Journal articles on the topic 'Forest ecology Victoria Strzelecki Ranges'

The rate and spatial scale at which natural environments are being modified by human land-uses mean that a regional or national perspective is necessary to understand the status of the native biota. Here, we outline a landscape-based approach for using data from the ‘New Atlas of Australian Birds’ to examine the distribution and status of avifauna at a regional scale. We use data from two bioregions in south-east Australia – the Gippsland Plain and the Strzelecki Ranges (collectively termed the greater Gippsland Plains) – to demonstrate this approach. Records were compiled for 57 landscape units, each 10′ latitude by 10′ longitude (~270 km2) across the study region. A total of 165 terrestrial bird species was recorded from 1870 ‘area searches’, with a further 24 species added from incidental observations and other surveys. Of these, 108 species were considered ‘typical’ of the greater Gippsland Plain in that they currently or historically occur regularly in the study region. An index of species ‘occurrence’, combining reporting rate and breadth of distribution, was used to identify rare, common, widespread and restricted species. Ordination of the dataset highlighted assemblages of birds that had similar spatial distributions. A complementarity analysis identified a subset of 14 landscape units that together contained records from at least three different landscape units for each of the 108 ‘typical’ species. When compared with the 40 most common ‘typical’ species, the 40 least common species were more likely to be forest specialists, nest on the ground and, owing to the prevalence of raptors in the least common group, take prey on the wing. The future status of the terrestrial avifauna of the greater Gippsland Plains will depend on the extent to which effective restoration actions can be undertaken to ensure adequate representation of habitats for all species, especially for the large number of species of conservation concern.

The nesting requirements of the yellow-tailed black-cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus funereus) were studied at 68 sites in Eucalyptus regnans forest in the Strzelecki Ranges, South Gippsland, Victoria. Nest trees were located and their characteristics related to forest stand variables. Eighteen nest hollows were found. Nest trees had a mean diameter at breast height of 2.5 m, a mean estimated age of 221 years, a mean height of 58 m and for live nest trees a mean crown diameter of 22 m. The currently proposed rotation time for silvicultural systems of 80-150 years will reduce the number of hollow-bearing trees suitable for nesting yellow-tailed black-cockatoos. Adequate numbers of trees must be retained in logged areas and wildlife corridors and reserves, and protected to ensure a continual supply for yellow-tailed black-cockatoos and other hollow-dependent species. If agonistic behaviour is operating between female yellow-tailed black-cockatoos, nesting potential may be enhanced if trees retained on coupes are evenly distributed rather than clumped. Silvicultural systems that facilitate the protection of trees retained on coupes would benefit the conservation of the yellow-tailed black-cockatoo.

Toothed Leionema is one of four subspecies of Leionema bilobum from the Rutaceae family. A dense shrub or small tree, growing to ~4 m high, it is a poorly investigated species which is considered rare in Victoria, Australia. This paper presents the results of a study using Geographical Information Systems and Weights-of-Evidence predictive modelling to assess the importance of seven environmental factors in determining habitat suitability for this species in the Strzelecki Ranges, Victoria. This method is particularly useful in understanding the distribution of rare species, especially where the ecology of the species of interest is not well understood. Of the seven environmental factors considered here, four were found to be important: elevation, aspect, distance to water and distance to plantation (disturbed) areas. The modelling results indicate that areas with elevations between 350 and 550 m and a dominant south-western aspect that are close to plantation areas (within 700 m), and to water (within 1100–1200 m), provide potentially suitable habitat for Toothed Leionema in the region.

Eucalyptus strzeleckii K. Rule (Strzelecki gum) is a medium-to-tall forest swamp gum, endemic to Victoria and listed as Nationally Vulnerable in Australia. This species occurs in the high rainfall (up to 1600 mm) region of Gippsland in south-eastern Victoria. The region has been intensively developed for agriculture, in particular dairy production. Surviving trees are often old and in varying stages of dieback and natural recruitment is rarely observed. The removal of cattle-grazing as a sole mechanism to encourage recruitment is rarely sufficient to promote regeneration of this species. The aim of this study was to examine the role of soil disturbance, weed competition, seed supply and parent plant competition, in the absence of cattle-grazing, in the recruitment of E. strzeleckii. Seed availability, distance from mature tree, soil disturbance, soil moisture and pasture competition all influenced seedling establishment and survival in the field. Removal of ground layer vegetation immediately before seedling emergence appears to be essential for successful establishment of E. strzeleckii. However, both soil disturbance and pasture removal by spraying had similar effects, suggesting that competition rather than soil disturbance per se is a limiting factor in these environments. In the absence of understorey vegetation manipulation, regeneration by this species is unlikely even in the absence of grazing.

