Life history characteristics of two Australian honeyeaters (Meliphagidae)

2000 ◽  
Vol 48 (1) ◽  
pp. 21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hugh A. Ford ◽  
Steve Trémont
Keyword(s):  
Life History ◽  
Breeding Success ◽  
Cooperative Breeding ◽  
Life Histories ◽  
New South ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Annual Productivity ◽  
High Incidence ◽  
Breeding Seasons ◽  
Australian Passerines

Most endemic Australian passerines that have been studied display long breeding seasons, multiple nesting attempts, small clutches, low annual productivity, high longevity and a high incidence of cooperative breeding. We compare the life histories of two large endemic honeyeaters (Meliphagidae) near Armidale, New South Wales. Red wattlebirds, Anthochaera carunculata, have a long breeding season, with many nesting attempts and clutches of two eggs, similar to other honeyeaters whose breeding biology has been studied. Noisy friarbirds, Philemon corniculatus, which are spring and summer visitors to the study area, have shorter breeding seasons, usually making one attempt and have a modal clutch size of three. Both species had incubation and nestling periods of about 16 days. Friarbirds apparently have a laying interval of 24 hours, the same as other honeyeaters, but unlike some other endemic passerines, which have laying intervals of 48 hours. Breeding success did not differ between the species, with young fledging from 32.7% of wattlebird nests and 40.9% of friarbird nests. The reproductive strategy of the noisy friarbird thus differs quantitatively from the apparent norm for other honeyeaters and many other Australian endemic passerines.

Comparison of life histories of two deep-water sharks from eastern Australia: the piked spurdog and the Philippine spurdog

2016 ◽  
Vol 67 (10) ◽  
pp. 1546 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cassandra L. Rigby ◽  
Ross K. Daley ◽  
Colin A. Simpfendorfer
Keyword(s):  
Life History ◽  
Deep Water ◽  
Life Histories ◽  
Growth Models ◽  
New South ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
History Of ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
Species Specific

Deep-water sharks have low biological productivity and are vulnerable to exploitation with species-specific regional life history required to enable effective management. The present study describes the life history of two squalids collected from Australia: (1) the piked spurdog (Squalus megalops) from the tropical Great Barrier Reef; and (2) the Philippine spurdog (S. montalbani) from New South Wales. Maximum observed ages for males and females were 18 and 25 years for S. megalops and 28 and 27 years for S. montalbani. Multiple growth models were all well supported and indicated very slow growth rates for both species. The tropical S. megalops population was smaller and older at maturity than previously reported temperate populations. Males were mature at 352-mm stretched total length (LST) and 12.6 years, whereas females were mature at 422mm LST and 19.1 years. Squalus montalbani males were mature at 700mm LST and 21.8 years, whereas females were mature at 800mm LST and 26 years. Fecundity was lower for S. megalops than S. montalbani with two to three compared with nine to 16 embryos. Both species have a conservative life history, although in the event of overfishing the longer-lived, later-maturing and deeper-dwelling S. montalbani is likely to take longer to recover than S. megalops.

The breeding behaviour of the endangered regent honeyeater, Xanthomyza phrygia, near Armidale, New South Wales

1998 ◽  
Vol 46 (2) ◽  
pp. 153 ◽  
Author(s):  
Damon L. Oliver
Keyword(s):  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Population Level ◽  
Similar Rate ◽  
Nest Construction ◽  
Aggressive Interactions ◽  
Breeding Behaviour ◽  
South Wales ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Breeding Seasons

The regent honeyea ter, Xanthomyza phrygia, is an endangered woodland bird whose range and population size have decreased in the last thirty years. Suggested reasons for this decline include abnormal breeding behaviour, poor reproductive output, and excessive inter- and intra-specific aggression. This study investigated the breeding behaviour and aggressive interactions of regent honeyeaters during the nest construction, incubation, nestling, and fledgling stages in two consecutive breeding seasons in the Bundarra–Barraba region near Armidale, New South Wales. The female was entirely responsible for nest construction and incubation, which is typical of many honeyeaters. Both parents fed the nestlings, and at a similar rate, although only the female brooded chicks on the nest. Both parents fed the fledglings. The mean frequency at which nestlings (23 times per hour) and fledglings (29 times per hour) were fed is the highest published rate of any non-cooperative honeyeater. Breeding males were involved in significantly more aggressive interactions with conspecifics and other nectarivores than were females, although the overall percentage of day-time spent in aggression for both sexes was low (2.5%). It appears that abnormal breeding behaviour, poor reproductive effort, or excessive aggression are not experienced by this species in northern New South Wales, and that other factors are likely to be responsible for its current low population level.

