Journal articles on the topic 'Endangered species Victoria'
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1
Seebeck, John, and Peter Menkhorst. "Status and conservation of the rodents of Victoria." Wildlife Research 27, no. 4 (2000): 357. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/wr97055.
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Nineteen species of rodents, in two families, have been recorded from Victoria in the modern era. Eighteen are of the family Muridae, represented by 15 native and 3 introduced species. The other species, now extinct in Victoria, was the introduced Sciurus carolinensis. Six of the native species are extinct, one is classified Critically Endangered, one Endangered and four Lower Risk – near threatened. Four of the extinct species were restricted to the semi-arid far north-west; these were Leporillus apicalis, L. conditor, Pseudomys bolami and P. desertor. The two other extinct species, Conilurus albipes and Pseudomys australis, inhabited open forest/woodland, and grassy ecosystems. Extant species include Rattus fuscipes and R. lutreolus, both in the sub-family Murinae; both are widespread and common, particularly in southern Victoria. The remaining seven species are in the sub-family Hydromyinae. Hydromys chrysogaster is widespread in waterbodies throughout the state. Notomys mitchellii and Pseudomys apodemoides occur in dry habitats in the north-west of Victoria; they are uncommon, but most of their habitat is reserved. Mastacomys fuscus, found in higher-rainfall areas of southern and eastern Victoria, from coastal dunes to alpine snowfields, is uncommon. The distribution of Pseudomys fumeus is disjunct, in four widely separated areas. It is classified as Endangered. P. shortridgei is restricted to the Grampians and south-western Victoria, where it may be locally common. The most geographically restricted rodent species in Victoria, Pseudomys novaehollandiae, is Critically Endangered and is the subject of special conservation measures. The most critical threats to rodent populations in Victoria are considered to be (1) the lack of active habitat management for those species that require early seral stages in vegetation, (2) predation by introduced carnivores, and (3) the fragmentation of species into small genetically isolated populations.
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Scicluna, Emily L., Brittney P. Gill, and Kylie A. Robert. "Fat-tailed dunnarts (." Australian Journal of Zoology 69, no. 2 (December 20, 2021): 27–32. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/zo21014.
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Grasslands are among the most endangered ecosystems, with <1% of Victorian grasslands remaining. Extinctions of many grassland fauna species have occurred since European settlement due to loss of suitable habitat, and dramatic range reductions continue for those that still exist. Fat-tailed dunnarts (Sminthopsis crassicaudata) are the only small ground-dwelling marsupial known to persist in Victorian grassland habitats. The last long-term targeted surveys for this species were conducted in Victoria in the 1970s. Incidental findings from more recent short-term targeted and non-targeted surveys in the same area suggest a decline. We performed direct targeted surveys for fat-tailed dunnarts at the 1970s survey site over a 12-month period in 2019 and found no evidence of fat-tailed dunnart presence. The species is classified as Near Threatened in the state and Least Concern internationally. Our work highlights the importance of targeted surveys to assess the stability of this species across Victoria, and the need for collection of long-term data to better identify population declines.
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Bassa, Samuel, Albert Getabu, Erick Ogello, Anthony Taabu, Mark Olokotum, Herbert Nakiyende, Musinguzi Laban, et al. "Saving the endangered Native Victoria Tilapia, Oreochromis variabilis Boulenger (1906), in Upper Victoria Nile." Uganda Journal of Agricultural Sciences 20, no. 1 (December 1, 2021): 29–43. http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/ujas.v20i1.2.
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This study investigated the catch estimates, mortality, growth, food and feeding habits, and water parameters of Oreochromis variabilis in Upper Victoria Nile (UVN) from 2008 to 2019. Catch rates ranged 0.32±0.08 to 3.42±1.13 kg, boat-1, day-1 with the length-weight relationship indicating Isometric growth. Growth parameters obtained were L∞=36.75, K=0.44 yr-1, t0=-0.4540, tmax=6.4years, ØL=2.774, ØW=-0.301. Total mortality (Z) was 1.74yr-1, natural mortality (M) =0.95yr-1 using riverine surface temperature (RST) of 26oC giving a fishing mortality F of 0.79 yr-1 and exploitation ratio (E) of 0.4504 showing that growth parameters concurs with annual estimates and yield (F=6.589; P±=0.05). Catch estimates correlated with water parameters that indicated a significant difference. Mortality parameters showed that the fishery could be experiencing exploitation pressure. Although growth rates revealed that the fish is a long-lived species, if managed properly, its population could recover. Therefore, culturing the species and restocking in rivers and lakes in which this specie was not observed in the East African region are recommended.
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Coughran, Jason, Robert B. McCormack, and James W. Fetzner. "Re-description of the Orbost spiny crayfish, Euastacus diversus Riek 1969 (Decapoda: Parastacidae), in eastern Victoria, Australia." Freshwater Crayfish 21, no. 1 (December 31, 2015): 185–97. http://dx.doi.org/10.5869/fc.2015.v21-1.185.
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Abstract We present a thorough redescription of the endangered freshwater crayfish Euastacus diversus Riek, based on morphological and genetic analyses of newly collected material from eastern Victoria, Australia. The species displays a remarkably diverse morphology, particularly regarding the two key features previously used in its diagnosis: spination of the antennal squame and thorax. Genetic variation is also evident between populations, although this does not correlate with morphological variation. The distribution of the species is extended to 19 sites in the Brodribb, Yalmy, Rodger and Bonang River drainages at elevations ranging from 350 – 950 m a.s.l., with an overall Extent of Occurrence of 465 km2. To accommodate the revised taxonomy of this species, and to facilitate conservation and management efforts, we provide a key to this and similar species in Victoria.
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Ferreira, Fabrício Moreira, Cassiano A. Dorneles Welker, Lynn G. Clark, and Reyjane P. Oliveira. "Reinterpretation of Vegetative and Reproductive Characters Validates Three New Species in the Endangered Herbaceous Bamboo Genus Eremitis (Poaceae, Bambusoideae, Olyreae) from the Atlantic Forest, Brazil." Systematic Botany 46, no. 2 (August 11, 2021): 321–32. http://dx.doi.org/10.1600/036364421x16231782047352.
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Abstract— Reinterpreting the morphology of two taxa proposed by Victoria C. Hollowell in the 1980s and not formally published, we describe here three new species of Eremitis, a Neotropical genus of herbaceous bamboos (Poaceae, Bambusoideae, Olyreae), which is endemic to the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. Two of them, Eremitis grandiflora and E. paucifolia, are endemic to Espírito Santo state. Eremitis victoriae occurs in southern Espírito Santo and has also been documented for southern Bahia. Eremitis grandiflora is similar to the smallest species of the genus, but can be differentiated by its decumbent culms with scale-like leaf blades and its longer gynecandrous whorls. Eremitis paucifolia is characterized by its leafy culms with a reduced number of leaves [5‐6(‐7)] compared to other species of the genus. Eremitis victoriae is distinguished from the congeneric species mainly by its abaxially glaucous leaf blades. Here, we provide an identification key to all described species of Eremitis that occur in Espírito Santo, as well as a map with their geographical distribution. All three new species are illustrated with both line drawings and photographic images, and an informal assessment of their conservation status is presented.
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Dinelka Thilakarathne and Gayan Hirimuthugoda. "Can the Sri Lankan endemic-endangered fish Labeo fisheri (Teleostei: Cyprinidae) adapt to a new habitat?" Journal of Threatened Taxa 14, no. 8 (August 26, 2022): 21579–87. http://dx.doi.org/10.11609/jott.7621.14.8.21579-21587.
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Labeo fisheri is an endemic and endangered freshwater fish of Sri Lanka. Mainly restricted to the upper reaches of the Mahaweli River basin, it has been previously reported living in deep rapids and among large rocks and boulders. An accidental record of a Labeo fisheri specimen from Victoria Reservoir led us to further study this habitat during the period from January to August 2017. This study was carried out to confirm the presence of a population of Labeo fisheri within the Victoria Reservoir and report its new habitat type in deep stagnant waters. We further investigated the food habits by analyzing the gut contents of L. fisheri in the Victoria Reservoir. Seven individuals were recorded from fishermen’s gill net catch in three fish landing sites along Victoria Reservoir, with an average total length of 24.80 ± 4.30 cm, average standard length of 19.70 ± 3.86 cm and average body weight of 197.69 ± 107.12 g. Based on gut content analysis, only phytoplankton, especially diatoms and cyanobacteria, were found in the gut of L. fisheri. This new population is facing the direct threat of fishing. Effective conservation measures are doubtful, since a fishery is well established in the Victoria Reservoir and the fishing gear used is not species-specific. More research is necessary to understand the population dynamics of L. fisheri in the Victoria Reservoir. In order to conserve it at this locality, community-based conservation measures are recommended.
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Lindenmayer, David B., David Blair, Lachlan McBurney, and Sam C. Banks. "Ignoring the science in failing to conserve a faunal icon – major political, policy and management problems in preventing the extinction of Leadbeater’s possum." Pacific Conservation Biology 21, no. 4 (2015): 257. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/pc15022.
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Leadbeater’s possum (Gymnobelideus leadbeateri) is an arboreal marsupial that occurs primarily in the montane ash forests of the Central Highlands of Victoria. Leadbeater’s possum is among the best studied endangered species globally. Despite extensive monitoring and research, the ongoing population trajectory of the species has resulted in its recent upgrading from Endangered to Critically Endangered. One of the key processes threatening the species is the widespread use of clearfell logging, which significantly degrades the habitat of the species and results in long-term habitat loss, fragmented populations, and an elevated risk of high-severity crown-scorching fires. A general principle underpinning conservation biology is to remove key threatening processes to enhance the conservation of species. The cessation of clearfell logging and a major expansion of the reserve system are urgently needed to limit the risk of extinction of Leadbeater’s possum. Current government policies and practices that continue to result in clearfelling of montane ash forests run counter to the large body of science indicating what is needed to conserve Leadbeater’s possum. A large ecological reserve is urgently required to maximise the chances that the species will persist in the wild.
