Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Kangaroo Island'

Thesis (B. Sc.(Hons.))--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Geology and Geophysics, 1995.
Australian National Grid Reference Penneshaw Sheet (SI 53) 6426-I 1: 50 000. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (B. Sc.(Hons.))--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Geology and Geophysics, 1995.
Australian National Grid Reference Penneshaw Sheet (SI 53) 6246-I 1: 50 000. One col. folded map in pocket, inside back cover. Includes bibliographical references.

Introduction: Propolis, a sticky substance produced by bees from plant resins, has a long history of safe use medicinally. Kangaroo Island, SA (KI) lacks many introduced European plants bees preferentially collect resin from; consequentially, propolis from KI is produced from resinous native plants. Several identifiably reproducible pure-source KI propolis types exist. Research into medical use of compounds from KI native plants is limited. Metabolomics is a growing field of interest in natural products chemistry, including beehive products. Metabolomic and similarity-scoring assessment of KI propolis, through statistical evaluation of 1D 1H-NMR fingerprints, provides an entry point for research into medical use of KI native plant compounds. Many avenues to product discovery in pharmaceutical chemistry are suffering diminishing returns: metabolomics-guided natural products assessment has the potential for further identification of novel therapeutic compounds from resinous plants. Aim: To assess and identify, via metabolomic investigation of NMR fingerprints, major propolis types on KI, and to produce, from this, similarity-scoring tools for assessment of propolis samples. Method: KI propolis samples, identified as pure-source by TLC, and resinous KI plants were analysed by 1H-NMR and HPLC. Data points of interest were normalised and binned to form individual sample ‘fingerprints’. Data from these fingerprints were analysed by hierarchical clustering and principal component analysis (PCA) to confirm provisionally-identified pure-source propolis types and identify subtypes within propolis and resinous plant species. From this, calculator tools were created to score similarity (out of 1000) of 1H-NMR fingerprints to the average spectrum of pure-source propolis types, as well as to calculated mixtures of these average spectra. Assessment of the chemistry of two major KI propolis types identified (CP- and F-type) was made by fractionation and NMR, with one compound, 6,8-diprenyleriodictyol, isolated from CP-type propolis in quantity, submitted for epigenetic and other biological assays. Results: Source resinous plants were demonstrated, through hierarchical clustering and PCA, to cluster with propolis types arising from these sources, with closely related plants and sub-chemotypes clustering separately, confirming specificity. A number of previously-identified pure-source propolis types and known botanical sources were shown to have very high similarity (> 800/1000) to the expected propolis type. Calculator tools were observed to accurately predict the content of mixed propolis samples to within ± 10%. A number of methylflavanones, and two novel terminally-hydroxylated prenyldihydrochalcones were isolated from F-type propolis. 6,8-diprenyleriodictyol demonstrated a range of promising activity in biological assays. Conclusion: Metabolomic evaluation of 1H-NMR fingerprints can reliably identify and assess pure-source KI propolis and identify botanical origin of source resins. Similarity scoring calculators can accurately identify mixed-source propolis samples. KI propolis types are a rich source of pharmaceutically-interesting flavanones and related compounds, many of which are prenylated. 6,8-diprenyleriodictyol displays strong anti-inflammatory and anticancer activity, especially against Burkitt’s lymphoma. A number of possible epigenetic pathways for this activity were observed.

Kangaroo Island, South Australia, is known for its unique flora and its rich supply of honey bee propolis. Propolis, the resinous bee hive product, has largely been used in the food and pharmaceutical industries, due to its interesting biologically active constituents and traditionally recognized medicinal properties. In this study, a propolis type was selected from more than a thousand propolis samples collected from various locations of Kangaroo Island that had been analyzed and categorized through chromatographic and NMR techniques. From the propolis type categorized as “purple spot”, serrulatane diterpenoids were isolated which led to identification of the plant source as Myoporum insulare R. Br. Several compounds were isolated and their structures were elucidated by NMR and high resolution ESI mass spectroscopy techniques. Serrulatane diterpenes characterized include 2 novel (7,8,18-trihydroxyserrulat-14-ene, 5,18-epoxy-8-hydroxyserrulat-14-ene) and 3 known (5,18-epoxyserrulat-14-en-8,18-diol, 7,8-dihydroxyserrulat-14-ene, serrulat-14-en-5,8-dione) compounds, acetylated derivatives of the 2 major serrulatane diterpenes and an oxidized product from the main novel serrulatane diterpene. Other known compounds characterized were a sesquiterpene, 4-hydroxy-10,11-didehydro-4,8-dihydromyodesmone, and a flavonoid, 4΄,7-dimethoxy-5-hydroxyflavonone. In-vitro pharmacological assays plus epigenetic enzymes inhibition and cell based assays and also cell viability proliferation screens of four of the studied compounds and Myoporum insulare resin were done. The promising results exhibited antihistamine, anti-lipoxygenase, anti-monoamine oxidase properties. Significant inhibition of nuclear factor kappaB was noticed for compound (1) (IC50 ≈ 1.36 μM). Based on our research, Kangaroo Island’s unique propolis and intact botanical flora have exceptional chemical structure diversity with promising biological and pharmacological properties much of which is yet to be discovered.

