Group SIze in the Eastern Grey Kangaroo, Macropus giganteus, and the Wallaroo, Macropus robustus

1982 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 229 ◽  
Author(s):  
RJ Taylor

Data were collected on the occurrence of eastern grey kangaroos and wallaroos in groups on two properties (Lana and Newholme) in north-eastern New South Wales. The density of both species was higher on Lana than on Newholme. The frequency of occurrence of groups of different size was significantly different from that expected if the occurrence was random for both species. For the grey kangaroo on Lana, mean group size was smaller during early morning than during the rest of the day. Mean group size was significantly greater on Lana than on Newholme for both species, and smaller for wallaroos than for grey kangaroos on both properties. For both species, mean group size was significantly correlated with the density of kangaroos in each habitat.

2002 ◽  
Vol 106 (1) ◽  
pp. 57-69 ◽  
Author(s):  
R.L Pressey ◽  
G.L Whish ◽  
T.W Barrett ◽  
M.E Watts

2010 ◽  
Vol 2 (5) ◽  
pp. 1378-1399 ◽  
Author(s):  
Clement E. Akumu ◽  
Sumith Pathirana ◽  
Serwan Baban ◽  
Daniel Bucher

2002 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 313 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. C. Catling ◽  
R. J. Burt ◽  
R. I. Forrester

Statistical models are presented of the distribution and abundance of ground-dwelling mammals in eucalypt forests in relation to environmental variables within an area of approximately 24 000 km2 in north-eastern New South Wales. Environmental variables are defined as climatic or topographic variables that may be useful to map the distribution of fauna. The environmental variables examined were season, temperature, rainfall, elevation, lithology, steepness of slope, position on slope, aspect and landform profile. The probability of recording some species was higher in spring than autumn and many species were in highest abundance in areas of low temperature (high elevation). Although aspect was a significant variable in a number of models, no species was absent from any aspect category. Mid-slopes down to and including creeks and drainage lines were particularly important for many species, as were areas with flatter terrain. Although we have modelled environmental variables only there will no doubt be longer-term interactions between habitat and environmental variables. Fundamentally, environmental variables will determine the type of habitat present at a site, and the distribution of canopy communities, at least, can be predicted from environmental variables. However, other studies have shown for ground-dwelling mammals that environmental variables contribute little and it is the state of the habitat locally, and particularly the understorey, that determines their presence and abundance at a site. The results are discussed in relation to similar models using habitat variables and in relation to the use of such models in the management of ground-dwelling fauna in forests.


1982 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 77 ◽  
Author(s):  
AH Arthington ◽  
JAL Watson

The Odonata and physicochemical properties of freshwater streams, lakes, ponds and bogs in the sand-dune systems of Fraser, Moreton and North Stradbroke Islands and Cooloola, Queensland: and Wooli, New South Wales, are described. The odonate faunas of these dune masses show some differences from those of nearby areas, and there are close associations between some species and particular types of dune fresh water. Although no physicochemical characteristics were identified that might limit these dune dragonflies to their specific habitats, the lake-dwellers in particular may be useful indicators of environmental change.


1993 ◽  
Vol 20 (6) ◽  
pp. 785 ◽  
Author(s):  
DM Watson ◽  
TJ Dawson

The effects of temporal (time of day and season) factors and size, sex, female reproductive state and group size on the diel time-use of free-ranging red kangaroos (Macropus rufus) was examined. Particular emphasis was given to the effects on their foraging behaviour, with foraging divided into cropping, chewing and searching components. The study was conducted in semi-arid western New South Wales from July 1991 to March 1992, a time of deepening drought conditions in New South Wales. Group size had very little influence on the time-use of M. rufus. It was negatively but only weakly correlated with the proportion of foraging time spent chewing (chewing intensity). No significant differences in time-use were found between size classes of adult males (large and medium-sized males), females with or without pouch young, or females with different-sized pouch young (no visible young, small pouch young or large pouch young). Differences occurred between adult males, adult females and subadult kangaroos. These differences were mainly associated with their chewing and searching behaviour and were related to body size; as body size increased the proportion of time spent chewing and the intensity of chewing increased while the proportion of time searching and the proportion of foraging time spent searching (searching intensity) decreased. Neither the proportion of time spent cropping or foraging nor the proportion of foraging time spent cropping (cropping intensity) or the proportion of active time spent foraging (foraging intensity) differed between any size/sex/reproductive class. Temporal effects had a considerable influence on time-use. M. rufus were most active at night and in the few hours after sunrise and sunset. Seasonal changes in time-use were largely a result of changes in daytime behaviour. M. rufus foraged less and rested more during the day in winter than in spring or summer. There was no increase in the intensity or proportion of time spent foraging or cropping at night to compensate for the reduction in diurnal foraging. It is hypothesised that temporal variations in time-use were related to variations in weather and vegetation conditions.


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