The life history of Pseudocheirus occidentalis (Pseudocheiridae) in the jarrah forest of south-western Australia

2005 ◽  
Vol 53 (5) ◽  
pp. 325 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. F. Wayne ◽  
J. F. Rooney ◽  
C. G. Ward ◽  
C. V. Vellios ◽  
D. B. Lindenmayer
Keyword(s):  
Life History ◽  
Western Australia ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Temporal Variations ◽  
Jarrah Forest ◽  
Eucalyptus Marginata ◽  
Introduced Predators ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
History Of ◽  
Ringtail Possum

Life-history attributes are described for the threatened ngwayir or western ringtail possum (Pseudocheirus occidentalis) in inland jarrah (Eucalyptus marginata) forest east of Manjimup, south-western Australia. Data on 81 individuals were collected over 18 months. There was no sexual dimorphism and body size was similar to that found in other P. occidentalis populations, but larger than the closely related P. peregrinus in eastern Australia. Breeding at Chariup was more strongly seasonal than that of coastal populations, with 77% of births in May–June and the remainder in October–November. All neonates were singletons except for one instance of non-viable twins. No females bred twice in the same year. The growth rate of the head length of pouch young (<5 months of age) was 0.245–0.362 mm day–1 and curvilinear toward an asymptote thereafter. Temporal variations in body condition, coat condition and ectoparasites were significant. Mortality was highly seasonal (84% of deaths were April–September) and predominantly caused by predation, mainly by fox (Vulpes vulpes) and cat (Felis catus). More effective and strategic control of introduced predators prior to and during autumn/winter, could therefore improve the viability of jarrah forest populations. Nutrition appears to influence many of the life-history traits of P. occidentalis. Nutrition also may partly explain the differences in size, life history and conservation status between P. occidentalis and P. peregrinus.

Tree Species Preferences of Foraging Birds in Jarrah Forest in Western Australia.

1985 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 461 ◽  
Author(s):  
I Abbott ◽  
PV Heurck
Keyword(s):  
Western Australia ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Selective Logging ◽  
Jarrah Forest ◽  
Eucalyptus Marginata ◽  
Silvicultural Treatments ◽  
Species Preferences

A study of foraging by 10 bird species suggests that selective logging of large Eucalyptus marginata will only have affected Melithreptus lunatus, but that proposed silvicultural treatments, including removal of Banksia grandis, may affect several other bird species.

Distribution and life history of caridean shrimps in regulated lowland rivers in southern Australia

2004 ◽  
Vol 55 (3) ◽  
pp. 295 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. J. Richardson ◽  
J. E. Growns ◽  
R. A. Cook
Keyword(s):  
Life History ◽  
Life Stages ◽  
Lowland Rivers ◽  
Flow Alteration ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
History Of ◽  
Paratya Australiensis ◽  
Juvenile Stages ◽  
Shrimp Abundance ◽  
Large Adult

Caridean shrimps are an integral component of lowland river ecosystems in south-eastern Australia, but their distributions may be affected by flow alteration. Monthly shrimp samples were collected from slackwaters in three hydrologically distinct sections of the heavily regulated Campaspe River and the less regulated Broken River for three consecutive years. The distributions of Paratya australiensis, Caridina mccullochi and Macrobrachium australiense, along with their life history in river sections with different hydrology are outlined. Paratya australiensis and M. australiense occurred in all sections, but C. mccullochi was absent from sections of the Campaspe River that received irrigation flows during summer/autumn. Shrimp larvae were most abundant in summer (December–February) and juvenile recruitment continued through to mid autumn (April). Breeding and recruitment of P. australiensis occurred for longer than other shrimps. Apart from large adult and berried M. australiense, all life stages of shrimps commonly occurred in slackwaters, particularly the larval and juvenile stages. Irrigation flows in summer/autumn probably adversely affect the size, extent and arrangement of slackwaters, at a time when they may be critical habitats for C. mccullochi larval development and recruitment. Dams and weirs in the Campaspe River may have influenced shrimp abundance and the timing of breeding.

