bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Composition and distribution of larval fish assemblages in the Great Barrier Reef lagoon, near Lizard Island, Australia
Authors: Leis JM , Goldman B
Published: November 2005

Larval fishes of 96 families were represented in plankton samples taken in four seasons in 1979-80 and three seasons in 1981-82 from 11 sites in the Lizard Island region of the Great Barrier Reef lagoon. Relatively few families dominated the catch: Apogonidae, Gobiidae and Pomacentridae constituted 53-76% of all larvae, depending on site. Several taxa including Labridae, Scaridae, Scorpaenidae, Serranidae and Synodontidae that were rare in previous larval fish studies were relatively abundant in open waters of the Great Barrier Reef lagoon. Lagoonal and downwind sites in shallow water around Lizard Island had low proportions of old larvae, but the windward site had relatively high values for several families. Sites in the deeper, more open waters of the Great Barrier Reef lagoon generally had higher proportions of old larvae of most taxa in 1981-82 than did the Lizard Island sites in 1979-80. Although there were seasonal differences in larval fish assemblages, within any season there were only two or three assemblages in the study area. An assemblage dominated by pomacentrids, mullids, tripterygiids, apogonids and blenniids occupied a relatively small area of shallow water near Lizard Island reefs: in Lizard Lagoon, always on the windward side, and often on the downwind side. Another assemblage dominated by apogonids, gobiids, pomacentrids, labrids and engraulids occupied a very large area between Lizard Island and the outer barrier reefs, and occasionally on the downwind side of Lizard Island. Occasionally, a third distinct assemblage, dominated by scorpaenids, gobiids, callionymids, apogonids and engraulids, occurred on the downwind side of Lizard Island. Variability in assemblages at the downwind site was probably due to currents less favourable for retention of larvae than those at the other Lizard Island sites.
Growth and migration of tagged eastern Australian king prawns, Penaeus plebejus Hess
Authors: Glaister JP , Lau T , McDonall VC
Published: November 2005

Growth rates and migration of P. plebejus were investigated by a series of tagging experiments. Growth records of 157 recaptured, streamer-tagged prawns from 2450 releases were analysed for estimates of von Bertalanffy growth parameters by Fabens method. The size-age relationship differed between sexes with males attaining only 75% of the maximum size of female prawns. There was no appreciable size-related mortality of tagged individuals. Recaptured tagged prawns confirmed the previously determined northerly movement and showed little movement toward deeper water off New South Wales. Once past the easternmost point of the continent dispersal into a range of depths occurred. There was no apparent relationship between rates of movement and size, suggesting that fluctuations in the intensity of the East Australian Current were responsible for variations in these rates. Based on the results of this and other tagging studies, a two-substock hypothesis, defined by the origins of the bulk of recruits, is postulated.
Distribution of foraminifera in a macrotidal tropical estuary: Port Darwin, Northern Territory of Australia
Authors: Michie MG
Published: November 2005

The foraminifera are distributed throughout Port Darwin and differ according to biotope. The tidal flat
and coral reef biotopes are basically undisturbed, and contain species of foraminifera typical of those
environments. Turbidity is responsible for a lower diversity of the reefal facies, and particularly affects
those species with symbiotic algae. The reworked biotope contains foraminifera more typical of the
shallow continental shelf. Strong tidal currents associated with the large tidal range are responsible for
the reworking of sediments and foraminifera1 tests from inside and outside Port Darwin.
Magela Creek system, northern Australia. I. 1982-83 wet-season water quality
Authors: Hart BT , Ottaway EM , Noller BN
Published: November 2005

The particularly late wet season in 1982-83 provided a unique opportunity to study the dry-to-wet season transition in Magela Creek, a tropical creek and wetlands system in northern Australia. The first water to flow down and across the floodplain was characteristically quite acidic (pH c. 4-5), with a high conductivity (c. 750 �S cm-1) and high sulfate concentration (c. 200 mg I-1). The source of the sulfate, acidity and dissolved salts is groundwater brought to the surface (mainly in depressions on the floodplain, e.g. pools and channels) by rising watertables, and then flushed from these by the slowly advancing flood waters. The end of the dry season is a time of particular stress for the biota living in these billabongs, and many fish kills have been noted at around the time this 'first flush' water enters. In most years, this poor-quality water would be rapidly flushed out, in a few days at the most, from the billabongs by subsequent flood- flows down Magela Creek. However, in 1983, the next flood event did not occur until almost 1 month after the first flush had occurred. During the main wet season, the water transported by Magela Creek was slightly acidic (mean pH 5,2), with a very low conductivity (c. 5-17 �S cm-1) and low concentrations of suspended solids (c. 4-59 mg I-1), major ions and trace metals (iron, manganese, copper, lead, zinc, uranium). There was a general decrease in the mean concentration of each determin and with each succeeding flood event. This was most noticeable in the case of suspended solids and conductivity, and was attributed to an 'exhaustion effect' where greater amounts of suspended solids and soluble salts (in the upper soil layers) were available in the early part of the wet season. The composition of the creek water was very similar to that of rainwater falling in the catchment, with two major exceptions. First, the rainwater was considerably more acidic (pH 3.6-4.9), due mainly to the presence of weak organic acids such as formic and acetic acids. This acidic rainwater was partially neutralized by interaction with catchment soils. Second, the concentrations of all nutrients (total phosphorus, nitrate-nitrogen and ammonia-nitrogen) were considerably higher in the rainwater. There was a significant removal (over 90%) of phosphorus, ammonia and nitrate from the rainwater, probably due to uptake by the ground vegetation known to proliferate in the catchment during the wet season. Factor analysis indicated that dilution of the base flow, presumably by surface runoff of rainwater, was the dominant component during both the rising and falling stages of each flood event. Radionuclide activity in composite water samples taken over the five flood events revealed that the total activity of both 226Ra and 210Pb was low, with greater than 58% of both radionuclides being in filterable forms.
Some effects of the 1982-83 drought on water quality and macroinvertebrate fauna in the lower La Trobe River, Victoria
Authors: Chessman BC , Robinson DP
Published: November 2005

