Insect migration across Bass Strait during spring: a radar study

1981 ◽  
Vol 71 (3) ◽  
pp. 449-466 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. A. Drake ◽  
K. F. Helm ◽  
J. L. Readshaw ◽  
D. G. Reid
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Insect Flight ◽  
New South ◽  
Light Trap ◽  
South Australia ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Insect Migration ◽  
Western Victoria ◽  
Trap Catches ◽  
North Western

AbstractAn entomological radar was used to observe insect flight activity at a coastal locality in north-western Tasmania during the spring of 1973. Insects were regularly observed to take off at dusk, and local movements from nearby islands were detected on several occasions. Large-scale southward movements of insects across Bass Strait were also observed and were found to be associated with the warm anticyclonic airflows which occur ahead of a cold front. Light-trap catches indicated that the insects were noctuid moths, with Persectania ewingii (Westw.), Heliothis punctiger Wllgr. and Agrotis munda Wlk. dominant. The movements appear to have originated mainly in Victoria and south-eastern South Australia, but it is tentatively suggested that the ultimate source of the moths was in the region stretching westwards from north-western Victoria and south-western New South Wales towards the shores of the Spencer Gulf, South Australia.

Variation in Phebalium glandulosum subsp. glandulosum: morphometric and anatomical evidence (Rutaceae)

2008 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 271 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robyn L. Giles ◽  
Andrew N. Drinnan ◽  
Neville G. Walsh
Keyword(s):  
New South ◽  
Anatomical Variation ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
South Australia ◽  
Geographic Range ◽  
New Subspecies ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Climate Analysis ◽  
Western Victoria ◽  
North Western

Specimens of Phebalium glandulosum Hook. subsp. glandulosum representing the entire geographic range of the subspecies were examined for morphological and anatomical variation. Phenetic patterns were identified with the pattern analysis package PATN, and three distinct groups were identified. One group consists of plants from inland areas of New South Wales, north-western Victoria, and the Yorke and Eyre Peninsulas of South Australia; a second group consists of plants collected from alongside the Snowy River in eastern Victoria and south-eastern New South Wales; and a third group consists of plants from Queensland and northern New South Wales. The climate analysis program BIOCLIM was used to compare climate variables across the geographic range, and showed clear climatic separation in support of the phenetic analysis. The three groups are formally recognised here as distinct subspecies. Plants from Queensland and the Bourke region of northern New South Wales belong to the typical subspecies; plants from north-western Victoria, central New South Wales, and the Yorke and Eyre Peninsulas of South Australia form a cohesive assemblage and are recognised as a new subspecies P. glandulosum subsp. macrocalyx; and plants from the Snowy River in far eastern Victoria and the Southern Tablelands of New South Wales form a distinct and isolated group recognised as a new subspecies P. glandulosum subsp. riparium. These new subspecies are formally described, and an identification key and summaries distinguishing all six subspecies of P. glandulosum are presented.

Morphological analysis of the Grevillea ilicifolia complex (Proteaceae) and recognition of taxa

2004 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 327 ◽  
Author(s):  
Trisha L. Downing ◽  
Marco F. Duretto ◽  
Pauline Y. Ladiges
Keyword(s):  
Arid Regions ◽  
Morphological Analysis ◽  
Spanning Trees ◽  
New South ◽  
South Australia ◽  
Minimum Spanning Trees ◽  
Leaf Form ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Western Victoria ◽  
Lobed Leaf

A morphological study of herbarium and field-collected specimens, using phenetic techniques of agglomerative classification, ordination and minimum spanning trees, and covering the geographic range of the Holly Grevillea, G.�ilicifolia (R.Br.) R.Br. sensu lato, has resulted in the recognition of three species and four subspecies. The taxa are based on leaf form, noted by previous authors to be highly variable between populations. The taxa recognised here are G.�ilicifolia, G.�ilicifolia subsp. ilicifolia (typical, kite-shaped leaf form), G.�ilicifolia subsp. lobata (F.Muell.) T.L.Downing comb. et stat. nov. (oak-shaped leaf form), G.�dilatata (R.Br.) T.L.Downing comb. et stat. nov. (fan-shaped leaf form), G.�angustiloba (F.Muell.) T.L.Downing comb. et stat. nov., G.�angustiloba subsp. angustiloba (narrow-lobed leaf form) and G.�angustiloba subsp. wirregaensis T.L.Downing subsp. nov. (very narrow-lobed leaf form). The rank of subspecies is used where there are some intermediate plants between forms. Grevillea ilicifolia subsp. ilicifolia is the most widespread taxon and occurs in South Australia, western Victoria and in two localities in New South Wales. Grevillea angustiloba subsp. wirregaensis has the most restricted range, occurring in semi-arid regions near Wirrega in South Australia. Grevillea dilatata is largely endemic to Kangaroo Island, South Australia.