Includes bibliographical references (leaves 150-161). Documents the historical distribution and subsequent decline of bush stone-curlews in South Australia, determines their current distribution and status on Kangaroo Island, their home range sizes and movements, the characteristics of foraging habitat, day roost areas and nest sites and the availability of habitat, the diet and food resources, and potential threats to the population. As a result of the findings of this survey, bush stone-curlews have been downgraded from endangered to vulnerable in South Australia.

Thesis (B. Sc.(Hons.))--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Geology and Geophysics, 1992.
"National grid reference: Snug Cove SI-53-6226-1. Australia 1:50000 series and Kingscote SI-53-16 1:250000 sheet." Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (B. Sc.(Hons.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Geology and Geophysics, 1993.
On title page: National Grid reference (51-53) 6326-4 (1-50,000). Includes bibliographical references (leaves 45-50).

Thesis (B. Sc. (Hons))--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Geology and Geophysics, 1993.
On title page: "National Grid reference (51-54) 6526 - III & IV (1:50000). Includes bibliographical references (leaves 39-44).

Many of the places that people value are the places they wish to visit and experience for themselves. However, each person that visits one of these places can cause impacts that reduce its value. A fimdamental aim of visitor management therefore is to ensure that each visitor's experience is a high quality one, and is sustainable. Various models have been designed to assist with this aim by linking visitor management planning, monitoring and decision making. However, there is a lack of published examples of how visitor management models have been implemented, what results they have yielded, and how well they have performed. There is also a lack of evidence of widespread application of such models. Without information and insight, there is only a theoretical case to argue for the greater use of visitor management models. The aim of this study was therefore to describe, analyse and explain the formulation and implementation of the most widely published visitor management models, with reference to case studies of Jenolan Caves (New South Wales) and Kangaroo Island (South Australia). The study involved: a literature review; personal observations by the author; in-depth interviews with those involved in developing and implementing the two case studies; and an objective analysis using a Goals Achievement Matrix. The thesis critically examined seven visitor management models with respect to their: evolution and definition; dimensions and planning and development approaches; documented applications in Australia and overseas; and limitations. This would appear to be the first time that these models have been critically examined in this way so that comparisons can be easily made between them. This would also appear to be the most comprehensive identification of examples of implemented visitor management models in Australia. The study identified five critical issues relating to development and implementation of visitor management models: 1. Poor planning hmeworks and poorly defined organisational culture, particularly in visitor and tourism management. 2. Lack of, or inconsistent human and financial resources. 3. Resistance to involving stakeholders in fimdamental decision-making. 4. Difficulty in choosing the right model for the situation. 5. Lack of strategic emphasis and technical ability. The study suggested that more effort needed to be made in the pre-development and implementation phases. Critical to such efforts is the development of an implementation plan, written as part of the development process. The implementation plan requires an individual(s) to take on a strategic coordination role that addresses marketing, staff development, budgeting, evaluation and areas for improvement. The study suggested that the conventional emphasis on technical expertise needs to be re-balanced with political skills to lobby for and protect the human and financial resources needed to implement a model long enough for it to prove its value. In the event where resourcing is too limited to fully operationalise an entire model at once, it was recommended to conservatively develop a portion of the chosen model all the way to the stage in which it delivers results that can be marketed to stakeholders. Finally, the study proposed a tool to assist visitor managers to clarify their need for a model, as well as their capability to develop and implement one. In the absence of sufficient information about the implementation of models, the tool empowers managers to consider the - merits of using a visitor management model further, and to select a model that best meets their needs.

Assessment of trophic interactions between increasing populations of New Zealand fur seals (Arctocephalus forsteri) and fisheries in southern Australia is limited due to a lack of species specific demographic data and an understanding of the factors influencing population growth. To establish species specific demographic parameters a cross-sectional sample of New Zealand fur seal females (330) and males (100) were caught and individually-marked on Kangaroo Island, South Australia between 2000 and 2003. The seals were aged through examination of a postcanine tooth, which was removed from each animal to investigate age-specific life-history parameters. Annual formation of cementum layers was confirmed and accuracy in age estimation was determined by examination of teeth removed from individuals of known-age. Indirect methods of assessing reproductive maturity based on mammary teat characteristics indicated that females first gave birth between 4-8 years of age, with an average age at reproductive maturity of 5 years. Among reproductively mature females, age-specific reproductive rates increased rapidly between 4-7 years of age, reaching maximum rates of 70-81% between 8-13 years, and gradually decreased in older females. No females older than 22 years were recorded to pup. Age of first territory tenure in males ranged from 8-10 years. The oldest female and male were 25 and 19 years old, respectively. Post-weaning growth in females was monophasic, characterised by high growth rates in length and mass during the juvenile growth stage, followed by a gradual decline in growth rates after reproductive maturity. In contrast, growth in males was biphasic and displayed a secondary growth spurt in both length and mass, which coincided with sexual and social maturation, followed by a rapid decline in growth rates. Age-specific survival rates were high (0.823-0.953) among prime-age females (8-13 yrs of age) and declined in older females. Relative change in annual pup production was strongly correlated with reproductive rates of prime-age females and adult female survival between breeding seasons.

