bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Body temperatures in some Australian mammals. 4. Dasyuridae.
Authors: Morrison PR
Published: June 2005

Body temperatures (TB) were measured in seven species of dasyurid marsupials
ranging in size from 11 to 6700 g; these were: Sminthopsis laripinta, Sminthopsis
crassicaudata, Antechinus flavipes, Dasycercus cristicauda, Phascogale tapoatafa,
Satanellus hallucatus, and Sarcophilus harrisii. Daily TB cycles showed amplitudes from
0.8 to almost 4 degC. Mean TB during the active period ranged from 37.4 to 38.8�C,
and in the quiet period from 34.0 to 37.0�C. Minimum TB in some individuals
approached ambient temperature (TA) to represent daily aestivation. Low TA (5-10�C)
did not reduce the TB but at a high TA (40�C), elevation of TB to 39-39.5�C was
observed. The TB was strongly dependent on the state of the animal with increments of
3-4 degC seen between sleep and maximum activity; and rates of increases as high as
0.5 degC per min. The physiological responses of this closely related group were very
uniform. This marsupial family does not appear inferior to higher mammals in any
aspect of thermoregulation although the responses are more diverse than in nonhibernating
placental mammals.
The female urogential system and reproduction of the marsupial Lagostrophus fasciatus.
Authors: Tyndale-Biscoe CH
Published: June 2005

The female urogenital system is described. It is similar to that in Potorinae (rat
kangaroos) and differs from that of Macropodinae in possessing a large anterior vaginal
expansion, in having the bladder attached anteriorly, and in lacking a permanently open
pseudovaginal canal. The significance of this is discussed in relation to its taxonomic
position in the Macropodinae and to the validity of urogenital criteria for the classification
of macropod marsupials.
Lagostrophus is polyoestrous and usually monovular. Post-partum oestrus occurs
but is not invariable; it may result in a fertilized egg whose development is delayed
during lactation. The sequence of events in the ovary, uterus, and vagina during
reproduction are similar to those in other macropod marsupials previously described.
There is some evidence for a peak of breeding in the first half of the year.
Reproduction in natural populations of the Australian ringtail possum, Pseudocheirus peregrinus (Marsupialia: Phalangeridae) in Victora.
Authors: Hughes RL , Thomson JA , Owen WH
Published: June 2005

Reproductive data from 83 female and 34 male ringtail possums, living in natural
populations, have been accumulated over a 3-yr period (March 1960-May 1963).
Reproductive tracts from 75 females killed during this period have been examined.
Pseudocheirus is polyoestrous and breeds between the latter half of April and the
end of November. The whole female reproductive tract and, in the male, the testes then
undergo involution until the next breeding season. The majority of conceptions occur
early in the breeding season when one to three eggs are shed and fertilized at one time.
Supra-ovulation was not observed and the reproductive wastage was very low during
pouch life. The mean litter size was two. It is exceptional for females to conceive a second
time in one breeding season. Of the four teats, the posterior pair were selected by 85 % of
the new-born young. The frequency of lactation in each posterior teat was approximately
equal in 58 females.
In advanced pregnancy (foetal head length, 6.5 mm) the subepithelial blood net
of the uterine mucosa was more highly developed adjacent to a dorsal and ventral area
of the vascular portion of the foetal yolksac. In these regions dense foetal blood vessel
nets were formed by intense localized branching of the foetal vitelline veins on the
yolksac. The foetal membrane, the allantois, was surprisingly large (8 mm diam.), and
although not attached to the chorion possessed a conspicuous blood net in its base.
An account of the histology of the ovary and reproductive tract includes the
following reproductive conditions : juvenile, oestrus, early and late pregnancy, lactation,
and anoestrus.
Reproduction in Pseudocheirus is briefly compared to that of other marsupial
species.
Studies on the ectoparasites of seals and penguins. 1. The ecology of the louse Lepidophthirus macrorhini Enderlein on the southern elephant seal, Mirounga leonina (L)
Authors: Murray MD , Nicholls DG
Published: June 2005

Although the southern elephant seals, Mirounga leonina, that breed on Macquarie I., come ashore for only 3-5 weeks twice a year, the hind flippers of most of them are infested with the blood-sucking louse Lepidophthirus macrorhini.
L. macrorhini does not oviposit, and eggs do not hatch, in water. Reproduction occurs when the elephant seal is ashore on the beach or in the adjacent tussock. The life cycle can be completed in c. 3 weeks and, because 6-9 eggs are laid daily, multiplication can be rapid. Temperatures greater than 25�C are required for rapid multiplication, and these temperatures occur more frequently on the hind flippers than elsewhere on the body. The number of L. macrorhini on a hind flipper however rarely exceeds 100. The principal causes of mortality of the lice are failure to survive the seal's prolonged stay at sea, the moult of the seal, and transmission to unfavourable sites on the seal.
When an elephant seal goes to sea its skin temperature falls to nearly that of the sea. The reduction in the metabolic rate of the louse at low temperatures results in the amount of oxygen obtained from the sea by cutaneous respiration being sufficient for survival. The lice do not enter into a state of complete suspended animation, and a blood meal is required at least once a week to enable sufficient to survive to repopulate the seal.
The skin temperature of a seal at sea rises more frequently on the flippers than elsewhere on the body because of the increased rate of blood flow to the flippers after diving and whenever it is necessary to dissipate heat. Consequently, there are more opportunities for the lice on the hind flippers to feed. L. macrorhini burrows into the stratum corneum, thus reducing losses to the population when the elephant seal annually sheds the outer layers of the stratum corneum attached to the hair, because only the roof of the burrow is lost. Lice do not reproduce on the older seals that moult in muddy wallows, and consequently fewer lice are found on these animals.
Pups are infested within a few days of birth, and the gregarious habits of the elephant seal spread infestations through the seal population. Lice transfer to all parts of the bodies of seals but it is the multiplication of those on the flippers that maintains the louse population.
The abundance of L. macrorhini is determined largely by the frequency and duration of opportunities to reproduce when the elephant seal is ashore, and to feed when the elephant seal is at sea.
Some diapause characteristics and interfertility of three geographic populations of Teleogryllus commodus (Walk.) (Orthoptera: Gryllidae).
Authors: Hogan TW
Published: June 2005

