bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rapid assessment of soil compaction damage I. The SOILpak score, a semi-quantitative measure of soil structural form
Authors: McKenzie D. C.
Published: September 2002

Agricultural land evaluation is hampered by inadequate procedures for
assessing the severity of soil compaction. Therefore, the ‘SOILpak
scoring procedure’ has been developed within the Australian cotton
industry to allow semi-quantitative assessment of soil structural form. It
allows compaction severity in Vertisols to be separated into as many as 20
categories on a scale of 0.0 (severely compacted) to 2.0 (excellent structure
for root growth). The procedure is based upon visual assessment of soil
samples in the field as they are pulled apart by hand. The SOILpak scoring
system is well accepted by advisory staff because of its speed and simplicity.
However, there have been some problems with operator bias, and an inability to
deal with continuity of vertical macropores, degree of encroachment of
under-furrow compaction into the ridges where cotton is planted, and the
presence of thin smeared layers. This paper presents a modified SOILpak
scoring procedure that addresses these problems. Also, the SOILpak scoring
procedure has been integrated with terminology in the ‘Australian Soil
and Land Survey Field Handbooks’ so that it can be used by soil
surveyors in other areas.
Classifying fuels with aerial photography in East Texas
Authors: Oswald Brian P. , Fancher John T. , Kulhavy David L. , Reeves Hershel C.
Published: September 2002

National Fire Danger Rating System fuel models were predicted from 1:80,000
scale aerial photographs with a greater than 90% accuracy using
combinations of three variables: pine composition, pine basal area and total
crown closure. These variables were measured from aerial photos and field
checked using techniques common to forest and natural resource management.
Graphical presentation from discriminate function analysis indicated good
group separation. Misclassification of stands requiring field checking
represented 3.3% of the total stand classification. The common use of
both the fuel models and aerial photos make the procedures described in this
study an easy method for classifying fuel models in the pine and pine-hardwood
forests of East Texas.
A tale of two parks: contemporary fire regimes of Litchfield and Nitmiluk National Parks, monsoonal northern Australia
Authors: Edwards A. , Hauser P. , Anderson M. , McCartney J. , Armstrong M. , Thackway R. , Allan G. , Hempel C. , Russell-Smith J.
Published: September 2002

Fires burn vast areas of the monsoonal savannas of northern Australia each
year. This paper describes the contemporary fire regimes of two ecologically
similar, relatively large national parks (Litchfield—1464
km2; Nitmiluk—2924 km2) in
the Top End of the Northern Territory, over 8 and 9 years, respectively. Fire
histories for both parks were derived from interpretation of LANDSAT TM
imagery, supplemented with NOAA-AVHRR for cloudy periods at the end of the
7-month dry season (c. April–Oct). Data concerning
seasonality, extent and frequency of burning were analysed with respect to
digital coverages for the park as a whole, landscape units, vegetation types,
infrastructure and tenure boundaries. Ground-truth data established that
interpreted accuracy overall, for 2 assessment years, ranged between 82 and
91% for both parks. Over 50% of Litchfield and 40% of
Nitmiluk was burnt on average over this period, with Litchfield being burnt
substantially in the earlier, cooler, and moister, dry season, and Nitmiluk
mostly in the parched late dry season, after August. On both parks the current
frequency of burning in at least low open woodland / heath habitats is
ecologically unsustainable. Both parks are prone to extensive fire incursions.
The data support earlier regional assessments that the average fire return
interval is around 2 years in at least some areas of northern Australia.
Nevertheless, comparison of contemporary fire regimes operating in three major
regional national parks shows distinct differences, particularly with respect
to the extent and seasonality (hence intensity) of burning in relation to
different landscape components. Management implications are considered in
discussion.
Fire and land management planning and implementation across multiple scales
Authors: Hann Wendel J. , Bunnell David L.
Published: September 2002

This paper was presented at the conference ‘Integrating spatial technologies and ecological principles for a new age in fire management’, Boise, Idaho, USA, June 1999
Ecosystem conditions on Federal public lands have changed, particularly within
the last 30 years. Wildfires in the west have increased to levels close to or
above those estimated for historical conditions, despite increasing efforts
and expertise in fire prevention and suppression capability. To reverse these
trends, planning for fire and land management policies, budgets, and
restoration must address multiple decision levels (national, regional, local,
and project) and incorporate an improved understanding of conditions and their
linkage across these scales. Three fundamental issues are identified and
discussed that relate to traditional types of planning and the associated lack
of achievement of multi-scale integrated resource and fire objectives. Various
examples of planning that address these three fundamental issues at different
scales are compared to traditional types of planning. Outcomes predicted for
an example national scale landscape dynamics model are used to illustrate the
differences between three different multi-scale management scenarios.
Introduction: Integrating spatial technologies and ecological principles for a new age in fire management
Authors: Gollberg Greg E. , Neuenschwander Leon F. , Ryan Kevin C.
Published: September 2002

Guest Editors
Early post-fire succession in a Nothofagus glauca forest in the Coastal Cordillera of south-central Chile
Authors: Litton Creighton M. , Santelices Rómulo
Published: September 2002