Following severe and prolonged drought, flows in parts of the lower LaTrobe River reached record lows in February 1983. Consequent lack of dilution for wastewater discharges resulted in marked deterioration of water quality, with dissolved oxygen concentration dropping to 2 g m-3 and electrical conductivity rising to 115 mS m-1. Despite these changes there was little alteration in the taxonomic richness or composition of the aquatic macroinvertebrate fauna. Faunal richness in the river downstream from Yallourn was low both before and after the drought, but the causative factors remain obscure.
Role of Ecklonia radiata (C. Ag.) J. Agardh in determining trace metal availability in coastal waters. I. Total trace metals
Authors: Higgins HW , Mackey DJ
Published: November 2005

No seasonal variations were found in the concentrations of Zn, Cd, Cu, K, Ca, Mg and Na in the kelp E. radiata collected from the marine-dominated Port Hacking estuary on the east coast of Australia. Concentrations of Fe and Mn were about 60% higher in late summer. The relative distributions of all metals between different kelp tissues, however, showed no seasonal variation. Concentration factors (dry weight basis) for trace metals ranged from 2600 for Cu to 68 000 for Fe. With high biomasses common in macroalgal ecosystems, a large proportion of the non-sediment- bound trace metals can be associated with the macroalgae, which therefore act as substantial buffers for these elements. Metal concentration factors (Y, wet wt basis) were related to oceanic residence times (τ) by the equation log Y = -0.69 logτ + 5.4.
The distribution of the aikaii and akaline earth metais (K, Ca, Mg and Na) was relativeiy uniform throughout the various kelp tissues. However, concentrations of Fe, Mn, Zn and Cd were significantly higher in the older extremities (holdfast and eroding tip) than in the meristematic region. Although the holdfast also had higher levels of Cu than the meristem, levels were lower in the eroding tip. The results suggest either a slow net intracellular accumulation of metals with time or an increase in potential metal- binding sites as the extremities senesce. Translocation and elimination of surplus metals through the eroding tip or holdfast was thought not to be important in E. radiata as metal concentrations did not differ between live and dead haptera of the holdfast. Likewise, storage of metals in either the holdfast or eroding tip was considered unlikely because of the constant relative tissue distribution throughout the year and lack of metal mobilization during periods of growth. Pretreatment of kelp tissue with an EDTA wash released about 90% of the total Zn and Cd, 25% of the Cu and 7% of the Fe, suggesting that a large proportion of the total kelp Zn and Cd is associated with the apparent free space (AFS). With rapid exchange between seawater and the AFS, E. radiata is therefore not generally useful as a sentinel accumulator species in pollution studies for assessing long term integrated changes of metals in the water column.
Role of Ecklonia radiata (C. Ag.) J. Agardh in determining trace metal availability in coastal waters. II. Trace metal speciation
Authors: Higgins HW , Mackey DJ
Published: November 2005

Detrital decomposition of the kelp E. radiata leads to the leaching of substantial amounts of trace metals and dissolved organic carbon (DOC). About 15% of the total Fe, 30% of Cu and Mn, 80% of Zn and Cd, and 25% of the DOC were released. The holdfast was more resistant to decomposition than the other tissues. The high absolute concentration of Fe in E. radiata ensured that it was the predominant metal in the leachates. The DOC released contained organic ligands that were capable of forming strong complexes with Cu, Fe and Zn, and the complexing capacity of the DOC exceeded the total amount of these metals released during leaching. The copper complexing capacity of the leachate (15 nmol mg-1 DOC) is comparable to the copper complexing capacity of Australian coastal waters. Exudation of DOC by living E. radiata plants also results in the release by ligands with strong metal complexing abliity. Fractionation of the leachates by reverse-phase chromatography confirmed that Cu, Fe and Zn were present as metal-organic complexes. These complexes were generally of high polarity. Polyphenolic compounds were an important component of the exudate but HPLC analysis indicated that other complexing agents also occurred. E. radiata beds may play a major role in regulating both the concentration and speciation of heavy metals in nearshore environments.
Genetic variation and population subdivison in the greentail prawn Metapenaeus bennettae (Racek & Dall)
Authors: Salini J
Published: November 2005

