/02/2022 |
Bats pollinate like bees – and this fruity tropical plant depends on it, HTTPS://WWW.AUSTRALIANGEOGRAPHIC.COM.AU/BLOGS/CREATURA-BLOG/2022/02/BATS-POLLINATE-LIKE-BEES-AND-THIS-FRUITY-TROPICAL-PLANT-DEPENDS-ON-IT/ |
| 07/02/2022 |
Bats play an active role in plant pollination, HTTPS://WWW.EARTH.COM/NEWS/BATS-PLAY-AN-ACTIVE-ROLE-IN-PLANT-POLLINATION/ |
| 04/02/2022 |
The secret lives of bats reveal botanical mysteries, https://www.unisa.edu.au/media-centre/Releases/2022/the-secret-lives-of-bats-reveal-botanical-mysteries/ |
| 25/01/2022 |
SA Landcare Awards – Finalists Announced, https://landcaresa.asn.au/sa-landcare-awards-finalists-announced/ |
| 24/01/2022 |
Kangaroo Island conservation volunteers receive first-aid training, https://www.theislanderonline.com.au/story/7592095/ki-conservation-volunteers-receive-first-aid-training/?cs=1525 |
| 16/12/2021 |
New nest boxes trialled for little pygmy-possums on Kangaroo Island, https://www.theislanderonline.com.au/story/7554381/new-boxes-trialled-for-little-pygmy-possums-on-ki/ |
| 10/12/2021 |
KI nest box project receives Tucker Foundation grant, https://www.theislanderonline.com.au/story/7546199/ki-nest-box-project-receives-tucker-foundation-grant/?cs=1525 |
| 29/11/2021 |
UniSA IT project helps bushfire recovery research on Kangaroo Island, https://www.theislanderonline.com.au/story/7530177/unisa-it-project-helps-bushfire-recovery-research-on-ki/?cs=1525 |
| 12/11/2021 |
New housing gives bats, possums housing help, https://www.theislanderonline.com.au/story/7508141/nest-boxes-provide-options-for-locals/?cs=1525 |
| 12/08/2021 | |
| 09/08/2021 |
New Zoom workshop on Kangaroo Island orchids, https://www.theislanderonline.com.au/story/7377019/new-zoom-workshop-on-ki-orchids/ |
| 09/08/2021 |
Monitoring of fire recovery nest boxes off to good start on Kangaroo Island, https://www.theislanderonline.com.au/story/7377418/monitoring-of-fire-recovery-nest-boxes-off-to-good-start/?cs=1525 |
| 12/07/2021 |
UniSA students collaborate with Hanson Bay Wildlife Sanctuary for restoration design, https://www.theislanderonline.com.au/story/7336357/unisa-students-collaborate-with-hanson-bay-wildlife-sanctuary-for-restoration-design/ |
| 01/07/2021 |
Conservation concern as alien aphid detected on Kangaroo Island, https://www.unisa.edu.au/media-centre/Releases/2021/conservation-concern-as-alien-aphid--detected-on-kangaroo-island/ |
| 28/06/2021 |
Kangaroo Island bushfire recovery helpers celebrate in Tanunda, https://www.theislanderonline.com.au/story/7317016/ki-bushfire-recovery-helpers-celebrate-in-tanunda/?cs=1525 |
| 06/05/2021 |
Pygmy possums using nest boxes on fire-ravaged Kangaroo Island, https://www.theislanderonline.com.au/story/7241018/pygmy-possums-using-nest-boxes-on-fire-ravaged-ki/ |
| 13/03/2021 |
First bat detected in 'bat box' deployed on Kangaroo Island fire ground, https://www.theislanderonline.com.au/story/7167805/first-bat-detected-in-bat-box-deployed-on-ki-fire-ground/ |
| 01/03/2021 |
UniSA-led workshops and wildlife projects help Kangaroo Island to heal after devastating fires, https://unisa.edu.au/unisanews/2021/march/story8/ |
| 15/02/2021 |
UniSA's Vice Chancellor fund wraps up one year recovery and rebuilding, https://www.theislanderonline.com.au/story/7127019/university-fund-wraps-up-one-year-recovery-and-rebuilding/ |
| 14/12/2020 |
Collaboration key to UniSA nest box deployment on Kangaroo Island, https://www.theislanderonline.com.au/story/7054344/collaboration-key-to-unisa-nest-box-deployment-on-ki/ |
| 08/12/2020 |
First little pygmy-possum found after Kangaroo Island bushfires, https://www.hepburnadvocate.com.au/story/7045550/first-little-pygmy-possum-found-after-kangaroo-island-bushfires/ |
| 26/10/2020 |
Barossa wine products turned into wildlife shelters for Kangaroo Island, https://www.theislanderonline.com.au/story/6984299/barossa-wine-products-turned-into-wildlife-shelters-for-kangaroo-island/?cs=1525 |