The temperate deciduous species Nothofagus glauca (Phil.) Krasser exhibits characteristics commonly found in fire-adapted vegetation, yet the role of fire in the evolutionary history of the vegetation in south-central Chile has not been well investigated. We examined the effects of a wildfire on early succession in a Nothofagus glauca forest in the Coastal Cordillera of south-central Chile by comparing data from a burned forest to the vegetation in an adjacent, unburned stand.
Chino well fire: a hydrologic evaluation of rainfall and runoff from the Mud Canyon watershed
Authors: Nelson E. James , Miller A. Woodruff , Dixon Eric
Published: September 2002

Forest fires often alter the balance between rainfall and resulting runoff of
natural watersheds. This may result in flooding of the burned watershed at
points down-stream. Such was the case for the Mud Canyon water-shed on New
Mexico's Mescalero Apache Indian Reservation in 1996. While the summer
storms that followed the spring fire had a magnitude to be expected every five
years, the resulting flood flows were more on the order of a one hundred-year
event. This paper concludes that the loss of ground cover (particularly for
relatively steep watersheds) should be seriously considered when evaluating
the potential for flooding on a burned watershed. The methods used for
hydrologic analysis of Mud Canyon, as outlined in this paper, are applicable
for future analyses of burned watersheds to determine the extent to which loss
of ground cover contributes to increased flood flows.
Assessing the benefits of reducing fire risk in the Wildland-urban interface: a contingent valuation approach
Authors: Fried Jeremy S. , Winter Greg J. , Gilless J. Keith
Published: September 2002

Wildland-urban interface (WUI) residents in Michigan were interviewed using a
contingent valuation protocol to assess their willingness-to-pay (WTP) for
incremental reductions in the risk of losing their homes to wild-fire. WTP was
elicited using a probability model which segments the risk of structure loss
into “public” and “private” components.
Most respondents expressed positive WTP for publicly funded risk reduction
activities. These respondents were characterized by tolerance for property
taxes, perception of significant risk, high ranking of fire risk relative to
other hazards, and high objective estimates of existing risk, and their WTP
amounts were positively correlated with income and property value. Given that
97% of the respondents were insured against property loss, the large
number of positive WTP responses suggests that substantial non-market and
unreimbursed losses are experienced when structures are destroyed by
wildfires.
Reproduction in the northern bettong, Bettongia tropica Wakefield (Marsupialia: Potoroidae), in captivity, with age estimation and development of pouch young
Authors: Johnson Peter M. , Delean Steven
Published: September 2002

Reproduction in the northern bettong, Bettongia tropica,
was studied in captivity. B. tropica is capable of
breeding throughout the year, and mating behaviour is similar to that reported
for other Bettongia species. The length of the oestrous
cycle was 21–23 days, and the period of gestation was 20–23 days.
Birth was usually followed by an oestrus and mating, and a subsequent
lactation-controlled embryonic diapause. The interval between loss of pouch
young and birth was 19–20 days. Permanent emergence from the pouch
occurred at 102–112 days, and young at foot were weaned at 166–185
days of age. Linear mixed-effects models were used to describe polynomial
growth equations for age determination of pouch young using both head and pes
length. The relationship between error in age prediction and each body
measurement was also defined. Pes measurements provided the most accurate
estimates of the age of pouch young.
The diet of Antechinus agilis and A. swainsonii in unlogged and regenerating sites in Mumbulla State Forest, south-eastern New South Wales
Authors: Lunney Daniel , Matthews Alison , Grigg Jan
Published: September 2002

Analyses of the diets of Antechinus agilis and
A. swainsonii from Mumbulla State Forest examined
possible differences between species, sexes, logging treatment and aspect.
Taxa from 15 orders were identified in the diet, and were predominantly
terrestrial invertebrates. Overall, the dietary components were similar for
each species, but the frequencies taken showed some differences.
A. swainsonii ate more Diplopoda, Chilopoda and
Blattodea egg capsules, while A. agilis ate more weevils
(Coleoptera: Curculionidae). Male A. agilis ate more
coleopteran larvae, while females ate more Araneae. This difference in Araneae
in the diet between sexes of A. agilis was significant
in logged forest but not in unlogged forest. Female
A. swainsonii ate more Isoptera than did males. The
frequency of occurrence of lepidopteran larvae taken by
A. agilis differed across the three age-classes of
forest, with more taken in 26–34-year-old regrowth forest and none in
unlogged forest. Vertebrate remains – small skinks
(Lampropholis spp.) and feathertail glider
(Acrobates pygmaeus) – were found only in
A. agilis; these occurred infrequently in the diet.
These interspecific differences, sex differences and, most importantly,
differences between age classes of forest warrant further investigation,
particularly those relating to foraging patterns and prey availability.
Eradication of rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) by poisoning on three islands of the subantarctic Kerguelen Archipelago
Authors: Chapuis J.-L. , Le Roux V. , Asseline J. , Lefèvre L. , Kerleau F.
Published: September 2002