The importance of insects and lerp in the diet of juvenile regent honeyeaters, Xanthomyza phrygia: implications for the conservation of an endangered woodland bird

1998 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 409 ◽  
Author(s):  
Damon L. Oliver
Keyword(s):  
Plant Species ◽  
Resource Selection ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
The Other ◽  
Conservation Strategies ◽  
Eucalypt Species ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Breeding Seasons

The dietary items fed to regent honeyeater, Xanthomyza phrygia, nestlings and fledglings by adults were recorded in two consecutive breeding seasons in the Bundarra–Barraba region west of Armidale, New South Wales. Insects were the most common dietary items fed to juveniles (53% of identified items), followed by lerp (26.5%) and nectar (20.5%). Nestlings were fed mostly insects (58% of feeds), and carbohydrates (nectar and lerp) made up the rest of their diet. Fledglings, however, were fed mainly carbohydrates (nectar and lerp comprised 61.2% of all items) while protein from insects was the other major component of their diet. Males tended to feed juveniles more insects than did females, although there were no significant divisions of labour between parents in selecting dietary items for nestlings or fledglings. This study highlights the importance of insects and lerp in the diet of juvenile regent honeyeaters, and the diversity of plant species on which their parents foraged. The species shows a broader resource selection than was found in previous studies which considered the species to be highly nectarivorous and selective for a few key eucalypt species. The importance of insects and carbohydrates other than nectar in the diet of the regent honeyeater needs to be recognised in the development of conservation strategies for the species.

Larval distribution and abundance of blue and spotted warehous (Seriolella brama and S. punctata: Centrolophidae) in south-eastern Australia

2001 ◽  
Vol 52 (4) ◽  
pp. 631 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. D. Bruce ◽  
F. J. Neira ◽  
R. W. Bradford
Keyword(s):  
Life Histories ◽  
New South ◽  
South Australia ◽  
South Eastern ◽  
Larval Distribution ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Spawning Areas ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Commercially Important ◽  
South Eastern Australia

The early life histories of the commercially important blue and spotted warehous (Seriolella brama and S. punctata) were examined on the basis of archived ichthyoplankton samples collected over broad areas of southern Australia. Larvae of both species were widely distributed during winter and spring within shelf and slope waters. Larvae of S. brama were recorded from Kangaroo Island, South Australia (SA), to southern New South Wales (NSW). Seriolella punctata larvae were recorded from western Tasmania to southern NSW. Back-calculated spawning dates, based on otolith microstructure, indicated that spawning predominantly occurs during late July and August but that the timing of spawning varies between regions. The abundances of small larvae (<5. 0 mm body length) were highest for both species off western Tasmania and southern NSW. No small S. brama larvae were recorded between southern Tasmania and southern NSW, whereas low but consistent numbers of small S. punctata larvae were found between these regions. The data suggest that there are separate spawning areas for S. brama in western and eastern regions of Australia’s South East Fishery. The pattern for S. punctata is less clear, but suggests a more continuous link among populations in south-eastern Australia.

Repeat Homing of Brown Trout (Salmo trutta) in Lake Eucumbene, New South Wales, Australia

1977 ◽  
Vol 34 (8) ◽  
pp. 1085-1094 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. D. J. Tilzey
Keyword(s):  
Rainbow Trout ◽  
Brown Trout ◽  
Salmo Trutta ◽  
New South ◽  
Tag Loss ◽  
Trout Population ◽  
South Wales ◽  
High Incidence ◽  
Brown Trout Salmo Trutta ◽  
External Form

Spawning runs of lentic-dwelling brown trout (Salmo trutta) and rainbow trout (S. gairdneri) in Swamp Creek, an inlet of Lake Eucumbene, were studied for 4 consecutive yr, and 3517 browns and 415 rainbows were tagged during 1968–70. A further 240 browns and 229 rainbows were marked in other inlets. Recaptures of marked browns in 1969 and 1970 showed a high incidence of repeat homing, up to 25.7 and 10.6% returning after 12 and 24 mo, respectively. Few rainbow trout homed. Tag loss and the mortality and maturation of marked browns were estimated and percentage homing and straying in 1969, 1970 and 1971 was calculated. High percentage homing [Formula: see text] in 1969–70 and the variance in external form in the lentic population suggested some genetic isolation within the brown trout population. Homing ability was not influenced by fish age. Percentage homing fell markedly in 1971 after the removal of nearly all resident brown trout from Swamp Creek and suggested racially distinct stream trout populations to be an important navigational cue to homing brown trout. Key words: repeat homing, Salmo trutta, homing frequency, navigation, racial cue, Australia

A decline in the abundance and condition of a native bivalve associated with Caulerpa taxifolia invasion

2007 ◽  
Vol 58 (3) ◽  
pp. 263 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffrey T. Wright ◽  
Louise A. McKenzie ◽  
Paul E. Gribben
Keyword(s):  
Life History ◽  
Life History Traits ◽  
New South ◽  
Caulerpa Taxifolia ◽  
Shell Weight ◽  
Tissue Weight ◽  
Invasive Seaweed ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Fast Spreading ◽  
Infaunal Bivalve

