Do feathertail gliders show a preference for nest box design?

2007 ◽  
Vol 34 (6) ◽  
pp. 484 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ross L. Goldingay ◽  
Matthew J. Grimson ◽  
Geoffrey C. Smith
Keyword(s):  
New South ◽  
Nest Box ◽  
Local Populations ◽  
Nest Boxes ◽  
North East ◽  
Tree Hollows ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Eucalypt Plantations ◽  
Arboreal Marsupials ◽  
Breeding Groups

Although nest boxes have considerable application in the research and management of hollow-using arboreal marsupials, few studies have assessed whether species show a preference for particular nest box designs. This study aimed to determine whether the feathertail glider (Acrobates pygmaeus) showed a preference when offered four different designs, each of which had been used in earlier studies. We established one of each design in 45 plots across five locations, spanning north-east New South Wales and south-east Queensland. Feathertail gliders used 34 nest boxes at four locations but avoided a medium-sized rear-entry box with a 45-mm-diameter entrance. No clear preference was shown for three designs with narrow (≤25 mm) entrances. Feathertail gliders used 15 small rear-entry boxes, 10 large slit-entrance boxes and 9 wedge-shaped bat boxes. A slight preference was shown by breeding groups to occur in the non-wedge boxes compared with the wedge boxes. Squirrel gliders (Petaurus norfolcensis) used 51% of medium rear-entry boxes at four locations. This may account for the avoidance of this box design by feathertail gliders at these locations. Breeding and prolonged use of nest boxes by resident feathertail gliders and squirrel gliders at two locations in eucalypt plantations suggest that nest boxes can support local populations of arboreal marsupials where tree hollows are absent or scarce.

Camera traps in the canopy: surveying wildlife at tree hollow entrances

2016 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 48 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nigel Cotsell ◽  
Karl Vernes
Keyword(s):  
Anthropogenic Disturbance ◽  
New South ◽  
Camera Trap ◽  
Camera Traps ◽  
North East ◽  
Tree Hollows ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Site Disturbance ◽  
Tree Hollow

This is the first comprehensive camera trap study to examine hollow usage by wildlife in the canopy of trees. Eighty cameras directed at tree hollows were deployed across eight sites in nine species of eucalypt in north-east New South Wales. In total, 38 species (including 21 birds, 9 mammals and 8 reptiles) were recorded at hollow entrances over a three-month period. There was a significant difference between wildlife hollow usage associated with site disturbance and tree growth stage (ANOSIM, P > 0.05); however, there was no significant difference associated with tree hollow diameter (ANOSIM, P > 0.05). The level of anthropogenic disturbance at each site, including vegetation modification of the understorey, was a significant predictor of species presence. Despite the limitations of using camera traps in the canopy of trees this study demonstrates the potential to garner useful insights into the ecology and behaviour of arboreal wildlife.

Mammal surveys in the forests of the Carrai Plateau and Richmond Range in north-east New South Wales.

1994 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 19
Author(s):  
J. Barker ◽  
D. Lunney ◽  
T. Bubela
Keyword(s):  
Native Species ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
North East ◽  
Mammal Fauna ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Species Lists ◽  
Fauna Composition ◽  
Eucalypt Forests ◽  
Open Forests

Mammal surveys were carried out on the Carrai Plateau and Richmond Range in north-east New South Wales between March 1988 and November 1989. The emphasis was placed on rainforest mammals, following the recognition by Adam ( 1987) that the species lists of mammals in the state's rainforests were incomplete and that more research was needed. The mammals were surveyed primarily by analysis of prey remains in Dog and Fox scats, collected from roads throughout the forests, and from bat trapping. The bat fauna at both the Carrai Plateau and Richmond Range is rich (1 0 species and nine species respectively, including the rare Golden-tipped Bat, Kerivoula papuensis, in the Richmond Range). Scat analysis revealed the presence of 24 native species on the Carrai Plateau, and on the Richmond Range there were 17 species, including high numbers of two pademelon species. Feral prey species are almost completely absent, although the Fox is an established predator in both areas. A sharp division was identified between the mammal faunas of closed and open forests. Differences were found also between the mammal fauna composition of the two rainforest sites, and with those of nearby eucalypt forests. The mammal fauna of New South Wales rainforests is distinct from open forests and future mammal surveys are needed to ensure an adequate level of knowledge to identify and conserve these areas.

Ptyctimous mites (Acari: Acariformes: Oribatida) as zooindicators of changes in Dorrigo National Park in Australia (North Coast Bioregion)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wojciech Niedbała ◽  
Agnieszka Napierała ◽  
Szymon Konwerski ◽  
Michał Zacharyasiewicz ◽  
Jerzy Błoszyk
Keyword(s):  
Comparative Analysis ◽  
Geographical Distribution ◽  
National Park ◽  
New South ◽  
North Coast ◽  
Local Populations ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Plateau Area ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Research Period