In order to rehabilitate islands of the Kerguelen Archipelago degraded by the
rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus), a program of eradication
by poisoning was implemented from 1992 onwards on three islands: Verte Island
(148 ha), Guillou Island (145 ha) and Cochons Island (165 ha). The poison used
was a first-generation anticoagulant, chlorophacinone (0.05 g kg –1 ) on
wheat bait treated to prevent germination. Bait was applied during the winter
(July) in 1992 on Verte Island, in 1994 on Guillou Island and in 1997 on
Cochons Island. Before poisoning, there were about 1250–1300 rabbits on
Verte and Guillou Islands (9 rabbits per hectare) and 2600 rabbits on Cochons
Island (16 rabbits per hectare). In total, about 1200, 1300 and 1600 kg of
bait were distributed respectively on each island. Fifteen days after
poisoning commenced 90% of the rabbits had died on Verte and Guillou
Islands and 80% on Cochons Island. Two months later, only a small
number of individuals survived; these were eliminated by shooting or
poisoning, except on Cochons Island where a second bait application was
necessary in the winter of 1999. No rabbits or tracks have been observed since
1994 on Verte Island, and since 1996 on Guillou Island, and the elimination of
the last individuals is under way on Cochons Island. Inadvertent poisoning of
non-target species by primary poisoning mainly involved two species of native
birds (Larus dominicanus,
Anas eatoni) and the mouse
(Mus musculus) on Guillou and Cochons Islands. The cat
(Feliss catus) on Guillou Island was the only species
killed by secondary poisoning. The results are compared with other
rabbit-eradication operations using a second-generation anticoagulant.
Home-range use by the brush-tailed phascogale (Phascogale tapoatafa) (Marsupialia) in high-quality, spatially limited habitat
Authors: van der Ree Rodney , Soderquist Todd R. , Bennett Andrew F.
Published: September 2002

Nine phascogales (7 females, 2 males) were radio-tracked between March and
July 1999 to investigate the spatial organisation of this species in spatially
limited habitat near Euroa, Victoria. In this area, approximately 3.6%
of the original woodland vegetation remains after 150 years of agricultural
clearing. Most wooded habitat is confined to narrow linear strips along roads
and streams. However, these remnants are on fertile soils and, because they
have not experienced intensive harvesting, the density of large old trees is
over 10 times that found in nearby State Forests and Parks. Female phascogales
were monitored for 13–38 days over periods of 5–15 weeks. The size
of home ranges of females was 2.3–8.0 ha, and averaged 5.0 ha. This
value is one-eighth the mean home-range size previously recorded for the
species in contiguous forest in Victoria. All individuals used multiple nest
trees, with nests generally located in trees >80 cm diameter at breast
height. Although fragmented and spatially limited, the stands of large old
trees on productive soils near Euroa provide a network of well connected,
high-quality habitat for phascogales. The relatively dense population of
phascogales in these remnants suggests that prior to agricultural clearing and
timber harvesting, phascogales may have been much more common in Victoria than
at present.
Stability of nest range, home range and movement of the northern bettong (Bettongia tropica) following moderate-intensity fire in a tropical woodland, north-eastern Queensland
Authors: Vernes Karl , Pope Lisa Claire
Published: September 2002

Nest use, home-range characteristics and nightly movements by the northern
bettong (Bettongia tropica) were examined before and
after a low- to moderate-intensity fire in sclerophyll woodland in
north-eastern Australia using radio-telemetry. In all, 23 animals were
radio-tracked at three-month intervals between February 1995 and May 1996.
During November 1995 a low-intensity experimental fire burned the entire home
range of most animals. The northern bettong appeared fairly catholic in choice
of nest site, with a variety of nest locations and nesting materials used.
Prior to the fire, nests were generally located in areas of dense cover, such
as the skirts of grass trees (46%) or grass close to a log
(29%). After fire removed most ground cover in the nesting areas of
most animals, bettongs used remaining shelter such as boulder piles
(45%), recently fallen trees (8%) and patches of unburnt
vegetation (21%). Nest areas (10.1 ha) of males were significantly
larger than those of females (5.4 ha). Home ranges of both sexes were large
(59 ha) and most ranges lacked distinct core areas, suggesting that bettongs
used all parts of their home ranges equally. High mean rates of nightly
movement by the northern bettong indicated that large distances were moved
within home ranges during nightly foraging. No significant fire-related
changes were detected in home-range size, home-range location, nest-area
location or mean rates of nightly movement, suggesting that the northern
bettong is well adapted to the low- and medium-intensity fires that
characterise its habitat.
The diet of the common blossom bat (Syconycteris australis) in upland tropical rainforest and the importance of riparian areas
Authors: Law Bradley S.
Published: September 2002

The diet of the common blossom bat
(Syconycteris australis) was investigated in upland
rainforest on the Atherton Tablelands. Faeces or fur pollen samples from 62
S. australis and feeding observations on 5 captive and
10 radio-tagged bats were collected.
Syconycteris australis fed on blossoms from at least 18
plant species found in rainforests (plus unidentified species of
Loranthaceae), 2 species from non-rainforest communities and from flowers of
the cultivated banana (Musa sp.) grown on farms.
Rainforest plants included 13 species of trees, 1 shrub and 4 climbers.
Myrtaceae was the most important family contributing to the diet of
S. australis, particularly the genus
Syzygium. The chiropterophilus flower syndrome was only
partly useful as a predictor of the diet of S. australis
in these forests. Fruit was also eaten, being most common in the diet from
late summer to autumn (wet season). Twelve months of mist-netting in riparian
and non-riparian rainforest found higher capture rates in riparian rainforest
in spring and summer, but not during autumn or winter. It is suggested that
the availability of food species (both blossom and fruit) is high in riparian
rainforest during spring and summer when S. australis is
most frequently caught in this habitat. Efforts to rehabilitate rainforest
along degraded creeks should offer a significant conservation benefit to this
small pollinator.
Longevity of zinc phosphide on wheat bait in tropical Australia
Authors: Twigg Laurie E. , Martin Gary R. , Wilson Noel , Goddard Derek , Watkins Richard , Armstrong Peter J.
Published: September 2002