This work provides a landscape context and framework for the use of regolith and vegetation in mineral exploration on Kangaroo Island, South Australia. Regolith field observations and the production of a regolith–landform map have improved constraints on the ferricrete plateau formation and also on the landscape history of the Island. The ferricrete and ferruginous materials on Kangaroo Island have been found to be the result of continous formation but have been largely in place since the Eocene. Through field observations, microanalysis and a large scale geochemical survey, the nature of the ferruginous materials and the processes that form them have been examined. Ferrolysis and the movement of groundwater have been interpreted to play major roles in the formation of the ferruginous materials. These processes have a significant impact on the use of the weathered materials for mineral exploration as economic and indicator elements are leached early in the weathering process. Ferruginous materials do contain the signature of mineralisation over areas that contain known deposits, however, the apparent lack of dispersion halos makes these materials difficult to use for a large scale geochemical survey for mineral exploration as target zones may be missed by low sampling densities. Despite this, the ferricrete materials can be useful for mineral exploration, as although potentially only providing small target areas, they do highlight areas of mineralisation. Conversely, the underlying weathered bedrock potentially has less use for mineral exploration as the economic metals have been readily mobilised out of the bedrock during the weathering processes on Kangaroo Island. The biogeochemical surveys were successful in highlighting areas of mineralisation, and displayed a greater dispersion halo than observed in the ferruginous materials. The biogeochemical surveys also helped to provide further information into the processes occurring in the landscape. The eucalypts are interpreted to source groundwater from the weathering zone in the bedrock and effectively pick up elements as they are leached. While displaying a high degree of variability, even over areas of known mineralisation, this dataset was better suited to identifying signals of mineralisation at a larger scale than the ferricrete. A limiting factor on the use of eucalypt for biogeochemical surveys is the occurrence of systematic inter-species variations. This makes large, regional scale surveys difficult, as there is a high possibility that there will not be a consistent vegetation species, resulting in a dataset in which different species need to be compared and potentially excluded in order to correctly identify meaningful anomalies. The xanthorrhoea, overall, was less successful in taking up elements of interest, most likely due to its shallower root system, which is likely to tap into the already leached saprolite or groundwater that has only been recently recharged by meteoric water (diluting any chemical signature of the underlying bedrock). This thesis has been able to demonstrate the potential usefulness as well as challenges associated with utilising ferricrete and vegetation for geochemical and biogeochemical sampling for mineral exploration. In doing so it has also furthered understanding of the landscape evolution of Kangaroo Island, building on previous work, and providing a basis for future landscape evolution studies and mineral exploration on the island.
Thesis (Ph.D.) -- University of Adelaide, School of Physical Sciences, 2016.

Bibliography: p. 400-416.
xiii, 416 p., [1] p. of plates : ill., maps (chiefly col.) ; 30 cm.
Title page, contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University Library.
Despite the hegemony of economic rationalism in contemporary public policy circles public financial institutions, charged with the support of agricultural and other small business development at the regional level, are a necessary intervention to help maintain the family farm production base.
Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Geography, 1998

Bibliography: p. 400-416.
xiii, 416 p., [1] p. of plates : ill., maps (chiefly col.) ; 30 cm.
Despite the hegemony of economic rationalism in contemporary public policy circles public financial institutions, charged with the support of agricultural and other small business development at the regional level, are a necessary intervention to help maintain the family farm production base.
Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Geography, 1998

Documents the historical distribution and subsequent decline of bush stone-curlews in South Australia, determines their current distribution and status on Kangaroo Island, their home range sizes and movements, the characteristics of foraging habitat, day roost areas and nest sites and the availability of habitat, the diet and food resources, and potential threats to the population. As a result of the findings of this survey, bush stone-curlews have been downgraded from endangered to vulnerable in South Australia.
Thesis (M.Sc.) -- University of Adelaide, Dept. of Environmental Biology, 2002.