The home ranges and species of trees used by 20 koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) were determined in a forest in Victoria containing 6 Eucalyptus spp. Eight animals showed a preference for a tree species from those available within their home ranges. Four koalas preferred E. viminalis, 2 E. ovata and 2 E. macrorhyncha. Preference for tree species was detected only where the preferred species was in low abundance within the animal's home range. These observations confirm that koalas may show individual differences in the species of food trees they prefer. E. viminalis, the preferred species of this population, was the predominant tree species within the home range of 15 of the koalas, which may account for the lack of evidence of preference in the majority of animals.

The distribution of Phytophthora cinnamomi in the Brisbane Ranges National Park of Victoria was mapped and related to vegetation susceptibility, disease severity and past distribution. P. cinnamomi extended its distribution from 1% of the park in 1970 to 31% in 1980-81. The dispersal of the pathogen has occurred through roadworks and subsequent drainage of water-borne zoospores. In 1980-81, 50% of 1191 grids (250 x 250 m) occurred in susceptible vegetation (sclerophyllous forest/woodland). Of these, 45% (266 grids) were moderately diseased and 16% (95) severely diseased. Stands of dead trees occurred in 29 severely diseased grids which were in shallow gullies with impeded drainage. The 39% (231) of susceptible vegetation which remained unaffected occurred mainly on ridges and hilltops. P. cinnamomi was isolated from 3% of apparently resistant vegetation (graminoid forest/woodland). Restriction of access is recommended to the remaining areas of susceptible unaffected vegetation.

The dominant species of large macropods in Victoria are the Eastern Grey Kangaroo (Macropus giganteus) and the Southern (= Western) Grey Kangaroo (M. fuliginosus). On the limited historic data available there is no indication that their ranges have changed since European settlement. The Red Kangaroo (M. rufus) was restricted to the northwest corner of the state, then as now. Moderate densities of Grey Kangaroos at settlement increased under forest clearing, probably peaking about the mid-nineteenth century. With intensification of farming and associated heavy hunting they declined again to establish by about the turn of the century the distribution of modera te density that we see today.

Variation in seedling abnormalities and 2- and 4-year growth were studied in a trial in north-westem Tasmania established from 594 open-pollinated families from throughout the geographical range of Eucalyptus globulus Labill. ssp, globulus and populations intergrading with other subspecies. Most (77-80%) of the total (phenotypic) variation in growth traits occurred within families. The genetic variation between families within localities (within c. 10 krn; 13-15% of the total variation), between localities within regions (within c. 100-150 km; c: 4%) and between regions (3-8%) was generally highly significant. However, regional and locality components together accounted for only a small proportion of the total phenotypic variation. Little differentiation was detected between separate sampling sites within localities. Estimates of individual narrow-sense heritabilities were markedly higher than previous reports and were 0.38 for conic volume and 0.41 for height at 4 years, assuming a coefficient of relatedness of 0.4 amongst open-pollinated sibs. On average, progenies from the Otway Ranges region were the fastest growing at the test site, followed by those from King Island. Parent trees with high breeding values were concentrated in the Otway Ranges, Strzelecki Ranges and far southeastem Tasmania with the Bass Strait island localities having intermediate frequencies. Forest fragmentation through clearing for agriculture appears to have had a deleterious effect on the quantitative genetic structure of intergrade populations consistent with high levels of inbreeding. Remnant populations tended to have higher levels of severely abnormal seedlings, higher mortality and poorer growth, and higher heritability estimates and variability both within and between families. Advanced generation hybridisation and inbreeding due to long periods of isolation in small, relict populations may also have had similar effects. Populations sampled are, therefore, likely to have markedly different levels of inbreeding which may have inflated differences between localities and may have important consequences for the exploitation of this material for breeding.