The longevity of zinc phosphide (ZP) on whole wheat bait (2.5% A.I.)
was determined at the end of the ‘dry’ and ‘wet’
seasons at Kununurra, Western Australia, the time when rats can damage
agricultural crops. While the total rainfall during the two trials was 74 mm
and 155 mm, substantial loss of ZP was recorded only after significant
rainfall events. Irrespective of season, the loss of ZP from bait applied in
bait stations was minimal. The maximum recorded loss was 17%, and this
occurred after 21 days’ exposure during the wet season where the bait
stations were placed in-crop. Bait stations on the adjacent
‘hilled’ fallow recorded only an 8% loss of A.I. during the
same period. However, the loss of ZP from exposed, simulated broadcast bait
was much greater: 43% and 91% of ZP was lost from the wheat bait
within 21 days during the ‘dry’ and ‘wet’ seasons,
respectively. Nevertheless, regardless of the application method, sufficient
ZP always remained on the wheat bait for it to be theoretically lethal to rats
for at least 8–14 days. The potential of ZP bait for controlling rodent
pests in tropical environments, and possible associated ‘problems’
of such an approach, are discussed.
A comparison of techniques used to estimate body condition of southern elephant seals (Mirounga leonina)
Authors: Tierney Megan , Hindell Mark , Lea Mary-Anne , Tollit Dominic
Published: September 2002

The total body water (TBW) and body condition of 86 female southern elephant
seals was estimated from tritiated water (HTO) dilution space analysis. HTO
blood samples were analysed using two distillation methods (direct serum
counts and evaporative freeze capture) that yielded significantly different
estimates. Evaporative freeze capture is recommended for use because it is
faster, cheaper, and provides a more precise TBW estimate of dilution space.
Estimates of TBW were then compared with those derived from bioelectrical
impedance analysis (BIA) and morphometric models. There were significant,
positive relationships between TBW and BIA variables, but the level of
accuracy was inadequate for BIA to be more useful than the other methods
trialled. Morphometric models accurately estimated TBW (kg). Models developed
from surface area (SA) (TBW = [SA * 82.58] – 86.94)
and from a combination of mass (M), length (L), and girth (G) (TBW =
[(M * 0.72) + (L * 5.49) + (G
* 134.94) + 164.36)] provided the most accurate TBW estimates.
In contrast, condition indices did not give accurate or reliable estimates of
relative body condition.
An evaluation of two indices of red fox (Vulpes vulpes) abundance in an arid environment
Authors: Sharp Andy , Norton Melinda , Marks Adam , Holmes Kerry
Published: September 2002

The suitability of spotlight counts to index red fox abundance was assessed in
an arid environment through a comparison with a scat deposition index (active
attractant). In most cases there was a high degree of correlation between the
two indices, suggesting that the spotlight counts were accurately documenting
fluctuations in population size. However, the precision of the spotlight index
was often low (c.v. = 0.07–0.46), suggesting that the technique
may not allow the statistical detection of small changes in abundance. During
periods when there was an influx of new individuals into the population, the
seasonal scat index displayed a three-month time lag in documenting abundance
while foxes accustomed themselves to the presence of the regular food supply.
The level of precision of the scat index was also found to be relatively low
(c.v. = 0.21–0.48). Nevertheless, further refinements of this
technique may produce a suitable measure of fox abundance.
Monitoring Crocodylus porosus populations in the Northern Territory of Australia: a retrospective power analysis
Authors: Stirrat S. C. , Lawson D. , Freeland W. J. , Morton R.
Published: September 2002

In the Northern Territory of Australia, populations of the estuarine crocodile
(Crocodylus porosus) have been subject to an annual egg
harvest since the early 1980s. Since 1997, adult and juvenile crocodiles have
also been harvested in some catchments. Annual surveys of crocodile
populations are conducted in order to ensure that the harvest is sustainable.
Boat surveys commenced in 1975 and helicopter surveys commenced in 1989.
Retrospective power analysis was used to determine whether the sampling
program meets the objectives of the Crocodile Management Program for the
Northern Territory. Data collected during boat surveys vary in quality between
river systems. The analysis of pooled data from 7 river systems with a
residual standard deviation of 0.11 indicates that the power of the current
spotlight survey method to detect a decline of 10% per annum in around
4 years is about 0.9. In this time the population would decline by around
33% and would fully recover in 8 years following the removal of the
factor causing the decline. This allows detection of a decline within
one-third, and recovery within two-thirds, of the estimated generation time of
the saltwater crocodile and will allow management actions to be implemented
before the impacts on populations are serious. The data from helicopter and
boat surveys from a 10-year period were compared. Helicopter surveys did not
provide useful management information.
Improving management strategies for the red fox by using projection matrix analysis
Authors: McLeod S. R. , Saunders G. R.
Published: September 2002