Over-abundant koala populations and resultant over-browsing of vegetation has presented an ongoing challenge for wildlife managers in many areas of south-eastern Australia for almost a century. In 1996 over-browsing by koalas became evident in many areas of Kangaroo Island, and in riparian areas where preferred tree species occurred; the majority of food trees were severely defoliated. This project was one of a number of concurrent research projects which focussed on key aspects of koala ecology in order to better inform development of koala management strategies on Kangaroo Island. The main focus of the project was to investigate: • koala foraging behaviour • tree response to extent and pattern of defoliation • habitat use and tree preference in preferred and non-preferred habitats • regenerative potential of over-browsed tree species, • effect of sterilisation and translocation of koalas on tree health. The first part of the project involved conducting observations of the foraging behaviour of free-ranging koalas to better understand the spatial pattern of tree defoliation. Ten individually tagged and radio-collared koalas were observed for 24- hour periods on 34 occasions between August 1997 and December 1998. Koalas were found to restrict feeding bouts to one or two locations within the outer canopy of each tree they visited. Feeding was concentrated at these locations with browsed branches being almost completely defoliated. Based on these results artificial defoliation experiments were developed and used to determine the effect that pattern and extent of defoliation had on leaf production and recovery of trees. Defoliation treatments were applied to 50 manna gum trees at Flinders Chase National Park and Victor Harbor. Manna gum trees showed strong compensatory growth following artificial defoliation. New leaf production was particularly high on trees that where subjected to canopy-wide defoliation. In contrast, branches which experienced localised damage produced comparatively fewer leaves than branches on trees which had experienced canopy-wide defoliation. It appears that manna gum can be highly tolerant of one-off defoliation of the entire canopy, even when substantial quantities of foliage are lost, but that branches may not be as tolerant of high levels of herbivory if defoliated in isolation. This is a crucial consideration when determining carrying capacities of riparian habitats both during the recovery phase of already heavily defoliated trees and the long-term carrying capacities of these habitats and suggests that carrying capacity may not correlate directly with the ‘standing crop’ of leaves on trees within a given area of habitat. Between 1997 and 2000 koala numbers and tree health were monitored at Mine Creek to determine the effectiveness of sterilisation and translocation in reducing koala numbers and improving tree condition. Mine Creek has been the site of an intensive koala population control program since 1997 and presented an opportunity to test the effect of koala management techniques on tree health. There was a decline in koala population density at Mine Creek; principally in response to translocation rather than sterilisation. The reduction in koala density at Mine Creek was short-term and did not reach the target density of 1 koala/ha. Subsequently, tree canopy condition, particularly for the preferred browse species Eucalyptus viminalis cygnetensis, did not improve substantially. Two years after the commencement of the management program 59% of E. viminalis cygnetensis trees at Mine Creek remained severely defoliated. An increase in the population size of koalas was observed from mid-1999 onward, representing a potential doubling in the population every three years. Immigration of animals from surrounding uncontrolled areas is a potentially important mechanism of localised population recovery. An increase in koala numbers subsequent to control was unlikely to be due to in situ breeding, but instead immigration from surrounding uncontrolled areas of habitat (or areas where only sterilisation was undertaken and population densities remained high). Eucalypts have a high capacity for compensatory growth and recovery if browse pressure is removed. Where over-browsing occurs the imperative for successful restoration of defoliated trees is to substantially reduce the density of koalas in the short-term and maintain reduced population levels in the long-term. Sterilisation may be usefully applied to maintain low koala densities after an initial population reduction via alternative control methods, but sterilisation alone is unable to affect much change in severely over-browsed habitats in the immediate term. Utilisation of habitat by koalas in preferred and non-preferred tree associations on Kangaroo Island was investigated using radio-telemetry. A total of 25 koalas were radio-collared and tracked between 1997 and 2000. Preferred areas of habitat comprised of vegetation associations containing E. viminalis cygnetensis and non-preferred habitat typically consisted of an E. baxteri, E.obliqua, E.cosmophylla tree association. Observations indicated that a potentially viable, low density population of koalas occupied non-preferred habitat on Kangaroo Island. Koalas were found to use a wide range of eucalypt species and many individual koalas survived solely on a diet of tree species that were previously considered to be non-preferred by koalas on Kangaroo Island. The results of this study indicate that non-preferred areas of habitat have significant conservation and management value, just as areas that sustain highdensity populations of koalas do. A comparison of estimated home range areas between koalas in preferred and non- preferred habitat showed that koalas in non-preferred habitat had significantly larger home ranges than koalas in preferred habitat. This was also the case within sexes with male koalas in non-preferred habitat having significantly larger home ranges than males in preferred habitat and females in non-preferred habitat having significantly larger home ranges than female koalas in preferred habitat. The presence of a resident population of koalas in non-preferred habitat on Kangaroo Island was generally discounted until the commencement of this study. Koala management targets on Kangaroo Island were originally based on a population estimate of 3000 - 5000 koalas and the understanding that the majority of koalas occurred in the Cygnet River valley and Flinders Chase National Park. Today, methods of estimating population size on Kangaroo Island incorporate populations of koalas within high-, medium- and low quality habitats according to composition of eucalypt species. The revised koala population estimate based on this more comprehensive stratified sampling approach is ~ 27,000. It is now estimated that over half the Island’s koala population resides in areas of low-quality habitat outside of Flinders Chase National Park and the Cygnet River catchment.
Thesis (Ph.D.) -- University of Adelaide, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, 2011