The authors of the study present an analysis of the structure and changes in the examined community of ptyctimous mites (Acari: Acariformes: Oribatida) found in Dorrigo National Park in Australia. The research was conducted during two periods: between 1990 and 1993 and later in 2007. The analysed mite community comprises 35 species, though, the dominance and frequency of particular species were different for each period. In the first research period (1990–1993) in the area of Dorrigo National Park, 28 species were recorded, whereas in 2007 – 23 species were found. There were 16 species that occurred in both research periods, and 12 species only in the samples collected in the 90’s, and 7 species only in those collected in 2007. The analysis also embraces the geographical distribution of the species in the area of Australia. Three species were designated as endemic, occurring only in the area of the examined national park (Austrophthiracarus dissonus Niedbała et Collof, 1997, Austrophthiracarus parapulchellus Niedbała, 2006 and Notophthiracarus distinctus Niedbała, 1989). The analysed samples contained only few specimens of these species. Due to the low abundance, great rarity of the local populations and high endemism, these species should be regarded as potentially endangered (EN according to the IUCN scale). A comparative analysis of the community from Dorrigo National Park (New South Wales) with those found in other larger areas of Australia in Victoria (Otway Ranges Area, Yarra Ranges Area, Strzelecki Ranges Area and Errinundra Plateau Area) examined by Niedbała and Szywilewska-Szczykutowicz (2017) has revealed that the communities found in Dorrigo National Park contained far more species, which constituted 30% of the whole fauna of Australia. In contrast to the communities of ptyctimous mites from Dorrigo, the individual communities in the area of Victoria contained only between 5% and 14% of all known species in Australia from this group.

Detection of the eastern pygmy-possum Cercartetus nanus (Marsupialia: Burramyidae) at Barren Grounds Nature Reserve, New South Wales.

2005 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 85 ◽  
Author(s):  
JM Harris ◽  
RL Goldingay
Keyword(s):  
New South ◽  
Survey Methods ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Detection Methods ◽  
Isolated Populations ◽  
South Eastern ◽  
Nest Boxes ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Cercartetus Nanus

THE eastern pygmy-possum (Cercartetus nanus) has an extensive distribution, from south-eastern Queensland to south-eastern South Australia, and also into Tasmania (Strahan 1995). Despite this it is rarely detected in fauna surveys (Bowen and Goldingay 2000). This rarity in detection suggested that the species may be characterised by small and isolated populations, and therefore vulnerable to extinction. Consequently, it became listed as a 'Vulnerable' species in New South Wales (NSW) in 2001. Unless resolved, the low rate of detection of C. nanus will continue to hinder the acquisition of basic ecological information that is needed to more clearly define its conservation status and that is fundamental to the development of a recovery plan. An extensive body of survey data for NSW involving C. nanus has been reviewed by Bowen and Goldingay (2000). Among a range of survey methods aimed at detecting this species, trapping within flowering banksias and checking installed nest-boxes had the highest rates of detection. Indeed, one study in northern NSW captured 98 individuals over a 3- year period from within nest-boxes (Bladon et al. 2002). All other studies detected fewer than 15 C. nanus. It is clear that further research is required to investigate the effectiveness of a range of detection methods.

Hollow formation in eucalypts from temperate forests in southeastern Australia

2000 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 218 ◽  
Author(s):  
P Gibbons ◽  
D. B. Lindenmayer ◽  
S. C. Barry ◽  
M. T. Tanton
Keyword(s):  
Temperate Forest ◽  
Physiological Condition ◽  
New South ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Southeastern Australia ◽  
Tree Hollows ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Dead Trees ◽  
Standing Trees ◽  
Logged Forest

We examined factors associated with the occurrence of tree hollows in four eucalypt species from temperate forest in southeastern New South Wales and East Gippsland. A total of 1 256 standing trees and 328 felled trees was examined. The proportion of trees containing hollows with small entrances (2-5 cm) was significantly negatively associated with dbh, while the proportion of trees containing hollows with medium (5-10 cm) and large (>10 cm) entrances was positively associated with dbh. There was a significant, but weak, relationship between hollow depth and minimum entrance width that was improved with the addition to the model of the variables branch diameter and branch health. Trees of all sizes and ages contained hollows, although larger and older trees had a higher probability of doing so. For two tree species (Brown Barrel or Cuttail Eucalyptus fastigata and Messmate E. obliqua), the probability of live trees containing hollows remained below 0.5 for stems less than 180 years of age. Un logged forest supported, on average, 22.0 hollowbearing trees per ha ? 18.5% of which were dead trees. For all values of dbh, trees were more likely to contain hollows if either dead or in poor physiological condition, indicating the potential for hollow development to be accelerated in eucalypts by killing or injuring suitably-sized trees.