Cultures of three geographic populations of Teleogryllus commodus (Walk.)
were established from crickets collected at the approximate latitudes of 19,27, and 37� S.
in eastern Australia. Eggs of the crickets from latitude 19�S showed no evidence of
diapause at any of the series of temperatures between 12 and 30�C. The other two
populations had the capacity to diapause at the egg stage; those from latitude 27� S.
showed a greater tendency for diapause to be averted at high temperatures. All three
populations interbred freely producing viable eggs. The non-diapausing characteristic
proved to be dominant over the diapausing.
When the two populations possessing diapause were crossed, the F1 generation
was fertile, but when either of the diapausing populations was crossed with the nondiapausing
population, then the F1 generation proved to be sterile.
The taxonomic status of the species of the genera Rhipicephalus Koch and Boophilus Curtice (Acarina: Ixodidae) occurring in Australia.
Authors: Roberts FHS
Published: June 2005

A taxonomic study has been made of the species of Rhipicephalus Koch and
Boophilus Curtice occurring in Australia. It was concluded that only one species of each
genus is present and determination of these as R. sanguineus (Latreille) and B. microplus
(Canestrini) respectively, was confirmed. A redescription is given of the male, female,
nymph, and larva of each species based on Australian material, the morphological
variations observed are noted, and the host range and geographical distribution are
discussed.
The potentialities of the fat-tailed marsupial mouse, Sminthopsis crassicaudata (Gould), as a laboratory animal.
Authors: Martin PG
Published: June 2005

The fat-tailed marsupial mouse, Sminthopsis crassicaudata (Gould), has been bred under laboratory conditions. Litters have been born in all seasons of the year. The litter size has been between six and eight and the generation time 6 months. A female has given birth to a second litter 4 months after the first.
Reproduction in natural populations of the red kangaroo, Megaleia rufa (Desmarest), in central Australia.
Authors: Newsome A. E.
Published: June 2005

Reproduction in the red kangaroo, Megaleia rufa (Desmarest), in the arid
environment of central Australia is highly opportunistic, and depends on the weather
through its control of the food supply for its success. This conclusion is based on the
study of 460 males and 1610 females between the years 1958 and 1962.
Males and females matured sexually at an average age of about 2.5 and 3 yr,
respectively. Drought significantly retarded sexual maturity in females by 6.24�
1.26 months.
All females bred when green herbage was abundant after good rains. However,
when food was scarce during drought, many females entered anoestrus, the proportion
doing so being a probit function of the severity of the drought (measured in
units of "drought index" explained in the text). Half of them became anoestrous after
3-5 months of drought in summer. Drought on the more scantily grassed of the two
areas studied (they were 15-20 miles apart) was 1.57 times more effective in inducing
anoestrus than on the other.
All pouch-young survived if good conditions held for about 8 months, but many
died during drought, the proportion doing so being a probit function of the increase in
severity of drought after they were born. Half of them perished after 1.5-2.5 months
of drought in summer. Only 28.7% of all joeys born survived life in the pouch because
of the prolonged dry weather. Pouch-young were significantly lighter, and joeys-at-heel
were 13.5 � 1.9 days older during drought than at other times. The birth of twin
joeys was associated with an abundance of food.
During severe drought, many females showed signs of having produced in quick
succession one or more joeys which did not live long. Many of these females were
anoestrous and suckling a small joey. Since most if not all females which became
anoestrous did so during late pregnancy without aborting and subsequently suckled their
pouch-young, it is suggested that the adaptive significance of delayed implantation is to
ensure that females which have lost a joey and which are about to become anoestrous
produce one more joey each. These joeys will be born well into any drought and therefore
will have to live for a shorter time than older joeys to survive the drought. The
advantage to the species can be gauged from the fact that 50 out of 145 females with
young surviving the drought were anoestrous. The ages of their joeys averaged 60.1 �
7.6 days.
The spiracular gill if the fly Orimargula astraliensis and its relation to those of other insects.
Authors: Hinton HE
Published: June 2005