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Burns, Phoebe A. "Testing the decline of the New Holland mouse (Pseudomys novaehollandiae) in Victoria." Australian Mammalogy 42, no. 2 (2020): 185. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/am19006.
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Many Australian rodent species have become extinct or undergone substantial range contractions since European invasion. Limited and haphazard survey efforts across much of Australia mean we are unsure of many species’ current and former ranges, hampering our ability to identify and remedy causes of decline. The New Holland Mouse (NHM; Pseudomys novaehollandiae) is an endangered rodent species native to south-east Australia that is suspected of undergoing rapid and dramatic range contractions and local extinctions in recent decades. Here, I reassess the species’ distribution across Victoria using extensive survey efforts and, subsequently, provide a summation of potential key threatening processes. In only 40 years, the NHM has been lost from seven of the 12 isolated areas where it once occurred in Victoria. Habitat loss and fragmentation, invasive predators, and potentially disease and genetic inbreeding have likely contributed to the species’ rapid and continuing decline. Conservation priorities include ongoing monitoring and research, cat and fox control, exclusion of rabbit poison-baiting, targeted fire and habitat management, and reintroduction to historically occupied regions where threatening processes have been mitigated.
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Dearnaley, J. D. W., and A. F. Le Brocque. "Molecular identification of the primary root fungal endophytes of Dipodium hamiltonianum (Orchidaceae)." Australian Journal of Botany 54, no. 5 (2006): 487. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/bt05149.
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We have identified the primary root fungal endophytes of Dipodium hamiltonianum F.M.Bailey, a species of orchid endangered in Victoria and uncommon in New South Wales and Queensland. Genomic DNA was extracted from whole colonised root portions from four orchid individuals and PCR amplified with ITS1F and ITS4 primers. Cloning and sequencing of the main amplicons produced from the PCR analysis revealed that the primary root fungal endophytes were Gymnomyces and Russula spp., both members of the Russulaceae. The implications of these findings are discussed in terms of conservation of the orchid species.
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Heard, Geoffrey W., Peter Robertson, and Michael P. Scroggie. "Assessing detection probabilities for the endangered growling grass frog (Litoria raniformis) in southern Victoria." Wildlife Research 33, no. 7 (2006): 557. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/wr04080.
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Assessment of the efficacy of survey techniques for determining species occurrence is crucial for the validation of wildlife survey data. We analysed repeated site-survey data for adults and larvae of the growling grass frog (Litoria raniformis) in order to estimate probabilities of detection for the species using alternative survey techniques. The estimated probability of detecting adults of L. raniformis at occupied sites using diurnal searches was much less than 1.0 (0.107; 95% credible interval: 0.045, 0.192). The estimated probability of detecting adults using nocturnal spotlight searches was considerably higher, but still less than 1.0 (0.696; 95% credible interval: 0.585, 0.796). These results indicate that nocturnal searches are a much more efficient and reliable means of detecting the presence of adult L. raniformis than diurnal searches, but detection using either technique is less than certain. The probability of detecting tadpoles of L. raniformis using either funnel-trapping or dip-netting techniques was estimated at 0.350 (95% credible interval: 0.151, 0.567). Together, these results indicate that reliance on single-site visits during surveys for this species is likely to result in severe under-estimation of the proportion of sites that are actually occupied. We urge other workers to use repeated site-survey data and appropriate methods of data analysis to assess and report probabilities of detection when documenting the results of wildlife surveys.
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Brown, Geoff W., Peter Robertson, and Ben G. Fanson. "Digging in: a review of the ecology and management of a threatened reptile with a small disjunct distribution – the heath skink, Liopholis multiscutata, in Victoria, south-eastern Australia." Pacific Conservation Biology 25, no. 3 (2019): 222. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/pc17057.
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The central issue for species that are highly localised habitat specialists and occur in relatively small numbers is vulnerability to extinction processes. The heath skink, Liopholis multiscutata, is considered Critically Endangered in Victoria, in part because it is restricted to essentially four small and highly disjunct populations in semiarid mallee dunefields. It provides an example of a rare and cryptic species that is especially vulnerable to decline and consequently provides management challenges. Here, we crystallise available information on the ecology and life history of this threatened lizard, and review monitoring data to evaluate population status, primary threats and management imperatives. There has been a substantial decrease across the known range of the lizard in Victoria, most likely due to predation and fire. Recent monitoring of the four potentially viable populations revealed a general trend of decline. Recommendations for research and management priorities for the lizard in Victoria are provided; generally, these include further exploration of the lizard’s phylogeny and ecology, and ongoing monitoring of the trajectory of the lizard’s population status, threats to the lizard’s persistence and the effectiveness of management actions employed to ameliorate extinction threats.
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Wilson, BA, and WS Laidlaw. "Habitat characteristics for New Holland mouse Pseudomys novaehollandiae in Victoria." Australian Mammalogy 25, no. 1 (2003): 1. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/am03001.
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Pseudomys novaehollandiae is ‘Endangered’ in Victoria, where it is presently considered to be extant at only three localities Loch Sport, Providence Ponds, and Wilsons Promontory. This study aimed to determine indicators of suitable habitat for the species that could assist in identifying potential habitat and sites for planned re-introductions as part of a recovery program. Vegetation and site data (soils, topography, rainfall, fire age-time since fire) were assessed at localities where P. novaehollandiae was recorded. The species occurred in five structural vegetation groups - open-forest, woodland, heathland, shrubland, grassland, with the most common being open-forest and woodland. Grassland and shrubland were restricted to coastal sand-dunes in south Gippsland. Understorey vegetation at most sites was dominated by sclerophyllous shrubs ranging in cover from 10 - 70%. Classification of quadrats produced eight floristic groups in which the trend was for quadrats to cluster according to geographical location. Ordination confirmed the classification pattern and vector-fitting produced significant correlations between vector points and five variables: species richness, latitude, longitude, fire age and annual rainfall. The study identified a range of vegetation communities where P. novaehollandiae occurs and provided evidence that the species is not restricted to floristically rich and diverse heathlands. The findings can be used to determine further localities with suitable habitat. However, factors other than vegetation are also likely to be important in predicting suitable habitat.
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Olwa, Richard, Herbert Nakiyende, Elias Muhumuza, Samuel Bassa, Anthony Taabu-Munyaho, and Winnie Nkalubo. "Ecology of the Critically Endangered Singidia Tilapia (Teleostei: Cichlidae: Oreochromis esculentus) of lake Kayanja, Uganda and its conservation implications." Journal of Threatened Taxa 12, no. 10 (July 26, 2020): 16251–56. http://dx.doi.org/10.11609/jott.5700.12.10.16251-16256.
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Singidia Tilapia Oreochromis esculentus is a Critically Endangered native tilapia fish species endemic to lakes Victoria and Kyoga basins of East Africa, however, it disappeared from these main lakes due to overfishing, environmental degradation and predation by the introduced Nile Perch Lates niloticus. Remnant populations of this fish species is now restricted to satellite lakes including Lake Kayanja of the Victoria basin. This study provides updated information about the population abundance, critical habitat, threats and diet of Singidia Tilapia to inform conservation decisions to revive its populations in the wild. Fish data collection and mapping of nursery and breeding habitats of Singidia Tilapia on Lake Kayanja was conducted between February 2016 and October 2017. In all the areas mapped and sampled, Singidia Tilapia (with a size range of 11–27 cm TL) was the most abundant (43%) relative to exotic Nile Tilapia Oreochromis niloticus (21%) and Redbelly Tilapia Coptodon zillii (36%). The emergence of introduced (exotic) tilapias like Nile Tilapia recorded in this study could be attributed to cage fish farming being carried out in this Lake. The diet of Oreochromis esculentus consisted mainly of detritus (60.8 %), plant materials (27.7%) and blue-green algae (5.5%). Destruction of critical habitats and presence of introduced fish species were noted as the major threats to this fish and its habitats. The generated information could contribute to guiding stakeholders to undertake appropriate actions to conserve this threatened fish species and its habitats.
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Shipway, S., K. M. C. Rowe, and K. C. Rowe. "Persistence of the broad-toothed rat (Mastacomys fuscus) across Victoria is correlated with climate and elevation." Wildlife Research 47, no. 3 (2020): 267. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/wr19077.
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Abstract ContextThe broad-toothed rat (Mastacomys fuscus; BTR) is distributed throughout south-eastern Australia, but its populations are restricted and dispersed. BTRs prefer cooler, wetter habitats and, as such, future climate change is projected to lead to further range reductions. However, recent changes in its distribution have not been well documented, and there is limited knowledge about the current occupancy and population size of the species in Victoria. AimsTo evaluate recent historical changes in the distribution of BTRs in Victoria, and to test whether changes in distribution are correlated with climate and elevation. MethodsWe obtained all documented records of BTRs in the state before 1990 and used field notes and verbal descriptions to geo-reference their historical localities. We then used a repeated sampling design to resurvey all historically occupied sites with a geographic coordinate uncertainty of 4km or less. We tested for the effects of climate and elevation on the persistence of BTRs. Key resultsWe detected BTRs at 32 of 68 historical sites surveyed. Consistent with climate model predictions, site persistence was more likely to occur at sites of higher elevation and precipitation and less likely to occur at sites with a higher temperature. Minimum temperature of the coldest month was the single best predictor of persistence. ConclusionsThese results demonstrated a substantial decline in the persistence of BTRs at historical sites across Victoria and provided a benchmark for future monitoring and management efforts. ImplicationsThe decline of BTRs from historically occupied sites across Victoria is consistent with their listing as endangered in the state, and climate correlations suggest further declines, with projected climate change compounding other threats to the species such as introduced predators, feral herbivores, fire and land use. However, the status of BTRs in Victoria and understanding of the threats to their persistence are based on sparse data, highlighting the critical need for more effective monitoring of the species.
