Instream Flow Requirements for The Platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus): High Flows. Studies of Water Transfers from The Shoalhaven River System to The Hawkesbury-Nepean River System.

1998 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 304
Author(s):  
T. Grant ◽  
G. McDonald
Keyword(s):  
River System ◽  
Noticeable Effect ◽  
Minimal Impact ◽  
Reduced Body ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Subjective Assessments ◽  
Ornithorhynchus Anatinus ◽  
High Flows ◽  
Potential Impact ◽  
Water Pumps

During periods of low flows into the storages of the Hawkesbury-Nepean River system, Sydney Water pumps water from Lake Yarrunga, a storage at the junction of the Shoalhaven and Kangaroo Rivers. to the Wingecarribee Dam in the southern tablelands of New South Wales. From there it can be released into the upper Nepean River storages and/or the Wingecarribee River, which drains into the Wollondilly River and hence into the stored water behind Warragamba Dam. Prior to the formulation of an operational release strategy for this system, controlled releases of water were made into both the systems. During these releases the effects of flows on bank stability, water birds, benthic organisms and platypus populations and habitat were assessed, and a regime of maximum releases formulated. Potential impact on platypus populations was assessed by determining the height and/or area of bank left available for use by platypuses at the various flows. Subjective assessments were also made of the usable sections of the rivers for foraging at various flows. Broken white water was assumed to be unsuitable for foraging. The various investigations indicated that flows of 400 ML/day during September to March (water bird and platypus breeding and nesting season) and 600 ML/day at other times would have minimal impact on the ecology of the two river systems. Monitoring, studies involving netting and observations of platypuses in the upper Nepean River system indicated that operational releases within the suggested regime between July 1994 and May 1995 may have led to slightly reduced body condition in some animals during the higher flows in the winter of 1994. However the smaller discharges during the latter period of releases did not appear to result in platypuses entering the winter of 1995 in poor condition. Assessment of the usefulness of some sections of the river for foraging indicated that minor adjustments to the higher end of the flow regime may be necessary for future releases and that further monitoring needs to be done. Capture and observational monitoring studies indicated that releases of up to 500 ML/day in the Wingecarribee River between February and June 1995 had no noticeable effect on platypus activity or populations. Further monitoring needs to be done prior to, during and after higher flows and/or for longer periods in the Wingecarribee River.

An Evaluation of The Habitat Characteristics of Pools Used by Platypuses (Ornithorhynchus Anatinus) in the Upper Macquarie River System, New South Wales.

1998 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 299
Author(s):  
A. Bryant ◽  
D. Goldney ◽  
J. Bauer
Keyword(s):  
Aquatic Vegetation ◽  
River System ◽  
Habitat Characteristics ◽  
Biophysical Parameters ◽  
System A ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Habitat Analysis ◽  
Ornithorhynchus Anatinus ◽  
Sand Accumulation ◽  
Flowing Waters

The study conducted during 1993 assessed the habitat characteristics of 36 pools along the upper Macquarie River system. A range of biophysical parameters were assessed at each site, including: pool morphology; riparian floristics and habitat structure; benthic substrate composition; and physicochemical properties. The results of a complementary observation program indicated that 19 of the pools were being used by platypuses. Statistical analyses were carried out to identify significant platypus-habitat relationships. Platypuses were most often associated with long pools with consolidated, angled banks; slow flowing waters; mean depths of one to two metres; low level sand accumulation; abundant native vegetation with overhanging foliage; many instream logs; and, abundant aquatic vegetation. Of these characteristics pool length, pool depth and overhanging foliage were most strongly associated with pool use. Platypuses were sighted using pools ranging from apparently ideal to seemingly unsuitable, based on the habitat analysis, but were most often associated with high integrity areas of the river system. The results illustrate that while habitat usage appears to reflect remarkable adaptiveness, there is a clear preference for pools that have been less disturbed by human activities.

Home Range, Burrow Usage and Diel Activity of Platypuses on the Duckmaloi Weir, New South Wales.

1998 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 308
Author(s):  
M. Mcleod ◽  
D. Goldney
Keyword(s):  
New South ◽  
Activity Patterns ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
River System ◽  
Diel Activity ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Ornithorhynchus Anatinus ◽  
Mark Release Recapture ◽  
Individual Variations

Platypuses, Ornithorhynchus anatinus, have been studied on the Duckmaloi River, New South Wales, in a long term mark-release-recapture project from 1986 to 1996. Some animals are recaptured regularly, while others are trapped only once. A high percentage of juveniles are never retrapped. New animals continue to be captured each year. Hence radio-tracking was employed to examine the movements of animals within the river system including their spatial utilisation of the Duckmaloi Weir. Concurrent studies on activity patterns and burrow usage were undertaken. Seventeen animals (I 0 juveniles, 2 subadults and 5 adults) were radio-tracked for various lengths of time between January and October 1993. Telemetric data revealed that radio-tagged animals were not recaptured on all possible occasions. Home ranges (length of river) varied from 0.5 km to 3.5 km. Home ranges of all animals, overlapped extensively, while core area overlap also occurred in the pool behind the Duckmaloi weir. One juvenile male dispersed 8.5 km upstream from the weir. Platypuses typically utilised areas when feeding with water depth between I to 2.5 m, rarely using areas less than 0.5 m deep. Juvenile platypuses were crepuscular and nocturnal, while adults, although mainly nocturnal also exhibited individual variations in diurnality. Although some individuals remained active throughout the night, others returned to burrows before re-entering the water. Animals commonly returned to certain burrow complexes with some exhibiting a higher degree of burrow site specificity than others. Certain burrows were used by nearly all radio-tagged animals over time while others were used by only a select number of individuals. Some animals tracked in the weir pool were found to share burrows.