This item is only available electronically.
On the north west coast of Kangaroo Island in the vicinity of Snug Cove a major shear - the Snug Cove Shear Zone (SCSZ) has been recognised. The Snug Cove Shear Zone trends east-west in the area but is believed to strike inland to the east. The lithologies in the area were highly foliated and recrystallised in the shear zone but are gently folded outside of it. The lithological descriptions of Daily & Milnes (1971, 1973) were used to determine the stratigraphic position of the Snug Cove rocks; they are most likely to be within the Tapanappa Formation. Flattening strains in the area were low and the strain ellipsoid was oblate to spherical - a result of high recrystallisation. Kinematic indicators indicate a top to the north sense of shear throughout the shear zone. Strain variations in the shear zone are illustrated by the presence of high strain mylonitic zones in between lenticular relatively less deformed zones and the anastomosing nature of the mylonitic foliation. The relationship between the SCSZ and the nearby West Bay Syncline is due to the reactivation of a preexisting fault such that the SCSZ is located on the normal limb of the fold and not on the overturned limb as expected. The localisation of stress to create a ductile to semi-ductile shear zone is attributed to the buttressing effect of the Gawler Craton. Regionally, more than one deformation can be proposed on the basis of foliation relationships in porphyroblast schist. D1 was folding and cleavage development; D2 was crenulation and metamorphism; D3 was shear zone development.
Thesis (B.Sc.(Hons)) -- University of Adelaide, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, 1992

Bibliography: leaves 106-109. Provides guidelines to develop a strategy for the integrated management of change to a bio-geographical and socio-economic environment. The case study of Vivonne Bay, Kangaroo Island is used to express these notions at a local level, with potential implications and applications to other coastal communities.

This item is only available electronically.
Geochemical data, including Nd isotope ratios, were used to help establish stratigraphic correlations between Kanmantoo Group sedimentary rocks on the mainland and Kangaroo Island, as well as constrain their provenance. Whole-rock geochemistry of the Kangaroo Island and mainland Kanmantoo Group varied, with little consistency, suggesting a mixed sediment source. The Talisker Formation however has a distinctly higher abundance of mafic detritus compared to other Kanmantoo Group formations. Initial Nd data from the Kangaroo Island Kanmantoo Group is between -12 to -15, compared to those from the mainland which range between -9 and -12 (Turner et al. 1993). The Nd data are similar to basement of the Gawler Craton and east Antarctica (Prydz Bay), which are two possible source terrains for the sediments. Palaeocurrent data on Kangaroo Island indicate a southern provenance. The Nd values of Prydz Bay charnockites and felsic gneisses at around 500 Ma are similar to that of the Kangaroo Island Kanmantoo Group. Results from the outcomes of this study suggest that the Kanmantoo Group was derived from a mixture of sources, including the Gawler Craton, west Antarctica (Ross Orogeny) and Adelaidean rocks. However, there appears to be a dominance of sediment from the east-Gondwana Orogenic belt in east Antarctica.
Thesis (B.Sc.(Hons)) -- University of Adelaide, School of Physical Sciences, 2008

New Zealand fur seals (Arctocephalus forsteri) show pronounced inter-sexual differences in adult body size, and males will potentially mate with many females. Consequently, selection is thought to act differently upon pups during growth. Little is known about how male and female fur seal pups conserve energy, and use milk for growth especially as they fast for significant periods. There has been a plethora of studies that have viewed pinnipeds as ideal models for the differential investment theory, but the evidence remains equivocal. This study investigated a species that has shown some support for differential investment in the past, in the form of pup growth and maternal attendance behaviour, and looked at the potential that these intersexual differences are due to differential utilisation of maternal resources (different body compositions) and/or differential fasting strategies by pups, which may be determined by fasting mass loss rates. This study hopes to encompass both aspects of differential investment, such as maternal attendance, as well as differential fasting strategies of pups by looking at their fasting mass loss rates. This study found that males were larger and longer throughout the lactation period, yet grew at the same rate as females. There was no detectable intersexual difference in the maternal provisioning provided by mothers, in the form of attendance. There was some evidence that males and females have different fasting strategies, in that females, from a subset of pups exhibited significantly higher mass specific mass loss rates. This finding should be treated with caution however, as sample size was low, and cross sectional samples revealed no significant differences. Furthermore, study of the activity rates of the same pups over the duration of the fast, found no significant intersexual differences in activity rates. These results suggest that further studies are needed that encompass both aspects of differential investment theory, as well as differential utilisation by pups.