| 20/10/2020 |
UniSA CV workshop to build capacity of Kangaroo Island residents, https://www.theislanderonline.com.au/story/6984489/unisa-cv-workshop-to-build-capacity-of-islanders/?cs=1525 |
| 19/10/2020 |
An ecotourism workshop has encouraged hope for tourism on KI, https://www.theislanderonline.com.au/story/6974601/ecotourism-workshop-builds-hope/ |
| 07/10/2020 |
Eco-tourism at forefront of reactivation plan, https://www.theislanderonline.com.au/story/6955185/eco-tourism-at-forefront-of-reactivation-plan/ |
| 06/09/2020 |
Study Links Plastic Ingestion and Dietary Metals in Seabirds, https://tasmaniantimes.com/2020/11/study-links-plastic-ingestion-and-dietary-metals-in-seabirds/ |
| 24/08/2020 |
From freshwater fish to One Health, last UniSA Zoom workshop, https://www.theislanderonline.com.au/story/6891946/from-freshwater-fish-to-one-health-last-unisa-zoom-workshop/ |
| 06/08/2020 |
University of SA Associate Professor Topa Petit discusses Island's pygmy-possums, https://www.theislanderonline.com.au/story/6866614/islands-pygmy-possums-and-freshwater-fish-feature-in-university-workshops/ |
| 17/07/2020 |
Kangaroo Island UniSA bushfoods online workshop followed by cute pygmy possums, https://www.theislanderonline.com.au/story/6837617/bushfoods-online-workshop-followed-by-cute-pygmy-possums-of-ki/ |
| 06/07/2020 |
UniSA wildlife workshops continue with bushfoods of Kangaroo Island, https://www.theislanderonline.com.au/story/6820924/unisa-wildlife-workshops-continue-with-bushfoods-of-ki/?cs=1021 |
| 15/06/2020 |
WIRES-Landcare bushfire recovery help for pygmy possums and bats on Kangaroo Island, https://www.theislanderonline.com.au/story/6794029/bushfire-recovery-help-for-pygmy-possums-and-bats-on-kangaroo-island/ |
| 15/06/2020 |
22 eucalypt species on Kangaroo Island, but how many spiders?, https://www.theislanderonline.com.au/story/6789654/22-eucalypt-species-on-kangaroo-island-but-how-many-spiders/ |
| 01/06/2020 |
Workshops continue to help Island's recovery, https://www.theislanderonline.com.au/story/6776216/bird-eucalypt-workshops-continue-to-help-recovery/ |
| 11/05/2020 |
Next UniSA online workshop is on the birds of Kangaroo Island, https://www.theislanderonline.com.au/story/6752140/next-unisa-online-workshop-is-on-the-birds-of-kangaroo-island/ |
| 27/04/2020 |
Zoom workshop on Kangaroo Island fungi to follow successful bat workshop, https://www.theislanderonline.com.au/story/6736123/zoom-workshop-on-ki-fungi-to-follow-successful-bat-workshop/ |
| 21/04/2020 |
Study says sugar ants could reduce greenhouse gases, https://www.thesenior.com.au/story/6723175/scientists-sweet-discovery-about-sugar-ants/ |
| 08/04/2020 |
Zoom workshop on the bat species of Kangaroo Island, https://www.theislanderonline.com.au/story/6716325/zoom-workshop-on-the-bat-species-of-kangaroo-island/ |
| 01/04/2020 |
Zoom technology to connect KI to UniSA bushfire wildlife recovery workshop, https://www.theislanderonline.com.au/story/6707638/zoom-technology-to-connect-ki-to-unisa-bushfire-wildlife-recovery-workshop/ |
| 19/03/2020 |
UniSA unlocks special funds for community and wildlife projects, https://www.theislanderonline.com.au/story/6687609/unisa-unlocks-special-funds-for-community-and-wildlife-projects/ |
| 06/02/2020 |
Sugar ants’ preference for pee may reduce greenhouse gas emissions, https://www.unisa.edu.au/Media-Centre/Releases/2020/sugar-ants-preference-for-pee-may-reduce-greenhouse-gas-emissions/ |
| 26/12/2019 |
It's ‘nature's sports drink': Ants live off urine on dry Australian island, https://www.science.org/content/article/it-s-nature-s-sports-drink-ants-live-urine-dry-australian-island |
I am interested in biodiversity conservation and management, wildlife ecology, plant-animal interactions (especially flower visitation and pollination by bats, pygmy-possums, and native invertebrates), environmental management, ethics and animals, shelter ecology, nectar ecology, keystone mutualisms.