Comparative Studies in Selected Species of Eucalyptus Used in Rehabilitation of the Northern Jarrah Forest, Western Australia. I. Patterns of Xylem Pressure Potential and Diffusive Resistance of Leaves

1984 ◽  
Vol 32 (4) ◽  
pp. 367 ◽  
Author(s):  
IJ Colquhoun ◽  
RW Ridge ◽  
DT Bell ◽  
WA Loneragan ◽  
J Kuo
Keyword(s):  
Western Australia ◽  
Water Loss ◽  
Seasonal Patterns ◽  
Pressure Potential ◽  
Jarrah Forest ◽  
Eucalyptus Marginata ◽  
Xylem Pressure ◽  
Diffusive Resistance ◽  
Xylem Pressure Potential ◽  
The Impact

Land use which reduces tree canopy density and the impact of Phytophthora cinnamomi are believed to be altering the hydrological balance of parts of the northern jarrah forest, Western Australia. In the drier eastern zones of the forest, replacement plant communities must maintain the soil-salt-water balance to prevent significant increases in salinization of streams in water supply catchments. Daily and seasonal patterns of the diffusive resistance of leaves and xylem pressure potential were determined for the major natural dominant of the region, Eucalyptus marginata, and five other species of Eucalyptus used in rehabilitation. Three types of daily and seasonal patterns were observed. E. marginata and E. calophylla exhibited little stomatal control of water loss, and leaf resistances remained low throughout the study period (type 1). E. maculata, E. resinifera and E. saligna exhibited marked stomatal regulation during summer days when xylem pressure potentials fell below -2.O MPa (type 2). E. wandoo (type 3) also controlled water loss but developed xylem pressure potentials far lower than all other species tested (<-3.0 MPa). Although none of the species tested replicated the summer stomatal resistance and xylem pressure potential patterns of E. marginata, it is suggested that total annual water use should be examined before selecting the most appropriate species to rehabilitate disturbed sites in the eastern zones of the northern jarrah forest region.

Owl survey of the Peel–Harvey Estuary in south-western Australia

2017 ◽  
Vol 65 (2) ◽  
pp. 71 ◽  
Author(s):  
Graham R. Fulton
Keyword(s):  
Western Australia ◽  
Oryctolagus Cuniculus ◽  
Rattus Rattus ◽  
Late Winter ◽  
Red Foxes ◽  
Black Rat ◽  
South West ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Ringtail Possum ◽  
Flying Fox

Little is known of owls in south-western Australia compared with the owls of southern and eastern Australia. Surveys of forest owls in the south-west are almost completely lacking. This study sought to determine the abundance and detectability of owls immediately around the Peel–Harvey Estuary in south-western Australia. The southern boobook (Ninox boobook) and the masked owl (Tyto novaehollandiae) were the only owls detected (n = 23 and n = 1 respectively), although the nocturnal tawny frogmouth (Podargus strigoides) was detected from unelicited calls on three occasions. Southern boobooks were found to be common in this area though they are reported to be in decline in south-eastern and inland Australia. Their detectability was significantly greater in August (late winter) than at other times through unelicited calls; otherwise, there were no detections in winter. A variety of small mammals were detected during the surveys, including: a little red flying-fox (Pteropus scapulatus), a western ringtail possum (Pseudocheirus occidentalis), 19 southern brown bandicoots (Isoodon obesulus), 4 common brushtail possums (Trichosurus vulpecula), 21 rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus), a black rat (Rattus rattus), 2 red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) and 22 microbats.

Distribution of Phytophthora cinnamomi in the northern jarrah (Eucalyptus marginata) forest of Western Australia in relation to dieback age and topography

2002 ◽  
Vol 50 (1) ◽  
pp. 107 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. L. McDougall ◽  
G. E. St J. Hardy ◽  
R. J. Hobbs
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Distribution ◽  
Western Australia ◽  
Aerial Photography ◽  
Phytophthora Cinnamomi ◽  
Ex Situ ◽  
Patchy Distribution ◽  
Jarrah Forest ◽  
Eucalyptus Marginata ◽  
Almost All