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Wilson B, A., and J. Wolrige. "Assessment of the Diet of the Fox, Vulpes vulpes, in Habitats of the Eastern Otway Ranges, Victoria." Australian Mammalogy 21, no. 2 (1999): 201. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/am00201.
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The Eastern Otway Ranges, Victoria have highly diverse native mammal communities. Although the Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes) has been recorded in the area the extent of its distribution and effects on native mammals are unclear. The aims of this study were to analyse the diet of the Red Fox in the study area, to compare the diet between seasons and habitats (woodland, forest, heathland) and to assess the diet in the habitat of the New Holland Mouse (Pseudomys novaehollandiae) which is endangered in Victoria. Fox scats collected monthly in each habitat were analysed to determine the composition of the diet and small mammal trapping was carried out in each habitat to determine potential small mammal prey species. Overall, mammals (42%) constituted the highest proportion in the fox scats and sixteen species, including nine native species were recorded. Large-sized native mammals including Swamp Wallaby (Wallabia bicolor) and the Eastern Grey Kangaroo (Macropus giganteus) constituted 60% of the mammal diet category. The occurrence of plant material was significantly different between seasons, being more abundant in winter. There was a significant difference in the frequency of large introduced mammals in the diet between seasons, with consumption being higher in winter. The occurrence of large, native mammalian prey increased from 15% in winter to 47% in autumn. The frequency of occurrence of the major dietary categories (plant material, invertebrates, reptiles, birds, mammals) was similar across habitats. Large introduced mammals occurred in higher proportions in the diet from woodland habitat. Small mammals were more numerous in scats of heathland and scats from the forest contained the highest abundance of medium-sized mammals. There was no evidence of the endangered New Holland Mouse in scats collected from habitat where a population of the species was present.
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Reiter, Noushka H., Neville G. Walsh, and Ann C. Lawrie. "Causes of infertility in the endangered Australian endemic plant Borya mirabilis (Boryaceae)." Australian Journal of Botany 63, no. 7 (2015): 554. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/bt14229.
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Borya mirabilis Churchill (Boryaceae, Asparagales) is a herbaceous perennial and one of Australia’s most endangered plants. Only one population of four colonies remains, on a rock ledge in the Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park in Victoria, Australia. The reasons why B. mirabilis flowers freely but does not set seed were investigated. Borya mirabilis had a greater proportion of floral abnormalities than other, fertile Borya species. The pollen was often mis-shapen, with ≤ 1% pollen tube formation, but the ovules showed no structural dissimilarity from other, fertile Borya species. The flowers offered a nectar reward and many insects visited the pollen-bearing flowers in the field. Artificial cross-pollination resulted in the first recorded seed for this species. Borya mirabilis has ~66 chromosomes, relative to the diploid number of ~26 in Borya constricta Churchill, strongly suggesting that B. mirabilis is polyploid. Only 4–7% genetic diversity was found within the remaining B. mirabilis field population using 25/60 RAPD primers that showed heterogeneity. An ex-situ nursery collection was found not to contain all genotypes. Recommendations for the conservation of B. mirabilis include capturing all the known genetic diversity in cloned plants in preference over further attempts to produce seed.
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Spring, Daniel A., Michael Bevers, John OS Kennedy, and Dan Harley. "Economics of a nest-box program for the conservation of an endangered species: a reappraisal." Canadian Journal of Forest Research 31, no. 11 (November 1, 2001): 1992–2003. http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/x01-139.
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An optimization model is developed to identify timing and placement strategies for the installation of nest boxes and the harvesting of timber to meet joint timberwildlife objectives. Optimal management regimes are determined on the basis of their impacts on the local abundance of a threatened species and net present value (NPV) and are identified for a range of NPV levels to identify production possibility frontiers for abundance and NPV. We apply the model to a case study focusing on an area of commercially productive mountain ash (Eucalyptus regnans F. Muell.) forest in the Central Highlands region of Victoria, Australia. The species to be conserved is Leadbeater's possum (Gymnobelideus leadbeateri McCoy), which is locally limited by a scarcity of nesting hollows. The modeling is exploratory but indicates that nest boxes may offer a promising population recovery tool if consideration is taken of their placement and areal extent through time.
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Tonkin, Zeb, Joanne Kearns, Justin O'Mahony, and John Mahoney. "Spatio-temporal spawning patterns of two riverine populations of the threatened Macquarie perch (Macquaria australasica)." Marine and Freshwater Research 67, no. 11 (2016): 1762. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/mf15319.
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Understanding species-reproduction dynamics is vital for the management of riverine fish. Information on the spawning ecology of the endangered Australian Macquarie perch (Macquaria australasica) is based largely on data gathered from lacustrine populations, with uncertainty on the applicability such data has for managing riverine populations. The current study presents a first description of spawning patterns of two riverine populations of Macquarie perch in Victoria, Australia, using egg counts recorded across multiple sites and periods within the species core spawning window. Spawning intensity was highly variable between study sites, with 96 and 82% of eggs collected from a single site in the King Parrot Creek and Yarra River respectively. We also found a strong positive association between spawning and water temperature. Our results provide an important account of spatio-temporal spawning patterns of riverine Macquarie perch populations and lend some support for the transfer of information from lacustrine populations (as demonstrated by spawning habitat and temperature association). Although the spatial and temporal constraints of the present study must be considered, the results provide opportunity for further testing of the environmental effects, and management options aimed at enhancing spawning of this endangered species.
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Wilson, B. A. "The Distribution and Status of The New Holland Mouse, Pseudomys novaehollandiae (Waterhouse 1843) In Victoria." Australian Mammalogy 19, no. 1 (1996): 31. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/am96031.
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The New Holland Mouse (Pseudomys novaehollandiae) is an endangered species in Victoria. The aims of this study were to determine the present distribution of the species and to identify processes and habitat modification that threaten the species future status. Survey trapping was carried out in areas where P. novaehollandiae had been recorded previously. The species is in a demonstrable state of decline, and there is evidence that it has been lost from at least three and possibly six localities in the past 10-16 years. The species decline appears to have resulted from a combination of systematic factors, the most important of which is habitat loss due to clearing of native vegetation, and the subsequent fragmentation of populations. Altered fire regimes and the consequent changes to the productivity of vegetation and the diet of the species are also likely to be important factors. The areas where P. novaehollandiae remains extant Anglesea, Loch Sport, Providence Ponds, Wilson's Promontory and possibly Mullungdung now assume much greater importance. Critical habitat should be identified and managed. While research questions concerning the population dynamics of the species and threats to its survival remain unanswered, management actions are required immediately. These include monitoring known populations, ensuring protection of habitats, identifying potential habitat and determining suitable management regimes.
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M. Watson, David, I. Ralph Mac Nally, and Andrew F. Bennett. "The avifauna of severely fragmented, Buloke Allocasuarina luehmanni woodland in western Victoria, Australia." Pacific Conservation Biology 6, no. 1 (2000): 46. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/pc000046.
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Buloke Allocasuarina luehmanni woodland is an endangered habitat type that was once widespread in southern Australia but now is restricted to a series of remnants, many of which are located in the Wimmera region of western Victoria. The bird communities inhabiting 27 remnants were sampled on transects of 1.0 ha at 6-week intervals over one year. Ninety-five species of birds were observed in Buloke woodlands, of which 66 species were recorded during transect counts. The total species richness, the richness of groups of birds based on their habitat use, and the composition of assemblages on transects, were examined in a series of analyses with respect to habitat type (which probably reflects "quality"), remnant area, shape, isolation and geographic location. There was little evidence for attributes of remnants significantly influencing species richness per transect, but the composition of avifaunal assemblages varied in relation to habitat type, size and geographic location. The Buloke woodlands supported a diverse assemblage, including numerous species believed to be experiencing a regional decline in southern Australia. The composition of the Buloke assemblage has similarities to those of dry eucalypt woodlands across the plains of central Victoria, but elements contributing to a distinctive avifauna include species associated with semi-arid and mallee environments, and a high frequency of occurrence of a group of small insectivores (thornbills, robins) that favour dry She-oak and Callitris woodlands. A likely reason for the rich representation of small insectivores in woodland stands, even in small degraded remnants grazed by stock, was the scarcity of the Noisy Miner Manorina melanocephala that are often common in eucalypt remnants and known to aggressively exclude other species. The results of this study add weight to the recommendation that protection and restoration of Buloke woodlands is a priority for conservation in the Wimmera bioregion of Victoria.
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Riley, Joanna, Jeff M. Turpin, Matt R. K. Zeale, Brynne Jayatilaka, and Gareth Jones. "Diurnal sheltering preferences and associated conservation management for the endangered sandhill dunnart, Sminthopsis psammophila." Journal of Mammalogy 102, no. 2 (April 1, 2021): 588–602. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/jmammal/gyab024.