The absolute and relative contribution to the finite rate of increase of
specific age classes was examined using projection matrix sensitivity and
elasticity analysis for a number of red fox
(Vulpes vulpes) populations. The fox populations that
were examined included urban foxes from England, rural foxes from North
America and rural foxes from Australia. The youngest age classes made the
greatest contribution to the finite rate of increase for all populations
studied. A pest management strategy that reduces survivorship and fertility of
juvenile and young adult foxes (Age Classes 1 and 2) will be the most
effective strategy for reducing a population’s finite rate of increase.
The results indicate that fertility control may be as effective as lethal
methods for controlling some fox populations.
Mycophagy by the swamp wallaby (Wallabia bicolor)
Authors: Claridge A. W. , Trappe J. M. , Claridge D. L.
Published: September 2002

Microscopic analysis of the scats of swamp wallabies
(Wallabia bicolor), collected from a variety of forested
sites in south-eastern mainland Australia, indicates that the species consumes
a diversity of species of hypogeous (underground-fruiting) fungi. The
mycophagous (fungus-feeding) dietary behaviour seemingly extends to habitats
recently burned by fire, implying that W. bicolor may be
critical in dispersing fungal spores and perhaps in re-establishing
mycorrhizal associations of these fungi with forest trees and shrubs. Such an
interrelationship has been previously demonstrated only for more heavily
mycophagous species of ground-dwelling mammal.
Climatic modelling of the Australian distribution of the grass owl (Tyto capensis): is there an inland population?
Authors: Olsen P. D. , Doran B.
Published: September 2002

The Australian distribution of the grass owl (Tyto capensis) is poorly understood. It has been proposed that there are two centres of distribution: a resident coastal population in the north-east, and a less stable inland population from which there is Australia-wide dispersal when good seasons are followed by deteriorating conditions. We analysed records of the grass owl and modelled its bioclimatic profile and distribution, which was typically subtropical, warm to hot humid with no dry season or a dry winter. This predicted a north-east sub-coastal to coastal, permanently occupied, core distribution for the owl. We found no evidence for a permanent or isolated inland population, nor for inland populations being the sole source of dispersers, as has been suggested previously. Most inland and northern records were made in the 1970s when grass owls colonised the arid inland, the Kimberley and the far north of the country in association with events leading to the flooding of Lake Eyre. The data suggest that grass owls disperse from their core range after exceptionally good breeding seasons to areas made temporarily favourable by exceptional rainfall or flooding, only to disperse again when conditions become drier. These dispersal events are not tied uniquely to outbreaks of the long-haired rat (Rattus villosissimus), but to a variety of terrestrial prey with dynamic life histories driven by rainfall.
Use of bioclimatic analysis to direct survey effort for the long-footed potoroo (Potorous longipes), a rare forest-dwelling rat-kangaroo
Authors: Claridge A. W.
Published: September 2002

The long-footed potoroo (Potorous longipes) is one of the rarest and most elusive forest-dwelling mammals in Australia. Survey effort for the species over the past decade or so in south-eastern New South Wales has been driven, primarily, by predictions derived from climatic analyses using BIOCLIM. These predictions were based on known locality records of the long-footed potoroo from adjacent East Gippsland, Victoria. While they have proven useful in confirming the occurrence of the species in New South Wales, recent fortuitous records of the species from north-eastern Victoria fall well outside of the range predicted earlier by BIOCLIM. Using these new records a revised predicted range is calculated, enlarging considerably the potential geographic extent of climatically suitable habitat for the species. The results presented here highlight the limitations of BIOCLIM when given locality records of a species from only a portion of its true geographic range. I argue that less emphasis might be based on this approach to direct survey effort for the species in the future. Instead, a range of other environmental variables might be used in combination with BIOCLIM-derived outputs when selecting survey sites. In this way a more representative picture of the distribution of the species may be obtained.
Does adjacent land use affect predation of artificial shrub-nests near eucalypt forest edges?
Authors: Piper S. , Catterall C. P. , Olsen M. F.
Published: September 2002

Edge-related increases in nest-predation levels were tested using artificial nests placed within eucalypt forest remnants at distances of 0, 60, and 235 m from edges adjacent to areas of urban, pasture, and Pinus plantation. There were eight replicate sites of each edge type, scattered widely across a 30 000-km2 study region. Open-cup nests containing one quail egg and two plasticine eggs were placed in shrubs and exposed for 6 days. When predation of the quail egg was used to calculate predation levels, predation varied significantly with edge type but not distance to the edge, due to relatively low levels within sites bordering Pinus plantations. When predation of any egg was used to calculate predation levels, predation was not significantly affected by edge type or distance to the edge. Predation levels within eight independent forest interior transects distributed across the study region, and located 500-800 m from the nearest edge, were similar to those within transects 0 m from edges. Birds were the most important class of predator within all combinations of site type and distance to edge, and accounted for 92% of identified predation overall. These results do not support the existence of edge-related increases in predation of shrub nests within subtropical eucalypt forests.
Multiscale patterns of habitat use by the Carpentarian rock-rat (Zyzomys palatalis) and the common rock-rat (Z. argurus)
Authors: Trainor Colin , Fisher Alaric , Woinarski John , Churchill Sue
Published: September 2002