The spiracular gills of the aquatic pupa of the fly Orimargula australiensis are
the chief respiratory organs of the pharate adult before it sheds the pupal cuticle.
Although the spiracular gills are pupal structures, they do not function in the pupal
stage because the pupal-adult moult occurs before the larval-pupal ecdysis. Each
of the two spiracular gills is five-branched, and a branch of the spiracular atrium is
contained within each gill branch. The surface of each gill supports about 700 plastron
lines, each of which opens into a cuticular tube or aeropyle that in turn opens into
the spiracular atrium.
At the pupal-adult moult the layer of epidermis that secreted the gill wall and
the layer that secreted the spiracular atrium are left behind in the gill lumen as the
body wall epidermis retracts from the pupal cuticle. At this moult a thin sheet of
cuticle, the basal membrane, is secreted across the opening into the gill lumen. The
blood and epidermis in the gill lumen are thus completely isolated from the living
animal by the basal membrane, a layer of moulting fluid, and the adult cuticle.
The blood and epidermis discarded and isolated in the lumen of the gill at the
pupal-adult moult are essential for the proper functioning of the gill during the pharate
adult stage. Absorption of water by the isolated tissue maintains the turgidity of
the gills. When the gills are fully stretched and there is no net transferance of water
into them, the osmotic pressure of the isolated tissue is 4.5-4.8 atmospheres. The
internal hydrostatic pressure or turgor pressure of the gill is thus equivalent to its
osmotic pressure less the osmotic pressure of the stream water, which is probably not
more than about 0.1 atmospheres. The isolated tissue is competent to repair breaks
in the gill wall with sclerotin during the life of the pharate adult. This competence is
retained even after the pupal cuticle is shed and the adult has flown away.
The structure and function of the spiracular gills of Orimargula are compared
with those of other Diptera. The selective value of the tissue isolated in the gills of
different species is very diverse, and in some groups the isolated tissue appears to have
no selective value. The significance of the reduction or total suppression of the nonpharate
pupal stage in the Diptera is discussed.
Australian blattidae (Blattodea). 1. General remarks, and revision of the genus Polyzosteria burmeister.
Authors: Mackerras MJ
Published: June 2005

The family Blattidae is well represented in Australia, numerous genera and
species having been recorded, nearly all belonging to the subfamily Polyzosteriinae.
Five introduced species occur, all belonging to the subfamily Blattinae.
Fifteen species of Polyzosteria are known, three being described as new,
namely P. flavomaculosa, sp. nov., P. fulgens, sp. nov., and P. pulchra, sp. nov. A
fourth new species is described, but not named owing to paucity of material.
Australian blattidae (Blattodea). 2. Revision of the genus Euzosteria Shelford.
Authors: Mackerras MJ
Published: June 2005

Ten species of Euzosteria are known, four of them being new, namely, E. elegans,
sp. nov., E. ferruginea, sp. nov., E. lata, sp. nov., and E. minor, sp, nov.
Australian blattidae (Blattodea). 3. Revision of the genera Zonioploca Stal and Eppertia Shaw
Authors: Mackerras MJ
Published: June 2005

Nine species of Zonioploca are known, three of them being new, namely
Z. fullerae, sp. nov., Z. occidentalis, sp, nov., and Z. tepperi, sp. nov.
Four species of Eppertia are known, one of them being new. It is not described
owing to lack of suitable material.
The bastocyst of the red kangaroo, Megaleia Rufa (Desm.), during diapause
Authors: Clark MJ
Published: June 2005

A method is presented for splitting open fixed blastocysts and mounting the entire vesicle on a flat surface. A description is given of the red kangaroo blastocyst during lactation-controlled embryonic diapause. The protoderm is unilaminar and contains about 85 cells. No mitotic figures are seen, and there is no growth or differentiation. The marsupial blastocyst is compared with blastocysts of eutherian mammals during diapause.
Behavioural cycles during Pseudopregnancy in confined populations of domestic rabbits and their relation to the histology of the female reproductive tract
Authors: Hughes RL , Myers K
Published: June 2005

Female domestic rabbits living with vasectomized males in large compounds (3/16 ac in area) exhibited periods of sexual attraction and mating, together with other behaviour such as aggression towards other females, digging, burrow interest, and nest building at intervals of about 6 days or multiples thereof.
The behavioural cycles occurred during pseudopregnancy (of about 18 days) and were not a manifestation of an underlying inherent sequential cycle or a typical mammalian oestrous cycle.
Behaviour with a strong sexual component culminating in mating and ovulation was observed at the beginning (or end) of each of 54 pseudopregnancies. Similar behaviour was also grouped about either the sixth or twelfth days of pseudopregnancy or both. This behaviour was extremely variable in both incidence and the number of components involved. Sexual components occurred less frequently and only once culminated in mating and ovulation.
The behaviour observed on the sixth and twelfth days of pseudopregnancy was not reflected in measures of physiological activity such as numbers of graafian follicles, diameter of graafian follicles or corpora lutea, or weight changes in ovaries or uteri. The histology of the ovaries, uterus, and vagina and dimensional changes such as ovarian and uterine weights, number and diameter of graafian follicles, and diameter of sets of corpora lutea showed no detectable difference from those reported by other workers during pseudopregnancy for caged female rabbits isolated from males.
The incidence of 6-day and 12-day behaviour was highest in the autumn-winter months when sub-optimal reproductiveconditions prevailed and lowest in spring-summer.
Some possible causal mechanisms and the adaptive significance of the sixth-day and twelfth-day periods of sexual behaviour are discussed.
Embyonic movement during development of the light brown apple moth
Authors: Reed EM , Day MF
Published: June 2005