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Abstract Dasyurids are small mammals that can conserve energy and water by using shelters that insulate against extreme conditions, prevent predation, and facilitate torpor. To quantify the diurnal sheltering requirements of a poorly known, endangered dasyurid, the sandhill dunnart, Sminthopsis psammophila, we radiotracked 40 individuals in the Western Australian Great Victoria Desert between 2015 and 2019. We assessed the effect of habitat class (broad habitat features), plot-level (the area surrounding each shelter), and shelter characteristics (e.g., daily temperature ranges), on shelter selection and sheltering habitat preferences. Two hundred and eleven diurnal shelters (mean of 5 ± 3 shelters per individual) were located on 363 shelter days (the number of days each shelter was used), within mature vegetation (mean seral age of 32 ± 12 years postfire). Burrows were used on 77% of shelter days and were typically concealed under mature spinifex, Triodia spp., with stable temperature ranges and northern aspects facing the sun. While many burrows were reused (n = 40 across 175 shelter days), spinifex hummock shelters typically were used for one shelter day and were not insulative against extreme temperatures. However, shallow scrapes within Lepidobolus deserti hummock shelters had thermal advantages and log shelters retained heat and were selected on cooler days. Sminthopsis psammophila requires long-unburned sheltering habitat with mature vegetation. Summer fires in the Great Victoria Desert can be extensive and destroy large areas of land, rendering them a key threat to the species. We conclude that the survey and conservation of S. psammophila requires attention to long-unburned, dense lower stratum swale, sand plain, and dune slope habitats, and the tendency of S. psammophila to burrow allows the species to survive within the extreme conditions of its desert environment.
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Emily Jepyegon, Chemoiwa. "The current status of Barbus species in Lake Victoria Basin, Kenya: A review." International Journal of Aquaculture and Fishery Sciences 8, no. 3 (September 27, 2022): 092–97. http://dx.doi.org/10.17352/2455-8400.000083.
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Lake Victoria is known for its rich fish biodiversity having been home to over 500 fish species. However, over 200 species have become extinct and as a result, it is classified as a world hotspot of species loss. Some of the examples of endemic species that disappeared from the lake and are endangered include the Haplochromines and the Barbus species. The Barbus species is currently not seen in the fish landings from Lake Victoria. It is deemed to have sought refuge in the riverine ecosystems, dams and the adjacent satellite lakes within the Lake Victoria Basin. This has resulted in several gaps emerging including its current status as its taxonomical identification still remains a puzzle to many scientists. This paper, therefore, tries to unearth the foregoing by reviewing the already available literature with an emphasis on the LVB Kenyan part. The Labeobarbus altianalis is still named Barbus altianalis even in the most recent publications thus complicating further. In its distribution, the Barbus species does not occur in the lake currently but is a common candidate in the rivers, dams and satellite lakes within the basin. Some of the cited reasons for its disappearance: are predation by Lates niloticus, overfishing, competition from exotic species, pollution and climate change. However, different studies try to pinpoint its presence in some rivers and this according to an observation made in this study is due to biased sampling, which excludes some rivers in the basin. It is concluded that the taxonomic identification of Barbus species in LVB Kenya remains elusive and this has been blamed on skewed sampling with little regard to all ecosystems in the basin. The paper recommends that an elaborate simultaneous study be done in all the rivers within the LVB, Kenya to collect reliable data for use in Barbus species taxonomy and general biology. Further, county governments in the basin should develop sound policy frameworks on how to sustainably manage riverine fisheries including the domestication of the species in aquaculture.
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Lavery, Tyrone H., Rachael Collett, Diana O. Fisher, Conrad J. Hoskin, and Jesse Rowland. "<i>Corrigendum to</i>: White-footed dunnarts (<i>Sminthopsis leucopus</i>) in Queensland’s Wet Tropics, with the description of a new subspecies." Australian Mammalogy 45, no. 1 (January 5, 2023): 125. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/am22002_co.
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A population of white-footed dunnarts (<i>Sminthopsis leucopus</i>) occurs in the Wet Tropics bioregion of tropical north Queensland, Australia separated by about 1800 km from conspecifics in temperate New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania. We conducted targeted surveys for <i>S. leucopus</i> in north-east Queensland and obtained new records, including the first reported capture of the species in Queensland in 18 years. We assessed the genetic and morphological divergence of the north Queensland population against New South Wales, Victorian and Tasmanian <i>S. leucopus</i>, in conjunction with distribution and habitat differences, to assess whether this isolate should be described as a distinct taxon. Sequencing of the mitochondrial Cytochrome <i>b</i> gene revealed genetic divergence estimates of 2.3–2.8% and 4.3–4.8% between the north Queensland population and <i>S. l. ferruginifrons</i> (Victoria) and <i>S. l. leucopus</i> (Tasmania) respectively. Based on genetic divergence, cranial morphology, differences in habitat, and geographical isolation, we describe the north Queensland population as a new subspecies of <i>Sminthopsis leucopus</i>. We suggest a conservation classification of Endangered given its small distribution, apparent low density, tropical upland location and potential threats, especially related to climate change.
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van Eeden, Lily, Julian Di Stefano, and Graeme Coulson. "Diet selection by the brush-tailed rock-wallaby (Petrogale penicillata) in East Gippsland, Victoria." Australian Mammalogy 33, no. 2 (2011): 162. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/am10038.
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Resource selection by animals is assumed to have fitness benefits so quantifying resource selection can help determine suitable conditions for species persistence and be used to inform management plans. We studied diet selection by the ‘Critically Endangered’ Victorian brush-tailed rock-wallaby (Petrogale penicillata) by comparing proportions of plant functional groups consumed with their availability in the three remaining rock-wallaby colonies in East Gippsland, Victoria. We estimated availability using an adaptation of the point transect method, identifying 63 plant functional groups and their abundance within the foraging range. Using microhistological analysis of faecal pellets we determined diet composition at the resolution of plant functional groups: ferns, forbs, monocots, shrubs and trees. At all sites the plant functional groups constituting most of the diet were forbs, monocots and shrubs. However, diet composition and selection was different among the sites, particularly with regards to the consumption and selection of monocots, which appeared to be favoured at two sites, and of shrubs, which were favoured at the third site. Overall, the diet composition suggested that brush-tailed rock-wallabies consume a diverse range of food types. The results can be used to improve current management by increasing the availability of preferred food types, perhaps through targeted fire regimes, and to guide the selection of reintroduction sites.
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Lindenmayer, D. B., C. MacGregor, and P. Gibbons. "Comment Economics of a nest-box program for the conservation of an endangered species: a re-appraisal." Canadian Journal of Forest Research 32, no. 12 (December 1, 2002): 2244–47. http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/x02-142.
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Spring et al. (D.A. Spring, M. Bevers, J.O.S. Kennedy, and D. Harley. 2001. Can. J. For. Res. 31: 19922003) recently published a paper on the economics of a nest-box program for the endangered arboreal marsupial, Leadbeater's possum (Gymnobelideus leadbeateri) in southeastern Australian forests. While their paper is a useful one, there are some important limitations of nest-box programs that need to be highlighted. In the case of Leadbeater's possum, we have undertaken extensive nest-box studies in Victoria mountain ash (Eucalyptus regnans F. Muell.) forests, where the vast majority of populations of the species now occur. Although large numbers of nest boxes have been deployed, very few have actually been occupied, which is a major problem since the effectiveness of any nest-box program will depend on patterns of use by the target species. Given very low levels of nest-box occupancy, harvesting regimes such as those that lead to on-site tree retention are needed to better conserve hollow-dependent species like Leadbeater's possum. Moreover, the need for nest boxes in the first place indicates that logging practices are presently not ecologically sustainable, and modified forestry practices need to be adopted.
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Keely, Claire C., Joshua M. Hale, Geoffrey W. Heard, Kirsten M. Parris, Joanna Sumner, Andrew J. Hamer, and Jane Melville. "Genetic structure and diversity of the endangered growling grass frog in a rapidly urbanizing region." Royal Society Open Science 2, no. 8 (August 2015): 140255. http://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rsos.140255.
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Two pervasive and fundamental impacts of urbanization are the loss and fragmentation of natural habitats. From a genetic perspective, these impacts manifest as reduced genetic diversity and ultimately reduced genetic viability. The growling grass frog ( Litoria raniformis ) is listed as vulnerable to extinction in Australia, and endangered in the state of Victoria. Remaining populations of this species in and around the city of Melbourne are threatened by habitat loss, degradation and fragmentation due to urban expansion. We used mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and microsatellites to study the genetic structure and diversity of L. raniformis across Melbourne's urban fringe, and also screened four nuclear gene regions (POMC, RAG-1, Rhod and CRYBA1). The mtDNA and nuclear DNA sequences revealed low levels of genetic diversity throughout remnant populations of L. raniformis . However, one of the four regions studied, Cardinia, exhibited relatively high genetic diversity and several unique haplotypes, suggesting this region should be recognized as a separate Management Unit. We discuss the implications of these results for the conservation of L. raniformis in urbanizing landscapes, particularly the potential risks and benefits of translocation, which remains a contentious management approach for this species.
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Wilson, BA. "The Ecology of Pseudomys novaehollandiae (Waterhouse, 1843)." Wildlife Research 18, no. 2 (1991): 233. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/wr9910233.
