Platypus, Ornithorhynchus anatinus, Movement Data from The Duckmaloi Weir Pool: Poisson Regression Models.

1998 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 287
Author(s):  
B.A. Ellem ◽  
A. Mcleod

McLeod (1993) monitored the movement of platypuses (Ornithorhynchus anatinus) using telemetric devices, recording the number of times animals were found in predetermined grid positions in a pool impounded behind the Duckmaloi Weir near Oberon, New South Wales, and the number of times they were discovered in numerous burrows on the periphery of the weir pool. The aim of this program was to identify the predictive variables that accounted for platypus movement from among those measured such as water depth, and from among known factors such as age. A Poisson regression model is described together with the results for these data. The potential benefits of Poisson regression models for these data over log transformation models, such as handling zeros and catering for overdispersion, are expounded. The analyses indicate that the use of areas of the weir pool were related to water depth, with there being greater use of shallow depths in the channel than in other locations in the pool. There was also differential usage of burrows in the banks of the pool related to different degrees of foliage density from one side of the weir pool to the other.

1999 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 177
Author(s):  
T.R. Grant ◽  
P.C. Gehrke ◽  
J.H. Harris ◽  
S. Hartley

Data from the New South Wales Rivers Survey on the occurrence of platypuses have provided the most recent and comprehensive record of platypus distribution in the State. The species was most commonly reported from the montane and coastal regions, being less common on the western slopes and uncommon in the rivers of the western lowlands. The observations confirmed those from earlier community-based surveys. In contrast to the distribution of native fish species, there appears to have been little change in the overall state-wide distribution of the platypus in response to degrading processes in the rivers of New South Wales, although nothing is known of the stability of their population numbers.


1984 ◽  
Vol 32 (5) ◽  
pp. 631 ◽  
Author(s):  
RJ Whittington ◽  
TR Grant

Blood was collected from a bill sinus of nine conscious adult platypuses, Ornithorhynchus anatinus, caught in south-eastem New South Wales. Sexual dimorphisms were not found in the haematological and serum biochemical values measured. Results were compared with those obtained earlier from anaesthetized platypuses: ether anaethesia did not affect red cell parameters and the majority of biochemical values measured. It did, however, cause significant leukocytosis due to neutrophilia and monocytosis. The mean total leukocyte count in conscious platypuses was 28.63 X 10*9.1-�. The unusually high urea levels and low creatinine levels found in anaesthetized platypus were confirmed in this study (31.5 mmol.l-� and 26 �mol.l-� respectively). High values for erythrocyte count (9.96 X 10*12.l-�), packed cell volume (0.491.l-�) and haemoglobin (190 g.l-�) were found in conscious platypuses, confirming earlier findings and supporting the view that the erythrocyte parameters of the platypus show significant adaptations to hypoxia.


1983 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 421 ◽  
Author(s):  
PJ Canfield ◽  
RJ Whittington

Blood was collected from the bill sinus of 10 healthy, mature platypuses captured in the Upper Shoalhaven River of New South Wales. Blood from all 10 animals was used for light microscopic morphometrical studies, and that from four of them was used for ultrastructural studies. The erythrocytes presented no unusual features and were similar to those described for other monotremes, marsupials and man. Platelets were of a mammalian type and uniform. Features of the leukocytes were compared and contrasted with those of other monotremes, marsupials, domestic mammals and man. Unusual features of the leukocytes of the platypus included the consistent presence of Dohle bodies within segmented neutrophils, and the nonsegmented nature of nuclei of eosinophils and basophils. Ultrastructural studies confirmed these findings.


1997 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 163 ◽  
Author(s):  
Darren G. Quin

Platypus and Echidnas presents the proceedings of a conference held at the University of New South Wales in July 1991. Platypus and Echidnas incorporates an extensive information source obtained from studies undertaken since the first symposium on "Monotreme Biology" in 1978, while highlighting deficiencies in our knowledge, and subsequently suggests further avenues for research. The theme of evolution re-occurs throughout the publication and the studies demonstrate how patterns of mammalian phylogeny may be derived from various sources including palaeontology, gene mapping, DNA hybridization, reproductive physiology and endocrinology. Interest in this publication will extend to: (i) scholars of phylogeny and evolution especially part 1); (ii) comparative physiologist, physiological ecologists and anatomists (parts 1, 3, 4 and 5); (iii) ecologists and sacio-ecologists (parts 3, 5 and 6); (iv) natural historians; (v) keepers of captive wildlife colonies (parts 3 and 6); (vi) wildlife veterinary surgeons (part 6); and (vii) wildlife managers (especially part 6). The book deals primarily with the short-beaked echidna Tachyglossus aculeatus and the platypus Ornithorhynchus anatinus, for which most information is available.


1983 ◽  
Vol 31 (6) ◽  
pp. 881 ◽  
Author(s):  
TR Grant ◽  
M Griffiths ◽  
RMC Leckie

Female platypuses captured in waters of eastern New South Wales were found to be lactating between the months of October and March. Lactating females were most numerous in December, accounting for 64% of females captured. Non-lactating females were taken in all months, indicating that not all females breed successfully every year. There was no significant difference between the fatty acid complement of milk taken from a platypus lactating very late in the season and those of others sampled in December at the peak of the lactation season. Some evidence exists that females do not become reproductive until at least their second year of life. Some females were found lactating in consecutive years, and others lactated one year and not in the one following. Animals of over 9 years of age are known to breed. Most juveniles were captured in February, March and April, and it is suggested that the young leave the breeding burrows for the first time in late January through to March, and become independent from their mothers, who are ceasing lactation at that time.