Changes in plant species composition over a 10 year period were measured by biennial counts of numbers and areas on seven quadrats at each of three sites; one site pathogen free, one in the process of invasion by Phytophthora cinnamomi and one diseased since 1970. Susceptible species died and field-resistant species increased. Partly susceptible species fluctuated in growth. The plant community changed from open forest with sclerophyllous understorey dominated by Xanthorrhoea australis to open forest with large gaps and sedge-dominated ground flora. Tree numbers increased by 25% on the pathogen-free site but decreased by 42.9 and 45.3% on the two infested sites. Susceptible shrub species increased 10% on pathogen-free quadrats but decreased in both numbers and diversity with infestation. The high percentage of bare ground on the old diseased site was gradually colonised by graminoids and legumes. At the end of the 10 year period P. cinnamomi could no longer be isolated from this site, tree crowns showed vigorous growth and seedlings of some susceptible species were observed. The epidemic caused by P. cinnamomi in the Brisbane Ranges may be finite, with peak death periods in 1979 for the invaded site and in 1972 for the old diseased site. The bare ground was later colonised by field-resistant species and the disease potential of the pathogen declined. Regeneration has commenced on the old diseased site and may eventually become complete for the tree stratum, but incomplete for the understorey because Xanthorrhoea australis, formerly dominant, has a very slow growth rate.

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.