This study examined the habitat requirements
of the rare Carpentarian rock-rat (Z. palatalis) and
those of the sympatric common rock-rat (Z. argurus). The
environmental attributes of 15 study sites, 175 0.1-ha survey quadrats (within
21 sites) and 400 trap cells were summarised by classification and ordination
analyses. Whereas Z. argurus was common and widespread
throughout much of the environmental variation of sites, quadrats and trap
cells, Z. palatalis was recorded from only 4 of 21 sites
and 22 of the 175 quadrats. At the three scales examined,
Z. palatalis responded strongly to a rockiness gradient,
being restricted to the largest, most rugged gorge refuges, and locally was
associated with scree piles and rocky slopes vegetated with dry monsoon
rainforest and broadleaf woodlands. The richness of all plant species,
rainforest plant species, plants bearing dietary items for
Zyzomys spp., and shelter were shown to decline with
decreasing rockiness and increasing disturbance by fire and cattle. The
limited extent of suitable habitat at each of the four known
Z. palatalis sites (c. <400 ha
each), which is at continual threat from unmanaged fire, in particular, and
grazing, will continue to place populations of
Z. palatalis at risk of extinction.
Changes in the abundance of New Zealand fur seals, Arctocephalus forsteri, in Western Australia
Authors: Gales N. J. , Haberley B. , Collins P.
Published: September 2002

New Zealand fur seals,
Arctocephalus forsteri, have been increasing in
abundance in South Australia for at least the past three decades. A survey of
New Zealand fur seals during the 1989/90 breeding season determined that
about 20% of the Australian population bred at 16 sites in Western
Australia, amounting to 1429 pups and an absolute abundance estimate of 7100
fur seals. A further survey of all fur seal colonies in Western Australia to
determine current pup production and abundance estimates, and trends in pup
production since the previous survey was undertaken in January 1999.
Of the 17 breeding sites now known in Western Australia, 16 were surveyed and
pup production had increased at all but one. The rate of change in pup
production at the one unsurveyed site (West Island), was estimated as being
equivalent to the mean rate of change at other sites. The estimated mean
annual, exponential rate of increase (r) for all sites
was 0.09, equivalent to a 9.8% annual increase in pup production and an
overall increase in pup production in Western Australia of 113.3%
between surveys. Total annual pup production has increased to 3090. The
estimate of absolute abundance of New Zealand fur seals in Western Australia
is now 15 100, in contrast to the 7100 estimated for the 1989/90 season.
Mortality of pups at the time of the survey was estimated to be at least
1.3%.
It is predicted that New Zealand fur seal populations will continue to
increase in Western Australia. This is likely to have important management
implications regarding aquaculture and fisheries activities. The increase in
fur seal populations appears to be in contrast to populations of Australian
sea lions, Neophoca cinerea, for which preliminary data
show no evidence for a population increase. It is unknown whether the dynamics
affecting these two species are related.
The effect of familiarity and mound condition in translocations of the western pebble-mound mouse, Pseudomys chapmani, in the Pilbara region of Western Australia
Authors: Anstee Stuart , Armstrong Kyle
Published: September 2002

Translocations play an important role in the conservation of endangered
species, and successful translocations are dependent on research into their
response to such manipulations. The development of Hamersley Iron’s
Yandi Iron Ore Project in the Pilbara region of Western Australia provided a
unique opportunity to study the response of the western pebble-mound mouse,
Pseudomys chapmani, to translocation. The translocation
tested the effect of levels of individual familiarity within translocation
groups on translocation success. A key part of the translocation involved the
use of competent burrow systems in empty mounds. Success was measured by
comparing the long-term survival, reproductive activity and site fidelity
between treatments. Of 101 mice translocated, 65% were recaptured at
least once post-release. Both the translocated and resident non-translocated
groups had experienced a significant loss of individuals after 35 days;
however, estimates of rates of survival after 176 days had increased to levels
equivalent to those immediately following release. Eight mice were recaptured
at, or close to, their points of release 6 months post-release. Reproductive
activity was recorded in 13 of the 29 (44%) translocated females
recaptured post-release, which was equivalent to that observed in
non-translocated mice. Familiarity within translocation groups did not appear
to affect translocation success as all treatments had similar rates of
survival. This study demonstrated that successful translocations of
P. chapmani are possible given a competent burrow
system.
Vegetation of the Yellingbo Nature Conservation Reserve and its relationship to the distribution of the helmeted honeyeater, bell miner and white-eared honeyeater
Authors: Pearce Jennie , Minchin Peter R.
Published: September 2002