The genetic structure of M. bennettae populations from six locations on the east coast of Australia was investigated using starch-gel electrophoresis. Eight polymorphic loci (fumarate hydratase, glucose- 6-phosphate isomerase, malate dehydrogenase-1 and -2, mannose-6-phosphate isomerase, octanol dehydrogenase, phosphogluconate dehydrogenase and phosphoglucomutase) were examined. All loci over the six sites were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. Although low levels of variation typical of penaeid prawns were found, the contingency Χ2 analysis of allele frequencies over all locations revealed considerable genetic heterogeneity. However, pairwise comparisons of adjacent locations showed that most of this genetic heterogeneity was largely attributable to the Moreton Bay-Lake Macquarie comparison. These two locations are the most widely separated adjacent sample sites. Replicate samples from 1982 and 1983 revealed consistency in allele frequencies at Moreton Bay and at Lake Macquarie. These results confirm previously reported genetic heterogeneity between Queensland and New South Wales populations of M. bennettae, but they do not support the report that nearby populations in both Queensland and New South Wales are also heterogeneous.
Growth of Australian bass Maquaria novemaculeata (Perciformes : Percichthyidae) in the Sydney Basin
Authors: Harris JH
Published: November 2005

Habitat type and sex are the principal determinants of the variable length-at-age of M. novemaculeata. Growth was studied in three main habitat types: lagoons, gorge streams, and freshwater estuarine habitats, and a total of 1071 adult bass and 644 young fish were examined. Observations were made on the growth of young wild bass, and their rapid growth after stocking in isolated lentic waters was measured. The three von Bertalanffy growth parameters were estimated for populations from the main habitat types. A growth curve generated from tag-return data provided comparable values. Variation in length was tested by three-way ANOVA using age, habitat type and sex as independent variables. Female bass grew faster than males towards a larger asymptotic size (L∞ = 396 mm). Lagoon populations grew the most rapidly, and those in freshwater tidal sites grew slowest. T'he proportion of variarion in bass length that was due to habitat type, sex, and age was 15, 10, and 56% respectively. Marked flexibility of the growth, diet and reproduction of M. novemaculeata is seen as an adaptive response to variable environmental conditions.
Occurrence and nutritional relationships of four ectosymbiotes of the freshwater crayfish Cherax dispar Riek and Cherax punctatus Clark (Crustacea : Decapoda) in Queensland
Authors: Cannon LRG , Jennings JB
Published: November 2005

The occurrence and nutritional relationships of a suite of four ectosymbiotes from the freshwater crayfishes, C. dispar and C. punctatus in Queensland have been studied. The suite comprises the temnocephalid flatworms Temnocephala minor and Craspedella spenceri, the rhabdocoel flatworm Didymorchis cherapsis and the polychaete Stratiodrilus novaehollandiae. Occurrence of all four symbiotes appears to be independent of host species, host size and the presence of other members of the suite. As crayfish become scarcer in cooler, drier weather, worm numbers per host decline. The largest ectosymbiote, T. minor, lives on the external body surface and appears to be more susceptible to dry conditions than do the other symbiotes from within the branchial chamber. This species has no nutritional relationships with the other three species and uses its host primarily as a feeding platform from which it captures annelids and small arthropods; there is some evidence of supplementary opportunistic ectocommensalism. S. novaehollandiae feeds on the microflora of the branchial chamber; its eggs may be eaten by C. spenceri but this species feeds predominantly on co-symbiotic protozoa. D. cherapsis, in contrast, feeds mainly on the eggs and has small crustaceans as its secondary food resource. S. novaehollandiae beyond the egg stage is not attacked by either flatworm. The digestive physiology and food reserves of all four species conform to the pattern known for related ectosymbiotic and free-living species.
Structure of coastal upwelling events observed off the south-east coast of South Australia during February 1983 - April 1984
Authors: Schahinger RB
Published: November 2005

Observations of upwelling along the south-east coast of South Australia during the summers of 1983 and 1984 are presented. In situ measurements were obtained from a number of current meters moored across the continental shelf near 37.5�S.,139.5�E. These were complemented by wind and sea level measurements along the coast and also monthly hydrographic surveys. Differences between summer and winter regimes are discussed in both physical and dynamical terms. The summer weather pattern gives rise to winds which are favourable to upwelling along this coast more than 50% of the time (i.e. winds from the south-east quarter). The evolution of two upwelling events and the associated shelf circulation are documented. Salient features include the offshore transport of water in a shallow surface layer 0 (20 m) in response to south-easterly winds; an onshore compensatory flow occurs almost immediately below. The summer thermocline shoals soon after the onset of winds favouring upwelling, leading to pronounced cross-shelf surface-temperature gradients with cooler (upwelled) water at the surface near the coast. The surfaced thermocline moves offshore and attains an equilibrium position in the vicinity of the shelf edge (after 4-5 days), as shown by infrared satellite images, while water from depths of 250-300 m encroaches onto the shelf. Alongshore currents reach speeds of more than 50 cm s-1 in the outer-shelf region and are strongly influenced by the position of the upwelling front. Brief comparisons are drawn with other upwelling regions.
Wind stress in the Australian coastal experiment region
Authors: Forbes AMG
Published: November 2005