The Australian endemic humicolous and hygropetric water beetle genus Tympanogaster Perkins, 1979, is revised, based on the study of 7,280 specimens. The genus is redescribed, and redescriptions are provided for T. cornuta (Janssens), T. costata (Deane), T. deanei Perkins, T. macrognatha (Lea), T. novicia (Blackburn), T. obcordata (Deane), T. schizolabra (Deane), and T. subcostata (Deane). Lectotypes are designated for Ochthebius labratus Deane, 1933, and Ochthebius macrognathus Lea, 1926. Ochthebius labratus Deane, 1933, is synonymized with Ochthebius novicius Blackburn, 1896. Three new subgenera are described: Hygrotympanogaster new subgenus (type species Tympanogaster (Hygrotympanogaster) maureenae new species; Topotympanogaster new subgenus (type species Tympanogaster (Topotympanogaster) crista new species; and Plesiotympanogaster new genus (type species Tympanogaster (Plesiotympanogaster) thayerae new species. Seventy-six new species are described, and keys to the subgenera, species groups, and species are given. High resolution digital images of all primary types are presented (online version in color), and geographic distributions are mapped. Male genitalia, representative spermathecae and representative mouthparts are illustrated. Scanning electron micrographs of external morphological characters of adults and larvae are presented. Selected morphological features of the other members of the subtribe Meropathina, Meropathus Enderlein and Tympallopatrum Perkins, are illustrated and compared with those of Tympanogaster. Species of Tympanogaster are typically found in the relict rainforest patches in eastern Australia. Most species have very limited distributions, and relict rainforest patches often have more than one endemic species. The only species currently known from the arid center of Australia, T. novicia, has the widest distribution pattern, ranging into eastern rainforest patches. There is a fairly close correspondence between subgenera and microhabitat preferences. Members of Tympanogaster (s. str.) live in the splash zone, usually on stream boulders, or on bedrock stream margins. The majority of T. (Hygrotympanogaster) species live in the hygropetric zone at the margins of waterfalls, or on steep rockfaces where water is continually trickling; a few rare species have been collected from moss in Nothofagus rainforests. Species of T. (Plesiotympanogaster) have been found in both hygropetric microhabitats and in streamside moss. The exact microhabitats of T. (Topotympanogaster) are unknown, but the morphology of most species suggests non-aquatic habits; most specimens have been collected in humicolous microhabitats, by sifting rainforest debris, or were taken in flight intercept traps. Larvae of hygropetric species are often collected with adults. These larvae have tube-like, dorsally positioned, mesothoracic spiracles that allow the larvae to breathe while under a thin film of water. The key morphological differences between larvae of Tympanogaster (s. str.) and those of Tympanogaster (Hygrotympanogaster) are illustrated. New species of Tympanogaster are: T. (s. str.) aldinga (New South Wales, Dorrigo National Park, Rosewood Creek), T. (s. str.) amaroo (New South Wales, Back Creek, downstream of Moffatt Falls), T. (s. str.) ambigua (Queensland, Cairns), T. (Hygrotympanogaster) arcuata (New South Wales, Kara Creek, 13 km NEbyE of Jindabyne), T. (Hygrotympanogaster) atroargenta (Victoria, Possum Hollow falls, West branch Tarwin River, 5.6 km SSW Allambee), T. (Hygrotympanogaster) barronensis (Queensland, Barron Falls, Kuranda), T. (s. str.) bluensis (New South Wales, Blue Mountains), T. (Hygrotympanogaster) bondi (New South Wales, Bondi Heights), T. (Hygrotympanogaster) bryosa (New South Wales, New England National Park), T. (Hygrotympanogaster) buffalo (Victoria, Mount Buffalo National Park), T. (Hygrotympanogaster) canobolas (New South Wales, Mount Canobolas Park), T. (s. str.) cardwellensis (Queensland, Cardwell Range, Goddard Creek), T. (Hygrotympanogaster) cascadensis (New South Wales, Cascades Campsite, on Tuross River), T. (Hygrotympanogaster) clandestina (Victoria, Grampians National Park, Golton Gorge, 7.0 km W Dadswells Bridge), T. (Hygrotympanogaster) clypeata (Victoria, Grampians National Park, Golton Gorge, 7.0 km W Dadswells Bridge), T. (s. str.) cooloogatta (New South Wales, New England National Park, Five Day Creek), T. (Hygrotympanogaster) coopacambra (Victoria, Beehive Falls, ~2 km E of Cann Valley Highway on 'WB Line'), T. (Topotympanogaster) crista (Queensland, Mount Cleveland summit), T. (Hygrotympanogaster) cudgee (New South Wales, New England National Park, 0.8 km S of Pk. Gate), T. (s. str.) cunninghamensis (Queensland, Main Range National Park, Cunningham's Gap, Gap Creek), T. (s. str.) darlingtoni (New South Wales, Barrington Tops), T. (Hygrotympanogaster) decepta (Victoria, Mount Buffalo National Park), T. (s. str.) dingabledinga (New South Wales, Dorrigo National Park, Rosewood Creek, upstream from Coachwood Falls), T. (s. str.) dorrigoensis (New South Wales, Dorrigo National Park, Rosewood Creek, upstream from Coachwood Falls), T. (Topotympanogaster) dorsa (Queensland, Windin Falls, NW Mount Bartle-Frere), T. (Hygrotympanogaster) duobifida (Victoria, 0.25 km E Binns, Hill Junction, adjacent to Jeeralang West Road, 4.0 km S Jeerelang), T. (s. str.) eungella (Queensland, Finch Hatton Gorge), T. (Topotympanogaster) finniganensis (Queensland, Mount Finnigan summit), T. (s. str.) foveova (New South Wales, Border Ranges National Park, Brindle Creek), T. (Hygrotympanogaster) grampians (Victoria, Grampians National Park, Epacris Falls, 2.5 km WNW Halls Gap), T. (Hygrotympanogaster) gushi (New South Wales, Mount Canobolas Park), T. (s. str.) hypipamee (Queensland, Mount Hypipamee National Park, Barron River headwaters below Dinner Falls), T. (s. str.) illawarra (New South Wales, Macquarie Rivulet Falls, near Wollongong), T. (Topotympanogaster) intricata (Queensland, Mossman Bluff Track, 5–10 km W Mossman), T. (s. str.) jaechi (Queensland, Running Creek, along road between Mount Chinghee National Park and Border Ranges National Park), T. (Topotympanogaster) juga (Queensland, Mount Lewis summit), T. kuranda (Queensland, Barron Falls, Kuranda), T. (s. str.) lamingtonensis (Queensland, Lamington National Park, Lightening Creek), T. (s. str.) magarra (New South Wales, Border Ranges National Park, Brindle Creek), T. (Hygrotympanogaster) maureenae (New South Wales, Back Creek, Moffatt Falls, ca. 5 km W New England National Park boundary), T. (Hygrotympanogaster) megamorpha (Victoria, Possum Hollow falls, W br. Tarwin River, 5.6 km SSW Allambee), T. (Hygrotympanogaster) merrijig (Victoria, Merrijig), T. (s. str.) millaamillaa (Queensland, Millaa Millaa), T. modulatrix (Victoria, Talbot Creek at Thomson Valley Road, 4.25 km WSW Beardmore), T. (Topotympanogaster) monteithi (Queensland, Mount Bartle Frere), T. moondarra (New South Wales, Border Ranges National Park, Brindle Creek), T. (s. str.) mysteriosa (Queensland), T. (Hygrotympanogaster) nargun (Victoria, Deadcock Den, on Den of Nargun Creek, Mitchell River National Park), T. (Hygrotympanogaster) newtoni (Victoria, Mount Buffalo National Park), T. (s. str.) ovipennis (New South Wales, Dorrigo National Park, Rosewood Creek, upstream from Coachwood Falls), T. (s. str.) pagetae (New South Wales, Back Creek, downstream of Moffatt Falls), T. (Topotympanogaster) parallela (Queensland, Mossman Bluff Track, 5–10 km W Mossman), T. (s. str.) perpendicula (Queensland, Mossman Bluff Track, 5–10 km W Mossman), T. plana (Queensland, Cape Tribulation), T. (Hygrotympanogaster) porchi (Victoria, Tarra-Bulga National Park, Tarra Valley Road, 1.5 km SE Tarra Falls), T. (s. str.) precariosa (New South Wales, Leycester Creek, 4 km. S of Border Ranges National Park), T. (s. str.) protecta (New South Wales, Leycester Creek, 4 km. S of Border Ranges National Park), T. (Hygrotympanogaster) punctata (Victoria, Mount Buffalo National Park, Eurobin Creek), T. (s. str.) ravenshoensis (Queensland, Ravenshoe State Forest, Charmillan Creek, 12 km SE Ravenshoe), T. (s. str.) robinae (New South Wales, Back Creek, downstream of Moffatt Falls), T. (s. str.) serrata (Queensland, Natural Bridge National Park, Cave Creek), T. (Hygrotympanogaster) spicerensis (Queensland, Spicer’s Peak summit), T. (Hygrotympanogaster) storeyi (Queensland, Windsor Tableland), T. (Topotympanogaster) summa (Queensland, Mount Elliott summit), T. (Hygrotympanogaster) tabula (New South Wales, Mount Canobolas Park), T. (Hygrotympanogaster) tallawarra (New South Wales, Dorrigo National Park, Rosewood Creek, Cedar Falls), T. (s. str.) tenax (New South Wales, Salisbury), T. (Plesiotympanogaster) thayerae (Tasmania, Liffey Forest Reserve at Liffey River), T. (s. str.) tora (Queensland, Palmerston National Park), T. trilineata (New South Wales, Sydney), T. (Hygrotympanogaster) truncata (Queensland, Tambourine Mountain), T. (s. str.) volata (Queensland, Palmerston National Park, Learmouth Creek, ca. 14 km SE Millaa Millaa), T. (Hygrotympanogaster) wahroonga (New South Wales, Wahroonga), T. (s. str.) wattsi (New South Wales, Blicks River near Dundurrabin), T. (s. str.) weiri (New South Wales, Allyn River, Chichester State Forest), T. (s. str.) wooloomgabba (New South Wales, New England National Park, Five Day Creek).