2019 ◽  
Vol 46 (8) ◽  
pp. 701 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul A. Butcher ◽  
Toby P. Piddocke ◽  
Andrew P. Colefax ◽  
Brent Hoade ◽  
Victor M. Peddemors ◽  
...  

Abstract ContextA series of unprovoked shark attacks on New South Wales (Australia) beaches between 2013 and 2015 triggered an investigation of new and emerging technologies for protecting bathers. Traditionally, bather protection has included several methods for shark capture, detection and/or deterrence but has often relied on environmentally damaging techniques. Heightened environmental awareness, including the important role of sharks in the marine ecosystem, demands new techniques for protection from shark attack. Recent advances in drone-related technologies have enabled the possibility of real-time shark detection and alerting. AimTo determine the reliability of drones to detect shark analogues in the water across a range of environmental conditions experienced on New South Wales beaches. MethodsA standard multirotor drone (DJI Inspire 1) was used to detect shark analogues as a proxy during flights at 0900, 1200 and 1500 hours over a 3-week period. The 27 flights encompassed a range of environmental conditions, including wind speed (2–30.0kmh−1), turbidity (0.4–6.4m), cloud cover (0–100%), glare (0–100%), seas (0.4–1.4m), swells (1.4–2.5m) and sea state (Beaufort Scale 1–5 Bf). Key resultsDetection rates of the shark analogues over the 27 flights were significantly higher for the independent observer conducting post-flight video analysis (50%) than for the drone pilot (38%) (Wald P=0.04). Water depth and turbidity significantly impaired detection of analogues (Wald P=0.04). Specifically, at a set depth of 2m below the water surface, very few analogues were seen by the observer or pilot when water turbidity reduced visibility to less than 1.5m. Similarly, when water visibility was greater than 1.5m, the detection rate was negatively related to water depth. Conclusions The present study demonstrates that drones can fly under most environmental conditions and would be a cost-effective bather protection tool for a range of user groups. ImplicationsThe most effective use of drones would occur during light winds and in shallow clear water. Although poor water visibility may restrict detection, sharks spend large amounts of time near the surface, therefore providing a practical tool for detection in most conditions.


1998 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 251
Author(s):  
R.W. Turnbull

Distribution of the platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus) in the Bombala River catchment in south-eastern New South Wales was surveyed using questionnaires. Platypuses were reported from all streams in the catchment. The majority of positive sightings were from downstream areas whereas very few positive sightings were reported from headwater areas. The difference between frequencies of headwater and downstream reports of sightings was significant. The platypus was considered common throughout the catchment.


1998 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 207
Author(s):  
J.M. Jakubowski ◽  
N.P. New ◽  
G.M. Stone ◽  
R.C. Jones

Progesterone concentrations were determined in samples of blood, urine and faeces collected from female platypuses which were captured in the Upper Barnard River, NSW, from February to November, 1996. Mean concentrations in blood plasma were higher in July, August and September than in other months with the highest concentrations being in August. Progesterone concentrations in dried urine and faeces were highly correlated with values for blood plasma (r = 0.61, P<0.05 and 0.7 1, P<O.OI, respectively), and the coefficient of variation for progesterone determinations was lower for samples of urine and faeces than blood. There was a seasonal change in mean concentration of cortisol in blood (being elevated in May-August), but the concentrations of progesterone and cortisol in blood were not significantly correlated.


1987 ◽  
Vol 38 (6) ◽  
pp. 795 ◽  
Author(s):  
I Yassini ◽  
BG Jones

Major controls of the distribution pattern and abundance of living ostracod populations in Lake Illawarra, a coastal lagoon south of Wollongong, New South Wales, are salinity and the benthic flora. The biocenotic ostracod assemblage from the intertidal zone around Windang Island is a typical, diverse, upper sublittoral, open ocean fauna. The lake entrance channel, which is a transport corridor for marine sediments into the lagoon, has a restricted ostracod biocenose (14 species) but contains an additional 72 species in the diverse thanatocenose resulting from the mixing of estuarine and marine species. Within the lagoon, the benthic flora influences the ostracod distribution pattern with the most diverse assemblage (13 species) occurring in areas covered by seagrasses. Seagrass distribution is, in turn, controlled by water depth, circulation, turbidity and substrate. Estuarine ostracods associated with the seagrass beds can tolerate florally induced fluctuations in pH from 7 to 10 and in dissolved oxygen from 1 mg l-1 to 14 mg l-1. In the deeper parts of the lagoon with a predominantly mud substrate, the ostracod assemblage is dominated by Osticythere reticulata. Most samples retrieved from the most polluted part of the lagoon contained no ostracods. A total of 90 ostracod species and subspecies belonging to 50 genera has been identified; nine species: Cytheralison cosmetics, Callistocythere janiceburrowsae, Callistocythere windangensis, Neocytherideis anneclarkeae, Actinocythereis robustus, Bradleya rectangulata, Procythereis jonesi, Hemicytherura windangensis and Cytheropteron wrighti; and one subspecies, Callistocythere dorsotuberculata paucicostata, are described as new to science.


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