Habitat preference for fire scars by feral cats in Cape York Peninsula, Australia

2016 ◽  
Vol 43 (8) ◽  
pp. 623 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hugh W. McGregor ◽  
Hannah B. Cliff ◽  
John Kanowski
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Selection ◽  
Camera Traps ◽  
Northern Australia ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
Fire Scars ◽  
Feral Cats ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
North Eastern ◽  
Cape York ◽  
The Impact

Context Feral cats are implicated in the decline of terrestrial native mammals across northern Australia. Research in the Kimberley region of north-western Australia found feral cats strongly selected for fire scars when hunting, suggesting that intensifying fire regimes will have severe consequences for declining prey species. Aims We tested the generality of cat–fire interaction beyond the Kimberley, by measuring habitat selection of feral cats in relation to fire scars and habitat types in north-eastern Australia. Methods Our study was conducted at Piccaninny Plains Wildlife Sanctuary, Cape York Peninsula. We live-captured feral cats during the dry season of 2015, released them with GPS collars set to record fixes at 15-min intervals, and recaptured cats 4 months later. We created dynamic habitat maps of vegetation types, fire and wetlands, and compared cat habitat selection using discrete choice modelling. We also measured cat density from arrays of camera traps and examined cat diet by analysis of stomach contents. Key results We obtained GPS movement data from 15 feral cats. Feral cats selected strongly for recent fire scars (1 or 2 months old), but avoided fire scars 3 months old or older. Three long-distance movements were recorded, all directed towards recent fire scars. Cats also selected for open wetlands, and avoided rainforests. Density of cats at Piccaninny Plains was higher than recorded elsewhere in northern Australia. All major vertebrate groups were represented in cat diet. Conclusions We showed that feral cats in north-eastern Australia strongly select for recent fire scars and open wetlands. These results are consistent with those from the Kimberley. Together, these studies have shown that amplified predation facilitated by loss of cover is likely to be a fundamental factor driving mammal decline across northern Australia. Implications Reducing the frequency of intense fires may indirectly reduce the impact of feral cats at a landscape scale in northern Australia. We also suggest that managers target direct cat control towards open wetlands and recently burnt areas, which cats are known to favour.

A revision of Vittadinia A.Rich. (Compositae) together with reinstatement of Eurybiopsis DC. and description of a new geunus, Camptacra.

Brunonia ◽  
1982 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
NT Burbidge
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
New Genus ◽  
New Caledonia ◽  
Single Species ◽  
New Combinations ◽  
Northern Australia ◽  
New Subgenus ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
North Eastern ◽  
Specific Rank

It is reported that Gaudichaud was correct in describing, under Brachycome Cass., three species, B. triloba, B. dentata and B. spathulata. Reference is made to the nomenclatural status of these species in accordance with the results of a revision of Brachycome by Davis (1948). De Candolle erred in transferring the species to Vittadinia A. Rich, for which the New Zealand V. australis is the type. Reasons are given for regarding V. triloba (Gaudich.) DC. as synonymous with V. australis var. dissecta Benth., and the variety is raised to specific rank. Included with V. australis and V. dissecta in Vittadinia s. str. (i.e. in Vittadinia subgenus Vittadinia) are V. cuneata DC. (a name which can be applied to a complex group of taxa widespread in southern and eastern Australia) and a further 17 species of which the following are new: V. cervicularis (with four varieties), V. constricta, V. condyloides, V. decora, V. eremaea, V. humerata, V. nullarborensis, V. pustulata, V. simulans and V. sulcata, while V. gracilis (J. D. Hook.) N. Burbidge and V. australasica (Turcz.) N. Burbidge are new combinations. V. scabra DC. and a group of taxa which have been referred to it or, incorrectly, to V. macrorhiza (DC.) A. Gray have been placed in a new subgenus of Vittadinia under the name Peripleura. Within this subgenus nine species are recognized: V. scabra DC., V, hispidula F. Muell. ex A. Gray (with two varieties), and the new species V. arida, V. bicolor, V. diffusa, V. obovata, V. sericea, V. spechtii (with two varieties) and V. virgata. With the exception of V. australis which is endemic to New Zealand and V. simulans, a New Caledonian species, all are endemic to Australia; however, V. hispidula has been reported for New Caledonia where it is deemed to be an alien and V. gracilis and possibly V. muelleri appear to have become naturalized in New Zealand. V. brachycomoides (F. Muell.) Benth. becomes the type of a new genus, Camptacra, with two species, both distributed in northern and north-eastern Australia. Eurybiopsis DC. is reinstated, with its single species, E. macrorhiza DC., found only in northern Australia.