A well-dated pollen record from Chapple Vale in the north of the Otway region provides a detailed history of vegetation and environments through the last c. 7000 years. From the commencement of the record, a stand of cool temperate rainforest, dominated by Nothofagus cunninghamii (Hook.) Oerst., grew on or around the site and was surrounded by eucalypt-dominated tall open forest. Between c. 5200 and 4600 years BP (before present), the rainforest declined and tall open forest predominated. Some time after 4400 years BP there was a major and consistent increase in charcoal values, suggesting an increase in burning, the progressive development of scrub–heath vegetation on site and the replacement of tall open forest vegetation by eucalypt woodland surrounding the site. The fossil evidence for N. cunninghamii on the site and its present restriction to wetter areas and gullies of the Otway Ranges indicate, from the application of the present bioclimatic range of the species, a mean annual temperature and winter temperatures that were c. 1˚C cooler than present, and summer temperatures that were possibly slightly cooler than present, together with a much higher effective precipitation from the commencement of the record until c. 4600 years BP. These climatic estimates are in accord with those derived from a similar study of changing distributions of N. cunninghamii in the Central Highlands of lower mean annual and cooler summer temperatures and higher effective precipitation over this time span. However, for winter, the evidence is equivocal. While the Otway estimates suggest lower temperatures, the Central Highlands findings show slightly higher temperatures. Taking into account additional present-day records for N. cunninghamii, it is likely that the Otway estimates are the most reliable.

