Feeding Ecology of Three Sympatric Species of Leatherjackets (Pisces : Monacanthidae) from a Posidonia Seagrass Habitat in New South Wales

1978 ◽  
Vol 29 (5) ◽  
pp. 631 ◽  
Author(s):  
JD Bell ◽  
JJ Burchmore ◽  
DA Pollard
Keyword(s):  
Feeding Ecology ◽  
Fish Community ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Sympatric Species ◽  
Seagrass Habitat ◽  
Total Biomass ◽  
Epiphytic Algae ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Animal Material

Three species of leatherjackets, Monacanthus chinensis, Meuschenia freycineti and Meuschenia trachylepis, averaged 34% of the total biomass and 27% of the total numbers of fishes in a Posidonia australis seagrass habitat near Sydney. Monacanthus chinensis was dominant, comprising 22% of the total biomass and 18% of the total numbers in this fish community. All three species were omnivorous, consuming considerable amounts of seagrass and algae as well as animal material. However, only the encrusting fauna and epiphytic algae of the seagrass appeared to be actually digested. Other foods of all three species included hydroids, molluscs, crustaceans and polychaetes. Meuschenia freycineti consumed the largest quantities (65%) of seagrass, Monacanthus chinensis consumed the largest amount (40%) and greatest variety of animal foods, and Meuschenia trachylepis took the smallest quantity (12%) and number of animal foods and the greatest amount (55 %) of algae. All three species were found to be highly dependent on the encrusting fauna, epi- phytic algae and other epifauna and infauna of this seagrass habitat, and the importance of preserving Posidonia beds is therefore stressed.

Reproductive synchrony of three sympatric species of wobbegong shark (genus Orectolobus) in New South Wales, Australia: reproductive parameter estimates necessary for population modelling

2007 ◽  
Vol 58 (8) ◽  
pp. 765 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charlie Huveneers ◽  
Terence I. Walker ◽  
Nicholas M. Otway ◽  
Robert G. Harcourt
Keyword(s):  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Species Conservation ◽  
Sympatric Species ◽  
Parameter Estimates ◽  
Reproductive Parameters ◽  
Population Modelling ◽  
Male Population ◽  
Total Length ◽  
South Wales

Reproductive parameters of three closely-related sympatric species of wobbegong (Orectolobus ornatus, O. maculatus and O. halei) off New South Wales (NSW) were investigated to contribute to a biological basis for the management of a commercial fishery targeting wobbegongs. Estimates of the onset of maturity based on ovary condition were 729 mm, 1117 mm, and 1591 mm total length (TL) for O. ornatus, O. maculatus and O. halei respectively. The length at which 50% of the male population is mature based on clasper calcification was 803 mm, 1282 mm and 1784 mm TL for O. ornatus, O. maculatus and O. halei, respectively, and was similar to female onset of maturity based on uterus condition and to TL-at-maternity. These species of wobbegong had synchronous, triennial reproductive cycles. Follicles took 2 years to enlarge before ovulation. During the first year, follicles remained small, and then grew rapidly during the second year before ovulation during November. Gestation lasted ~10–11 months and parturition occurred during September–October. Mean litter sizes were nine (s.e. 0.5) and 21 (s.e. 1.5) for O. ornatus and O. maculatus, respectively, and increased with female total length in O. ornatus. Pregnant O. ornatus and O. maculatus were frequently caught in northern NSW and no pregnant wobbegongs, or females with large, yolky follicles were captured south of Sydney. Differences in the reproductive conditions of wobbegongs caught in northern and central NSW suggested geographically dependent reproductive behaviour. Knowledge of the reproductive parameters provided in this paper is necessary for adequate fisheries management and species conservation assessments.