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The distribution, habitat preferences and population ecology of Pseudomys novaehollandiae in the Eastern Otways, Victoria, were studied from 1985 to 1989. The species has a patchy distribution and was captured at only four sites in heathy woodland-open forest. The population density of the species was low (0-3.1 ha-1) and the breeding season was from spring to summer. The vegetation on two trapping grids was classified into five floristic groups. Four small mammal species (Rattus lutreolus, Antechinus stuartii, Mus musculus and P. novaehollandiae) exhibited preferences for different floristic groups. There was evidence that P. novaehollandiae interacted, or competed, with M. musculus in one floristic group. Pseudomys novaehollandiae preferred two floristic groups which had high floristic diversity. Within these groups the species was associated with low dense vegetation cover. The decline of populations of P. novaehollandiae in this study is likely to be related to post-fire successional changes in the vegetation: either to loss of plant species diversity, or to loss of particular species or to low vegetation cover. Strategic burning of small areas within the preferred floristic vegetation is recommended to maintain a mosaic of suitable successional ages for the conservation of this endangered species.
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Casanova, Michelle T., and I. Joan Powling. "What makes a swamp swampy? Water regime and the botany of endangered wetlands in western Victoria." Australian Journal of Botany 62, no. 6 (2014): 469. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/bt14119.
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Freshwater temporary wetlands are a little-studied ecosystem worldwide. They have been recognised as critically endangered in south-eastern Australia under Australian biodiversity conservation legislation. However, little has been recorded about their hydrology, functioning or biodiversity values; i.e. the factors that make them intrinsically ‘swampy’. In this paper, we developed a simple threshold model of wetland hydrology based on historical rainfall records and calculated evaporation records matched to records and recollections of the owners of swamps, and documented water-plant and microalgal species richness. The model indicated that swamps were inundated to at least 10-cm depth in an average of 6.3 years per decade for most of the 20th century. The average dry time between inundations was 1.27 years (maximum of 4.5 years). Since 1998, the frequency of inundation appears to have decreased, and the average dry times have increased. Despite, or because of, their temporary nature, these swamps have high biodiversity values among the vegetation and the microalgae, more than has been recorded for near-by permanent wetlands. There is no evidence that a drier and warmer climate will have a negative impact on biodiversity values; however, land management is likely to be important for maintaining these systems as the climate changes.
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Burns, Phoebe A., Karen M. C. Rowe, Benjamin P. Holmes, and Kevin C. Rowe. "Historical resurveys reveal persistence of smoky mouse (Pseudomys fumeus) populations over the long-term and through the short-term impacts of fire." Wildlife Research 42, no. 8 (2015): 668. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/wr15096.
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Context Range contractions are often the first indicator that a species is in decline. However, natural population fluctuations, characteristic of many Australian rodents, make differentiating between natural lows and unsustainable declines challenging. The endangered smoky mouse (Pseudomys fumeus) is a prime example. Surveys have failed to detect the species across much of its range over the past decade, but P. fumeus is known to experience fluctuations in abundance and periods of low detectability. Aims We compared past and current distributions of P. fumeus in the Victoria Range, Grampians–Gariwerd National Park (Victoria, Australia), to assess long-term population persistence over 40 years and short-term population persistence following a high-severity fire. Methods To evaluate the efficacy of surveys in detecting P. fumeus, we conducted analyses to explicitly model detectability using historical (1974, 2002) and modern (2013) survey data. We also tested the short-term impacts of fire on the presence of P. fumeus by surveying burned and unburned sites 3 months prior to, and 7 to 21 months following, a severe wildfire. Key results Our surveys detected P. fumeus at five new sites, confirmed presence at one historical site, and absence from two historical sites. The species persisted in situ through fire, and for at least 21 months following. We detected resident populations in burned and unburned wet drainage systems. Conclusions Despite periods of low density in which the species was undetected, P. fumeus persisted in an 8 km radius area of the eastern escarpment of Victoria Range of the Grampians–Gariwerd National Park for at least four decades through droughts, the presence of invasive predators, and the short-term impacts of wildfire. Implications Although P. fumeus persisted through a severe fire, factors influencing survival must be assessed before generalisations are made about the impacts of wildfire on the species. Management of P. fumeus should recognise that the species survives and breeds in wet drainage systems. Regular resurveys incorporating statistical estimates of detectability are necessary to identify and track distributional changes of threatened species, like P. fumeus, particularly in the context of natural, sustainable fluctuations.
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Ogoma, Benard O., Stephen F. Omondi, Jane Ngaira, and Josephine W. Kimani. "Molecular Diversity of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) Associated with Carissa edulis, an Endangered Plant Species along Lake Victoria Basin of Kenya." International Journal of Forestry Research 2021 (August 26, 2021): 1–10. http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2021/7792282.
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Carissa edulis is a tropical plant belonging to the family Apocynaceae. The species is widely used in the preparation of various herbal medicines. Earlier works in Kenya show that an aqueous extract from the roots of C. edulis has remarkable anti-herpes simplex virus. Due to its medicinal value, the species has been overexploited in its natural range and requires conservation interventions. Studies show that the species has beneficial relationships with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) that can enhance restoration of its population; however, no study has been undertaken to document the diversity of these AMF species. This study evaluated the genetic diversity of AMF associated with the roots of C. edulis within Lake Victoria basin ecosystem of Kenya. A cross-sectional, laboratory-based prospective study was carried out from roots of C. edulis collected from six sites within the ecosystem. Root samples were collected from 6 points (replicates) per site. AMF was assessed through morphological characterization and sequencing of small subunit of ribosomal DNA. Morphological identification identified four genera of AMF (Gigaspora, Acaulospora, Scutellospora, and Glomus) with no significant difference among the sites. Molecular analysis also revealed presence of four genera, but only two (Glomus and Acaulospora) were common for both the analyses with Glomus as the most predominant genera. In all the sites, there were large numbers of spores both in soil and in the roots confirming the association between C. edulis and AMF.
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Li, You, Melanie L. Lancaster, Susan M. Carthew, Jasmin G. Packer, and Steven J. B. Cooper. "Delineation of conservation units in an endangered marsupial, the southern brown bandicoot (Isoodon obesulus obesulus), in South Australia/western Victoria, Australia." Australian Journal of Zoology 62, no. 5 (2014): 345. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/zo14038.
Full textAbstract:
Conservation programs for threatened species are greatly benefiting from genetic data, for their power in providing knowledge of dispersal/gene flow across fragmented landscapes and for identifying populations of high conservation value. The endangered southern brown bandicoot (Isoodon obesulus obesulus) has a disjunct distribution range in South Australia, raising the possibility that populations of the subspecies may represent distinct conservation units. In the current study, we used a combination of 14 microsatellite and two mitochondrial sequence markers to investigate the phylogeography and population structure of I. o. obesulus in South Australia and south-western Victoria, with the aim of identifying any potential evolutionarily significant units and management units relevant to conservation management. Our phylogenetic/population analyses supported the presence of two distinct evolutionary lineages of I. o. obesulus. The first lineage comprised individuals from the Mount Lofty Ranges, Fleurieu Peninsula and Kangaroo Island. A second lineage comprised individuals from the south-east of South Australia and south-western Victoria. We propose that these two lineages represent distinct evolutionarily significant units and should be managed separately for conservation purposes. The findings also raise significant issues for the national conservation status of I. o. obesulus and suggest that the current subspecies classification needs further investigation.
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Elsner, W. K., A. T. Mitchell, and J. A. Fitzsimons. "Distribution of the long-footed potoroo (Potorous longipes) and the spot-tailed quoll (Dasyurus maculatus) in the Goolengook Forest, East Gippsland, Victoria." Australian Mammalogy 34, no. 1 (2012): 100. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/am11026.
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A survey to assess the distribution of two endangered marsupial species, the long-footed potoroo (Potorous longipes) and the spot-tailed quoll (Dasyurus maculatus) in the south and east of the Goolengook Forest Management Block was conducted in September and October 2006. Survey techniques consisted of hair-tubing, camera surveillance, collecting scat of target species and predators, and searching for activity and tracks of the target species. Eleven sites were surveyed. Twenty-eight records of long-footed potoroo were confirmed at nine of the sites, while one spot-tailed quoll record was confirmed from one of the sites. A record of the long-footed potoroo in the eastern Blackwatch Creek catchment extended, by several kilometres, the boundary of the known East Gippsland distribution at the time of the survey. Long-footed potoroos are distributed widely within the study area and are likely to form part of a contiguous population that extends across the Goolengook Forest and into adjacent forest.
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Bluff, Lucas A., Lucy Clausen, Amie Hill, and Michael D. Bramwell. "A decade of monitoring the remnant Victorian population of the brush-tailed rock-wallaby (Petrogale penicillata)." Australian Mammalogy 33, no. 2 (2011): 195. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/am10037.
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Historically, the brush-tailed rock-wallaby (Petrogale penicillata), occurred throughout the Great Dividing Range from southern Queensland to western Victoria. Within Victoria, this extensive range has now contracted to a single remnant population in the Little River Gorge in East Gippsland, and the species is classified as ‘Critically Endangered’. Here we summarise the key results from 10 years of monitoring and management of the Little River Gorge population. The count of individuals detected biannually rose from one in 2000 to 12 in 2008, but this increase was at least partially due to variation in monitoring methodology. Apparent mortality rate in the first year of life was 69%, suggesting that predation was the strongest extrinsic factor limiting the population. Fecundity rate among fertile females was estimated at 1.14 births per annum. Rainfall did not significantly predict birth rate, juvenile mortality or sex ratio. Comparison of three monitoring techniques (cage traps, remote camera surveillance and genetic analysis of scats) revealed that each detected a different subset of the population in this study. These techniques should be considered complementary, rather than substitutable, in future monitoring of small Petrogale populations.
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Zimmer, Heidi C., Jaimie Mavromihalis, Vivienne B. Turner, Claire Moxham, and Canran Liu. "Native grasslands in the PlainsTender incentive scheme: conservation value, management and monitoring." Rangeland Journal 32, no. 2 (2010): 205. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/rj09073.