Elemental composition of mantle tissue granules in Hyridella depressa (Unionida) from the Hawkesbury-Nepean River system, Australia: inferences from catchment chemistry

2000 ◽  
Vol 51 (2) ◽  
pp. 183 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Byrne ◽  
Peter A. Vesk
Keyword(s):  
Freshwater Mussel ◽  
River System ◽  
Direct Analysis ◽  
Common Elements ◽  
Mantle Tissue ◽  
South Wales ◽  
The Common ◽  
Australian Freshwater ◽  
River Site

The Australian freshwater mussel Hyridella depressa sequesters elements in calcium phosphate (CaP) granules that form extensive aggregations in its tissues. Elements contained in these granules were determined by X-ray microanalysis of river and lake mussels from the Hawkesbury–Nepean River system, New South Wales. Granules in freeze-substituted mantle tissue were analysed to determine the variation in element profiles in granules among mussels and among sites. For the common elements Ca, P, Fe, Mg and Mn, granule composition reflected catchment lithology and site trophic status and indicated exogenous input. These were most important for differentiation among lake sites and also indicated differences between lake and river mussels. Site differences seen with some common elements in granules from lake mussels correlated with differences in water chemistry. Trace elements, particularly Al, Cu, Zn and Pb, were also important in lake and river site differentiation. The granules play a major role in element dynamics in freshwater mussel tissues and provide a focal structure for direct analysis of element accumulation by these bivalves. The results indicate that characterization of element content of granules in mussel populations would provide valuable insights into animal–element interactions in freshwater systems for ecological and ecotoxicological investigations.

Distribution of the Platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus) in New South Wales: Results of The 1994-96 New South Wales Rivers Survey.

1999 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 177
Author(s):  
T.R. Grant ◽  
P.C. Gehrke ◽  
J.H. Harris ◽  
S. Hartley
Keyword(s):  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Wide Distribution ◽  
Native Fish ◽  
Coastal Regions ◽  
Community Based ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Ornithorhynchus Anatinus ◽  
The Stability ◽  
Population Numbers

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.

Haematology and Blood Chemistry of the Conscious Platypus, Ornithorhynchus anatinus (Shaw) (Monotremata: Ornithorhynchidae)

1984 ◽  
Vol 32 (5) ◽  
pp. 631 ◽  
Author(s):  
RJ Whittington ◽  
TR Grant
Keyword(s):  
Leukocyte Count ◽  
New South ◽  
Blood Chemistry ◽  
Total Leukocyte Count ◽  
Cell Parameters ◽  
Sexual Dimorphisms ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Ornithorhynchus Anatinus ◽  
Serum Biochemical ◽  
The Mean

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.

Morphological observations on the Erthrocytes, Leukocytes and Platelets of Free-Living Platypuses, Ornithorhynchus anatinus (Shaw) (Monotremata : Ornithorhynchidae)

1983 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 421 ◽  
Author(s):  
PJ Canfield ◽  
RJ Whittington
Keyword(s):  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Free Living ◽  
Ultrastructural Studies ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Ornithorhynchus Anatinus

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.

Patterns of waterbird use in wetlands of the Paroo, A river system of inland Australia.

1992 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 128 ◽  
Author(s):  
MT Maher ◽  
LW Braithwaite
Keyword(s):  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
River System ◽  
Aerial Survey ◽  
Flood Event ◽  
Flood Events ◽  
Inland Wetlands ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Waterbird Species ◽  
North Western

The significance of inland wetlands to Australian waterbirds has been overlooked until recently. One important area identified from regular aerial survey centres on the Paroo River in north-western New South Wales. Between April 1983 and December 1985, a period covering a major flood, waterbird populations were estimated on five wetland systems associated with the Paroo during 14 trips. Fifty- three waterbird species were recorded with the anatids, Anas gibberifrons and Malacorhynchus membranaceus, accounting for 75 per cent of total estimated populations. Most breeding events were observed in those wetlands dominated by Muehlenbeckia florulenta (lignum). Breeding accounted for shifts in waterbird populations between wetland systems. A model of waterbird usage of the five wetland systems in relation to a complete flood event is described. The importance for waterbird conservation of wetlands used for breeding and maintenance of populations between flood events, and threats to the integrity of these wetlands are discussed.

scholarly journals Platypus and Echidnas

1997 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 163 ◽  
Author(s):  
Darren G. Quin
Keyword(s):  
Dna Hybridization ◽  
New South ◽  
Information Source ◽  
Reproductive Physiology ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Veterinary Surgeons ◽  
Ornithorhynchus Anatinus ◽  
Extensive Information ◽  
Phylogeny And Evolution ◽  
The University

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.

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