Konservat-Lagerstätten, or fossil deposits exhibiting exceptional preservation of non-biomineralised material, are particularly prevalent in the Cambrian, and offer us great insight into the evolution and ecology of early animals and communities. The Emu Bay Shale (EBS) from the north coast of Kangaroo Island, South Australia, houses an early Cambrian (Series 3 – c. 514 Ma) Lagerstätte that contains over 50 species, including sponges, brachiopods, molluscs, annelids, priapulids, lobopodians, arthropods, vetulicolians, and several problematic taxa, making it the most diverse Burgess Shale-type (BST) biota in the southern hemisphere. While considerable work in describing taxa from the EBS Lagerstätte has been completed, less has been undertaken that focuses on the relationships between this and other Cambrian BST biotas. This project aims to examine some of the links between the EBS Lagerstätte and similar deposits from around the world, including the Burgess Shale (Canada), Chengjiang (China) and Sirius Passet (Greenland) biotas, amongst others. To this end, the project has two major parts. The first section aims to examine the biogeographic relationships between major Cambrian BST biotas from a global perspective. A substantial database of generic occurrence was constructed from the published literature, and analysed using various multivariate techniques in order to examine the relationships between these exceptionally preserved assemblages. Results suggest that both geographic distance and differences in age have an effect on the composition of BST biotas, and that assemblage similarity appears to increase through the Cambrian. The EBS biota is most closely related to other Gondwanan sites in South China, most likely reflecting a regional relationship. The second section involves a more focused description and interpretation of a single element of the EBS biota, namely an examination of the moulting habits of two common trilobite species from the Emu Bay Shale, Estaingia bilobata Pocock, 1964 and Redlichia takooensis Lu, 1950, and how this compares with other BST assemblages. Specimens from the EBS were examined and arrangements of exoskeletal elements likely representing moult ensembles identified, from which moulting behaviour was then inferred and compared. Analysis reveals that the EBS preserves a record of trilobite moulting unparalleled within other exceptionally preserved assemblages, representing a range of trilobite moulting behaviours, likely due to minimal water movement and relatively rapid burial within the biota’s unique inshore depositional setting. The unusual depositional setting of the EBS Lagerstätte seems to have had a minimal effect on the types of organisms present with the assemblage compared to other BST biotas. In contrast, this setting seems to have facilitated the preservation of an exceptional moulting record not found at other sites, including BST deposits. This, coupled with the unique preservation of certain structures such as eyes, confirms that the EBS is of great importance in elucidating the evolution of early animals and communities.
Thesis (M.Phil.) (Research by Publication) -- University of Adelaide, School of Biological Sciences, 2016.