Google Scholar:
https://scholar.google.com.au/citations?user=c-h5SP8AAAAJ&hl=en
Research
Excludes commercial-in-confidence projects.
Holsworth - Post-fire recovery and chytrid prevalence in South Australian frogs - Shawn Scott, ESA-Holsworth Wildlife Research Endowment, 18/03/2024 - 18/03/2025
FNSSA Automated call analysis for the bats of Kangaroo Island - Chloe Danis, The Field Naturalist Society of South Australia, 14/03/2024 - 03/03/2025
FNSSA What causes the decline of the threatened Bibron’s toadlet - Tom Prosser, The Field Naturalist Society of South Australia, 14/03/2024 - 03/03/2025
Survey of the bats of Kangaroo Island, The Field Naturalist Society of South Australia, 01/01/2020 - 28/02/2021
Unique pollination system of an important rainforest tree involving obligate manipulation by bats, Australia & Pacific Science Foundation, 01/07/2016 - 30/06/2019
The role of plastics and metal contaminants in the failure of short-tailed shearwater juvenile migration, The Field Naturalist Society of South Australia, 23/02/2018 - 28/02/2019
Population dynamics & conservation of Caladenia behrii, Australian Orchid Foundation, 05/11/2009 - 31/12/2017
Research
Research outputs for the last seven years are shown below. Some long-standing staff members may have older outputs included. To see earlier years visit ORCID, ResearcherID or Scopus
Open access indicates that an output is open access.
| Year | Output |
|---|---|
| 2023 |
Open access
1
2
72
|
| 2023 |
Open access
4
3
71
|
| 2022 |
Open access
2
2
282
|
| 2020 |
11
11
125
|
| 2020 |
Open access
33
28
54
|
| Year | Output |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
|
| 2022 |
|
| 2022 |
|
| 2014 |
|
| Year | Output |
|---|---|
| 2025 |
Open access
|
| 2025 |
Open access
|
| 2025 |
Open access
|
| 2024 |
Open access
1
1
1
|
| 2023 |
Open access
9
7
28
|
| 2023 |
Open access
1
2
72
|
| 2023 |
Open access
4
3
71
|
| 2022 |
Open access
2
2
282
|
| 2022 |
Open access
1
2
52
|
| 2022 |
5
5
18
|
| 2021 |
Open access
1
|
| 2021 |
1
|
| 2020 |
11
11
125
|
| 2020 |
Open access
33
28
54
|
| 2019 |
1
1
3
|
| 2019 |
15
20
|
| 2018 |
Open access
10
8
11
|
| 2017 |
10
8
|
| 2017 |
Open access
31
30
1
|
| 2017 |
|
| 2017 |
13
12
21
|
| 2016 |
|
| 2015 |
Open access
3
3
|
| 2015 |
|
| 2015 |
7
|
| 2015 |
|
| 2015 |
6
6
|
| 2015 |
12
11
6
|
| 2014 |
|
| 2014 |
|
| 2014 |
Petit, T 2014, 'Western pygmy-possums - Australian bush survivors', pp. 6-10. |
| 2014 |
Open access
10
10
|
| 2014 |
33
32
|
| 2013 |
|
| 2013 |
Open access
6
4
|
| 2013 |
11
8
|
| 2013 |
|
| 2013 |
6
6
|
| 2013 |
13
12
|
| 2012 |
|
| 2012 |
Open access
17
19
|
| 2012 |
18
19
|
| 2012 |
18
21
|
| 2012 |
1
1
|
| 2012 |
18
16
|
| 2011 |
11
|
| 2011 |
Petit, S 2011, 'Bataille pour sauver les cactus de Curacao', Terra Seca, no. 1, pp. 32-39. |
| 2011 |
11
12
|
| 2011 |
9
9
|
| 2011 |
|
| 2010 |
22
20
|
| 2009 |
|
| 2009 |
|
| 2009 |
12
12
|
| 2009 |
Open access
78
70
|
| 2008 |
|
| 2008 |
|
| 2008 |
28
|
| 2008 |
43
38
|
| 2008 |
6
6
|
Research
I am interested in biodiversity conservation and management, wildlife ecology, plant-animal interactions (especially flower visitation and pollination by bats, pygmy-possums, and native invertebrates), environmental management, ethics and animals, shelter ecology, nectar ecology, keystone mutualisms.