A complete time-lapse cinematographic record of the embryonic development
of the tortricid moth Epiphyas postvittana has provided data on the movements of the
embryo. Exposures were made every 32 sec during the 6.5 days development at 28�C.
There are 11 contractions of the blastoderm indicative of synchrony in cell division.
Pulsations of the developing embryo which begin about the 49th hour of development
become progressively more rapid until the 74th hour when the caudal lobe begins its
movement over the ventral side of the embryo. During the 40 contractions involved
in this migration the embryo doubles in length. A prolonged period of quiescence lasting
14 hr precedes sudden filling of tracheae after which the developing embryo proceeds
to ingest the yolk remaining in the egg. Eclosion occurs at 160 hr. The film on
which these details are based is available and should be a useful aid in teaching
embryology.
On the pseudoscorpionidea of Australia
Authors: Beier M
Published: June 2005

The Australian pseudoscorpionid fauna, as now known, includes representatives
of 7 families and 24 genera, of which Austrohorus (Olpiidae, type species exsul mihi,
Western Australia) and Paraustrochernes (Chernetidae, type species victorianus mihi,
Victoria) are described as new. Tubbichthonius Hoff (Chthoniidae) is considered to be a
synonym of Pseudotyrannochthonius Beier.
Of the 53 Australian species, to which a key is given, 12 are described as new,
namely-Chthoniidae : Sathrochthonius crassidens, Tyrannochthonius (Tyrannochthonius)
laevis, T. (Lagynochthonius) australicus, Pseudotyrannochthonius bornemisszai, P.
australiensis; Olpiidae: Austrohorus exsul, Xenolpium squalidum, X. bornemisszai;
Garypidae: Synsphyronus (Maorigarypus) fallaciosus; Chernetidae: Nesidiochernes
australicus, Paraustrochernes victorianus; Cheliferidae: Protochelifer victorianus. No
new specific synonymy is recorded.
Australian Blattidae (Blattodae) IV. Megazosteria, gen. nov., and revision of the genus Desmozosteria Shelford
Authors: Mackerras MJ
Published: June 2005

A new genus Megazosteria is proposed for Polyzosteria patula Walker, and
for four other species, including M. nigrolutea, sp. nov., and M. shawi, sp. nov.
A total of 11 species of Desmozosteria are recognized, six of them being described
as new, namely: D. elongata, sp. nov., D. flava, sp. nov., D. lunata, sp. nov., D. obscura,
sp, nov., D. pallidula, sp. nov., and D, scripta, sp. nov.
Nematode parasites of free-living rabbits, Oryctolagus cuniculus (L.) in eastern Australia II. Variations in the numbers of Graphidium strigosum (Dujardin) Railliet & Henry
Authors: Dunsmore JD
Published: June 2005

Numbers of the stomach worm Graphidium strigosum were estimated in the
stomachs of about 2500 rabbits collected from four sites in eastern Australia extending
over 1-3 yr of regular sampling. At two of these sites - in the semi-arid far north-west of
New South Wales and in subtropical south-central Queensland - G. strigosum was
not found. At a third site in the riverine plain region of southern New South Wales
G. strigosum was found in 15% of the 470 rabbits examined but it was never found in high
numbers in any rabbit.
At a subalpine site in south-eastern New South Wales G. strigosum probably
infected all rabbits during their life and was often found in high numbers. Numbers of
adult stomach worms tended to increase during the first year of the rabbit's life. During
each breeding period (which is of 4-6 months duration at this site) female rabbits carried
more Graphidium than did male rabbits, although this situation is only of quite short
duration and might have been overlooked except by frequent sampling. It is thought
that this pattern would be repeated each breeding period throughout the life of the rabbit
and is probably of considerable ecological significance for the parasite.
Cytogenetics of the cultrata group of morabine grasshoppers I.A group of species with XY and X1X2Y sex chromosome mechanisms
Authors: White MJD , Cheney J
Published: June 2005

Two closely related species belonging to the cultrata group show an XY condition
in the male as a result of an X-autosome fusion. One of these has two cytological
races which differ in the shape of the Y chromosome. This complex of XY forms has
given rise to an XlX2Y species by a further Y-autosome fusion. The latter species has two
cytological races which differ in the shape of the Y and X2 chromosomes, presumably
as a result of the fixation of pericentric inversions and other structural changes.
The food of morabine grasshoppers
Authors: Blackith RE , Blackith RM
Published: June 2005

Over 200 species of plants were tested for their acceptability to morabine grasshoppers
(Orthoptera: Eumastacidae) living in the habitat with the plant. The
characteristic colour produced by each plant in the ileal diverticula of each morabine
species was recorded, so that by comparison with the colours of the diverticula of
grasshoppers dissected in the field, their natural foodplants could be estimated.
Morabines can survive up to 14 days without food if water is available; they are
polyphagous and also need certain plants as shelter. Where small ephemeral plants
are available, morabines often feed on them, reverting to larger perennial species as
need arises.
The anatomy and physiology of the morabine grasshoppers II. External anatomy and comparisons with Pyrgomorphidae, Acrididae, and Proscopiidae
Authors: Blackith RE , Blackith RM
Published: June 2005