Evaluation of risks for two native mammal species from feral cat baiting in monsoonal tropical northern Australia

2018 ◽  
Vol 45 (6) ◽  
pp. 518 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jaime Heiniger ◽  
Skye F. Cameron ◽  
Graeme Gillespie
Keyword(s):  
Rhodamine B ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Field Trials ◽  
Camera Traps ◽  
Northern Australia ◽  
Target Species ◽  
Mammal Species ◽  
Feral Cat ◽  
Feral Cats ◽  
Dry Tropics

Context Feral cats are a significant threat to native wildlife and broad-scale control is required to reduce their impacts. Two toxic baits developed for feral cats, Curiosity® and Hisstory®, have been designed to reduce the risk of baiting to certain non-target species. These baits involve encapsulating the toxin within a hard-shelled delivery vehicle (HSDV) and placing it within a meat attractant. Native animals that chew their food more thoroughly are predicted to avoid poisoning by eating around the HSDV. This prediction has not been tested on wild native mammals in the monsoonal wet–dry tropics of the Northern Territory. Aim The aim of this research was to determine whether northern quolls (Dasyurus hallucatus) and northern brown bandicoots (Isoodon macrourus) would take feral cat baits and ingest the HSDV under natural conditions on Groote Eylandt. Methods We hand-deployed 120 non-toxic baits with a HSDV that contained a biomarker, Rhodamine B, which stains animal whiskers when ingested. The species responsible for bait removal was determined with camera traps, and HSDV ingestion was measured by evaluating Rhodamine B in whiskers removed from animals trapped after baiting. Key results During field trials, 95% of baits were removed within 5 days. Using camera-trap images, we identified the species responsible for taking baits on 65 occasions. All 65 confirmed takes were by native species, with northern quolls taking 42 baits and northern brown bandicoots taking 17. No quolls and only one bandicoot ingested the HSDV. Conclusion The use of the HSDV reduces the potential for quolls and bandicoots to ingest a toxin when they consume feral cat baits. However, high bait uptake by non-target species may reduce the efficacy of cat baiting in some areas. Implications The present study highlighted that in the monsoonal wet–dry tropics, encapsulated baits are likely to minimise poisoning risk to certain native species that would otherwise eat meat baits. However, further research may be required to evaluate risks to other non-target species. Given the threat to biodiversity from feral cats, we see it as critical to continue testing Hisstory® and Curiosity® in live-baiting trials in northern Australia.

Conservation of a rare arboreal mammal: habitat preferences of the Lumholtz's tree-kangaroo, Dendrolagus lumholtzi

2011 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sigrid R. Heise-Pavlov ◽  
Sara L. Jackrel ◽  
Spenser Meeks
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Selection ◽  
Function Analysis ◽  
Habitat Preferences ◽  
Structural Features ◽  
Main Trunk ◽  
Faecal Pellets ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
North Eastern ◽  
Dendrolagus Lumholtzi ◽  
Selection Of

Success of conservation efforts of large and cryptic mammals is often limited due to a lack of knowledge of their habitat preferences. This study investigates factors that affect the habitat selection of the rare Lumholtz’s tree-kangaroo, Dendrolagus lumholtzi, using signs of its activity. The presence and absence of scratch marks on tree trunks and faecal pellets within a 100-cm radius around them were surveyed on 23 ha within a 65-ha large fragment of rainforest on the Atherton Tablelands, north-eastern Australia in order to classify trees as ‘actively used’ or ‘inactive’. Structural features of the 315 surveyed tree trunks were also recorded. Using discriminant function analysis, ‘actively used’ trees were found to have no epiphytes on the main trunk, less obstruction by neighbouring trees, shrubs or lianas within a 0.5-m radius of the trunk (particularly in the eastern direction), and a smaller diameter at breast height than ‘inactive’ trees. Smaller tree trunks and less obstruction may facilitate a more rapid movement into the canopy as well as provide potential escape routes from predators. More specific knowledge on factors that affect habitat selection of the Lumholtz’ tree-kangaroo will help in a reclassification of the threatened status of this species and assist in more effective conservation efforts.