Full textAbstract:
The native grassland of the Victorian Volcanic Plain, in south-western Victoria, Australia, is a critically endangered community. Much of the remaining grassland exists on private land, where it is grazed by livestock. The impacts of two grazing management strategies, implemented under the PlainsTender incentive scheme, were monitored at 18 on-farm native grassland sites for 4 years. The management strategies were (1) excluding grazing during spring, or (2) flexible grazing and resting. Maintenance of >70% vegetation cover was required under both strategies. Generalised least-squares (repeated-measures) modelling revealed a significant correlation between plant functional group cover and management. However, this correlation was present at the outset of the study and was maintained for the duration of monitoring. Sites rested from livestock grazing in spring had higher native and exotic grass cover, while exotic forb cover was higher at sites where grazing was managed flexibly. Native and exotic grass cover varied significantly from year-to-year under both management strategies; we attribute this to variation in rainfall, particularly drought in the second year. A key outcome of this study was the recognition that high conservation value native grasslands, i.e. large (≥100 ha) and intact (≥36 native species), are being managed successfully on private land, using a range of conservative livestock grazing strategies.
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Donnellan, S. C., K. McGuigan, R. Knowles, M. Mahony, and C. Moritz. "Genetic evidence for species boundaries in frogs of the Litoria citropa species-group (Anura:Hylidae)." Australian Journal of Zoology 47, no. 3 (1999): 275. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/zo99013.
Full textAbstract:
The Litoria citropa species-group comprises several small to medium-sized tree-frog species found from mid-eastern Queensland to eastern Victoria in a variety of habitats along streams associated with the Great Dividing Range. The smaller members of the Litoria citropa species-group, Litoria phyllochroa and L. pearsoniana, have a confused taxonomic history with the taxonomic status of several populations, some regarded as endangered, still in doubt. Multi-locus allozyme electrophoretic profiles and nucleotide sequences of a portion of the mitochondrial 16S ribosomal RNA gene were used to examine the evolutionary relationships of populations that are a geographically comprehensive and morphologically representative sample of the species-group. These data demonstrate the presence of a minimum of three species: L. nudidigitus, L. phyllochroa and a third species whose taxonomic name is yet to be resolved. This third taxon encompasses a wide range of allozyme and mitochondrial nucleotide diversity and can be divided into at least four evolutionarily significant units (ESUs) that replace each other in a linear sequence from north of the Hunter Valley in New South Wales to the Kroombit Tops in central Queensland. A possible zone of hybridisation between the southernmost pair of these ESUs was identified in northern New South Wales. The fourth ESU, a northern outlier of the range of the species-group, is confined to Kroombit Tops, central Queensland.While its phylogenetic relationship with the other three ESUs was not resolved precisely by the present analysis, it nevertheless comprises a distinct and very divergent mitochondrial lineage of considerable antiquity.Resolution of the status of a further name applied to the species-group, L. piperata, awaits a morphological analysis that includes the relevant type material.
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COLOMA, LUIS A., WILLIAM E. DUELLMAN, ANA ALMENDÁRIZ C., SANTIAGO R. RON, ANDREA TERÁN-VALDEZ, and JUAN M. GUAYASAMIN. "Five new (extinct?) species of Atelopus (Anura: Bufonidae) from Andean Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru." Zootaxa 2574, no. 1 (August 23, 2010): 1. http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.2574.1.1.
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We studied populations of frogs of the genus Atelopus from the Pasto Massif of the Andes in southern Colombia and northern Ecuador, and from the Huancabamba depression in southern Ecuador and northern Perú and conclude that they belong to six species, five of which are described as new to science. Atelopus angelito is recorded for the first time from Ecuador and its range is extended 183 km (airline) southwest of its type locality in Departamento del Cauca, Colombia. We distinguish the five new species from similar ones using features of coloration, skin texture, and morphometrics. We also include osteological data for four of the new species. A putative hybrid zone at Provincia Imbabura, Ecuador, is proposed to exist between the non-sister taxa A. ignescens and one of the new species. Because recent records of four of the new species and A. angelito are lacking despite search efforts, we hypothesize that they are possibly extinct, as are many other Andean Atelopus. Thus, we categorize these species, applying IUCN Red List criteria, as Critically Endangered (Possibly Extinct). No search efforts have been carried out for one new species (from La Victoria, Colombia); thus, it is included under the Data Deficient category. The conservation of Atelopus is briefly discussed.
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AUSTEN, J. M., R. JEFFERIES, J. A. FRIEND, U. RYAN, P. ADAMS, and S. A. REID. "Morphological and molecular characterization of Trypanosoma copemani n. sp. (Trypanosomatidae) isolated from Gilbert's potoroo (Potorous gilbertii) and quokka (Setonix brachyurus)." Parasitology 136, no. 7 (May 6, 2009): 783–92. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0031182009005927.
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SUMMARYLittle is known of the prevalence and life-cycle of trypanosomes in mammals native to Australia. Native Australian trypanosomes have previously been identified in marsupials in the eastern states of Australia, with one recent report in brush-tailed bettongs (Bettongia penicillata), or woylie in Western Australia in 2008. This study reports a novel Trypanosoma sp. identified in blood smears, from 7 critically endangered Gilbert's potoroos (Potorous gilbertii) and 3 quokkas (Setonix brachyurus) in Western Australia. Trypanosomes were successfully cultured in vitro and showed morphological characteristics similar to members of the subgenus Herpetosoma. Phylogenetic analysis of 18S rRNA gene sequences identified 2 different novel genotypes A and B that are closely related to trypanosomes previously isolated from a common wombat (Vombatus ursinus) in Victoria, Australia. The new species is proposed to be named Trypanosoma copemani n. sp.
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Reiter, Noushka, Gretna Weste, and David Guest. "The risk of extinction resulting from disease caused by Phytophthora cinnamomi to endangered, vulnerable or rare plant species endemic to the Grampians, Western Victoria." Australian Journal of Botany 52, no. 3 (2004): 425. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/bt03130.
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Seven rare, vulnerable or endangered plant species endemic to the Grampians Ranges (Gariwerd) in Victoria were tested for their susceptibility to Phytophthora cinnamomi Rands. Existing habitats were checked for infestations of P. cinnamomi. Plants were grown from cuttings collected either from nurseries or from the Grampians National Park. Symptoms on inoculated plants and measurements of shoot growth and vigour were recorded weekly. Dry biomass was recorded at the end of the experiment and the pathogen was re-isolated from inoculated plants to confirm disease aetiology. Results from pot trials were correlated with the results from extensive field surveys for each species in its habitat to assess the risk posed by P. cinnamomi to each species' existence in the wild.The pot trials and field observations revealed that the risk of extinction from infection caused by P. cinnamomi was high for Pimelea pagophila and Pultenaea subalpina (both highly susceptible and inhabiting infested sites) as well as for Asterolasia phebalioides seedlings and Borya mirabilis (both moderately susceptible and inhabiting infested sites). The risk from P. cinnamomi was medium for Sphaerolobium acanthos (susceptible) and low for Grevillea microstegia (slightly susceptible). Hibbertia humifusa subsp. humifusa (field resistant) was not at risk. Measures to protect the susceptible species have been investigated and are discussed.
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Peters, Des, and Gretna Weste. "The Impact of Phytophthora cinnamomi on Six Rare Native Tree and Shrub Species in the Brisbane Ranges, Victoria." Australian Journal of Botany 45, no. 6 (1997): 975. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/bt96088.
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The impact of Phytophthora cinnamomi was measured on six native tree and shrub species occurring in the Brisbane Ranges, Victoria, that are considered significant, rare or vulnerable and likely to become endangered. Seedlings of Eucalyptus yarraensis (rare) and cuttings of Grevillea chrysophaea (significant), Olearia pannosa, Pultenaea graveolens (both vulnerable) and Prostanthera decussata and Rhagodia parabolica (both rare) were grown in disease-free soil and inoculated with P. cinnamomi. After 60 days, all plants of G. chrysophaea and P. graveolens were dead and, hence, were regarded as highly susceptible. Inoculated plants of P. decussata developed severe symptoms and 13% died, while O. pannosa showed decreased vigour with 11% dying. Both species were classified as susceptible. Some plants of R. parabolica developed symptoms and were slightly susceptible, butE. yarraensis was resistant. A foliage spray of the phosphonate, Foli-R-Fos (dipotassium phosphonate) on healthy susceptible species, followed by stem inoculation with the pathogen, reduced both stem infection and mortalities, but did not eliminate the pathogen. The concentration of 3% was slightly phytotoxic to G. chrysophaea and P. decussata. The distribution of the six species and of disease due to P. cinnamomi was mapped. Stands of G. chrysophaea, O. pannosa and P. graveolens are diseased and at risk. One of the few known stands of P. decussata was invaded recently. When measured on replicate quadrats located in areas of recent disease, old disease and areas free from disease, P. cinnamomi was shown to produce significant reductions in plant density, plant growth, flowering and regeneration, particularly in areas recently invaded by the pathogen, but less on old infested areas. One-third of the population of O. pannosa is dying due to P. cinnamomi and its seed production is inhibited. There is a strong decline in populations of G. chrysophaea, and P. graveolens, which may place these species at risk.
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Holland, Greg J., Andrew F. Bennett, and Rodney van der Ree. "Time-budget and feeding behaviour of the squirrel glider (Petaurus norfolcensis) in remnant linear habitat." Wildlife Research 34, no. 4 (2007): 288. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/wr06104.