Grasshoppers of the subfamily Morabinae (Orthoptera: Eumastacidae) bear
a protuberance on one of the distal flagellar segments of the antennae, and some
species groups also bear a peg-like structure on the fourth flagellar segment. Three
ocelli are preserved despite the apterous condition of all morabine species. The eyes
bear stripes indicative of the number of moults through which an individual has passed,
females generally undergoing one more moult than the males of the same species. The
head is prolonged into a marked fastigium which houses the long mandibular apodemes
and associated tissues, the mandibles themselves being adapted to the food of the
insects and falling into one of two broad categories. Glossae are well developed and
subequal, the torma bears a mesa1 hook, and the hypopharynx lacks a marked keel.
A basi-occipital slit and two dorsal plates in the cervical membrane are features
of the cervical region. In the thorax the anterior pair of spiracles bears a smooth
peritremal plate with a protuberance to hold off the pronotal shield; the caudal femora
have the ventral margins prolonged into lobes which appear to be longer in some
species groups than in others, irrespective of the size of the femur; on the forelegs and
midlegs the trochanter articulates slightly with the femur, whereas in acridids it does
not. The sheet-like levator muscles of the tibia require less sculptured femoral walls
for their insertion than do the bundles of fibres in acridid jumping muscles, and the
hind femora are softer and thinner than those of acridids, and are held at an angle to
the body when the insect is at rest. Nevertheless, morabines jump well and have a
fully developed Brunner's organ, which is nearer the proximal end of the femur than
is usual in acridids. The basal external tubercle of the proximal tarsal segment is
absent in some species.
No auditory tympanum is present on the first abdominal segment, and the
abdominal spiracles are carried in the tergosternal membrane. The abdominal sternites
have winged processes which replace the apodemes of acridid sternites. The abdominal
tergites of morabines, unlike those of acridids, also bear apodemes.
In the male, the morabine subgenital plate is unusual in form, being produced into
a cultriform section. The cerci are of many forms. The female has heavily sclerotized
plates on the dorsal surface of the subgenital plate in several species groups, and these
plates receive the cerci of the male. The pattern of the armature formed by the female
subgenital plate, its sclerites, and the egg guide are of great diagnostic value in this
subfamily. The subgenital plate has a posterior margin which is never ornamented
with hairs or other processes as it usually is in acridids. The known resemblances between
the Morabinae and the Proscopiidae are tabulated and compared with the condition
in Pyrgomorphidae and Acrididae.
The population pattern of Miniopterus schrebersii (Chiroptera) in north-eastern New South Wales
Authors: Dwyer PD
Published: June 2005

In north-eastern New South Wales Miniopterus schreibersii is found at a wide
range of cave and mine roosts as colonies that may include up to several thousands of
individuals. Between April 1960 and September 1963 a field study of the biology and
population characteristics of this species was carried out. Field criteria permitting
aging of individuals were developed. Age classes considered were juveniles (< 9 months),
yearlings (9-21 months), and adults (> 21 months). Seasonal changes in numbers, and
in the sex and age composition of colonies were followed in detail at several roosts and
comparative information was obtained at others. Movement patterns were assessed
by a marking and recapture programme in which 1365 recoveries were obtained from a
marked (toe clips and bands) population of 8775.
Conspicuous sex or age biases or both were shown to exist in clusters of M.
schreibersii at specific roosts and it was suggested that clustering in this species functions,
in part, as a social spacing mechanism. Segregation of different sex or age classes at
specific colonies permitted classification of colonies as (1) maternity colonies in which
adult females and their young predominate, (2) "adult" colonies which are predominantly
adult, or adult and yearling, in composition, and (3) "juvenile" colonies in which
juveniles, or juveniles and yearlings, are almost prevalent. The observed social biases of
colonies appeared to be related to particular phases of the reproductive cycle. Certain
adult colonies were interpreted as important sites of copulatory behaviour. Recovery
data for two of these mating colonies showed that adult females were more transient
members of the colony than adult males. Juveniles are often well represented at adult
colonies in the autumn, and during this season their presence may be correlated with a
drop in the abundance of older males.
Notes on the ecology of the bushfly, Musca vetustissima Walk. (Diptera : Muscidae), in the Canberra district
Authors: Norris KR
Published: June 2005

In the Canberra area Musca vetustissima has been bred from faeces of man, cattle, sheep, and dog. Other Australian records include dung of the horse and pig, and the paunch contents of dead ruminants. Bushflies first appear in Canberra in October. Maximum abundance is attained in December-January. No flies are present from late May to late October. The species may overwinter in the pupal stage.
In December experiments marked flies were recovered up to 3.5 miles from the liberation point within 48 hr of release. Calculations suggested a population density of about 9000 bushflies per acre at this time. Catches of M. vetustissima in liver-baited blowfly traps differed from those of blowflies in not being markedly lower in treeless areas than in areas with trees and shrubs.
The daily M. vetustissima flight activity pattern, as judged by trapping, was usually unimodal but there was some evidence of reduced activity in the early afternoon in hot weather. Air temperatures afforded a poor guide to the daily flight activity patterns of M. vetustissima, and the temperatures at which the first flies entered the traps in the morning were generally lower than those at which the last ones entered in the evening on the same day.
The male to female ratio in trapped M. vetustissima was significantly higher than in any blowfly species, and the correlation between male to female ratio and total trap catch was lower than in blowfly species. The male to female ratio of M. vetustissima showed a distinct pattern of correlation with the male to female ratio of blowfly species.
On the larva of Sphaerius and the systematic position of the Sphaeriidae (Coleoptera)
Authors: Britton EB
Published: June 2005