Home range in the swamp wallaby, Wallabia bicolor (Marsupialia : Macropodoidea) was examined using radio-tracking in a 150-ha remnant of mixed eucalypt forest at Healesville, Victoria. Three methods were used to calculate home-range size: minimum convex polygons, fourier transform MAP(O.95) and MAP(0.50) estimation, and harmonic mean 50% isopleths and 95% isopleths. The minimum convex polygon method produced the largest estimate of home-range area (16.01 +/-.45 ha). Each method required a different number of fixes before home-range area estimates reached an asymptote. These data showed that W. bicolor have small, overlapping home ranges and that the shape of the home range varied between individuals. Home-range area was larger than previously reported for this species, and there was no significant difference between the sexes in home-range size.

The distribution and abundance of the New Holland mouse (Pseudomys novaehollandiae) was assessed at Anglesea, Victoria, between February 1995 and October 1996. Twenty sites were trapped within the Forest Road Flora Reserve during April and May 1995. The twenty sites were distributed over four vegetation communities, and four successional post-fire ages. Pseudomys novaehollandiaewas found at only four sites, two located in heathy woodland vegetation, and two within a regenerating pine plantation. All four sites had a post-fire age of 7-9 years. Sites inhabited by P. novaehollandiae were found to have a high floristic richness of heath plants, and density of the understorey vegetation was greatest at a level below 20 cm. The population density of P. novaehollandiae was found to be high (10-20 ha-1 ) during early 1995 but declined after June 1995 to 3-10 ha-1 . Home ranges of males and females were similar and overlap occurred amongst individuals at the four sites, indicating that the populations on the four grids formed a single contiguous population.

A review of the Australian endemic millipede genus Atelomastix reveals the presence of 28 species, including the type species A. albanyensis Attems, A. nigrescens Attems, and 25 new species from Western Australia, as well as A. solitaria Jeekel from Victoria. All species are from the high rainfall zone of southern Australia. The new species are: A. anancita, A. attemsi, A. bamfordi, A. brennani, A. culleni, A. danksi, A. dendritica, A. ellenae, A. flavognatha, A. francesae, A. gibsoni, A. grandis, A. julianneae, A. lengae, A. longbottomi, A. mainae, A. melindae, A. montana, A. poustiei, A. priona, A. psittacina, A. rubricephala, A. sarahae, A. tigrina and A. tumula. Most species are shown to have extremely small distributions and all are classified as short-range endemic species. Most species have been collected at very few locations, occurring in discontinuous habitats such as mountain ranges, islands, granite outcrops, or fragments of wet forest.

The present paper treats with the enigmatic Australian predaceous water beetle genus Carabhydrus Watts, 1978 (Dytiscidae, Hydroporinae, Hydroporini) which—except C. stephanieae Watts, Hancock & Leys, 2007—is distributed in forest streams and rivers along the Great Dividing Range of the East Coast and the mountain ranges of SE Australia and Tasmania. The largest species of the genus, Carabhydrus innae sp.n. from southern Victoria and New South Wales, and the smallest, C. storeyi sp.n. from north-eastern Queensland, C. janmillerae sp.n. from south-eastern and C. turaki sp.n. from north-eastern New South Wales are described as new. All species, except C. mubboonus Larson & Storey, 1994, C. niger Watts, 1978 and C. andreas Zwick, 1981, are very rarely collected and mainly known from a few specimens from their type localities. The adults of most species can be found under pebbles and stones and among roots at the edge of running waters, only C. stephanieae has been described from ground water. A key to the ten described species of Carabhydrus is presented, and their distribution and habitats are briefly illustrated.