The structural characteristics of the habitat of the helmeted honeyeater,
Lichenostomus melanops cassidix, the bell miner,
Manorina melanophrys, and the white-eared honeyeater,
Lichenostomus leucotis, within the Yellingbo Nature
Conservation Reserve have been described elsewhere. The present study aimed to
describe the floristic characteristics of the reserve, and explore the
relationship between the floristic composition of the vegetation and the
presence of each of the three honeyeater species. Six vegetation groups were
described and mapped for the reserve. The bell miner and white-eared
honeyeater were found to occupy all vegetation groups in proportion to their
availability. The helmeted honeyeater was strongly associated with only one of
the vegetation groups: E. camphora open forest. The
helmeted honeyeater therefore appears to be the most floristically restricted
of the three honeyeater species, and this dependence may lead to greater
levels of competition for habitat with the more generalist bell miner and
white-eared honeyeater.
Anatomy and physiology of the gastrointestinal tract of the Julia Creek dunnart, Sminthopsis douglasi (Marsupialia : Dasyuridae)
Authors: Hume I. D. , Smith C. , Woolley P. A.
Published: September 2002

The gastrointestinal tract of the endangered Julia Creek dunnart
(Sminthopsis douglasi), the largest member of the genus
Sminthopsis, consists of a simple, unilocular stomach
and an intestine of relatively uniform calibre throughout. There is no hindgut
caecum, in common with other Australian carnivorous marsupials.
Brunner’s glands form a collar at the proximal end of the duodenum; they
consist of simple uncoiled tubes at Day 45 of pouch life but are well
differentiated at Day 60, before the young take their first solid food at Day
65–70. Rate of passage of digesta was measured in nine adult Julia Creek
dunnarts on diets of minced meat with either mealworm larvae or adult crickets
added, using pulse doses of the solute marker Co–EDTA and large
(0.5–1.0 mm) particles of plant cell walls mordanted with Cr. Transit
time (time of first appearance in the faeces) of both markers (P < 0.001)
and mean retention time (the average time markers are retained in the tract)
of the solute marker (P < 0.05) were shorter on the diet containing
mealworms than the cricket diet. These results suggest that emptying of the
stomach (the main site of digesta retention in carnivores) was delayed on the
cricket diet, possibly because of longer digestion times as a result of a
tougher exoskeleton. Comparison with other data suggests that total tract
passage times increase among dasyurids as body size increases.
Structure of the female reproductive tract of an adult parous Tasmanian tiger, Thylacinus cynocephalus
Authors: Hughes R. Leon
Published: September 2002

The present observations on the now-extinct Thylacinus
are based on the reproductive system of an adult thylacine discovered among
the specimens of the Hill collection at the Hubrecht Laboratory in the
Netherlands. As in other marsupials, the reproductive tract was characterised
by the presence of a uterus duplex and a vaginal complex where the ureters
passed dorsally over each lateral vaginal canal to enter the bladder. The
lateral vaginal canals each entered a urogenital sinus that terminated in a
shallow cloaca. The gross dimensions of the reproductive tract of the
thylacine were greater than those of any extant dasyurid marsupial. The
distance from the rostral pole of the ovaries to the most caudal extremity of
the urogenital sinus measured 25 cm. The distinctive aspects of the
reproductive tract included a disproportionate enlargement of the corpus uteri
that is without parallel in any other marsupial species. The bodies of the
right and left uteri measured 10.4 cm 1.2 cm 0.9 cm and 9.1 cm 0.8 cm 0.7 cm
respectively. The rostro-caudal length of the right and left cervices measured
2.7 cm and 1.7 cm respectively. The cervical canals entered the vaginal
complex by way of a thick median vaginal septum. The elongated caudal
component of the vaginal culs-de-sac lacked a median vaginal septum. As in
other dasyurid marsupials, the lateral vaginae and associated vaginal complex
were of diminutive proportions in relation to the typical marsupial pattern.
The histology of the tract was remarkably good for tissue preserved since 1902
and indicated that the tissues were free of pathological changes.
A characteristic marsupial pattern of ovarian folliculogenesis was evident
where all but a thin peripheral zone of the cytoplasm of the primary oocyte
became vacuolated during the pre-antral stage of ovarian follicle development.
Reproduction and demography of the northern quoll, Dasyurus hallucatus, in the lowland savanna of northern Australia
Authors: Oakwood Meri
Published: September 2002

Reproduction and demography of the northern quoll,
Dasyurus hallucatus, was assessed using live-trapping
and radio-tracking at a lowland savanna site in Kakadu National Park between
1992 and 1995. Northern quolls were found to exhibit a highly synchronous
breeding cycle with mating occurring late May/early June. The greatest
peak in apparent male abundance was during the mating season, but this was
probably due to their increased mobility at this time. Males demonstrated
complete post-mating mortality, with most males dying within two weeks of
mating. Young were born in mid to late June with the mean initial litter size
for 8-teated females being 7.3. First-year mothers were more likely to have
predominantly male litters, whereas second-year mothers had more females. The
survival rate of pouch young was high but, once young were left in the den,
survival was poor. Peaks in abundance for both sexes occurred when the
juveniles first entered the trappable population in November each year.
Mortality of females was high, with only 27% of females surviving to
wean a second litter, and none bore a third. The most common proximate cause
of adult mortality was predation. Increased predation pressure on adults, in
particular due to a reduction in shelter and ground cover from too-frequent
fire may make northern quolls vulnerable to local extinction in lowland
savanna.
The distribution of failed eggs and the appearance of fungi in artificial nests of green (Chelonia mydas) and loggerhead (Caretta caretta) sea turtles
Authors: Phillott Andrea D. , Parmenter C. John
Published: September 2002