On Kangaroo Island, the Glossy Black-Cockatoo Calyptorhynchus lathami halmaturinus relies on the kernels contained in the russet cones of the Drooping Sheoak Allocasuarina verticillata as its food source. Clearing of Drooping Sheoak woodland resulted in the decline of the Glossy Black-Cockatoo from the South Australian mainland by the late 1970s and the sub-species is now confined to Kangaroo Island. The purpose of this study was to identify the factors limiting cone production by the Drooping Sheoak and to determine if food was likely to be in shortage by studying the foraging behaviour of the cockatoos. The number of russet cones on Drooping Sheoak branches was significantly greater during the period from July 1995 to July 1996 than the period from December 1996 to July 1997. Rainfall was lowest during the latter period suggesting that rainfall may limit cone production. The mean number of pollen grains per male catkin was 334,280 in 1996 and 335,809 in 1997 and did not vary significantly between years. These observations show that rainfall probably did not affect pollen production. This may ensure that sufficient pollen is available to female inflorescences each year in a climate where rainfall varies between years. The period over which male trees dehisced pollen varied from 25 to 74 days each year from 1995 to 1997. Dehiscence accelerated after one to three days of high daily rainfall in 1995 and 1997, but it was protracted in 1996 when daily rainfall was low. Female trees, however, effectively flowered year-round because although the main flowering period was in July each year, inflorescences and cones were present throughout the year. Female Drooping Sheoaks may overcome the variation in the timing and duration of male pollen dehiscence by flowering for a longer period than males and by producing some inflorescences throughout the year. Catkin production varied significantly between regions on Kangaroo Island and pollen production per catkin also varied significantly between sites within Lathami Conservation Park. Although catkin and pollen production varied between regions and sites, pollen traps showed that female inflorescences would have received sufficient pollen to ensure pollination of all of their flowers during their receptive phase. The abundance of pollen on Kangaroo Island suggested that pollen availability would be unlikely to limit cone production. A hand pollination experiment showed that the amount of pollen available to female trees did not limit cone and seed production in the Drooping Sheoak. Of the 8,431 inflorescences marked in 1995, 1,638 or 19% set cones. Of the 3,444 inflorescences marked on the same trees in 1996, 609 or 18% set cones. The majority of inflorescences monitored took seven months to develop into mature russet cones in the first year and eight months in the second year. These patterns of cone development in the Drooping Sheoak suggested that cone production may be nutrient limited because low fruit set and slow fruit maturation typically result from soil nutrient limitation in other plants. The production of inflorescences and russet cones by Drooping Sheoaks was shown to be limited by soil nutrient levels because the application of combined slow-release fertiliser significantly increased female branch growth and inflorescence and russet cone production. Applying slow-release fertiliser to female Drooping Sheoaks could potentially increase the foraging efficiency of Glossy Black-Cockatoos and their food intake rates. This is because fertilising female Drooping Sheoaks significantly increased the number of russet cones per branch and Glossy Black-Cockatoos preferentially foraged on branches with high numbers of russet cones present. Over a period of 22 months, Glossy Black-Cockatoos returned to forage on individual trees at a greater rate than would be expected by chance, demonstrating that they favoured certain individual Drooping Sheoaks for foraging. A cone removal experiment was conducted to test the hypothesis that harvesting of cones by the cockatoos may allow the sheoaks to direct additional resources into cone and seed production the following year. However, removal of cones from female Drooping Sheoaks did not affect cone, seed or kernel production over the two years of observation. This suggests that the resources allocated to cone retention by Drooping Sheoaks are small in comparison with the resources allocated to flowering and cone maturation. Glossy Black-Cockatoos favoured large female Drooping Sheoaks for foraging and apparently avoided small trees because foraged trees had significantly larger stem girth and canopy radius than non-foraged trees. The female Drooping Sheoaks adjacent to foraged trees were comparable in height, cone abundance and cone profitability. Although the size of the cone crop increases linearly with stem girth in Drooping Sheoaks, habitat and tree use by the cockatoos was not related to cone abundance on Kangaroo Island. Large trees must, therefore, be favoured for reasons other than access to more cones or more profitable cones. The Glossy Black-Cockatoos on Kangaroo Island spent no more than four minutes per day flying, foraged in a mean of five trees per day and harvested cones from no more than five positions (bouts) per tree. Comparison of branches used and not used for foraging by the cockatoos showed that they harvested cones from branches with significantly more russet cones present. The number of russet cones per branch and girth were negatively correlated suggesting that the cockatoos did not forage in large trees because they carry more cones on their branches than small trees. This also suggests that the cockatoos located branches from which to crop cones once inside the canopy. By foraging in large trees and cropping cones from branches with high densities of russet cones, the cockatoos only had to make a small number of movements between Drooping Sheoaks and within the canopies of the sheoaks when foraging. Consequently, the energetic costs of foraging for Glossy Black-Cockatoos on Kangaroo Island were low compared with other Black-Cockatoo species. When breeding, the cockatoos spent significantly more time per day foraging. They also cropped cones in significantly more bouts per tree and this resulted in the harvesting of significantly more cones per tree than non-breeding birds. This shows that when breeding, the cockatoos increased their energy intake without increasing movement between trees, simply by cropping more cones per tree than non-breeding birds. Two possible explanations may account for why Glossy Black-Cockatoos spent very little time and energy moving between Drooping Sheoaks and within the canopies of the trees. First, trees and cones may be abundant in the habitats used for feeding so that the cockatoos do not have to make a large number of movements to harvest their food requirements. Non-breeding birds spent only 26% of their time foraging and breeding birds spent only 36% of their time foraging. The cockatoos had cropped cones from only 20% of the trees and 13% of the branches surveyed. The small proportion of time spent foraging by Glossy Black-Cockatoos on Kangaroo Island, combined with the small proportion of trees and branches used for foraging indicates that the amount of habitat and available exceeded that required for foraging by the cockatoo population in the habitats used for foraging. Second, the number of movements made by Glossy Black-Cockatoos between Drooping Sheoaks when foraging may be related to the risk of predation. That is, the cockatoos may reduce the risk of predation by limiting the number of movements they make when foraging. Females appeared to be more wary of predators than males during time-budget observations because they foraged further inside the canopy (where cones are significantly larger) and frequently paused to monitor the movement of avian predators when foraging. Both of these behaviours would have contributed to the significantly longer cone processing times recorded for females than males. Glossy Black-Cockatoos may not breed in regions of Kangaroo Island where the amount of Drooping Sheoak habitat (i.e. the number of large trees) is limited near nest sites. One reason for this may be because the additional investment of time and energy in movement prohibits the cockatoos from collecting sufficient energy to raise young. Another reason may be that the risk of predation may be too great in regions where the cockatoos have to make a large number of movements between feeding trees per day to collect food. This may account for why few birds raise young on the eastern end of the Island where the area of feeding habitat near the nest sites is relatively small. This study has shown that revegetation with Drooping Sheoak close to nest hollows is likely to increase the number of breeding attempts and nesting success on Kangaroo Island.
Thesis (Ph.D.) -- University of Adelaide, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, 2005

