Habitat Selection by Sex, Age and Reproductive Class in the Red Kangaroo, Macropus rufus, in Western New South Wales

1981 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 465 ◽  
Author(s):  
CN Johnson ◽  
PG Bayliss

The kangaroo populations of Kinchega National Park respond differently to shifts in pasture productivity, red kangaroos Macropus rufus being mobile and unevenly distributed with respect to soil and vegetation types, by comparison with the more evenly dispersed western grey kangaroos M. fuliginosus and the sedentary and localized euros M, robustus erubescens. Red kangaroo population classes tend to be differentially distributed, so that large males and heavily lactating females predominate on the seasonally preferred pastures, while other classes tend to predominate elsewhere. This finding has several implications for the management of red kangaroos and for our understanding of their resource ecology and mating systems.

1988 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 339 ◽  
Author(s):  
D Priddel ◽  
G Wellard ◽  
N Shepherd

Between July 1979 and November 1980 a total of 261 red kangaroos, Macropus rufus, (216F; 45 M) and 170 western grey kangaroos, M. fuliginosus, (136F;34M) were caught and tagged with individually recognisable collars. Between July 1979 and January 1986, 1751 sightings of tagged individuals were recorded. Information gained from these sightings was used to assess how far each kangaroo ranged. More than 90% of individuals of either species did not range far (<9 km for reds; <6 km for western greys) even when local pastures were severely depleted during drought. A few individuals dispersed much further-up to 323 km. On average, red kangaroos ranged further than western greys. Kangaroos on Kinchega National Park ranged no less or no further than those on an adjacent pastoral leasehold. At least 17 tagged individuals crossed the macropod-deterrent fence surrounding Kinchega; several crossed repeatedly. Dispersal of kangaroos from Kinchega was slight, supporting the hypothesis of Bayliss (1985) that dispersal has no significant impact on population dynamics.


1979 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 237 ◽  
Author(s):  
EM Russell

Red kangaroos, observed in the field in western New South Wales, were dispersed in small groups which, although aggregated near shelter, food or water, appeared to move independently. The temporal stability of these small groups is not known. Mean group size was 2.6, and more animals were seen in groups of two, three or four than were seen alone. Groups of two were most common, more than half of them containing one female with young-at-foot. Mixed-sex groups with one or several adult males were found.


1979 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 361 ◽  
Author(s):  
JH Arundel ◽  
I Beveridge ◽  
PJ Presidente

A total of 115 Macropus rufus was collected at bimonthly intervals at Menindee, New South Wales, Australia, in 1976 and 1977 and examined for parasites and pathological changes. The animals came from 2 populations, one free-ranging and the other a high-density, enclosed population in Kinchega National Park. No differences in species of helminths present, in prevalence or intensity of infection were noted between the 2 populations. The stomachs were infected with Labiostrongylus longispicularis (prevalence 87.8%), Rugopharynx australis (98.2%), Zoniolaimus spp. (81.6%), Cloacina spp. (71.1%), Papillostrongylus labiatus (47.4%) and Filarinema spp. (92.2%). Hypodontus macropi (93.0%) was the dominant species among the 2 species of cestodes and 3 of nematodes found in the intestine. Progamotaenia festiva (in 74.3%) was found in the bile ducts where it caused mild cholangitis. Only 2 nematode species, F. flagrifer and H. macropi, caused gross and histological lesions. Apart from L. longispicularis none of the helminths showed seasonal variations in prevalence or numbers. Data on worm numbers in relation to host age and on site distribution in the host are presented. The various haematological parameters measured showed no evidence of adverse effects by the parasites, and corticosteroid levels were judged to be within the normal range. The helminth faunas of 9 M. fuliginosus and one M. robustus, grazing sympatrically with M. rufus inside the park are listed. ADDITIONAL ABSTRACT: The parasites reported from 115 red kangaroos (Macropus rufus) in New South Wales in 1976-77 include Tracheomyia macropi (Frogg.), which infected the trachea in 54.5% of the kangaroos [see RAE/B 4, p. 122].