Population ranges of Miniopterus schreibersii (Chiroptera) in south-eastern Australia

1969 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 665 ◽  
Author(s):  
PD Dwyer
Keyword(s):  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
South Australia ◽  
South Eastern ◽  
Navigational Cues ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
North Eastern ◽  
Western Victoria ◽  
South Eastern Australia

In south-eastern Australia banding of M. schreibersii has been concentrated in four areas: north-eastern New South Wales, south-eastern New South Wales, south-eastern Victoria, and south-western Victoria and south-eastern South Australia. The present paper analyses 2083 reported movements. Only 17 of these are from one of the four areas to another with the longest movement being 810 miles. Biologically and geographically separate populations of M. schreibersii are recognized in both north-eastern and south-eastern New South Wales. Each population has its basis in dependence upon a specific nursery site which is used annually by nearly all adult females in that population. Boundaries of population ranges in New South Wales are considered to be prominent features of physiography (i.e. divides). Bats move between population ranges less often than they move within population ranges. This cannot be explained solely in terms of the distances separating roosts. Available movement records from Victoria and South Australia are consistent with the pattern described for New South Wales. Two biologically recognizable populations (i.e, different birth periods) occur in south-western Victoria and south-eastern South Australia but these may have overlapping ranges. Only one nursery colony of M. schreibersii is known from south-eastern Victoria. On present evidence it remains possible that the apparent integrity of the population associated with this nursery is merely a consequence of distance from other areas of banding activity. Detailed analyses of movements in bats may provide direct evidence as to the kinds of cues by which a given species navigates. Thus the physiographic basis described for population ranges in New South Wales is consistent with the view that M. schreibersii may orientate to waterways or divides or both. The probability that there are area differences in the subtlety or nature of navigational cues is implied by the different physiographic circumstances of south-western Victoria and south-eastern South Australia. It is suggested that knowledge of population range boundaries may aid planning of meaningful homing experiments.

Analysis and interpretation of long term light trap data for Helicoverpa punctigera (Lepidoptera; Noctuidae) in Australia: population changes and forecasting pest pressure

1996 ◽  
Vol 86 (5) ◽  
pp. 547-557 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Maelzer ◽  
M.P. Zalucki ◽  
R. Laughlin
Keyword(s):  
Light Trap ◽  
South Australia ◽  
Positive Influence ◽  
Weather Data ◽  
Early Season ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Spring Generation ◽  
Negative Effect ◽  
The One ◽  
Trap Catches

AbstractUsing regression analysis the early season dynamics of Helicoverpa punctigera (Wallengren) were determined from long series of light trap catches (10–19 years) from three sites in Australia (Narrabri and Trangie in New South Wales, and Turretfield in South Australia). The size of the second spring generation (G2, the one causing major pest problems in summer cropping regions) was strongly related to the size of the first spring generation (G1). In most cases, rainfall in early winter had a positive influence on the size of G2, whereas rainfall in spring had a negative effect. Regressions were found to account for 49 to 93% of the annual variation in G2, depending on site. The use of light trap catches and weather data to forecast pest levels from a few months to a few weeks in advance is discussed, along with the improved understanding of early season H. punctigera dynamics.

An early Pleistocene record of a giant koala (Phascolarctidae: Marsupialia) from western Victoria.