Habitat Use by Sminthopsis-Crassicaudata, Planigale-Gilesi and Planigale-Tenuirostris (Marsupialia, Dasyuridae) in Semiarid New-South-Wales

1987 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 385 ◽  
Author(s):  
DG Read
Keyword(s):  
Regression Analysis ◽  
Habitat Use ◽  
Arid Zone ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Sympatric Species ◽  
Sminthopsis Crassicaudata ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Soil Cracks ◽  
Habitat Variables

Habitat use by Sminthopsis crassicaudata, Planigale gilesi and P. tenuirostris was investigated in the arid zone of New South Wales. All species showed considerable flexibility in habitat use at all times, and abundance was poorly predicted from easily measured parameters of the habitat. However, evidence was found for separation of microhabitat among these sympatric species. Multiple regression analysis indicated that abundance of S. crassicaudata was negatively associated with height of vegetation and the depth and density of soil cracks, and that of P. gilesi was positively associated with these habitat variables. Plant height was positively associated with abundance of P. tenuirostris and it was the only important predictor for this species. These results are discussed in conjunction with trapping records from other habitats.

Movements and Home Ranges of Three Sympatric Dasyruids, Sminthopsis crassicaudata, Planigale gilesi and P. tenuirostris (Marsupialaia), in Semiarid Western New South Wales

1984 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 223 ◽  
Author(s):  
DG Read
Keyword(s):  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Sympatric Species ◽  
Trapping Site ◽  
Niche Separation ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Sminthopsis Crassicaudata ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Local Abundance

A mark and recapture study was conducted over 2 years in a trapping site ofapproximately 50 ha. Ofthe 692 individuals captured, 30% were recaptured; in all trapping periods, a high proportion of animals caught had not been captured previously. The three species showed considerable mobility throughout the year, but during June Planigale spp. were more sedentary. Mobility is implicated in the changes in local abundance of these insectivores. Some individuals had movements in excess of 400 m day-l; average rates of displacement were 620 m in 100 days for Sminthopsis crassicaudata and 400 m in 100 days for Planigale gilesi. Home ranges ofall species were described as unstable and continually shifting. It is suggested that mobility is an important factor in niche separation between these sympatric species.

Feeding Ecology of a Scorpaenid Fish, the Fortescue Centropogon australis, from a Posidonia Seagrass Habitat in New South Wales

1978 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 175 ◽  
Author(s):  
JD Bell ◽  
JJ Burchmore ◽  
DA Pollard
Keyword(s):  
Fish Community ◽  
Alimentary Tract ◽  
Seagrass Meadow ◽  
New South ◽  
Stomach Contents ◽  
Average Density ◽  
Seagrass Habitat ◽  
Invertebrate Community ◽  
Food Items ◽  
South Wales

Examination of the stomach contents of 153 predominantly sub-adult (modal standard length c. 40 mm) fortescues, C. australis, collected from an estuarine Posidonia aulstralis seagrass meadow near Sydney showed that these fish were macrophagic carnivores. Crustaceans (mainly grapsid crabs and penaeid and carid shrimps) made up 90% of the diet by estimated volume; other major food types included polychaete worms and gastropod molluscs. Minor food items included seagrass, algae and foraminiferans. This predominantly crustacean diet was found to be generally similar to that of a number of other scorpaenid species. No obvious seasonal differences in diet were detected apart from slight changes in the composition of the crustacean component. The morphology of the alimentary tract of C. australis is of a typical carnivorous type. Fortescues were found to be relatively abundant in the Posidonia habitat, representing, on average, 11 .5 % of the fish community by numbers and occurring at an average density of 1 fish per 14 m2. Sub-adult fortescues appear to be highly dependent on the Posidonia habitat and its invertebrate community as a food source.