The major components of the faecal micron ora of Feathertail Gliders (Acrobates pygmaeus) were determined for free-living animals inhabiting eucalypt forest in the Dandenong Ranges region of Victoria and for animals obtained from the same area but kept on an artificial diet in laboratory facilities. Acrobates pygmaeus in the laboratory were fed an homogenate consisting of baby food supplemented with vitamins and honey. The wild A. pygmaeus had access to the normal dietary items available in late winter in this part of their natural range. Faecal samples obtained from both groups of animals were analysed using standard procedures to assess the numbers of total aerobes and anaerobes, yeasts, and aerobic and anaerobic streptococci. The A. pygmaeus fed artificially had a denser faecal microflora than the free-living A. pygmaeus. Each gram of faeces from the artificially fed animals contained about 108-109 colony forming units (cfu) of total anaerobes,108-109 cfu of aerobes and 105-106 cfu of yeasts. Corresponding numbers for the free-living animals were 103-105, 105-107 and 103-105. The two groups differed in the relative proportions of gram-positive bacilli and cocci in their faecal samples. The availability of food appears to innuence the faecal micronora of free-living A. pygmaeus.

AbstractWe explored lichen species richness and patterns of lichen succession on rough barked Nothofagus cunninghamii trees and on smooth barked Atherosperma moschatum trees in cool temperate rainforests in Victoria, Australia. Nothofagus cunninghamii trees from the Yarra Ranges, and A. moschatum trees from Errinundra were ranked into size classes (small, medium, large and extra-large), and differences in species richness and composition were compared between size classes for each tree species. Nothofagus cunninghamii supported a rich lichen flora (108 trees, 52 lichen species), with the largest trees supporting a significantly higher number of species, including many uncommon species. This success was attributed to varying bark texture, stand characteristics and microhabitat variations as the trees age. Atherosperma moschatum supported a comparable number of species (120 trees, 54 lichen species). Indeed on average, this host supported more lichen species than N. cunninghamii. However, successional patterns with increasing girth were not as clear for A. moschatum, possibly due to the more stable microclimate that this smooth barked host provided. Victorian cool temperate rainforests exist primarily as small, often isolated pockets within a sea of Eucalypt-dominated, fire-prone forest. Many are regenerating from past disturbance. We find that protection of Victoria's oldest rainforest pockets is crucial, as they represent sources of rare, potentially threatened lichen species, and may be acting as reservoirs for propagules for nearby ageing rainforests. Indeed, even single, large old trees have conservation importance, as they may provide exceptional microhabitats, not found elsewhere in the regenerating rainforest environment.

Changes in the species composition associated with the presence of Phytophthora cinnamomi Rands and changes in the potential activity of the fungus were measured at a dry sclerophyll forest site in Kinglake National Park. In soil infested with P. cinnamomi, both the percentage cover and density of the major overstorey species (Eucalyptus dives Schauer in Walp. and E. macrorhyncha F.Muell.) and major understorey species (Xanthorrhoea australis R.Br., Daviesia ulicifolia Andrews and Dillwynia phylicoides Cunn.) were significantly reduced, while both the cover and density of the sedge species (Gahnia sieberiana Kunth., Lepidosperma laterale R.Br.and L. semiteres F.Muell.) increased significantly. The density of the major grass species, Chionochloa pallida (R.Br.) S. W. L.Jacobs, did not change. Species that were susceptible to P. cinnamomi showed varying patterns of decline. Xanthorrhoea australis was the most sensitive to the presence of P. cinnamomi, showing an immediate and large decline in both percentage cover and density, while Daviesia ulicifolia was the least sensitive, showing a decline only at later stages of disease development in the vegetation. Lepidosperma laterale and L. seiiziteres were the major colonisers of the diseased vegetation at this site, and were succeeded by Gahnia sieberiana, which became the dominant sedge species in the diseased zone after the dead plants of X. australis had collapsed. A seasonal survey (1992-1994) of P. cinnamomi found the pathogen to be potentially active all year round at this site, with summer and winter maxima. A decline was measured in the potential activity of P. cinnamorni underneath diseased and dead plants of X. australis after a disease outbreak. The potential activity of P. cinnamomi was greatest in soil collected from the base of dying plants of X. australis and zero in soil from under dead and collapsed individuals of that species. A similar pattern of decline in the potential pathogen activity was measured for the same host species at disease sites in the Brisbane Ranges National Park and Angahook State Park. A similar consistent pattern of decline in the disease potential of P. cinnamomi in soil from under diseased and dead plants of X. australis was observed in a pot bioassay. This decline in disease potential was overcome by the addition of Eucalyptus sieberi L.A.S.Johnson seedlings and P. cinnamomi inoculum to the soil.