2005 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 221 ◽  
Author(s):  
KJ Piper
Keyword(s):  
Late Pleistocene ◽  
New South ◽  
South Australia ◽  
Early Pleistocene ◽  
Local Fauna ◽  
Phascolarctos Cinereus ◽  
Early Pliocene ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Cast Doubt ◽  
Western Victoria

THE pre Holocene-Late Pleistocene record of Phascolarctos in Australia is extremely meagre. There are at least two, possibly three extinct species of Phascolarctos in addition to the extant Phascolarctos cinereus (Black 1999). P. yorkensis (syn. Cundokoala yorkensis; Black and Archer 1997) is known from the Early Pliocene Curramulka Local Fauna, South Australia (SA), and the Late Pleistocene Wellington Caves Local Fauna, New South Wales (Archer et al. 1997; Pledge 1992). P. stirtoni occurs in the Late Pleistocene Cement Mills Local Fauna, Queensland, and is known only from a partial maxilla containing P3-M2 (Bartholomai 1968, 1977). Phascolarctos material from the mid- Pleistocene Victoria Fossil Cave and Spring Cave, Naracoorte, SA, have also been referred to P. cf. stirtoni but remain undescribed (Reed and Bourne 2000; Moriarty et al. 2000). P. maris is known from a single lower molar from the Early Pliocene Sunlands Local Fauna, SA (Pledge 1987). Black (1999) cast doubt on its validity, suggesting its features may fall within the intraspecific variation of P. stirtoni. If P. maris is referable to P. stirtoni it is another South Australian instance of this species, and extends its range back to the Early Pliocene. The new phascolarctid material documented here is from the early Pleistocene Nelson Bay Local Fauna, Portland, Victoria (141o 35? E; 38o 36? S). It is therefore an important additional southern occurrence of a species larger than the living P. cinereus, and is the only pre- Late Pleistocene record of the Phascolarctidae in Victoria.

Studies on the yellow-footed rock-wallaby, Petrogale xanthopus Gray (Marsupialia : Macropodidae). 3. Distribution and management in western New South Wales

1987 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 147 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. L. Lim ◽  
J. R. Giles
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Aerial Survey ◽  
Isolated Population ◽  
Faecal Pellets ◽  
Low Level ◽  
The Past ◽  
South Wales ◽  
North Western

Contrary to previous literature, P. xanthopus had not been recorded in western New South Wales before its existence was reported by Fox (1966). There is only one geographically isolated population of less than 250 animals in two separate colonies in the Gap and Coturaundee Ranges, where they are confined to two cliff systems and two outcrops. Their distribution is therefore more limited than first reported by Wilson et al. (1976). They were more widespread in the past, being found also in the Barrier and Bynguano Ranges. These conclusions have been reached from data collected from: (1) a large-scale low-level aerial survey and subsequent ground inspections to record this species' presence in specific locations in north-western New South Wales; (2) a systematic detailed survey of the Gap and Coturaundee Ranges to establish its pattern of habitat use from the accumulated density of faecal pellets; (3) low-level aerial surveys over these and other areas, by helicopter, to confirm the results of earlier surveys and check on reported sightings. The results of this study are being used for the management of this rare rock-wallaby in New South Wales. It is recommend that this species be re-established in the Bynguano Range.

Offshore Migration and the Collapse of Outbreaks of the Australian Plague Locust (Chortoicetes Terminifera Walk.) In South-East Australia.

1975 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. 569 ◽  
Author(s):  
RA Farrow
Keyword(s):  
Special Reference ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
New South ◽  
South Australia ◽  
Migration Patterns ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Nocturnal Migration ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Synoptic Circulation ◽  
Australian Plague Locust

High levels of night-flight activity of the Australian plague locust, Chortoicetes terminifera Walker, occurred on at least five separate occasions during the 1973-74 plague in south-east Australia and resulted in episodic, large-scale invasions at night of parts of southern New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia from more northerly breeding areas. The plague did not, however, reach the severe and damaging levels expected in the areas invaded, since on at least three out of five occasions nocturnal migration continued offshore and resulted in extensive mortality. The relationship between migration patterns and synoptic circulation is shown for each of the five situations, with special reference to the use and limitations of wind trajectories for estimating high-altitude displacement of locusts at night.