scholarly journals Catchment modelling of sediment, nitrogen and phosphorus nutrient loads with SedNet/ANNEX in the Tully - Murray basin

2009 ◽  
Vol 60 (11) ◽  
pp. 1091 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. D. Armour ◽  
L. R. Hateley ◽  
G. L. Pitt
Keyword(s):  
Biophysical Model ◽  
Nutrient Loads ◽  
Inorganic N ◽  
Nitrogen And Phosphorus ◽  
Total N ◽  
Hill Slope ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
North Eastern ◽  
Wet Tropics ◽  
The Impact

A long-term, annual-average catchment biophysical model (SedNet/ANNEX) was used to calculate sediment, nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) loads in the Tully–Murray catchment of north-eastern Australia. A total of 119 000 t year–1 of suspended sediment, equivalent to 430 kg ha–1 year–1, was calculated to be exported to the Great Barrier Reef (GBR). Most of the sediment (64%) was generated from hill-slope erosion. The modelled load of dissolved inorganic N (1159 t year–1 or 4.2 kg N ha–1 year–1) was similar to that from other wet tropics catchments in Queensland with similar areas of sugarcane. Sugarcane produced 77% of this load. The annual loads of total N and total P were 2319 t and 244 t, respectively. Simulations (scenarios) were run to evaluate the impact of improved land management on pollutant loads to the GBR. A combination of improved cultivation and fertiliser management of sugarcane and bananas (99% of cropping land) and restoration of the most degraded riparian areas reduced sediment by 23 000 t year–1 (18%) and dissolved inorganic N by 286 t year–1 (25%). However, this reduction is much less than the reduction of 80% that may be needed in the catchment to meet target chlorophyll loads in the marine environment.

Phylogenetic relationships and historical biogeography of melanotaeniid fishes in Australia and New Guinea

2000 ◽  
Vol 51 (7) ◽  
pp. 713 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. McGuigan ◽  
D. Zhu ◽  
G. R. Allen ◽  
C. Moritz
Keyword(s):  
Phylogenetic Relationships ◽  
New Guinea ◽  
Morphological Data ◽  
Disjunct Distribution ◽  
Northern Australia ◽  
Monophyletic Clade ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
North Eastern ◽  
Mtdna Diversity ◽  
North Western

Phylogenetic analysis of melanotaeniid mtDNA cytochrome b and tRNA Pro-control region sequence is broadly consistent with the current taxonomy. However, the molecular phylogeny supports the elevation of M. s. australis to full species status and indicates either that it is a composite species or has introgressed with sympatric Melanotaenia species. Phenotypically cryptic mtDNA diversity in north-eastern Australia possibly represents an undescribed species. Six major monophyletic clades present in the phylogeny were strongly supported by morphological data. The clades represent three biogeographic regions. Fish from northern New Guinea form a monophyletic clade, within which Melanotaenia and Glossolepis are polyphyletic. The divergence of this clade from those in southern New Guinea is consistent with the final uplift of the Central Highlands 5 million years BP. North-western New Guinea and associated islands represent another highly divergent, monophyletic clade of a similar age to that in northern New Guinea. The remaining four clades form a monophyletic assemblage restricted to southern New Guinea and Australia: one in northern Australia, one with a disjunct distribution in north-western and eastern Australia, one widespread throughout Australia and southern New Guinea, and one in southern New Guinea with an outlying species in northern Australia. The phylogenetic relationships between Australia and southern New Guinea are consistent with episodic connection via the freshwater Lake Carpentaria during periods of low sea level.