During the 6 months of the Australian Coastal Experiment (ACE), recordings were made by the Australian Bureau of Meteorology of several meteorological parameters at a number of coastal stations and by the CSIRO at several offshore locations to complement the ACE current-meter and sea-level gauge array. The aim was to examine the wind field over the New South Wales coast and so determine the magnitude of long shelf wind stress, which might locally force coastal trapped waves (CTW). Wind stress decreased equatorward, with the greatest potential for local CTW forcing lying on the southernmost continental shelf near Gabo Island. No significant variation in the magnitude of wind stress across the shelf within 20 km of the coast was observed. Despite the low sampling frequency at most coastai stations (twice daily, a subset of well-exposed coastal stations was sufficient to characterize the wind field over the entire region. The study revealed equatorward phase propagation of 9.2 and 12.1 m s-1 at periods of 4.4 and 10.5 days respectively.
Effects of mixed-layer depth and an isolated coral reef on the strong complexing capacity of oligotropic waters
Authors: Mackey DJ , Szymczak R , Tomczak M , Gu Y
Published: November 2005

The strong copper complexing capacity of seawater was determined along three transects enclosing Wreck Reef, an isolated reef in the Coral Sea. Measurements of ship's drift and geostrophic calculations relative to 300 m indicated that little of the surface waters flowed through the reef system. The values of copper complexing capacity and dissolved organic carbon close to Wreck Reef were similar to those found within the Great Barrier Reef system. Within the top 100 m, values of complexing capacity ranged from 2.5 to 26 nM, with the elevated values being associated with a deep mixed layer on the leeward side of the reef and possibly with processes occurring within the reef itself. There was no correlation between copper complexing capacity and concentrations of nutrients or dissolved organic carbon. The copper complexing capacity within the euphotic zone was generally higher than that observed previously for surface waters of south-eastern Australia and the North West Shelf of Australia.
Vertical distribution of Paralabidocera antarctica (Copepoda : Calanoida) in Ace Lake, Antarctica, in summer
Authors: Bayly IAE , Burton HR
Published: November 2005

In an ice-covered (thickness 1.68 m) meromictic lake, in early January 1982, a vertical profile of the population density of P. antarctica showed two peaks: from 7 to 130 cm beneath the ice, and just above the anoxylimnion at 10.0-10.5 m. Copepodite stages 111 and IV were dominant in the first (shallow) peak and stage CV was dominant in the second (deep) peak. Significantly more adult males than females were present within an entire vertical column of oxylimnion, but more adult females than males were present in a stratum 30 cm thick immediately beneath the ice.
Heavy metal speciation in waters, sediments and biota from Lake Macquarie, New South Wales
Authors: Batley GE
Published: November 2005

The distribution and bioavailability of heavy metals in waters and sediments from Lake Macquarie (N.S.W.) have been examined. Elevated concentrations of zinc, lead, cadmium and copper detected in surface sediments and waters from the northern end of the lake are attributable to discharges from a lead-zinc smelter on Cockle Creek. The majority of the metals are in bioavailable forms and are shown to be accumulated in seagrasses, seaweeds and bivalves. Calculations indicate that, at the current rates of discharge, the concentrations of bioavailable metals in newly-deposited sediments should not be deleterious. Elutriate tests showed that there will be no significant mobilization of metals during dredging operations to remove the contaminated sediments.
Temporal patterns in the macrobenthic communities of the Hawkesbury estuary, New South Wales
Authors: Jones AR
Published: November 2005

Temporal patterns in number of species, number of individual animals and community composition of the soft-sediment zoobenthos of the Hawkesbury estuary are described and related to physicochemical factors. Replicate grabs were taken at 3-month intervals over 3 years (1977-1979) from sites located in three zones: the lower, middle and upper reaches. The number of species and number of individuals showed significant seasonal and annual differences in all zones. However, the pattern of these differences varied among sites and seasonal differences were not repeatable over years. Similarly, differences in community composition as revealed by classification were not seasonal. In the middle and lower reaches, these differences were apparently caused by the over- riding influence of non-seasonal climatic events, i.e. a major flood in 1978 and a drought throughout 1979. In the first two sampling following the flood, sample values for the numbers of both species and individuals were usually lowest and community composition was distinct from pre-flood and drought times. During the drought, the number of species was usually high and community composition relatively distinct. Whereas the number of species and community composition groupings were both significantly related to river discharge, the number of individuals was significantly correlated with temperature. All community variables were sometimes significantly related to salinity. The identity of numerically dominant species, as determined by Fager rankings, varied among times in both the lower and middle reaches. However, the polychaete Nephtys australiensis and the bivalve mollusc Notospisula trigonella were highest ranked overall in both zones. Community patterns in the low-salinity upper reaches differed from those further downstream by showing little change in numbers of species and community composition following the flood. Only the number of species was significantly correlated with any of the measured physicochemical variables, this being partly due to an influx of species during the drought. Furthermore, the upstream community was always dominated by the polychaete Ceratonereis limnetica and was thus the only community that could be characterised by a single species.
Age and growth of blue grenadier, Macruronus novaezelandiae (Hector), in south-eastern Australian waters
Authors: Kenchington TJ , Augustine O
Published: November 2005