Fungi are often found on the exterior of unhatched eggs in sea turtle nests in
eastern Australia. Artificial incubation of green
(Chelonia mydas) and loggerhead
(Caretta caretta) turtle eggs allowed the radiation of
fungi to be monitored. Fortuitous egg mortality provided a nutrient source for
common soil mycobiota (Fusarium solani and
Pseudallescheria boydii) and served as a focus for the
progressive spread of fungal hyphae to adjacent viable eggs. In extreme cases
the entire egg mass was enveloped and resulted in nil hatch success.
Cellular composition of the late milk of the koala (Phascolarctos cinereus)
Authors: Young L. J. , Deane E. M.
Published: September 2002

The changes in cellular composition of the milk of the koala
(Phascolarctos cinereus) have been investigated in late
lactation and after the loss of pouch and back young. During lactation, the
polymorphonuclear neutrophil was the most frequently observed cell. After loss
or removal of the young, macrophages and foamy epithelial cells were detected
in moderate to high numbers. In one animal, mammary secretions containing
lymphocytes and unidentifiable, immature mononuclear cells continued for 120
days after the loss of pouch young. These observations of cellular composition
of late- and post-lactation secretions are consistent with reports from a
number of eutherian mammals and also with another marsupial, the tammar
wallaby (Macropus eugenii).
The effect of predator-prey distance and prey profitability on the attack behaviour of the orb-web spider Argiope keyserlingi (Araneidae)
Authors: Champion de Crespigny F. E. , Herberstein M. E. , Elgar M. A.
Published: September 2002

The foraging behaviour of central-place foragers is thought to be strongly
influenced by the distance between the forager and the food source
(predator–prey distance). Orb-web spiders are uniquely suited for
investigating this idea because they make active foraging decisions towards
prey entangled in the web, and they define the dimensions of their foraging
arena when they construct the web. Here we manipulate the physiological
condition of Argiope keyserlingi and present the spiders
with prey of varying quality, in terms of size and accessibility (location
within the web and distance from the spider). We found that these spiders
adjust their foraging behaviour primarily in response to their physiological
condition but, in contrast to other central-place foragers, are indiscriminant
of predator–prey distance or the likelihood of escape of the prey. We
suggest that these factors are incorporated into the design of the web, and
thus increase foraging success through efficient web design.
Seasonal and daily activity patterns of subterranean, wood-eating termite foragers
Authors: Evans Theodore A. , Gleeson Patrick V.
Published: September 2002

Daily and seasonal changes in foraging activity of subterranean wood-feeding
termites are not well known, but their subterranean habit is widely assumed to
reduce the effect of the weather on their behaviour. The number of foraging
Coptotermes lacteus in artificial feeding stations was
examined over 24-h periods during summer and winter in temperate Australia. In
summer, termites foraged disparately, with greater numbers found distant from
the mounds, whereas in winter termites were clustered in very high numbers
near the mounds. Daily patterns were seen in forager numbers: during summer,
peaks occurred in late morning and late afternoon and troughs at dawn and
noon, whereas in winter a peak occurred at noon and a trough at dawn. These
patterns were associated with air and soil temperatures, which indicated that
daily and seasonal weather patterns do influence subterranean wood-feeding
termites. The foraging pattern is discussed with respect to predator behaviour
and how the pattern might be used to infer positioning of cryptic nesting
termite species.
Accessibility as a factor influencing frugivory by silvereyes (Zosterops lateralis): field comparisons with aviary experiments
Authors: Stanley Margaret C. , Lill Alan
Published: September 2002

The influence of accessibility on the fruit preferences of frugivorous
silvereyes (Zosterops lateralis) was examined in three
different contexts: for captive individuals, in a captive group and in a field
situation. Individual silvereyes in small cages were presented with identical
artificial fruit that differed only in their accessibility from a perch. The
birds removed fruit that could be obtained by ‘picking’ rather
than by ‘reaching up’ and avoided ‘hanging’ to remove
fruit. A second experiment tested the response of silvereyes to fruit
accessibility in a large aviary where birds fed in a group. The artificial
fruit were presented at a larger and more natural scale on artificial trees.
In this experiment, silvereyes again avoided ‘hanging’ to obtain
fruit; however, these birds showed no preference for ‘picking’
over ‘reaching up’. Foraging observations of silvereyes were
recorded for three different plant species in the field. Silvereyes generally
avoided ‘hanging’ to remove fruit, although the foraging method
used varied with the species of plant on which the bird was foraging. The
foraging method used by avian frugivores to remove fruit is likely to be
influenced by plant morphology, as well as the morphology of the bird. The
strong preference shown by silvereyes for fruit that are more accessible
suggests that when other fruit characteristics are equal, accessibility is
important in influencing fruit-removal patterns. However, this may be affected
by the context in which the fruit is presented. Properties of the fruiting
plant, such as the branching pattern, perch stability and position of the
fruit display, are likely to influence fruit preference. These aspects of
plant structure should be considered when assessing foraging behaviour and
resource use by frugivorous birds.