This study investigated the distribution, habitat and population dynamics of the swamp antechinus (Antechinus minimus maritimus) in the eastern Otway Ranges. The species has a restricted, disjunct distribution and has been recorded at 25 sites between 1969 and 1999. All sites were located within 7 km of the coast, occurred at altitudes up to 80 m above sea level and within 10 m of a gully. Analysis of landscape site variables identified sun index as being significant in determination of the probability of occurrence of A. minimus. The presence of A. minimus is negatively associated with sun index, occuring at sites that have a southerly aspect and gentle slope. A. minimus was located in a range of structural vegetation including Open Forest, Low Woodland, Shrubland and Hummock Grassland and a number of floristic groups, some characterised by high frequencies of sclerophyll shrubs, others by high frequencies of Pteridium esculentum, hummock grasses and herbaceous species. A. minimus occurs in fragmented, small populations with maximum population densities of 1.1–18 ha–1. Populations at inland sites became extinct after the 1983 wildfire which burnt 41 000 ha. These sites have not been recolonised since, while on the coast the species did not re-establish until 1993–97. One population that is restricted to a narrow coastal strip of habitat is characterised by high levels of transient animals. The species is subject to extinction in the region due to habitat fragmentation, coastal developments and fire. Management actions to secure the present populations and ensure long-term survival of the species in the area are required and include implementation of appropriate fire regimes, prevention of habitat fragmentation, revegetation of habitat, and establishment of corridor habitat.

Conservation and planning for threatened species requires knowledge of the species? spatial distribution, prefered habitat and response to disturbance factors such as fire. The white-footed dunnart (Sminthopsis leucopus) is currently listed as ?Vulnerable? due to its patchy distribution, the low density of populations and extinction threats. Studies of the species have been limited, and the aims of this study were to investigate the spatial distribution with relationship to landscape, habitat and fire factors. The study was undertaken in the Eastern Otway Ranges, southern Victoria where the species was recorded at 42 sites (44% of survey sites). The sites were all located within 10 km of the coast, and located in vegetation ranging from sclerophyll communities (forest, woodland and heathland) to coastal shrublands dominated by sedges and grasses. Logistic regression models were generated for species occurrence and predictor variables. The most parsimonious model was selected and although there was an association between presence of S. leucopus with landsystem and altitude, support for the models was not strong. The relationship with altitude was negative, indicating a preference for lower elevations. Models developed for other fauna species have identified landscape variables as being strongly predictive of occurrence, indicating that variables other than those investigated may be more suitable in predicting occurrence of S. leucopus at a landscape level. S. leucopus was recorded at a high percentage of sites 6-15 years post-fire age, and at maximal relative abundance at 4-9 years, providing evidence that it prefers mid succession habitats.

The authors of the study present an analysis of the structure and changes in the examined community of ptyctimous mites (Acari: Acariformes: Oribatida) found in Dorrigo National Park in Australia. The research was conducted during two periods: between 1990 and 1993 and later in 2007. The analysed mite community comprises 35 species, though, the dominance and frequency of particular species were different for each period. In the first research period (1990–1993) in the area of Dorrigo National Park, 28 species were recorded, whereas in 2007 – 23 species were found. There were 16 species that occurred in both research periods, and 12 species only in the samples collected in the 90’s, and 7 species only in those collected in 2007. The analysis also embraces the geographical distribution of the species in the area of Australia. Three species were designated as endemic, occurring only in the area of the examined national park (Austrophthiracarus dissonus Niedbała et Collof, 1997, Austrophthiracarus parapulchellus Niedbała, 2006 and Notophthiracarus distinctus Niedbała, 1989). The analysed samples contained only few specimens of these species. Due to the low abundance, great rarity of the local populations and high endemism, these species should be regarded as potentially endangered (EN according to the IUCN scale). A comparative analysis of the community from Dorrigo National Park (New South Wales) with those found in other larger areas of Australia in Victoria (Otway Ranges Area, Yarra Ranges Area, Strzelecki Ranges Area and Errinundra Plateau Area) examined by Niedbała and Szywilewska-Szczykutowicz (2017) has revealed that the communities found in Dorrigo National Park contained far more species, which constituted 30% of the whole fauna of Australia. In contrast to the communities of ptyctimous mites from Dorrigo, the individual communities in the area of Victoria contained only between 5% and 14% of all known species in Australia from this group.