Blue grenadier, Macruronus novaezelandiae, from south-eastern Australian waters were aged, using their otoliths (whole and in transverse thin sections). The greatest recorded age was 25 years. A double blind test showed that the recorded ages were sufficiently reproducible to use in fitting growth curves (Index of Average Percent Error: 8%), but not sufficiently so to assign individuals to particular year-classes. Von Bertalanffy growth curves were fitted to both length and weight data. For males, Lt = 90.7 (1 - exp[-0.256(t + 1.21)]} and Wt = 2.62 (1 - exp[-0.277(t + 1.39)]}3. For females, Lt = 99.3 {l - exp[-0.203(t + 1.48)]} and Wt = 4.16{1 - exp[-0.157(t + 2.93)]}3. L is the length in centimetres, W is the weight in kilograms and t is the age in years. A comparison with length-frequency modes validated the growth curves for immature fish, but no validation was possible for the adults. The $exes have qignificantly different growth patterns. Their growth parameters are typical of those of commercially exploited, temperate gadoid fishes and show no modification for the deep-water zone inhabited by blue grenadier.
Water chemistry of the coastal saline lakes of the Clifton-Preston Lakeland system, south-western Australia, and its influence on stromatolite formation
Authors: Moore LS
Published: November 2005

The water chemistry of Lake Clifton, the adjacent lakes and the regional ground water was investigated to aid in the elucidation of the factors responsible for the restriction of living stromatolites to Lake Clifton. The ionic composition of water in the lakes is proportionally similar to sea water, but the ground water is enriched in calcium and bicarbonate and is of lower salinity (1-2 g I-1). The salinities of the lakes ranged from 7 to 369 g l-1 during 1984 but, in contrast to the other lakes, Clifton remained less saline than sea water throughout the year. Ground waters from an unconfined aquifer on the eastern shore made a large contribution to the annual lake water budget of Lake Clifton, maintaining lake water salinity at less than 35 g l-1 and modifying the chemical composition of the sediment-water interface where stromatolites form. Living, lithified stromatolites occur along the eastern shore of Lake Clifton. They are formed by a benthic microbial community rich in Scytonema. The Stromatolites co-exist with an abundant metazoan fauna, but do not appear to be limited by grazing. Clearly defined zones of ground-water intrusion were found along the eastern foreshore and areas of differential ground-water discharge were associated with morphologically distinctive stromatolites. Occurrence of stromatolites and regions of ground-water discharge in Lake Clifton are consistently associated. It is suggested that the intruding ground waters in Lake Clifton provide a chemical environment conducive to the formation of calcified stromatolites.
Bass Strait as a reverse estuary source for coastally trapped waves
Authors: Weaver AJ
Published: November 2005

The water in Bass Strait is often denser than the surrounding Tasman Sea water, especially in winter. This phenomenon is modelled numerically as a Rossby adjustment problem. Coastally trapped waves are generated when dense Bass Strait water flows over deepening bottom topography, through the joint effect of baroclinicity and relief (JEBAR). A narrow northward flowing stream is also observed at the shelf edge. These results are compared with field observations and the Austraian Coastal Experiment. The flow at the eastern mouth of Bass Strait is also described briefly.
Ecology of Pinna bicolor gmelin (Mollusca : Bivalvia) in Gulf St Vincent, South Australia: density, reproductive cycle, recruitment, growth and mortality at three sites
Authors: Butler AJ
Published: November 2005

Random samples of P. bicolor were taken from one intertidal and two subtidal sites over 3 years and tagged individuals of P. bicolor were followed for up to 6 years at two other sites. P. bicolor is dioecious. Mature gonads were observed in early summer (November-January) with a peak in December each year. The pattern appeared to differ little between years or sites but the period of maximum gonad activity was shorter at the intertidal site. Growth was slower at the intertidal site and animals reached a smaller maximum size there than at the subtidal sites, which differed slightly. It is concluded that P. bicolor can reach reproductive size (15 cm shell length) in little more than a year but, at least subtidally, have a low mortality rate (less than 0.1 year-1) thereafter. Recruitment is variable and it is argued that at some sites superficially 'stable' densities of P. bicolor are maintained by occasional strong recruitments, which are 'stored' in the population because of low adult mortality. The implications of this for management and for the use of P. bicolor as a biological monitor are discussed.
Cellular osmotica of plants in relation to sediment nitrogen and salt content in mangroves and saltmarshes at Western Port, Victoria
Authors: Cain S , Boon PI
Published: November 2005