The spatial distribution of Phytophthora cinnamomi Rands at seven dieback sites in the jarrah (Eucalyptus marginata Donn. ex Smith) forest of Western Australia was determined by the following two baiting techniques: in situ baiting with live Banksia grandis Willd. seedlings and ex situ baiting of sampled soil and root material. Four areas within each site were sampled, reflecting dieback age and position in the landscape. Approximate dieback ages of 50, 20 and 5 years were determined by aerial photography. The 50-year-old age class was divided into wet valley floor and dry gravelly slope. Phytophthora cinnamomi was recovered most frequently from the 5-year-old (dieback fronts) and wet 50-year-old areas by both baiting techniques. It was recovered from more than twice as many areas and about five times as many samples when in situ B. grandis baits were used compared with ex situ soil and root baiting. Almost all recoveries from in situ baits were made between October and December. From both methods, it appears that P. cinnamomi has a patchy distribution within dieback sites in the northern jarrah forest. It is easily detected only on dieback fronts and wet valley floors. On dry gravelly sites affected 20 years or more ago, P. cinnamomi is rare and may even be absent at some sites. This makes confident detection of the pathogen difficult. In situ baiting at least allows a temporal component to the sampling and will be a useful method of detection in areas where P. cinnamomi is rare or transient.

scholarly journals Feeding activity of threatened black cockatoos in mine-site rehabilitation in the jarrah forest of south-western Australia

2013 ◽  
Vol 61 (2) ◽  
pp. 119 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica Lee ◽  
Hugh Finn ◽  
Michael Calver
Keyword(s):  
Western Australia ◽  
Feeding Activity ◽  
Vegetation Succession ◽  
Jarrah Forest ◽  
Eucalyptus Marginata ◽  
Mine Site ◽  
Rehabilitation Protocols ◽  
Small Scales ◽  
Site Rehabilitation ◽  
Feeding Trace

Land clearing threatens three black cockatoo species (forest red-tailed black cockatoo, (Calyptorhynchus banksii naso), Carnaby’s cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus latirostris), and Baudin’s cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus baudinii) endemic to south-western Australia, so revegetation is important to their recovery. Over three years we studied cockatoo activity in 7–14-year-old mine-site rehabilitation in the region’s jarrah (Eucalyptus marginata)–marri (Corymbia calophylla) forest to give the most detailed description to date of the use of rehabilitation by the birds. Pits varied floristically and structurally (despite similar rehabilitation prescriptions), but interior and exterior plots (100 m2) were similar within pits. Using feeding traces (e.g. chewed husks), and behavioural observations we confirmed feeding within eight years of revegetation. Plots containing feeding trace were similar to plots without, so factors determining black cockatoo feeding may not be apparent at small scales. Returning food resources reflected vegetation succession, with regenerating marri and fast-maturing proteaceous species providing most food. Carnaby’s cockatoo ate Banksia and Hakea seeds and Baudin’s cockatoo and the forest red-tailed black cockatoo consumed marri seeds. Banksia squarrosa, Hakea undulata, H. prostrata and marri were common foods in all years. Revegetation efforts elsewhere should consider these species, within the constraints of rehabilitation protocols addressing multiple aims.

Effect of the fungicide phosphite on pollen fertility of perennial species of the Eucalyptus marginata forest and northern sandplains of Western Australia.

2002 ◽  
Vol 50 (6) ◽  
pp. 769 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Western Australia ◽  
Pollen Fertility ◽  
Perennial Species ◽  
The South ◽  
Jarrah Forest ◽  
Eucalyptus Marginata ◽  
South West ◽  
Run Off

The fungicide phosphite was shown to affect pollen fertility in a range of perennial species from the south-west of Western Australia. Phosphite was applied to perennial species of the jarrah (Eucalyptus marginata) forest by spraying to run-off with 2.5, 5 and 10 g L–1 phosphite in either autumn or spring. Pollen fertility of Dryandra sessilis was reduced by phosphite for up to 35 and 60 weeks after spraying in spring or autumn, respectively. Trymalium ledifolium pollen fertility was reduced by phosphite 38 and 61 weeks after spraying in spring or autumn, respectively. Lasiopetalum floribundum was less affected with a reduction in pollen fertility being observed for up to 3 weeks after spraying in spring. Other perennial understorey species of the jarrah forest, Adenanthos barbiger, Boronia cymosa, Hovea elliptica and Phyllanthus calycinus were also shown to have reduced pollen fertility after treatment in autumn or spring, as did Comesperma calymega, Eremaea astrocarpa and Hibbertia hypericoides, species of the northern sandplains when sprayed in summer.