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The squirrel glider (Petaurus norfolcensis) occurs in forests and woodlands in eastern Australia. In Victoria it is now largely restricted to small, fragmented areas and is considered endangered. In this study, the time-budget, feeding behaviour and related habitat use of the squirrel glider were investigated in a linear remnant of roadside vegetation near Euroa, Victoria. Timed observations of three males and three females, fitted with radio-collars, were made in each of four seasons. Gliders were observed for a total of 53.2 h, during which they devoted 72% of time to foraging activities. Grooming accounted for 16% of observation time. Exudates associated with homopterous insects were the primary food items consumed throughout the year. Arthropods, nectar and pollen, and Acacia gum formed the remainder of the diet. The proportion of time devoted to harvesting these food items showed marked seasonal variation. The primary dependence on homopterous insect exudates in this study area contrasts with other investigations at sites of greater floristic diversity where nectar and pollen were the most important dietary resources. This highlights the need to obtain ecological information from the range of habitats occupied by a species. Large trees are a vital habitat component of remnant linear vegetation in this study area, providing gliders with critical foraging resources. Retention of such trees is essential for the longevity of glider populations.
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Otvos, Imre S., Doris A. Mills, and Nicholas Conder. "Within-crown distribution, attack, and germination of Curculio occidentis-damaged and Cydia latiferreana-damaged Garry oak acorns in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada." Canadian Entomologist 144, no. 3 (May 28, 2012): 419–34. http://dx.doi.org/10.4039/tce.2012.43.
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AbstractGarry oak, Quercus garryana Douglas ex Hooker (Fagaceae), is part of a unique ecosystem in British Columbia, Canada, which is rich in rare and endangered plant species. Garry oak recruitment is critical to the existence of this ecosystem, therefore, the effect of Curculio occidentis (Casey) (filbert weevil; Coleoptera: Curculionidae) and Cydia latiferreana (Walsingham) (filbertworm; Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) on acorn germination is of great interest. Together these two insects infested 80.7%, 75.1%, and 51.3% of acorns collected in 1996, 1997 (low crop years), and 1998 (high crop year), respectively. Filbertworm infestation did not vary with crown level. Filbert weevil infestation did not vary with crown level during poor crop years, but significantly more filbert weevil-infested acorns were found in the lower than the middle and upper portions of the trees during the high crop year. Severely damaged acorns did not germinate, and acorns with light to moderate feeding damage had lower germination success than undamaged acorns, but growth of germinated seedlings in the light to moderate damage category was unaffected. This study showed, for the first time, that these two insect species infested a large proportion of Garry oak acorns on the tree in British Columbia, and that light to moderate damage of the acorn has relatively low impact on seedling growth.
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Kambouris, Peter J., Rodney P. Kavanagh, and Kelly A. Rowley. "Distribution, habitat preferences and management of the yellow-bellied glider, Petaurus australis, on the Bago Plateau, New South Wales: a reassessment of the population and its status." Wildlife Research 40, no. 7 (2013): 599. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/wr13021.
Full textAbstract:
Context A population of yellow-bellied glider on the Bago Plateau, near Tumbarumba, was listed as an Endangered Population in 2008 under the New South Wales (NSW) Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995. The listing was based on limited data that suggested that the population is geographically and genetically distinct and its habitat in decline. Aims To review the validity of the endangered-population listing following the collection of new data on its distribution, habitat preferences and responses to logging. Methods Surveys for the yellow-bellied glider were conducted at a subset of sites established in 1995 on the Bago Plateau as well as across parts of the neighbouring Kosciuszko National Park, which had not been surveyed previously. The distribution of suitable habitat throughout these areas was evaluated. Key results The yellow-bellied glider was recorded at 29% of 48 sites resurveyed in 2010, 54% of which were previously occupied in 1995. Most changes in glider occupancy occurred at sites that had not been logged during the intervening period. The gliders preferred forest types dominated by montane gums (Eucalyptus dalrympleana, E. viminalis, E. camphora, E. pauciflora and E. stellulata) and used forest types of montane gums mixed with E. robertsonii or E. delegatensis in proportion to their availability across the landscape. The gliders were not observed to use monospecific stands of E. delegatensis. The yellow-bellied glider was also recorded frequently in Kosciuszko National Park. E. dalrympleana was consistently represented in the distribution of this species across the NSW Snowy Mountains. Conclusions Yellow-bellied glider site occupancy was not related to timber harvesting. Its habitat was not restricted by elevation or confined within Bago and Maragle State Forests by the Tumut River Gorge, Blowering and Talbingo Dams, as previously thought. We estimated that there is a large population of the gliders occupying up to 440 000 ha of contiguous habitat across the broader Snowy Mountains region of NSW, extending also into ACT and Victoria. Implications The listing of the Bago Plateau portion of this population as an endangered population appears inconsistent with relevant listing criteria and requires review.
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Salama, Ahmed, Mukund R. Shukla, Elena Popova, Nathan S. Fisk, Maxwell P. Jones, and Praveen K. Saxena. "In vitro propagation and reintroduction of golden paintbrush (Castilleja levisecta), a critically imperilled plant species." Canadian Journal of Plant Science 98, no. 3 (June 1, 2018): 762–70. http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/cjps-2017-0207.
Full textAbstract:
Golden paintbrush (Castilleja levisecta Greenm.) is a hemiparasitic herbaceous perennial native to the Pacific Northwest of North America and is considered critically imperilled with only 11 populations remaining in the wild. The main objective of this study was to develop ex situ and in situ conservation through micropropagation and field plantings. In vitro cultures were initiated using nodal explants from two plants raised from seeds collected from a natural population. Shoots were then multiplied on Murashige and Skoog basal medium with 2.0 μmol L−1 6-benzylaminopurine (BA), 3.0 μmol L−1 kinetin (Kn), 2.2 g L−1 phytagel, and 3% sucrose. Explant position on source plants, culture vessel design, and application of different plant growth regulator levels for BA, Kn, and thiadiazuron (TDZ) were tested to optimize micropropagation protocols. Clones from the plants showed differences in plant height and number of nodes in response to various BA and TDZ concentrations. In vitro shoots were successfully rooted under ex vitro conditions using commercial rooting powder (0.8% indole-3-butyric acid) with an average of ∼17 roots per shoot and acclimatized in the greenhouse with 100% survival rate. Two-month-old plants were transferred to a Parks Canada restoration site at Fort Rodd Hill, Victoria, BC, with 7.5% survival. The use of micropropagation in combination with reintroduction efforts offers an excellent opportunity for conserving endangered plant biodiversity in vitro and facilitating in situ conservation efforts by providing plants for reintroduction.
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Archer, Michael, Hayley Bates, Suzanne J. Hand, Trevor Evans, Linda Broome, Bronwyn McAllan, Fritz Geiser, et al. "The Burramys Project: a conservationist's reach should exceed history's grasp, or what is the fossil record for?" Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences 374, no. 1788 (November 4, 2019): 20190221. http://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rstb.2019.0221.
Full textAbstract:
The fossil record provides important information about changes in species diversity, distribution, habitat and abundance through time. As we understand more about these changes, it becomes possible to envisage a wider range of options for translocations in a world where sustainability of habitats is under increasing threat. The Critically Endangered alpine/subalpine mountain pygmy-possum, Burramys parvus (Marsupialia, Burramyidae), is threatened by global heating. Using conventional strategies, there would be no viable pathway for stopping this iconic marsupial from becoming extinct. The fossil record, however, has inspired an innovative strategy for saving this species. This lineage has been represented over 25 Myr by a series of species always inhabiting lowland, wet forest palaeocommunities. These fossil deposits have been found in what is now the Tirari Desert, South Australia (24 Ma), savannah woodlands of the Riversleigh World Heritage Area, Queensland (approx. 24–15 Ma) and savannah grasslands of Hamilton, Victoria (approx. 4 Ma). This palaeoecological record has led to the proposal overviewed here to construct a lowland breeding facility with the goal of monitoring the outcome of introducing this possum back into the pre-Quaternary core habitat for the lineage. If this project succeeds, similar approaches could be considered for other climate-change-threatened Australian species such as the southern corroboree frog ( Pseudophryne corroboree ) and the western swamp tortoise ( Pseudemydura umbrina ). This article is part of a discussion meeting issue ‘The past is a foreign country: how much can the fossil record actually inform conservation?’
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Parrott, Marissa L., Leanne V. Wicker, Amanda Lamont, Chris Banks, Michelle Lang, Michael Lynch, Bonnie McMeekin, et al. "Emergency Response to Australia’s Black Summer 2019–2020: The Role of a Zoo-Based Conservation Organisation in Wildlife Triage, Rescue, and Resilience for the Future." Animals 11, no. 6 (May 23, 2021): 1515. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ani11061515.
Full textAbstract:
Modern zoos are increasingly taking a leading role in emergency management and wildlife recovery. In the face of climate change and the predicted increase in frequency and magnitude of catastrophic events, zoos provide specialised expertise to assist wildlife welfare and endangered species recovery. In the 2019–2020 Australian bushfire season, now called Australia’s Black Summer, a state government-directed response was developed, assembling specialised individuals and organisations from government, non-government organisations, research institutions, and others. Here, we detail the role of Zoos Victoria staff in wildlife triage and welfare, threatened species evacuation and recovery, media and communications, and fundraising during and after the fires. We share strategies for future resilience, readiness, and the ability to mobilise quickly in catastrophic events. The development of triage protocols, emergency response kits, emergency enclosures, and expanded and new captive breeding programs is underway, as are programs for care of staff mental health and nature-based community healing for people directly affected by the fires. We hope this account of our response to one of the greatest recent threats to Australia’s biodiversity, and steps to prepare for the future will assist other zoos and wildlife organisations around the world in preparations to help wildlife before, during, and after catastrophic events.