The first-known larva of the family Sphaeriidae is described and compared with descriptions of the larvae of Hydroscaphidae and Torridinicolidae. It is concluded that the similarities of the larvae confirm the relationship of the families suggested by Crowson (1955) on the basis of adult characters, and justify the establishment of the suborder Myxophaga.
Australian Hymenoptera chalcidoidea, family Pteromalidae, subfamily Perolampinae
Authors: Riek EF
Published: June 2005

The Australian Perilampinae are referred to the genera Perilampus (17 species),
Euperilampus (1 species) and Chrysolampus (5 species). A key to the better known
genera of the subfamily and keys to the Australian species of Perilampus and Chrysolampus
are presented. The known host relationships are indicated.
Mating behaviour in the leopard seal, Hydrurga leptonyx (Mammalia : Phocidae), in captivity
Authors: Marlow BJ
Published: June 2005

Observations are given on courtship, vocalization, and copulation in the leopard
seal, Hydrurga leptonyx, in captivity. Copulation was observed on November 30, 1965
and January 29, 1966 by members of the staff of Taronga Zoological Park, Sydney.
This act has not previously been recorded in this species and the exact time of mating
under natural conditions is unknown.
The female was found dead in the enclosure which it shared with the male, and
had severe lacerations, which were presumably inflicted by the latter, on the head, neck,
and body. These wounds did not seem sufficiently severe to have caused its death and it
was not possible to determine the cause of death from post mortem examination.
The wounds bore a marked resemblance to injuries described on other seals in the
Antarctic and it is suggested that such damage, which has in the past been attributed
to other marine predators, may have been inflicted by leopard seals.
Australian Hymenoptera chalcidoidea family eulophidae, subfamily eladminae
Authors: Riek EF
Published: June 2005

The Australian species of Elasminae are placed in two genera, Elasmus Westwood
and Austelasmus, gen. nov. Descriptions of 53 species of Elasmus and 5 species
of Austelasmus and keys for their separation are presented. Six species described
from the male only by Girault have been excluded from the key and another 11 species
cannot be recognized from the descriptions and the fragmentary remains or absence
of the types.
Studies in Australian amphibia II..Taxonomy, ecology and evolution of the genus Heleioporus Gray (Anura : Leptodactylidae)
Authors: Lee AK
Published: June 2005

The status of the five existing species of the genus Heleioporus Gray, H.
albopunctatus Gray, H. australiacus (Shaw), H. eyrei (Gray), H. inornatus Lee & Main,
and H. psammophilus Lee & Main are confirmed on the basis of morphological and
behavioural criteria and the results of interpopulation in vitro crosses. The Western
Australian population, formerly included under H. australiacus, is raised to species
status on the basis of consistent differences in morphology and mating call. Each
species is redescribed, and descriptions of the larvae and juveniles are included.
The results of in vitro crosses support the recognition of two species groups, a
bassian group comprising H. australiacus, the H. australiacus-like frog, and H. inornatus,
and an eyrean group comprising H. albopunctatus, H. eyrei, and H. psammophilus.
The breeding biology of all of the western species appears closely tied to the
Mediterranean climate of south-western Australia. All species breed in April and May.
Rain sufficient to moisten the soil, and declining temperatures are the two most obvious
environmental factors influencing the timing of breeding. Breeding sites include
ephemeral ponds and water courses, and the edges of coastal lakes. Breeding occurs
before these are covered by water, in winter. Males call from burrows, and copulation,
oviposition, and embryonic development all occur at the bottom of these burrows.
Where they occur together, the burrows of H. albopunctatus, H. eyrei, and H. psammophilus
are found scattered through the centre of a swamp and those of H. inornatus,
around the periphery. The eggs are laid in froth, and development to hatching takes
between 1 and 3 weeks. Hatching may be delayed by withholding the eggs from water.
The period between the onset of calling and hatching of the embryos roughly corresponds
to the period between the onset of winter rain and the flooding of larval sites. The
larvae of H. albopunctatus, H. eyrei, and H, psammophilus are found in ponds, those of
H. inornatus in collapsed, flooded breeding burrows, and those of H. australiacus and
the H. australiacus-like frog in creeks.
A comparative study of larval embryogenesis in the mosquito Culex fatigans Wiedemann (Diptera : Culicidae) and the sheep-fly Lucilia sericata Meigen (Diptera : Calliphoridae)
Authors: Davis CWC
Published: June 2005

The general course of embryonic development in Culex fatigans and Lucilia
sericata resembles that described for other dipteran species. Important differences
between these two species found in this study are: earlier separation and smaller
number of pole cells in C. fatigans than in L. sericata, the initial lack of clear histological
margins between certain of the presumptive areas in the former species as compared
with the latter, and a suppression of mesodermal segmentation in L. sericata, not found
in C. fatigans.
These distinguishing features find parallels in other described dipteran species,
and allow a more general comparison between the embryology of Nematocera and
Cyclorrhapha to be made.
In both C. fatigans and L. sericata all the pole cells are presumptive germ cells.
The condition in C. fatigans is typical of Nematocera. That in L. sericata may be
exceptional for Cyclorrhapha, although insufficient evidence is available.
Australian Blattidae (Blattodea) VI. Revision of the genus Cosmozosteria Stal
Authors: Mackerras MJ
Published: June 2005

