OCULAR ANATOMY AND PATHOLOGY IN LUMHOLTZ'S TREE-KANGAROO (DENDROLAGUS LUMHOLTZI)

2021 ◽  
Vol 51 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Amy L. Shima ◽  
Linda K. Johnson ◽  
Lee F. Skerratt ◽  
Caroline Zeiss
Keyword(s):  
Dendrolagus Lumholtzi

Conservation and health of Lumholtz’s tree-kangaroo (Dendrolagus lumholtzi)

2019 ◽  
Vol 41 (1) ◽  
pp. 57 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amy L. Shima ◽  
Lee Berger ◽  
Lee F. Skerratt
Keyword(s):  
Domestic Animals ◽  
Home Range Size ◽  
Population Viability ◽  
Population Status ◽  
Far North ◽  
Wild Tree ◽  
Wild Dogs ◽  
Tick Paralysis ◽  
Dendrolagus Lumholtzi ◽  
Conservation And Management

Lumholtz’s tree-kangaroo (Dendrolagus lumholtzi) is an iconic species in far north Queensland yet little is known about its health or population status. Studies on this species have been conducted in a limited number of locations and focused primarily on ecology, habitat use and home-range size. The species is relatively common in the Atherton Tablelands but habitat loss, predation by domestic, feral and wild dogs, vehicle strike, low fecundity, and disease have been identified as threats to the population. We review knowledge of population ecology and threats for this species, and include a novel collation of disease reports on all tree-kangaroos with particular reference to Lumholtz’s tree-kangaroo. Health of Lumholtz’s tree-kangaroo appears to be impacted by the increase in humans and domestic animals in their range. There have been reports of melioidosis, toxoplasmosis, tick paralysis and blindness in wild tree-kangaroos. We identify where increased information on health and population viability will improve conservation and management of the species.

Factors affecting the mortality of Lumholtz's tree-kangaroo (Dendrolagus lumholtzi) by vehicle strike

2018 ◽  
Vol 45 (6) ◽  
pp. 559 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amy L. Shima ◽  
David S. Gillieson ◽  
Gabriel M. Crowley ◽  
Ross G. Dwyer ◽  
Lee Berger
Keyword(s):  
Wildlife Habitat ◽  
Warning Signs ◽  
Mitigation Strategies ◽  
Mitigation Measures ◽  
Speed Limits ◽  
Road Kill ◽  
Male Tree ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Traffic Volumes ◽  
Dendrolagus Lumholtzi

Context Vehicle strike is a major issue where wildlife habitat is intersected by busy roads. Near Threatened Lumholtz’s tree-kangaroo (Dendrolagus lumholtzi) is a large (5–10 kg) semi-arboreal mammal found in populated rural and forested areas of north-eastern Australia. Warning signs, rope bridges and underpasses have not prevented ~20 animals being killed on the road each year. Aims To identify factors influencing Lumholtz’s tree-kangaroo vehicle strike to help inform mitigation options. Methods Citizen sightings (1998–2000) and 90 road-kills collected over 4.5 years on the Atherton Tablelands, Australia, were examined to determine the causes of vehicle strike in Lumholtz’s tree-kangaroo. The spatial distributions of sightings and road-kills were characterised using nearest-neighbour analysis, and the relationship between them was determined using a Bayesian approach that accounted for spatial autocorrelation. Gender, age, weight, season, rainfall, road and verge characteristics, traffic volumes, speed limits and mitigation measures were recorded to assess their influence on road-kill risk. Adequacy of speed limits to prevent collisions along road sections with more than four road-kills per 8 km (hazard zones) was assessed from visibility and stopping distances. Key results Vehicle strikes mainly affected male tree-kangaroos (2–5 years, 5.5–8 kg), occurred where live animals were most frequently sighted and were most likely on roads with narrow verges, low visibility and medium traffic volumes. Speed limits at hazard zones were inadequate to prevent collisions. Few warning signs corresponded with these zones, and road mortalities persisted where they did. Conclusions Unpredictable dispersal of young males and vehicle speeds unsuited to road conditions drive road mortalities in Lumholtz’s tree-kangaroo. Because tree-kangaroos do not appear to respond to existing mitigation measures, reducing traffic speeds, and increasing visibility, appear to be the most effective mitigation strategies for reducing tree-kangaroo road mortality. Implications Our findings suggest that tree-kangaroo road-kill can be reduced by reducing speed limits in line with government recommendations and increasing visibility by clearing road verges along sections of road with the highest tree-kangaroo mortality. Warning signage should be re-evaluated to determine whether its effectiveness can be improved.