Structure of a fish community in a temperate tidal mangrove creek in Botany Bay, New South Wales

1984 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 33 ◽  
Author(s):  
JD Bell ◽  
DA Pollard ◽  
JJ Burchmore ◽  
BC Pease ◽  
MJ Middleton
Keyword(s):  
Fish Community ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Large Species ◽  
Resident Species ◽  
Marine Habitats ◽  
Mangrove Creek ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Large Numbers ◽  
Permanent Residents

The fish assemblage in the lower reaches of a temperate tidal mangrove creek entering Botany Bay near Sydney, New South Wales, was sampled using rotenone every second month between December 1977 and October 1980. Almost 17 000 fish (weight ~ 115 kg), belonging to 46 species and 24 families, were collected. Six species dominated the assemblage and another four were relatively common. Fourteen species, including four of the above, were economically important. These fishes made up 38% of individuals and 32% of biomass and were represented only by small juveniles. Nineteen species (41%) were temporary residents; these mainly comprised juveniles of large species that live elsewhere as adults. Fifteen species (33%), most of which only attain a small size (< 100 mm), were assumed to be permanent residents. The remaining 12 species (26%) occurred in only one sample and were, therefore, classified as rare. The diversity (HI) and evenness (J') of the fish community were low and showed little seasonality because a few species dominated the assemblage on an irregular basis. Numbers of species and of individuals varied seasonally and were significantly correlated. Peaks in these parameters lagged behind those in water temperature by 4 months and were largely the result of the relatively restricted recruitment periods of several abundant temporary resident species. The large numbers of juveniles and small species in the mangrove creek habitat were attributed to the availability of suitable shelter and food for such small fishes. Concerted use of the mangrove habitat by several abundant temporary resident species during the same general period each year appeared to be facilitated by the occupation of otherwise vacant feeding niches and some staggering of their peak recruitment periods. Exclusive use of this habitat by small juveniles of several species in Botany Bay confirms that mangrove habitats in temperate Australia, like some of those studied in tropical and subtropical regions, are important nursery areas for fishes inhabiting adjacent estuarine and inshore marine habitats as adults.

Feeding Ecology of the Barn Owl, Tyto Alba, in Arid Southern Australia.

1979 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 191 ◽  
Author(s):  
SR Morton ◽  
AA Martin
Keyword(s):  
Feeding Ecology ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
South Australia ◽  
Barn Owl ◽  
Tyto Alba ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Barn Owls ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Study Sites

In arid parts of Australia the barn owl appears to feed largely on rodents which form irruptions or plagues, i.e. undergo marked changes in abundance. Barn owls became common at the height of an irruption of house mice, Mus musculus, in western New South Wales, but were comparatively scarce after the mice decreased in numbers. There was some evidence that the owls' diet, determined by analysis of pellets, was more varied immediately after the numbers of mice decreased, but its major part still consisted of M. musculus. The mean number of prey units represented in each pellet rose during the irruption and then declined to the original level. At a variety of sites in arid New South Wales and South Australia, barn owls' diet consisted almost entirely of small mammals. The most common prey species were rodents that fluctuate widely in abundance, and the mean amount of prey per pellet differed greatly among the study sites. The feeding ecology of barn owls in arid Australian environments is essentially similar to that described for more mesic habitats; hence, a greatly increased variation in the abundance of mammalian prey has not led to an increase in breadth of food niche.

Biosystematics of the Brachyscome aculeata (Labill.) Less. sensu G.L. Davis species complex (Compositae: Asterae).

1981 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 425 ◽  
Author(s):  
HM Stace
Keyword(s):  
High Frequency ◽  
Species Complex ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
South Australia ◽  
Sympatric Species ◽  
B Chromosomes ◽  
Separate Species ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Genetic Barriers

B. aculeata (Labill.) Less. (New South Wales and Victoria), B. cuneifolia Tate (South Australia), B. sieberi var. gunnii DC. (Tasmania) and B. spathulata Gaudich. ( = B. scapiformis DC.) (New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania) are names shown to refer to separate species. The two varieties of B. spathulata have been recognized as two subspecies: subsp. spathulata (mainland Australia) and subsp, glabra (Tasmania). All species are n = 9 or polyploid on n = 9. Small B-chromosomes have been found at high frequency in B. sieberi var. gunnii and B. aculeata, but rarely in B. spathulata. Strong genetic barriers separate pairs of sympatric species.

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