A total of 16 species of Cosmozosteria are recognized. Three of them are described
here as new, namely C. mesomacula, C. musgravei, and C. striata; three are left
undescribed.
A tachinid parasite of Australian grasshoppers
Authors: Blackith RE
Published: June 2005

Grasshoppers of the subfamily Morabinae (Orthoptera: Eumastacidae) are
attacked by the parasite Myothyria fergusoni Malloch (Diptera: Tachinidae) which
is distributed throughout Australia, although some morabine species seem to be immune.
At seasons when suitable host morabines are not available, the tachinids pass through at
least two generations in grasshoppers of the family Acrididae, and appear not to diapause.
The distribution of the fly is very uneven, but heavy infestations can occur locally.
The larvae, and adult genitalia are figured.
Phylogenetic trends and speciation among wombats
Authors: Stephenson NG
Published: June 2005

The original description of the common wombat was given by Geoffroy in
1803, who in the same year applied two different generic names to this marsupial.
This has led to some degree of taxonomic confusion which is still evident in the
current application of generic names.
Two genera of Recent wombats, Vombatus Geoffroy and Lasiorhinus Gray, are
recognized in this paper. Descriptions of them and of their better-defined species
are provided. A third genus, Wombatula Iredale & Troughton, is not sustained.
Of the fossil wombats of comparable size to Recent species, some are
considered to be synonymous with Recent species, others are of uncertain specific
designation. All are here regarded as belonging to one or other of the two Recent
genera.
Trends towards gigantism among fossil wombats are reconsidered because of
the author's view that the upper incisors of Sceparnodon ramsayi belong to the
family Diprotodontidae and ought to be removed from the giant wombat series,
with the largest species of which they have previously been associated.
On the spiracles of the larvae of the suborder Myxophaga (Coleoptera)
Authors: Hinton HE
Published: June 2005

The structure of the spiracles in larvae of three (Hydroscaphidae, Sphaeriidae,
Torridincolidae) of the four known families of the suborder Myxophaga is described.
Further evidence that supports the validity of the suborder Myxophaga is provided
by the unusual nature of the respiratory systems of the three families. The larvae
of all three families have spiracular gills, and they are the only endopterygote larvae
so far known with such structures. The type of permanent physical gill known as a
plastron is widely distributed among adult, pupal, and egg stages of insects. It is
here reported for the first time in a larval insect. The spiracular gills of the Torridincolidae
support a typical plastron meshwork, and reasons are given for believing
that the larvae of the Hydroscaphidae and Sphaeriidae are also plastron-breathers.
The comparative ecology of two closely related, sympatric species of Dacus (Diptera) in Queensland
Authors: Gibbs GW
Published: June 2005

Two sibling species of tephritid fruit fly, Dacus neohumeralis and D. tryoni, are
common along the coastal region of Queensland. Natural populations of these flies were
sampled at Rockhampton and Yeppoon at 2-monthly intervals between May 1962 and
March 1964 to determine the extent to which the two species utilize the same resources.
Estimates of their relative abundance were obtained by catching adult flies on fruit trees
and by collecting fruit containing immature stages.
Both species used the same kinds of fruit for oviposition and larval development.
At Rockhampton, where D. tryoni constituted 90% of the population, this species
utilized five favourable kinds of fruit equally, whereas D. neohumeralis utilized some to
a greater extent than others. At Yeppoon, where D. neohumeralis was the more abundant
species, it utilized four different kinds of fruit equally whereas D. tryoni utilized some
more than others. The same kinds of fruit were available at the two places, suggesting
that "preferences" were associated with the locality and the relative abundance of the
two species rather than with the kinds of fruit. At Rockhampton, D. neohumeralis
remained rare relative to D. tryoni at all times of year and no distinct seasonal changes
in their relative abundance were detected. When fruit trees were classified according to
the shelter they provided, D. neohumeralis was more abundant in trees with dense
foliage than in open, exposed trees. D. tryoni was equally abundant in the fruit from all
types of trees.
A third species of fruit fly, Afrodacus jarvisi, shared the larval food resources of
D. neohumeralis and D. tryoni in late summer. Samples with a high density of A. jarvisi
contained fewer D. neohumeralis and D. tryoni than samples with a low density of
A. jarvisi, but their relative proportions were unchanged, indicating that the deleterious
effect was not differential.
The results of this study are examined in the light of the competitive displacement
theory. Flies that emerged from fruit were large and not at all like the small flies which
can be reared in the laboratory when food is in short supply. Competition between the
two species for larval food thus appears to be unimportant. Moreover, there was no
evidence that one species might be displacing the other in the Rockhampton area.
Both species preferred the same kinds of fruit and fruit trees when a choice was available,
suggesting that both species can live together without exerting any deleterious effects
on one another.
Australian Blattidae (Blattodea) VII. The Platyzosteria group; general remarks and revision of the subgenera Platyzosteria Brunner and Leptozosteria Tepper
Authors: Mackerras MJ
Published: June 2005

The group is regarded as including only the genus Platyzosteria which is divided
into three subgenera: Platyzosteria Brunner, Melanozosteria Stal, and Leptozosteria
Tepper. Of those species which have already been named, 25 are allotted to Platyzosteria,
34 to Melanozosteria, and 4 to Leptozosteria.
Six new species of Platyzosteria (sensu stricto) are described here, namely
ainsliensis, albopilosa, rufoscabra, stirlingensis, stradbrokensis, and tenuis. Three new
species of Leptozosteria are also described here, namely carpentariensis, latissima, and
subaquila. There are several unnamed species of Platyzosteria (sensu stricto) represented
by material inadequate for description, and also a few unnamed species of Leptozosteria.
Numerous species of Melanozosteria remain to be described.
The distribution, abundance amd seasonal movements of the pied currawong, Strepera graculina (Shaw), an important bird predator of the Phasmatidae, in eastern Australia
Authors: Readshaw JL
Published: June 2005