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.

The use of a replanted riparian habitat by the Lumholtz's Tree-kangaroo (Dendrolagus lumholtzi)

2017 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 76-80
Author(s):  
Sigrid Heise-Pavlov ◽  
Jaqueline Rhinier ◽  
Simon Burchill
Keyword(s):  
Riparian Habitat ◽  
Dendrolagus Lumholtzi

The utility to birds and mammals of remnant riparian vegetation and associated windbreaks in the tropical Queensland uplands

1994 ◽  
Vol 1 (4) ◽  
pp. 328 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francis Crome ◽  
Jodi Isaacs ◽  
Les Moore
Keyword(s):  
Riparian Vegetation ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Wildlife Habitat ◽  
Brushtail Possum ◽  
Forest Patches ◽  
Grassland Species ◽  
Remnant Vegetation ◽  
Forest Remnant ◽  
Dendrolagus Lumholtzi ◽  
Ringtail Possum

Birds and mammals were censused in a ribbon of remnant vegetation along a stream connecting two rainforest fragments on a farm on the Atherton Tablelands of North Queensland. The vegetation consisted of two larger (6.5 and 19.6 ha) and one smaller forest remnant (1.1 ha) and numerous tiny disconnected patches scattered across the property and along the creek. These were classified into five types ? "Forest", "Regeneration", "Copse", "Lantana" and "Tobacco Bush". Censuses were also done in four windbreak plantings. Sixty-four species of birds were recorded in systematic censuses in the patches along the creek and in the windbreaks. Along the creek, "Forest" patches had the most species and the most rainforest species followed by "Copse" and "Regeneration" sites. "Lantana" patches were surprisingly rich in species; a total of 32 were recorded including nine rainforest species. The fewest bird species were recorded in the windbreaks which were particularly poor in rainforest species. Small mammals were live trapped in the three larger patches, in the ribbon and in one windbreak. Eleven species were captured ? six rainforest, three grassland and two introduced. The grassland species were not caught in the larger forest patches and two rainforest rodents were not caught along the creek. Nothing was caught in the windbreak but grassland species were caught in an adjoining abandoned orchard. Three species of arboreal mammals were recorded by spotlighting ? Lumholtz' Tree-kangaroo Dendrolagus lumholtzi, Coppery Brushtail Possum Trichosurus vulpecula johnstonii and Green Ringtail Possum Pseudocheirus archeri. All occurred in the stream vegetation as well as the larger forest patches. None were seen in any of the four windbreaks. It is concluded that the creek vegetation is valuable wildlife habitat. The windbreaks were less so but were still useful to the fauna on the study area.

Helminth parasite communities of macropodoid marsupials of the genera Hypsiprymnodon, Aepyprmnus, Thylogale, Onychogalea, Lagorchestes and Dendrolagus from Queensland

1992 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 359 ◽  
Author(s):  
I Beveridge ◽  
R Speare ◽  
PM Johnson ◽  
DM Spratt
Keyword(s):  
Host Species ◽  
Feeding Behaviour ◽  
Habitat Type ◽  
Single Species ◽  
Helminth Parasites ◽  
Helminth Community ◽  
Parasite Communities ◽  
Helminth Communities ◽  
Host Phylogeny ◽  
Dendrolagus Lumholtzi