Caulerpa taxifolia is a fast-spreading invasive seaweed that threatens biodiversity in temperate Australian estuaries. To date, little is known about its effects on infauna. In the present study, we describe variation in demographic and life-history traits of the abundant infaunal bivalve, Anadara trapezia, in C. taxifolia and uninvaded habitats (seagrass and unvegetated sediments) at multiple sites across three estuaries in south-eastern New South Wales. Densities of A. trapezia were always lower in C. taxifolia than on unvegetated sediment, and lower in C. taxifolia than in seagrass at three out of four sites where they were compared. Dry tissue weight of A. trapezia was also lower in C. taxifolia than on unvegetated sediment at most sites, but was only lower in C. taxifolia than in seagrass at one of four sites. Populations were dominated by larger individuals (>45 mm length), but smaller individuals (35–45 mm length) were more common in C. taxifolia and seagrass. A. trapezia shell weight and morphology was variable and appeared weakly affected by invasion. Generally, our findings are consistent with the hypothesis that A. trapezia is negatively affected by C. taxifolia. However, C. taxifolia invasion appears complex and, at some places, its effects may not differ from those of native seagrass. There is a need for manipulative studies to understand the mechanisms underlying the effects of C. taxifolia on infauna.

Reproduction of Pseudomys novaehollandiae (Muridae) in the Wild

1980 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 385 ◽  
Author(s):  
CM Kemper
Keyword(s):  
Breeding Season ◽  
New South ◽  
Reproductive Organs ◽  
First Year ◽  
Reproductive Condition ◽  
South Wales ◽  
In The Wild ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
Preputial Glands ◽  
Breeding Seasons

A total of 291 P. novaehollandiae were observed during a 4-y study in the Nelson Bay and Smith Lake regions of New South Wales. Reproductive organs were examined from males and females, May 1972-May 1974; reproductive condition of females was noted during a CMR study, August 1974-July 1976. Breeding seasons (conceptions and births) occurred between August and early January (4-5 months) in the first 3 years and between September and March (7 months) in the last year. Second-year females produced three or four litters in short seasons, four or five litters in the long season and up to 20 offspring per season. First-year females produced one litter in short seasons and one or two litters in the long season. Mean litter size was 4.56 (2-6). Ovarian follicles were largest in September and smallest in May. Small, inactive CL persisted in parous females until May. Placental scars were present in all sampled months. Vaginae remained closed during the non-breeding season. In mature males testes and epididymides contained sperm from July to March. Vesicular, prostate and preputial glands were enlarged and secretory from September to December. Testes were smallest and least developed in May and June. Males were divided into five categories depending on age and overall reproductive condition. Sexual maturity was reached in the breeding season of birth by some males (33%) and females (13-88%). More females matured early when population density was low. Food abundance and quality may have been important variables in regulating the timing of the breeding season.

Modern Trends in Human Reproductive Physiology

PEDIATRICS ◽  
1964 ◽  
Vol 33 (5) ◽  
pp. 805-805
Author(s):  
CLEMENT A. SMITH
Keyword(s):  
Life History ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Reproductive Physiology ◽  
Obstetrics And Gynaecology ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Human Reproductive ◽  
History Of ◽  
The University

For the pediatrician curious enough to pursue the life history of his patient into its prenatal phase or the obstetrician interested in more than one of his two patients, this small book will be of great usefulness. Of the twenty-one chapters, twelve are by Australian or New Zealand workers, the Editor, a Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the University of New South Wales, among them. The international flavor is augmented by Swedish, German, and Scottish contributors.

Breeding Success and Nest Site Selection of the Regent Honeyeater Xanthomyza phrygia near Armidale, New South Wales

1998 ◽  
Vol 98 (2) ◽  
pp. 97-103 ◽  
Author(s):  
Damon L. Oliver ◽  
Andrew J. Ley ◽  
Beth Williams
Keyword(s):  
Breeding Success ◽  
Site Selection ◽  
Nest Site ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Nest Site Selection ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Selection Of

Coccidiosis in wild rabbits, Oryctolagus cuniculus (L.), at four sites in different climatic regions in eastern Australia I. Relationship with the age of the rabbit

1968 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 69 ◽  
Author(s):  
E Stodart
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Regression Analysis ◽  
Linear Regression ◽  
Oryctolagus Cuniculus ◽  
New South ◽  
Linear Regression Analysis ◽  
Climatic Regions ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Breeding Seasons

A total of 2881 rabbits were shot during 1962-64 in regular samples from four sites representing different climatic regions in eastern Australia. Samples of the faeces were examined for coccidial oocysts. Seven species of Eimeria (E. stiedae, E. media, E. perforans, E. irresidua, E. magna, E. piriformis, and E. exigua) were recorded. Dried lens weight and paunched (eviscerated) body weight of the rabbits were used as estimates of age. A decrease in oocyst output with increasing age of the rabbit was apparent when progeny of particular breeding seasons were followed and when all data were grouped together at the subalpine site. Linear regression analysis showed that the decrease was greatest at the subalpine site, where the young had high oocyst counts, less in the subtropical and Mediterranean climates, and virtually absent at the arid site. The rate of the decrease varied between species; it was greatest for E. magna and was slight and variable in occurrence for E. piriformis. Adult rabbits transported from the arid site to infected pasture in Canberra were found from 1 to 10 weeks after release to have an oocyst count comparable to that of young rabbits at the subalpine site. Cage-reared progeny of the rabbits from the arid site were more susceptible to accidental infection than cage-reared progeny of rabbits from the temperate southern tablelands of New South Wales.

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