1985 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 337 ◽  
Author(s):  
DB Croft

Red kangaroos Macropus rufus and euros M. robustus were observed drinking at a stock trough in northwestern New South Wales. The populations of both species were divided into five age-sex classes. Drinking and agonistic behaviour was similar across classes and species. Inter- and intraspecific conflict between these classes for a drinking position were analysed. Within species, there is a size-related hierarchy for gaining and maintaining a drinking space, favouring the larger class. Interspecifically, euros, the smaller species, dominate equivalent age classes of red kangaroos. Retaliation in aggressive encounters is more likely between adjacent rank neighbours than those more distant in the hierarchy. Drinking individuals tend to win more encounters than individuals attempting to gain a drinking place. The longer a kangaroo has been drinking the less likely it is to act aggressively to an intruder. When drinking, spacing between kangaroos is essentially random. Both species displace another individual at a similar mean distance of 0.6-0.8 m, but spacing between adult euros is wider than between adult red kangaroos. Spacing is modified by the relative positions of neighbours on either side of the trough. The results are discussed in terms of social and other factors that may have led to the euro's dominance of the red kangaroo at water.


2004 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 45 ◽  
Author(s):  
AD Bilton ◽  
DB Croft

Female reproductive success and the recruitment of offspring to the next generation are key components of animal population dynamics. With an annual commercial harvest of between 13 and 22% of the red kangaroo (Macropus rufus) population, it is increasingly important that these processes are understood. We used data on the reproductive success of 33 free-ranging female M. rufus on Fowlers Gap station in far western New South Wales to determine the expected lifetime reproductive success (LRS) of females within an unharvested population. We also designed a model to generate predictions about female LRS incorporating empirical relationships between a mother?s reproductive success and maternal age, environmental conditions and the sex and survivorship of a previous reproductive attempt. Results from observations on female LRS (calculated from annual weaning rates) and those generated by the model predict that female M. rufus on ?Fowlers Gap? wean, on average, 3.7 young in a lifetime (ranges 0 - 11 and 0 - 20, respectively); representing only 41% of their maximum reproductive potential. Manipulation of initial starting conditions allowed the effect of varying environmental conditions on female LRS to be explored. The condition of the environment when females commence breeding does not appear to significantly affect their overall lifetime reproductive output. However, the occurrence of drought does. Females experiencing two droughts in a lifetime did not live as long and weaned fewer offspring and grandoffspring (from their daughters) than those females experiencing only one drought in a lifetime. In addition to the adverse effect of drought on the reproductive success of female M. rufus in this study, we suggest that, given the relatively high and stable population densities of M. rufus on ?Fowlers Gap?, other mechanisms (acting primarily on juvenile survival) must exist which limit population growth.


2021 ◽  
pp. 153-157
Author(s):  
Joanna Sumner ◽  
Margaret L. Haines ◽  
Peter Lawrence ◽  
Jenny Lawrence ◽  
Nick Clemann

The alpine she-oak skink Cyclodomorphus praealtus is a threatened alpine endemic lizard from the mainland of Australia. The species is previously known from disjunct populations in Kosciuszko National Park in New South Wales and three isolated localities in the Victorian Alps. The New South Wales and Victorian populations represent separate evolutionarily significant units. In 2011, a fourth Victorian population was discovered. We conducted a phylogenetic analysis and determined that the newly discovered population is discrete and may have been separated from other populations since the end of the last glacial maxima. This population requires separate management.


2001 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 135 ◽  
Author(s):  
A Curtin ◽  
D Lunney ◽  
A Matthews

cinereus) in Yengo National Park and Parr State Recreation Area, which together form a major reserve system where P. cinereus were known to be scarce. The first, a community survey which was distributed to 823 residences adjoining the reserves, yielded 139 responses. Of these, 31 responses provided information that allowed 26 P. cinereus locality records to be verified. A further eight P. cinereus locality records were obtained from interviews with neighbours. Most records were road-based. The second, a field survey based on scat searches, produced an additional 13 P. cinereus localities. P. cinereus scats were found under 11 tree species. Eucalyptus punctata was most frequently recorded with scats of those that were adequately sampled. A range of vegetation types and both ridges and gullies were used by P. cinereus. During field surveys, P. cinereus was found to be sparse and occurring throughout much of the survey area, concentrated in the eastern, southern and central parts of the reserve system. Both methods identified P. cinereus to be present before and after the extensive fires of January 1994, which burnt 60 % of the area. An appraisal of the methods revealed that they are complementary. The survey of residents provided recent and historical information and an indication of initial search areas for P. cinereus. The field survey yielded specific information about local P. cinereus habitat. The combination increased the number of P. cinereus records for the area more than four-fold. This study has provided the reserve managers with a clearer picture of the location of the local P. cinereus population.


1971 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 29 ◽  
Author(s):  
PT Bailey ◽  
PN Martensz ◽  
RD Barker

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