Bibliography: leaves 108-113. This dissertation givens and analytical overview of the research and recovery actions for the Orange-bellied Parrot and the Kangaroo Island Glossy Black-Cockatoo and evaluates the successful practices and those which have failed. This research shows that new recovery action initiatives can still be found and that not all recommendations in recovery plans are followed, which impairs the efficiency of the recovery efforts. It concludes that a successful recovery effort of these two bird species lies in continued research, a serious compliance with the recommendations made by recovery plans and by further environmental education in society.

This item is only available electronically.
Mineralisation overlain by extensive cover can be identified through the geochemical signature dispersed through the surrounding regolith. This project aimed to use portable XRF (pXRF) analysis to increase the understanding of the regolith geochemistry in the proximity of the Cygnet-Snelling Shear Zone (CS-SZ), Kangaroo Island. The shear zone is significant as it hosts several potentially economic deposits including the Bonaventura Copper (Cu) deposit as well as the Dewrang and Kohinoor Lead - Zinc (Pb-Zn) prospects. By using pXRF analysis at 2m intervals on drill hole transects taken from the vicinity of the CS-SZ it was hoped to be able to discern known pathfinder elements associated with Cu, Pb and Zn mineralisation. The data collected from these transects can be used to develop a model of the regolith sequence lithogeochemistry, and to determine which elements can be reliably analysed by pXRF within a regolith sequence such as that seen on Kangaroo Island. The study has also attempted to identify any geochemical signatures associated with Cu, Zn or Pb mineralisation, their spatial extent and potential as geochemical vectors towards mineralisation.
Thesis (B.Sc.(Hons)) -- University of Adelaide, School of Physical Sciences, 2014

Cat-borne parasitoses have substantial impacts on livestock, wildlife and human health worldwide. Toxoplasma gondii, Sarcocystis gigantea and S. medusiformis are all cat-borne parasites that share similar biology and ecology, and cause the diseases toxoplasmosis and macroscopic ovine sarcocystosis. I aimed to study the ecology of these cat-borne parasitoses to develop a better understanding of what ecological factors influenced their ability to cycle within an ecosystem. However, it was first necessary to find a study ecosystem where these parasitoses thrived. Using abattoir surveillance data I mapped the occurrence of macroscopic ovine sarcocystosis in the skeletal muscles of sheep across South Australia. Sarcocystosis was highly clustered on Kangaroo Island compared to the South Australian mainland. Second, I investigated if Toxoplasma infection in sheep was associated with macroscopic ovine sarcocystosis to see if I could provide indirect evidence for the clustering of Toxoplasma infection in sheep on Kangaroo Island. Toxoplasma infection was highly prevalent in sheep on the island (56.8%) and was associated with macroscopic ovine sarcocystosis in the oesophagus, but not in skeletal muscles, at the animal- and farm-level. By surveying macropods on Kangaroo Island and the adjacent mainland, I showed that Toxoplasma infection was also higher in western grey kangaroos on the island (20.4%) than on the mainland (0%). This suggested that these parasitoses are well established and thrive on Kangaroo Island and that the island is an appropriate ecosystem in which to study the ecology of these cat-borne parasitoses. Pushing my mapping analyses further, I identified environmental characteristics positively associated with higher densities of sarcocystosis affected locations. The occurrence of sarcocystosis increased at locations with low soil pH and high clay content. I then examined the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma in rodents (Mus musculus and Rattus fuscipes), brushtail possums (Trichosurus vulpecula) and koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) to explore the impact of the ecology of these species on their risk of infection. Toxoplasma seroprevalence in all species was found to be negligible, suggesting that the intermediate host’s lifespan, feeding ecology and niche influence the parasite’s ability to cycle. To investigate how much cat (Felis catus) abundance may explain the occurrence of these cat-borne parasitoses, I conducted a camera trap survey in both regions and estimated their relative abundance using a simultaneous standardised approach. Cat abundance on the island was estimated to be over ten times higher than that on the adjacent mainland. I suggest that high cat abundance is the primary reason for the high occurrence of cat-borne parasitoses in sheep and macropods on the island, although the ecology of the intermediate host likely influences the ability of the parasites to cycle in these populations. I recommend that the control of cats should be the most effective and acceptable intervention to control these two cat-borne parasitoses in ecosystems where they occur frequently.
Thesis (Ph.D.) -- University of Adelaide, School of Animal & Veterinary Sciences, 2019