Helminth parasites were examined from 4 Hypsiprymnodon moschatus, 18 Aepyprymnus rufescens, 13 Thylogale stigmatica, 13 Onychogalea unguifera, 2 0. fraenata, 8 Lagorchestes conspicillatus and 7 Dendrolagus lumholtzi from north and central Queensland. In all, 63 species of nematodes, ten species of cestodes and a single species of trematode were encountered. Helminth communities in H. moschatus and A. rufescens were characterised by few, highly specific parasites; D. lumholtzi similarly harboured few parasites; those of Onychogalea spp. and L. conspicillatus were more diverse and included a number of taxa shared with other macropodine hosts. The helminth community of T. stigmatica was extremely diverse and was dominated by helminths specific to Thylogale spp. The helminth communities of the various host genera showed little similarity to one another, even in the case of host species that were broadly sympatric. This lack of similarity is probably due to a mixture of factors, some related to host phylogeny and others ecological, particularly habitat type and feeding behaviour. The data presented illustrate a wider range of types of helminth communities in macropodoids than reported to date, and little evidence of exchange of parasites with rock-wallabies, Petrogale spp., examined from the same regions of Queensland.

Studying food preferences in captive cryptic folivores can assist in conservation planning: the case of the Lumholtz’s tree-kangaroo (Dendrolagus lumholtzi)

2014 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 200 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sigrid Heise-Pavlov ◽  
Clare Anderson ◽  
Andrea Moshier
Keyword(s):  
Food Selection ◽  
Food Preferences ◽  
Tropical Rainforests ◽  
Fragmented Landscape ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
North Eastern ◽  
Browse Species ◽  
General Preference ◽  
Dendrolagus Lumholtzi

Food preferences of the arboreal Lumholtz’s tree-kangaroo (Dendrolagus lumholtzi), endemic to the tropical rainforests of north-eastern Australia, are largely unknown, but are likely to affect the movements of this mammal within its home range and across a fragmented landscape. Food selection was investigated by applying a consumption ranking system to 35 browse species provided to six captive animals throughout different years. Animals consumed foliage from a wide range of rainforest tree species, but at different intensities, suggesting that Lumholtz’s tree-kangaroo is a selective folivore. All studied animals showed a general preference for the foliage of the northern olive (Chionanthus ramiflorus) and the umbrella tree (Schefflera actinophylla) throughout the year while foliage from acacias (Acacia spp.), milky pine (Alstonia scholaris) and pink ash (Alphitonia petriei) was less frequently consumed. Foliage from figs (Ficus spp.) and the northern tamarind (Diploglottis diphyllostegia) was consumed at higher rates only at certain times of the year, suggesting the existence of seasonal preferences. The knowledge of general and seasonal food preferences of this large arboreal mammal may allow a better prediction of animal movements and therefore can assist in conservation efforts. Recommendations for the integration of these findings in restoration projects are given.

Reproduction of Lumholtz's tree-kangaroo, Dendrolagus lumholtzi (Marsupialia : Macropodidae) in captivity, with age estimation and development of the pouch young

2003 ◽  
Vol 30 (5) ◽  
pp. 505 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter M. Johnson ◽  
Steven Delean
Keyword(s):  
Polynomial Growth ◽  
Post Partum ◽  
Age Determination ◽  
Linear Mixed Effects ◽  
In Captivity ◽  
Growth Equations ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Dendrolagus Lumholtzi ◽  
Age Prediction

Reproduction in Lumholtz's tree kangaroo, Dendrolagus lumholtzi, was studied in captivity. The length of the oestrous cycle was 47–64 days and the gestation period was 42–48 days. Post partum oestrus and embryonic diapause were not observed in this study. The interval between loss of a pouch young and a return mating was 22 days. Pouch life was 246–275 days long and weaning occurred 87–240 days later. Sexual maturity was obtained in females as early as 2.04 years and in males at 4.6 years. Linear mixed-effects models are used to describe polynomial growth equations for age determination of pouch young using both head and pes length. The relationship between error in age prediction and each body measurement is also defined. Head and pes measurements provide equally accurate estimates of the age of pouch young.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document