Sediments from mangrove and saltmarsh areas at Yaringa, Western Port contained high concentrations of chloride (c. 330-2100 mmol per litre of interstitial water) and sodium (c. 320-1900 mmol 1-1). The concentrations recorded during the study were highest in March and lowest in July-August; salinity in the marsh during summer was considerably higher than that commonly reported for saltmarshes in other parts of the world. Sediment ammonium contents (c. 180-580 nmol per cm3 of fresh sediment) were variable across the marsh and throughout the sampling period, with there being little overall pattern to these changes. In contrast, concentrations of nitrate plus nitrite were low (< 100 nmol cm3) for most of the year except for a period in March when they were extremely high (c. 1100-1800 nmol cm-3). The leaf-cell sap of all saltmarsh and mangrove plants contained high concentrations of chloride (c. 300-1200 mmol per litre of cell sap), sodium (c. 280-900 mmol l-1) and potassium (c. 40-200 mmol l-1). Glycinebetaine was accumulated in the leaf-cell sap to concentrations of up to about 90 mmol l-1 by Atriplex paludosa, Avicennia marina, Sarcocornia quinqueflora, Sclerostegia arbuscula and Suaeda australis. Proline and glycinebetaine were accumulated by Limonium australe, Samolus repens, Selliera radicans and Triglochin striata, but no species accumulated proline alone. Concentrations of inorganic osmotica in the foliage were generally highest in March, whereas glycinebetaine and proline were at their most concentrated in April. No significant relationship was detected between concentrations of organic osmotica in the plants and that of salt or inorganic nitrogen in the sediments.
Limnology of Lake Buchanan, a tropical saline lake, and associated pools, of North Queensland
Authors: Timms BV
Published: November 2005

During 1974-1984, Lake Buchanan and seven peripheral pools usually contained water for only a few months each year, commencing in late summer. They ranged in salinity from 1 to 202 g l-1, their waters were dominated by sodium chloride, but with Ca2+/Mg2+ ratios of c. 1, and were generally alkaline. The fauna of 53 species included three halobionts (e.g. Parartemia minuta, Diacypris compacts), 18 halophilics (e.g. Mytilocypris splendida, Trigonocypris globulosa, Microcyclops dengizicus) and many salt- tolerant freshwater forms, mainly insects. Overall, the fauna was distinctly Australian, but some prominent taxa found in southern salt lakes were absent and others were replaced by local endemics and tropical species. Past climatic cycles have probably influenced the composition of the fauna.
Breeding behaviour, egg surface morphology and embryonic development in four Australian species of the genus Pseudomugil (Pisces : Melanotaeniidae)
Authors: Howe E
Published: November 2005

Spawning behaviour in P. tenellus, P. gertrudae, P, signifer and P. mellis was similar under controlled laboratory conditions. Spawning occurred mainly in the summer months, except in P. gertrudae. The rate of embryonic development varied from 10-12 days in P. tenellus to 14-19 days in P. signifer. The four Pseudomugil species in this study fall into two groups based on their geographic distribution, the place chosen for spawning, the size of the eggs and their surface morphology. P. tenellus and P. gertrudae had tufted, long chorionic filaments (15-20 mm) while P. signifer and P. mellis had dispersed short chorionic filaments (5.5-13.0 mm). The genus Pseudomugil differs from Melanotaenia in number and size of eggs spawned and their incubation time. These differences support recent work suggesting that the genus Pseudomugil be placed outside the family Melanotaeniidae.
Implication of translocated fishes in the apparent extinction in the wild of the Lake Eacham rainbowfish, Melanotaenia eachamensis
Authors: Barlow CG , Hogan AE , Rodger LJ
Published: November 2005

The Lake Eacham rainbowfish, M. eachamensis, has been recorded from only Lake Eacham, a small crater lake in northern Queensland. Colonisation by four Australian fishes not native to the lake and the concomitant decline of the rainbowfish prompted a detailed survey in 1987. Intensive sampling failed to reveal any rainbowfish. It appears that the Lake Eacham rainbowfish no longer exists in its natural habitat. Although the cause of the demise of the Lake Eacham rainbowfish cannot be proven, temporal and trophic evidence implicated the translocated species. Aquarium stocks are being maintained to make feasible the consideration of a restocking programme in the future. This case study indicates the need for strict adherence to scientifically responsible policies on fish translocation programmes.
Climatology of internal tides at a shelf-break location on the Australian North West Shelf
Authors: Hollaway PE
Published: November 2005

The concept of defining an internal tide climate is used as a means of providing an assessment of the amplitude of semi-diurnal vertical displacements of density interfaces and of horizontal baroclinic currents at a particular location. The analysis uses current meter and thermistor chain observations from North Rankin, a location just seaward of the shelf break on the Australian North West Shelf, spanning a period of 28 months. Contributions from both principal lunar (M2) and principal solar (S2) period internal waves are considered. The final climatological averages (monthly values) show the baroclinic currents to be comparable to or stronger than the semi-diurnal barotropic currents at the same location for the majority of the year (October through to May). The temporal variability closely follows the variability in the stratification with very weak baroclinic motion during the winter months (June to September).
Individual and combined effects of zinc, cadmium and copper on the marine amphipod Allorchestes compressa
Authors: Ahsanullah M , Mobley MC , Rankin P
Published: November 2005

The acute toxicity of zinc, cadmium and copper to A. compressa was assessed in single, paired and triad combinations. Copper was 1.6 times more toxic than cadmium and 4 times more toxic than zinc. When tested in combinations of paired metals, independent dissimilar and simple similar action models, both of which are non-interactive in their classification, were rejected. In one case, the expected mortalities were lower (antagonism) which suggested that paired metals acted interactively. For the combination of three metals, the mortalities were predictable by the simple similar action model (non- interactive). Except for the Zn-Cd combination, the toxic unit concept underestimated the expected mortalities in the test combinations.
Geographical distribution of living planktonic foraminifera (Protozoa) off the east coast of Australia.
Authors: Andrijanic S
Published: November 2005