Three new species of Ciulfina Giglio-Tos (Mantodea: Liturgusidae)  from north-eastern Australia

Zootaxa ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 1583 (1) ◽  
pp. 23-35 ◽  
Author(s):  
GREGORY I. HOLWELL ◽  
SCOTT G. GINN ◽  
MARIE E. HERBERSTEIN
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Tree Trunk ◽  
Northern Australia ◽  
Genital Morphology ◽  
Small Tree ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
North Eastern ◽  
Three New Species ◽  
Male Genital Morphology ◽  
Male Genital

The genus Ciulfina Giglio-Tos includes a number of small tree-trunk dwelling species of praying mantids that are found through eastern Queensland and northern Australia. Three new species of Ciulfina: C. baldersoni, C. klassi and C. rentzi and one existing species C. biseriata (Westwood) are formally described on the basis of male genital morphology. A key to the identification of Ciulfina based on genital morphology is also provided.

Reef and Rainforest

2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael McCoy
Keyword(s):  
Solomon Islands ◽  
Natural World ◽  
Northern Australia ◽  
Free Living ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
North Eastern ◽  
Terrestrial Life ◽  
Visual Impact ◽  
Almost All ◽  
The Tropics

Reef and Rainforest is a photographic portrayal of marine and terrestrial life in one of the world's most biodiverse regions – the tropics of north-eastern Australia, together with the South Pacific nations of Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea. The photographs were taken over a period of more than 30 years while the author was living in the Solomon Islands and northern Australia. They depict life on the coral reefs, in the rainforests and in adjacent tropical savannahs. From detailed macro studies to sweeping scenics and aerials, the photographs are impressive for both their technical/compositional expertise and the unique insight they provide into the behavioural nuances of marine and terrestrial wildlife. Almost all the wildlife images are of free-living, non-posed subjects, photographed as they were encountered. Along with the stunning photography, the detailed and reflective captions are drawn from the author’s experiences. Reef and Rainforest conveys the richness and diversity of the natural world with maximum visual impact.

Review of the phytogeography of Cape York Peninsula: a flora that illustrates the development of the Australian sclerophyll biota

2014 ◽  
Vol 62 (2) ◽  
pp. 85 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bruce Wannan
Keyword(s):  
Plant Communities ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Taxonomic Diversity ◽  
Endemic Plant ◽  
Humid Environment ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
North Eastern ◽  
Drying Trend ◽  
Cape York ◽  
Endemic Plant Species

Paleontological records from north-eastern Australia suggest that Cape York Peninsula is likely to have retained a warm and humid environment throughout the Cenozoic. The cooling and drying trend of the last 15 million years has been moderated on Cape York Peninsula by its position on the northern leading edge of the continent, its maritime or aquatic influences and partly montane topography. Cape York Peninsula shares a close geographic relationship with New Guinea, with 40% of its species shared, but has a distinctively separate flora that includes 330 bioregionally endemic plant species and five bioregionally endemic plant genera. Comparison with the monsoon savanna areas of Western Australia (Kimberley) and Northern Territory (Top End) suggests that Cape York Peninsula has a much richer rainforest flora. The non-rainforest flora of all three areas contains a significant regional element. The Peninsula has a mix of plant communities that are similar to those identified from Australia’s vegetation in the Cenozoic including rainforest, woodlands and grasslands. Cape York Peninsula demonstrates the mosaic of these environments, which were typical of much of Australia during the Cenozoic but which were lost in most areas during the cooling and drying of the Pliocene and Quaternary. The fossil record and dated phylogenies suggest that some of the taxa first evident in Australia during the Cenozoic are still growing on Cape York Peninsula. In the Myrtaceae and Poaceae, Cape York Peninsula demonstrates nationally and internationally significant taxonomic diversity. Its taxa are related to many that emerged in the forests of the Paleocene and to taxa which became dominant following the drying of the Miocene. The Peninsula contains elements which represent both older and modern lineages of many families in Australia. The phytogeographic significance of Cape York Peninsula is that it has a highly diverse flora, which contains plant communities and taxa that demonstrate the development of the sclerophyll biota in Australia during the Cenozoic.

scholarly journals The Impact of Feral Pigs on Rainforest Dynamics in North-Eastern Australia

2010 ◽  
Vol 24 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amanda , E. Elledge ◽  
Clive , A. McAlpine ◽  
Peter , J. Murray ◽  
Iain , J. Gordon
Keyword(s):  
Feral Pigs ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
North Eastern ◽  
The Impact
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