Google Scholar:
https://scholar.google.com.au/citations?user=c-h5SP8AAAAJ&hl=en
External engagement & recognition
| Organisation | Country |
|---|---|
| Adelaide Zoo | AUSTRALIA |
| Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research | AUSTRALIA |
| Australian Museum Research Institute | AUSTRALIA |
| Biosphere Environmental Consultants | AUSTRALIA |
| Birdlife Australia | AUSTRALIA |
| Botanic Gardens & Parks Authority | AUSTRALIA |
| CARMABI | CURACAO |
| Central Queensland University | AUSTRALIA |
| Charles Sturt University | AUSTRALIA |
| CSIRO Australia (Commonwealth Scientific Industrial Research organisation) | AUSTRALIA |
| CSIRO Oceans and Atmosphere | AUSTRALIA |
| Deakin University | AUSTRALIA |
| Department for Environment and Heritage | AUSTRALIA |
| Department of Environment Water and Natural Resources | AUSTRALIA |
| Department of Primary Industries | AUSTRALIA |
| Griffith University | AUSTRALIA |
| James Cook University | AUSTRALIA |
| Kangaroo Island Research Station | AUSTRALIA |
| Kyoto University | JAPAN |
| Ministry of Forestry and Fisheries | FIJI |
| Murdoch University | AUSTRALIA |
| Nature Glenelg Trust | AUSTRALIA |
| NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment | AUSTRALIA |
| NSW Department of Primary Industries | AUSTRALIA |
| Private Individual | UNITED KINGDOM |
| Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service | AUSTRALIA |
| South Australian Museum | AUSTRALIA |
| University of Adelaide | AUSTRALIA |
| University of Melbourne | AUSTRALIA |
| University of Miami | UNITED STATES |
| University of New England | AUSTRALIA |
| University of Queensland | AUSTRALIA |
| University of South Australia | AUSTRALIA |
| University of Tasmania | AUSTRALIA |
| University of the South Pacific | FIJI |
| University of Wollongong | AUSTRALIA |
| Western Australian Museum | AUSTRALIA |
| Zoos Victoria | AUSTRALIA |
External engagement & recognition
| Engagement/recognition | Year |
|---|---|
FinalistJill Hudson Award for Environmental Protection, South Australia Environment Awards, nominated by Friends of Parks Kangaroo Island Western Districts |
2022 |
High Commendation, nominated by Landcare OfficerAustralian Partnership for Landcare Awards, South Australia (leader for: UniSA, Kangaroo Island Conservation Landowners Association, Kangaroo Island Research Station, Kangaroo Island Wildlife Network, Kangaroo Island Dance School, Friends of Parks Kangaroo Island Western Districts) |
2021 |
MemberAustralasian Bat Society |
2017 |
MemberBiological Society of South Australia |
2017 |
MemberEcological Society of Australia |
2017 |
MemberBat Conservation International |
2017 |
MemberAustralian Mammal Society |
2017 |
MemberAmerican Society of Mammalogists |
2017 |
MemberField Naturalists Society, South Australia |
2017 |
MemberFungal Studies Group |
2017 |
My research students and I have had great field adventures. I work with ethical and dedicated researchers who are very smart and a lot of fun.
My favourite undergraduate course to teach is wildlife ecology. Unfortunately, it is not running at the moment. I also taught ecology and conservation biology for many years. Currently, I teach first year ecology (Sustainable Ecosystems), Restoration Ecology, research methods (Environmental Analytical Methods and Advanced Topics in Science), and Environmental and Geospatial Field Project. I enjoy teaching students who work hard and are keen to learn and engage.
Here is what a lovely student wrote about my teaching environmental analytical methods: "Topa went to great lengths in order to make this course as interesting and relevant as possible, which I really enjoyed and appreciate. I admire her passion, which has strengthened my interest in learning about and pursuing a career in science, including the importance of critical thinking and analysing statistics in the real world. I found all of Topa's lectures very engaging, interesting and thorough. This has been my favourite course so far and has inspired me to think about potentially going into the research field in the future. Thank you Topa!"
Teaching & student supervision
Teaching & student supervision
Supervisions from 2010 shown
| Thesis title | Student status |
|---|---|
| Response of Herpetofauna to fire in the Adelaide Mount Lofy Ranges, South Australia | Current |
| The role of native pollinators and vegetation as drivers of agricultural productivity in the context of resource scarcity | Current |
| What factors are causing the decline of the threatened Bibron's toadlet (Pseudophryne bibronii) in the Mount Lofty Ranges? | Current |
| Direct seeding for the restoration of vascular plants and re-establishment of macro-invertebrates on vacant arid agricultural land, Port Wakefield, South Australia | Completed |
| Effects of cattle grazing on the biodiversity of cracking-clay gibber-gilgai systems in the arid South Australian rangelands | Completed |
| Seed biology and germination requirements of Brachyscome species in South Australia | Completed |
| The role and conservation of bats in Fiji's rainforest | Completed |