Major water masses found off eastern Australia can be identified by their planktonic foraminiferal faunas. A total of 83 surface and oblique plankton samples from two cruises, in spring (October) and summer (January), between Hobart at 44� S. and Townsville at 18� S. yielded 27 species belonging to four distinct faunas: 'tropical', 'warm subtropical', 'cool subtropical' and 'transitional'. The tropical fauna is characterized by Globigerinoides sacculifer at an abundance greater than 42% and the co- dominance of Globigerinoides conglobatus, and is associated with Coral Sea water of equatorial origin. The subtropical fauna can be subdivided into warm and cool elements. The warm-subtropical fauna, with G. sacculifer more abundant than Globigerinoides ruber, inhabits Coral and Tasman Sea waters. The cool-subtropical fauna is a mixture of the warm subtropical and the transitional faunas. The transitional fauna is dominated by Globorotalia inflata and Globigerina bulloides in the south Tasman Sea subantarctic waters. It characterizes the South West Tasman water as defined by Rochford (1957). These water masses can be clearly separated, and the extent of mixing determined by their foraminiferal fauna. The shifts in the boundaries between the faunal zones was evident between spring and summer. The boundary between the tropical and subtropical water corresponds to the tropical convergence and the subtropical/transitional boundary is the Tasman Front. During the spring cruise, a warm core eddy was identified by its warm subtropical foraminiferal fauna surrounded by a transitional fauna to the south and cool subtropical fauna to the north. This water body was near 32� S., which is consistent with the reported positions of eddies shed by the East Australian Current. The distribution patterns of individual species are discussed.
Coral populations Fringing Islands: Larval Connections
Authors: Stroddart JA
Published: November 2005

The ubiquitous Indo-Pacific coral Pocillopora damicornis utilises two modes of larval dispersal; one
operates over short distances and involves a brooded, asexually-produced, planula; the second acts over
longer distances and involves a sexual propagule. When examined genetically, larval connections between
definable populations were weaker between fringing reefs around an island than they were between patch
reefs in an embayment of similar dimensions. Differing regimes of water circulation were inferred to
explain this pattern. One implication for management is that populations on fringing reefs are more
likely to contain singularities than those on patch reefs and will thus contribute more to the total genetic
diversity within a species.
Movements of juvenile barramundi, Lates calcarifer (Bloch), in north-eastern Queensland
Authors: Russell DJ , Garrett RN
Published: November 2005

Movements of juvenile barramundi resident in tidal creeks of two north-eastern Queensland coastal bays were determined using tag and recapture techniques. In a 3-year period from 1978, 1268 mainly young- of-the-year barramundi were tagged and 213 (17%) recaptured. Most fish were recaptured at the original tagging location, with only 32 (2.5% of all fish tagged) caught away from the tidal creeks where they were released. Marked fish continued to be recaptured within the tidal creeks until they were about 1 year old. Barramundi of this age moved out into the main estuary and dispersed into adjacent streams and coastal habitats. After leaving the tidal creeks, barramundi tagged in Trinity Bay moved an average distance of 7.6 km, whereas those tagged in Rockingham Bay moved an average of 23 km. Factors which may limit the movements of these juvenile fish are discussed.
Seasonal variation in the copper complexing capacity of Port Hacking
Authors: Mackey DJ , Szymczak R
Published: November 2005

The copper complexing capacity (CuCC) of waters at the entrance to Port Hacking estuary, Australia, was monitored approximately daily from February to November 1984. Biological and hydrological parameters collected from this area since 1942 provide a wealth of historical data to aid in the interpretation of the results. From May to August, the CuCC values averaged about 5 nM, with occasional high values (up to 17 nM) attributable to terrestrial runoff following heavy rainstorms. In mid-October, CuCC values up to 56 nM were attributable to a phytoplankton bloom that resulted from the intrusion of nutrient-rich slope waters onto the continental shelf. These intrusions of slope water seem to be driven onto the continental shelf by the approach of the East Australian Current and its associated eddy field. The approach of an eddy coincided with a secondary maximum in the CuCC (30 nM) that occurred in mid-April. The CuCC of Port Hacking is dominated by processes originating outside the estuary; Port Hacking cannot therefore be a significant source of organic ligands to coastal waters.
Sedimentary provinces, and associated bedforms and benthos on the Scott Reef-Rowley Shoals platform off north-west Australia
Authors: McLoughlin RJ , Davis TLO , Ward TJ
Published: November 2005