In summer the pied currawong, Strepera graculina, is an important predator
of Phasmatidae in the Eucalyptus forests of the highlands of eastern Australia. In
winter the species congregates in large non-breeding flocks around settlements on
either side of the Great Dividing Range.
The distribution of the winter flocks was investigated in 1964 by sending a
questionnaire to 800 schools in eastern New South Wales and most of Victoria; 603
of the schools replied. Although widely distributed, the flocks were generally
concentrated around mountain areas. The total winter population in the area surveyed,
excluding western Victoria, was estimated to be roughly 1,000,000 birds.
Recovery data for banded and plumage-dyed currawongs show that S. graculina
returns to the mountains in spring, frequently over long distances, and mainly in a
south-easterly, southerly, or south-westerly direction, according to the location of the
winter flocks in relation to the Great Dividing Range. There is a corresponding northerly
movement out of the mountains in late summer and autumn, so that the whole population
shifts regularly southward and northward in spring and autumn, respectively.
The abundance and mobility of S. graculina is considered in relation to the
development of phasmatid outbreaks in eastern Australia, and it is concluded that
there is considerable circumstantial evidence in support of the idea that outbreaks
are partly the result of a "chain-reaction" process involving the progressive relaxation
of predation by at least one of the principal birds, namely S. graculina.
Studies on the morphology and relationships of male Apiomorpha and Opisthoscelis (Hemiptera : Coccoidea)
Authors: Theron JG
Published: June 2005

The morphology of males of the Australian gall-making coccids of the genera
Apiomorpha and Opisthoscelis is described. The males of these two genera differ
very markedly in the structure of their abdomens, the abdomen of Opisthoscelis
being long and slender with greatly modified genitalia. In other respects they are
fairly similar and both genera undoubtedly belong to the lecanoid group of the
Coccoidea, as is shown by the lack of compound eyes and abdominal spiracles
and the possession of a cranial apophysis and a cervical groove. Their true
relationships with the various families comprising the lecanoid group, however,
remain uncertain, but they show some affinity with the Eriococcidae, especially in
the structure of the genitalia.
A morphological and functional study of the venom apparatus in representatives of some major groups of Hymenoptera
Authors: Robertson PL
Published: June 2005

An analysis is made of the structure of the venom apparatus, or the more primitive organs by which it may be represented, in 17 species, principally of Australian origin, belonging to the major hymenopterous groups Tenthredinoidea and Siricoidea (Symphyta), Ichneumonoidea(Apocrita-Parasitica), Scolioidea, Vespoidea, Formicoidea, and Apoidea (Apocrita-Aculeata).
Consideration is given to the relationship between the venom apparatus of more advanced Hymenoptera and the accessory reproductive glands of other groups of insects. An important link between the two is found to be provided by the Symphyta.
Evidence is presented of evolutionary continuity from group to group of Hymenoptera in the relationship of the gland filaments synthesizing venom-type secretion to the reservoir storing it; in the development and degeneration of the musculature of the reservoir wall; and in the relative positions and structure of the endings of the exit ducts from glands belonging to the system. Major changes of form in components of the apparatus are related to what is known of changes in their functions.
Revision of the genus Euryglossula Michener (Apoidea : Colletidae)
Authors: Exley EM
Published: June 2005

The genus Euryglossula Michener, 1965, is revised. Six species are recognized
including three which are described as new: E. carnarvonensis, E. deserti, and E. flava.
All species have been redescribed. E. claristigma (Rayment) is considered a
synonym of E. chalcosoma (Cockerell) and E. parazantha (Rayment) a synonym of
E. microdonta (Rayment).
The Tipulidae (Diptera) of Australia I. A review of the genera of the subamily Tipulinae
Authors: Dobrotworsky NV
Published: June 2005

Nineteen genera of the subfamily Tipulinae previously recorded from Australia
are reviewed. Some of these genera were founded on the basis of relatively small
differences in superficial characters and a study of the male hypopygium has shown
that their generic status cannot be maintained. Eleven genera are recognized as valid,
viz. Clytocosmus Skuse, Ptilogyna Westwood, Platyphasia Skuse, Ischnotoma Skuse,
Acracantha Skuse, Leptotarsus Guerin, Holorusia Loew, Tigula Linnaeus, Nephrotoma
Meigen, Megistocera Wiedemann, and Dolichopeza Curtis. Of these Clytocosmus,
Ptilogyna, and Platyphasia are endemic.
Ctenogyna Macquart and Plusiomyia Skuse are treated as subgenera of Ptilogyna
and Semnotes Westwood, Macromastix Osten-Sacken, Habromastix Skuse, and
Phymatopsis Skuse as subgenera of Leptotarsus.
On the evidence available, the genera Phacelodocera Enderlein and Brachypremna
Osten-Sacken should be excluded from the Australian fauna.
Diagnosis and figures of the 11 genera are given together with a key for their
identification.