Effects of variable-intensity logging and the influence of habitat variables on the distribution of the Greater Glider Petauroides volans in montane forest, southeastern New South Wales

2000 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rodney P. Kavanagh ◽  
Rodney P. Kavanagh
Keyword(s):  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Environmental Variable ◽  
Variable Intensity ◽  
Usual Practice ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Arboreal Marsupials ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Before And After

Populations of arboreal marsupials were assessed in forests before and after logging at different levels of logging intensity to determine the sensitivity of these species to habitat disturbance. The logging treatments imposed were unlogged controls and two intensities of integrated logging for sawlogs and woodchips. The mean basal area of trees retained in logged blocks ranged from 83% to 35% of pre-logging levels. The objective of the study was to develop better methods for managing arboreal marsupials within the wood production forests of southeastern New South Wales. Seven species of arboreal marsupials were recorded during the study, but the Greater Glider Petauroides volans was the only species recorded in sufficient numbers for analysis (86% of all records). No significant differences were observed between the treatments in counts of the Greater Glider before and after logging. However, given the observed trend and an a priori expectation of a decline in numbers of this species following intensive logging, a one-tailed statistical test was applied which resulted in a significant difference at P = 0.08 for the contrast between the unlogged controls and the most intensively logged treatment. The existence of a threshold in logging intensity within the range of 21 % to 39% retention of tree basal area, below which numbers of the Greater Glider suffer a marked decline, was inferred on the basis of comparisons with the results of other studies. Factors other than logging were important in determining the distribution of the Greater Glider. Elevation, in particular, was a significant environmental variable, with Greater Gliders more likely to occur in forests above 845 m a.s.1. The presence and absence of particular tree species also influenced the distribution of the Greater Glider. Forests containing Manna Gum E. viminalis and Mountain Gum E. dalrympleana were highly preferred compared to forests with a high proportion of E. obliqua. The presence of E. cypellocarpa appeared to improve the quality of habitat for the Greater Glider in forests dominated by E. obliqua. This study has shown that Greater Glider populations can be maintained at or near pre-logging levels when at least 40% of the original tree basal area is retained thoughout logged areas and when the usual practice of retaining unlogged forest in riparian strips is applied.

Predation of livestock by wild dogs in eastern New South Wales.

1989 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 61 ◽  
Author(s):  
PJS Fleming ◽  
TJ Korn
Keyword(s):  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Coastal Region ◽  
North East ◽  
The North ◽  
East Region ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Control Programmes ◽  
June July ◽  
Wild Dogs

A monthly survey involving officers from eastern New South Wales Pastures Protection Boards was conducted over four years from 1982 to 1985. Information was collected on the number and type of livestock attacked within each board district, sightings of wild dogs, the number of wild dogs kiied, the method by which they were kiied and the locations at which the observations occurred. A total of 25,644 livestock animals were reported killed or wounded from four regions; the North-East Coastal Region, the North-East Tablelands Region, the Central-East Region and South-East Region. Sheep were the most commonly attacked domestic animals followed by cattle and goats. Regional differences were apparent in the type of livestock killed and seasonal patterns of predation were evident. We recommend that annual control programmes be brought forward from June/July to late April in order to precede predation peaks.

Does fox baiting threaten the spotted-tailed quoll, Dasyurus maculatus?

2003 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 111 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gerhard Körtner ◽  
Shaan Gresser ◽  
Bob Harden
Keyword(s):  
Rhodamine B ◽  
Red Fox ◽  
New South ◽  
Control Programs ◽  
North East ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Bait Station ◽  
Radio Transmitters ◽  
Bait Stations

In Australia, baiting with 1080 (sodium fluoroacetate) is widely used to reduce predation of native wildlife by the red fox. However, such control programs may place some native carnivores at risk, particularly the spotted-tailed quoll in eastern Australia. We measured the mortality in a total of 57 quolls fitted with mortality radio-transmitters during four experimental fox baitings with Foxoff® 1080 baits containing Rhodamine B in north-east New South Wales. In all experiments quolls visited bait stations regularly and removed a total of 20 baits. All but one of these baits was found in the vicinity of the bait station, indicating that quolls did not ingest baits. This was confirmed by the absence of Rhodamine B in the vibrissae of all quolls retrapped after baiting. The only quoll that may have died from a bait had eaten a cached bait some six weeks after baiting concluded. Thus, baiting did not threaten any of the quoll populations sampled. Therefore it appears that most restrictions imposed to protect spotted-tailed quolls during fox baiting are unnecessary as long as this bait type is used.

The biology and associations of Fergusobia (Nematoda) from the Melaleuca leucadendra-complex in eastern Australia

2004 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 291 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kerrie A. Davies ◽  
Robin M. Giblin-Davis
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Monophyletic Group ◽  
North East ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Meristematic Tissues ◽  
Mutualistic Association ◽  
Melaleuca Leucadendra

Nematodes of the genus Fergusobia Currie (Tylenchida : Neotylenchidae) and flies of the genus Fergusonina Malloch (Diptera : Fergusoninidae) together form the only known mutualistic association between insects and nematodes that induces galls in young meristematic tissues in Myrtaceae. Six new species of Fergusobia are described (F. quinquenerviae, sp. nov., F. cajuputiae, sp. nov., F. dealbatae, sp. nov., F. leucadendrae, sp. nov., F.�nervosae, sp. nov., and F. viridiflorae, sp. nov.) and partial descriptions are presented for a further two species. Together, these taxa form a putative monophyletic group, apparently restricted to species of Melaleuca in the broad-leaved M. leucadendra-complex, from coastal Queensland and north-east New South Wales, Australia. Each species of nematode has a mutualistic association with a particular species of Fergusonina fly and (with one exception) each association is apparently restricted to one particular species of Melaleuca.

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