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Weste, Gretna, Kenneth Brown, Jill Kennedy, and Terry Walshe. "Phytophthora cinnamomi infestation — a 24-year study of vegetation change in forests and woodlands of the Grampians, Western Victoria." Australian Journal of Botany 50, no. 2 (2002): 247. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/bt01073.
Full textAbstract:
Changes in vegetation, pathogen population and distribution were monitored periodically in both defined infested quadrats and similar pathogen-free quadrats at six sites representing major types of forest and woodland. Assessments were recorded in May 1977, 1979, 1981, 1983–1984, 1995 and 2000. The susceptible eucalypts in the overstorey of infested sites, such as Eucalyptus obliqua, E. baxteri, E. willisii and E. macroryncha, showed severe dieback, loss of crown or deaths. All the trees died on some sites, others presented dead leaders with epicormic growth on lower branches. Dieback followed by death occurred in 54% of the understorey species, including the dominant Xanthorrhoea australis, thereby changing community structure and species composition. At the time of its greatest prevalence, the pathogen’s activity resulted in a decline in species richness in infested quadrats to a mean of 25.6 species compared with a mean of 39.2 for pathogen-free quadrats. Percentage cover and percentage contribution to the community by susceptible species were negligible. On steep sites, 65% of the ground remained bare, but on other sites the susceptible flora was replaced by field-resistant species of sedges and rushes, such as Lepidosperma semiteres and Hypolaena fastigiata, and by partly resistant tea-trees Leptospermum myrsinoides, L. continentis and L. scoparium. The dense, field-resistant understorey consisted of the ground cover of H. fastigiata, scattered clumps of various sedges and above this a mass of tea-tree scrub, approximately 1 m in height, with moderately severe dieback of the branches. From 1976 to 1984, the pathogen was isolated from 100% of the 345 root and soil samples and from all of the infested quadrats, but then gradually declined. In 2000, Phytophthora cinnamomi Rands was rare at four sites and was not isolated from two sites. Regeneration of 30 susceptible species, previously eliminated, was recorded from infested sites and 21 of these species were growing in more than one quadrat. Vigorous regeneration of the previously dominant but highly susceptible X. australis occurred at two sites and was similar to that recorded from some recovering infested sites in the Brisbane Ranges, Victoria. The decline of the pathogen and the regeneration of susceptible species may be associated with low spring rainfall from 1995 to 2000 and the consequent reduction in zoospore production, enabling a partial recovery from dieback. The disease cycle from invasion and destruction of a susceptible indigenous flora by this virulent pathogen to the decline of the pathogen and the regeneration of that same susceptible indigenous flora was almost complete on sections of two of the six sites studied. In other areas, the post-infection colonising flora of field-resistant species remained dominant, except at one steep site where the ground remained uncolonised and subsequently eroded following the death of susceptible flora. Extinction following infection by P. cinnamomi, however, remains a grave threat to endangered, endemic species if susceptible.
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Woinarski, J. C. Z. "The conservation status of rodents in the monsoonal tropics of the Northern Territory." Wildlife Research 27, no. 4 (2000): 421. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/wr97047.
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The rodent fauna of the monsoonal tropics of the Northern Territory comprises 23 native species and two introduced species. Three species (Zyzomys maini, Z. palatalis and Pseudomys calabyi) are endemic to the area, and four species (Pseudomys hermannsburgensis, P. desertor, P. johnsoni and Notomys alexis) enter the area only on its southern (arid) fringe. The rodent fauna is closely related to that of the Kimberley, Western Australia. Distribution maps for all species are given. One species (Z. palatalis) has an extremely restricted range and is regarded as critically endangered. The lack of information on the distribution and abundance of rodents in general in this area is evident in the national classification of five of its species (Xeromys myoides, Mesembriomys macrurus, Notomys aquilo, Pseudomys desertor and Pseudomys johnsoni) as Insufficiently Known. The two introduced rodents (Mus domesticus and Rattus rattus) are virtually restricted to urban and highly modified areas, although R. rattus also occurs on one uninhabited island. In contrast to that of much of the rest of Australia, this rodent fauna has apparently retained its full complement of species since European colonisation. This enduring legacy is attributable largely to the relatively limited modification of its environments. However, three species (Mesembriomys macrurus, Rattus tunneyi and Conilurus penicillatus) appear to be declining. The pattern of decline in these species, and in the mammal fauna generally, is obscured by the very limited historical data. However, declines appear most pronounced in the cattle country of the Victoria River District and Gulf regions. Priorities for the management of this rodent fauna include survey of poorly known areas, survey for poorly known species, monitoring of rodent communities, and landscape-wide management of the three pervasive processes with probably greatest impacts – fire, grazing and feral predators.
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Dove, A. D. M., and A. S. Fletcher. "The distribution of the introduced tapeworm Bothriocephalus acheilognathi in Australian freshwater fishes." Journal of Helminthology 74, no. 2 (June 2000): 121–27. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0022149x00000160.
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AbstractNative and exotic fishes were collected from 29 sites across coastal and inland New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria, using a range of techniques, to infer the distribution of Bothriocephalus acheilognathi (Cestoda: Pseudophyllidea) and the host species in which it occurs. The distribution of B. acheilognathi was determined by that of its principal host, carp, Cyprinuscarpio; it did not occur at sites where carp were not present. The parasite was recorded from all native fish species where the sample size exceeded 30 and which were collected sympatrically with carp: Hypseleotris klunzingeri, Hypseleotris sp. 4, Hypseleotris sp. 5, Phylipnodon grandiceps and Retropinna semoni. Bothriocephalus acheilognathi was also recorded from the exotic fishes Gambusia holbrooki and Carassiusauratus. Hypseleotris sp. 4, Hypseleotris sp. 5, P. grandiceps, R. semoni and C. auratus are new host records. The parasite was not recorded from any sites in coastal drainages. The only carp population examined from a coastal drainage (Albert River, south-east Queensland) was also free of infection; those fish had a parasite fauna distinct from that of carp in inland drainages and may represent a separate introduction event. Bothriocephalus acheilognathi has apparently spread along with its carp hosts and is so far restricted to the Murray-Darling Basin. The low host specificity of this parasite is cause for concern given the threatened or endangered nature of some Australian native freshwater fish species. A revised list of definitive hosts of B. acheilognathiis presented.
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Baker, Jack. "The decline, response to fire, status and management of the Eastern Bristlebird." Pacific Conservation Biology 3, no. 3 (1997): 235. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/pc970235.
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The Eastern Bristlebird Dasyornis brachypterus is a threatened passerine, endemic to southeastern Australia. It is a cryptic, ground dwelling, semi-flightless inhabitant of dense, fire-prone vegetation and is usually only detected by its calls. The disjunct distribution suggests that they were once more numerous and their population continuous from southern Queensland to western Victoria. Their decline has been documented in historic and recent times. Habitat loss, nest desertion and fire have been implicated in the decline and extinction of local populations. Strongholds for the species are Barren Grounds Nature Reserve and Bherwerre Peninsula, 100 and 150 km south of Sydney respectively. At Barren Grounds, in the absence of recent fire, there were significant increases in the population between 1992 and 1996. There was a trend of increasing Eastern Bristlebird density with increasing fire-age of habitat and average density plateauing at two birds per 5 ha, 10 years after fire. At Nadgee, a coastal Nature Reserve on the New South Wales/Victorian border, the population appears to be recovering very slowly from severe wildfires in 1972 and 1980. At the beginning of 1996 there were less than 2 000 individual Eastern Bristlebirds occupying an area of approximately 100 km2. For the management of Eastern Bristlebirds, habitat manipulation using prescribed fire should not be undertaken unless site-specific population monitoring data demonstrate that it would be beneficial. Concentrations of Eastern Bristlebirds and potential fire refuges should be protected from unplanned fire. For prescription burns, potential escape routes need to be planned for Eastern Bristlebirds. The threatened status should be changed from Vulnerable to Endangered.
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Williams, Richard J., Carl-Henrik Wahren, James M. Shannon, Warwick A. Papst, Dean A. Heinze, and James S. Camac. "Fire regimes and biodiversity in Victoria’s alpine ecosystems." Proceedings of the Royal Society of Victoria 124, no. 1 (2012): 101. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/rs12101.
Full textAbstract:
Landscape-scale fires occur in Australian alpine ecosystems once or twice per century, primarily when ignition, regional drought and severe fire weather coincide. When alpine vegetation does burn, there is considerable variation in landscape flammability and fire severity. Regeneration following extensive fires of 2003 and 2006-07 across the Bogong High Plains is occurring in all plant communities (heathlands, grasslands, herbfields and wetlands). In heathland and grassland, vegetation composition has converged towards the long-unburnt state (> 50 years) eight years post fire. There was little effect of variation in fire severity on patterns of regeneration in heathland. In burnt wetlands, Sphagnum cristatum and other dominant species are regenerating; the cover of obligate seeding ericaceous shrubs two years post-fire was positively related to the cover of Sphagnum. The endangered mammal Burramys parvus is also capable of persisting in the alpine landscape after individual large, landscape fires. We conclude that there is no scientific evidence that these fires necessarily had ‘disastrous’ biodiversity consequences. After extensive landscape fires, the primary management objective should be to allow burnt alpine ecosystems to regenerate with minimal subsequent disturbance. Monitoring ecological change in the coming century will be essential for effective management of both fire and biodiversity in alpine ecosystems in Victoria and elsewhere in Australia.