The distribution of sediment types on the Scott Reef-Rowley Shoals platform, a marginal plateau adjoining the continental shelf of north-west Australia, has been investigated. Sediments in this region are predominately muds, with a high carbonate content. Sands, which are scarce, are mainly composed of both benthic and pelagic skeletal remains, with any gravel-sized material consisting of relict molluscan debris and, occasionally, relict coralline material. Correlation of sediment type with sea-bed characteristics as determined from photographs of the bottom at the same site showed significant relationships between mean grain size, and degree of sediment rippling and benthic activity. Similar correlations were found for the skewness measure of the analysis of sediment grain-size frequency. It is concluded that sediment type bears strong relationships with benthic activity and bedform morphology. Correlations between sediment provinces and the distribution of Australian scampi (Metanephrops sp.), a relatively new fishery in the region, are discussed.
A survey of Vibrionaceae in Tasmanian coastal waters, with special reference to bacterial species pathogenic to fish or shellfish
Authors: Cameron DE , Garland CD , Lewis TE , Machin PJ
Published: November 2005

Samples of the water column and sediment were examined seasonally at nine sites along the east coast of Tasmania. The mean number (loglo units) of presumptive Vibrionaceae, determined on selective agar media, was 1.81 ml-1 water column and 3.95 g-1 sediment. The mean seasonal count varied slightly between sites in the water column but showed a summer peak in the sediment. Factors including sediment particle size, geographical features, or presence of animal husbandry at the site, did not strongly influence the presumptive Vibrionaceae count. Vibrionaceae formed 4.5% and 15.5% of the total heterotrophic bacterial count in the water column and sediment, respectively, but the proportion varied greatly between sites and seasons. Four hundred and fifty-two isolates were identified partially to group level according to a revised scheme based on that of West and Colwell (1984). The two groups including group 8, V. ordalii, and group 9, V. tubiashii, V. anguillarum and V. damsela, contained 30.1% and 46.7% of the isolates, respectively. The overall environmental incidence of these pathogens of fish or shellfish amongst the Vibrionaceae was V. ordalii 0.4%, V. tubiashii 1.3%, V. anguillarum 1.1 % and V. damsela 0.7%.
Growth and morphometry in abalone (Haliotis rubra Leach) from Victoria
Authors: McShane PE , Smith MG , Beinssen KHH
Published: November 2005

Several Victorian populations of the abalone Haliotis rubra were studied. A comparison was made of relationships of the dependent variables, shell width, shell height, foot weight and total weight with shell length of abalone collected from several sites at different seasons. Male and female H. rubra were morphometrically similar. In contrast, the morphometrics for abalone collected from the same site at different times were significantly different, as were the morphometrics of abalone collected from different sites at the same time. Weight yields (foot weight relative to total weight) from Portsea and Apollo Bay were highest in winter and lowest in summer. This correlated with the known reproductive cycle in H. rubra, suggesting a relationship of gonad fullness and somatic tissue weight. Morphometric heterogeneity was attributed to differences in growth rates between sites. Growth rates were estimated at three sites and significant between-site variation was shown. At Mallacoota, H. rubra tagged with a threaded wire tag yielded lower estimates of growth rate than those to which tags were affixed with glue. Differences in growth rate, exclusive of tagging method, were attributed to difference of exposure between the study sites.
A method for ageing the abalone Haliotis rubra (Mollusca : Gastropoda)
Authors: Prince JD , Sellers TL , Ford WB , Talbot SR
Published: November 2005

A technique for ageing Haliotis rubra is described. The spire of the shell is ground to create a polished disc of nacre in which rings are visible. The number of rings present in each shell is related to the size of the shell. The age at which each ring is deposited has been determined using an age-length key derived from length-frequency histograms and tag return data. For the population studied, three minor rings are deposited in the first 16 months of life and a major ring at an age of approximately 20 months. Subsequent rings are deposited at approximately annual intervals.
Studies on southern Australian Abalone (Genus Haliotis). VIII. Growth of juvenile H. laevigata
Authors: Shepherd SA
Published: November 2005

The growth of juvenile H. laevigata was studied by analysis of sequences of length-frequency distributions obtained in below- and above-boulder habitats at West Island, South Australia. The mean growth rate overall is 1.69 mm month-1 and is linear with length for the first 5 years, but thereafter declines with increasing length. The mean growth rate of four groups of marked H. laevigata aged 1 and 3 years is 1.6-2.1 mm month-1, and thus supports the estimation of growth rate from analysis of length-frequency distributions.
Effect of a baited trap on the foraging movements of juvenile western rock lobsters, Panulirus cygnus George
Authors: Jernakoff P , Phillips BF
Published: November 2005

The influence of a commercial trap on the foraging movements of juvenile P. cygnus was determined by tracking animals to which electromagnetic tags had been attached. Catch rates were low. Tagged lobsters were caught on eight occasions; on 14 occasions, tagged lobsters visited the trap and stayed for several hours during the night, but left by morning. The greatest distance travelled by a lobster from down stream to the baited trap was 120 m. On 19 occasions lobsters upcurrent from the trap passed as close as 20 m without going to the trap, although other lobsters as far away as 75 m upcurrent visited the trap. Previous tracking records of individuals foraging upcurrent of the trap suggest that these lobsters' visits may have been due to the trap's location within their foraging range rather than to detection of the bait. Present trapping techniques used to estimate the densities of juvenile lobsters on individual patch reefs may be biased because lobsters on neighbouring reefs as far away as 120 m could be attracted to the baited trap. The present results also suggest that some lobsters may leave the traps before sunrise, and that traps set closer than 120 m apart may fish competitively for the same individuals.