The Abundance of Kangaroos in Suboptimal Habitats: Wheat, Intensive Pastoral, and Mallee

1982 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 221 ◽  
Author(s):  
J Short ◽  
GC Grigg
Keyword(s):  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Significant Proportion ◽  
South Australia ◽  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Aerial Survey ◽  
Tree Cover ◽  
South Eastern ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Western Victoria

The densities of red and grey kangaroos in western Victoria and south-eastern South Australia were assessed by aerial survey. Much of the 133000-km2 area surveyed was farmed intensively for wheat and sheep but a significant proportion was largely unaltered mallee woodland or mallee heath. Of the total area, 85% had a density of less than one kangaroo per square kilometre, and 32% had a density of less than 0.01 km-2, values considerably lower than those reported for pastoral areas in New South Wales and South Australia. Low densities in settled areas are attributed to intensive agricultural practices, small landholdings and lack of tree cover. Low densities in mallee may be due to the lack of palatable grasses and the absence of permanent watering points.

Origin and evolution of Parthenogenetic reproduction in the grasshopper Maraba virgo (Eumastacidae: Morabinae)

1968 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 647 ◽  
Author(s):  
MJD White ◽  
GC Webb
Keyword(s):  
New South ◽  
Tritiated Thymidine ◽  
Chromosomal Rearrangements ◽  
Bisexual Species ◽  
Origin And Evolution ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Parthenogenetic Reproduction ◽  
Western Victoria ◽  
Thymidine Autoradiography ◽  
North Western

The virgo group of morabine grasshoppers includes the parthenogenetic, all. female species virgo from western New South Wales and north-western Victoria, together with four bisexual species from arid regions of Western Australia. The karyotypes of three of these bisexual species are compared with that of virgo and the origin of the various kinds of genetic heterozygosity found in the latter is discussed. It has been shown by tritiated thymidine autoradiography that virgo, in addition to being heterozygous for various structural rearrangements, is a permanent heterozygote for certain late-replicating DNA segments in the AB and CD chromosomes. The total amount of DNA per diploid nucleus is slightly lower in virgo than in its bisexual relatives. It is probable that the evolution of the virgo karyotype under conditions of parthenogenetic reproduction has involved inactivation of some segments (as suggested by late-labelling) and actual deletion of others. There have been two different X-autosome fusions in the phylogeny of the virgo group (one in the ancestry of virgo itself), two fusions between autosomes, and a translocation (or dissociation plus fusion). A numerical system to designate these and other chromosomal rearrangements in the morabine grasshoppers is put forward.

scholarly journals Unusual Sydney dust storm and its mineralogical and organic characteristics

2012 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 537 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rupak Aryal ◽  
Dheeraj Kandel ◽  
Durga Acharya ◽  
Meng Nan Chong ◽  
Simon Beecham
Keyword(s):  
Dust Storm ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Agricultural Land ◽  
New South ◽  
South Australia ◽  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Organic Content ◽  
Drought Period ◽  
Dust Transport ◽  
South Wales

Environmental context In 2009, at the end of the longest drought period ever recorded in Australia, a major dust storm blanketed the cities of Sydney and Brisbane for more than 24 h. The source of the dust was inner New South Wales and South Australia, where large scale open-cut mining occurs together with agricultural practices. We report results of extensive mineralogical and chemical analyses of the dust, and discuss their significance in terms of the dust origins and potential human health risks. Abstract In a 24-h period from 23 to 24 September 2009, a dust storm passed over Sydney, Australia that produced a red sky and reduced the visibility to a few metres. It was Sydney’s worst dust storm since 1942. During this period, the PM10 (particles measuring 10 μm or less) value jumped from 50 to 11 800 µg m–3. The dust storm was sampled and its mineralogical and organic contents were analysed. Four major particle sizes (0.6, 4.5, 9.3 and 20 µm) were observed in the dust. A multimodal particle distribution indicated a long range of dust transport. Mineralogical analysis showed that the particles were mainly composed of crustal elemental oxides of Al and Si. The ratio of Al/Si was 0.39 and the organic content was 10.6 %, which was found to be enriched with humic-type substances. The high Al/Si ratio (>0.3) indicated that the dust originated from desert land whereas the high organic content indicated that the particles were also derived from eroded agricultural land. A fluorescence spectroscopic study on the organic matter at excitation and emission wavelengths of 245–265 and 330–350 nm indicated that biohazardous substances were unlikely to be present in the dust.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document