The systematics, biogeography and conservation status of species in the freshwater crayfish genus Engaewa Riek (Decapoda : Parastacidae) from south-western Australia

2000 ◽  
Vol 14 (5) ◽  
pp. 655 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pierre Horwitz ◽  
Mark Adams
Keyword(s):  
Western Australia ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Aquatic Organisms ◽  
Morphological Characters ◽  
Species Boundaries ◽  
Entire Group ◽  
Freshwater Crayfish ◽  
Incipient Speciation ◽  
Genetic Groups ◽  
Eastern Australia

This paper presents a review of the systematics of freshwater crayfish species in the genus Engaewa Riek, endemic to south-western Australia. Allozyme electrophoresis of six allopatric populations of Engaewa and several outgroup taxa at 17 loci was initially used to identify four distinct genetic groups within the genus. Morphological characters were then used to establish within and between species boundaries more precisely. Five species were recognised, comprising the existing species E. subcoerulea Riek, E. reducta Riek, and E. similis Riek, plus two new species, E. pseudoreducta, sp. nov. and E. walpolea, sp. nov. The genus is endemic to south-western Australia where distributions of species conform to those expected for slowly dispersing, inland aquatic organisms wedded to year-round cool and wet conditions. The range of the genus occurs within the Warren Bioregion of Australia. The species occupy well-defined and largely non-overlapping geographical ranges. Within the bioregion, apparent incipient speciation exists in the Cape Naturaliste–Cape Leeuwin subregion, confirming a pattern observed for other aquatic organisms. Morphological and electrophoretic evidence suggests that species in the genus are more closely related to each other than they are to other species of extant freshwater crayfish, suggesting that they represent a monophyletic group. Nevertheless, the morphological variation displayed by Engaewa clearly falls within that found for the genus Engaeus Erichson from south-eastern Australia, indicating that a broad-scale generic revision for the entire group would be appropriate. The narrow geographical ranges of E. walpolea, sp. nov., E. pseudoreducta, sp. nov. and E. reducta, coupled with known threats to populations, warrant concern for these species from a conservation viewpoint. precisely.

The biology of the Jarrah leaf miner, Perthida glyphopa common (Lepidoptera : Incurvariidae)

1970 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 91 ◽  
Author(s):  
MMH Wallace
Keyword(s):  
Life History ◽  
Western Australia ◽  
Soil Type ◽  
Surface Soil ◽  
Leaf Miner ◽  
Eucalyptus Species ◽  
Eucalyptus Marginata ◽  
Innate Resistance

The jarrah leaf miner P. glyphopa causes conspicuous damage to both jarrah (Eucalyptus marginata) and to flooded gum (E. rudis) in Western Australia. It may also attack other Eucalyptus species but rarely reaches high densities in them. Details of the life history and distribution are presented and processes influencing numbers in the field are discussed. These include larval parasitism (Hymenoptera); possible predation by birds; tree or understorey density or both; surface soil type; and innate resistance of certain trees to attack. A theory of outbreak initiation and subsequent decline is outlined.

Brushtail possum, Trichosurus vulpecula, populations in south-western Australia: demography, diet and conservation status

2000 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 81 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. A. How ◽  
S. J. Hillcox
Keyword(s):  
Western Australia ◽  
Population Studies ◽  
Marked Effect ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Brushtail Possum ◽  
Trichosurus Vulpecula ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Present Distribution ◽  
Dietary Study ◽  
The Common

The common brushtail possum, Trichosurus vulpecula, has suffered a marked reduction in its geographic range from the arid areas of Western Australia and now is abundant only in the more mesic forests and woodlands of the south-west. A mark–recapture and dietary study of a population in the tuart/peppermint forests near Busselton found that the species occurred at a density of 2–3 individuals per hectare, fed principally on peppermint, Agonis flexuosa, but occurred in all treed habitats in the area, including Pinus radiata plantations. Females matured in their third year and produced a single young annually between April and September that was weaned about seven months later. Comparisons between the demographic parameters of this population and that of a study from semiarid south-western Australia showed marked differences, which were comparable to variation shown by population studies of T. vulpecula in eastern Australia and New Zealand. Predation and habitat alteration have probably had a marked effect on determining the present distribution and abundance of the species in south-western Australia.

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