Journal articles on the topic 'Macropod behaviour'
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1
Jarman, PJ, CN Johnson, CJ Southwell, and R. Stuartdick. "Macropod Studies at Wallaby Creek .1. The Area and Animals." Wildlife Research 14, no. 1 (1987): 1. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/wr9870001.
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This paper introduces a series of papers on the ecology, social organisation and behaviour of populations of sympatric macropods (Macropodoidea : Marsupialia) in north-eastern New South Wales. The study site, in the valley of Wallaby Creek, covers partly tree-cleared cattle-grazed pastures and also wet and dry forest communities; 10 species of macropods live there. The valley has a moderately high rainfall (1023 mm per annum), falling predominately in summer, and an equable climate of cool winters and warm summers. Soils derived from sedimentary and basaltic rocks and alluvium support naturally diverse plant associations further diversified by clearing and establishment of pasture and weed species. Macropods favouring open country occupy the pastures, which can also be used by cover-dependent species where pasture abuts forest or remnant patches of cover. Composition of the macropod community has changed since development of the pasture zone. Dingoes, major predators of some of the macropods, are abundant, and all exotic mammals other than cattle are rare. Populations of two of the macropod species are habituated to approach by observers, and close observation, on foot, of undisturbed animals has become our common study technique. A 1-ha grid has been established over 3.7 km2 of the study site to facilitate exact location of animals and observations. The suitability of the macropod populations for this kind of study results from the attitudes of the landholders.
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While, Geoffrey M., and Clare McArthur. "Distance from cover affects artificial food-patch depletion by macropod herbivores." Wildlife Research 33, no. 7 (2006): 565. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/wr05063.
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Artificial food patches were used to examine whether red bellied-pademelons (Thylogale billiardierii) and Bennett’s wallabies (Macropus rufogriseus rufogriseus) altered their foraging behaviour in an open habitat (a young plantation) in response to distance from cover, used as a surrogate for predation risk. Analyses using the full dataset showed no significant relationship between the amount of food eaten at a station and any of the cover variables. In contrast, regression analyses of the upper bounds dataset indicated that both increased distance from windrow (2.5-m-high stacks of burnt wood) and from nearest cover (windrow or forest at plantation edge) significantly reduced the amount of food consumed at a station. This indicates that distance from cover acts as a constraint on the amount of food eaten. When the feeding-station data were overlayed onto a map of scat densities across the study site, the amount of food eaten was positively related to the density of scats of both red-bellied pademelons and Bennett’s wallabies. Our results demonstrate that these macropods trade-off increased foraging benefits in order to forage closer to protective cover. Furthermore, they represent the first time that artificial food patches, with progressively decreasing reward per search effort, have been used to assess foraging behaviour in macropods. This opens up a wide range of research opportunities aimed at examining macropod foraging, with both ecological and practical applications.
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Taggart, Patrick L., Bronwyn A. Fancourt, David Peacock, Charles G. B. Caraguel, and Milton M. McAllister. "Variation in Toxoplasma gondii seroprevalence: effects of site, sex, species and behaviour between insular and mainland macropods." Wildlife Research 47, no. 8 (2020): 540. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/wr19041.
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Context Feral cats threaten wildlife conservation through a range of direct and indirect effects. However, most studies that have evaluated the impacts of feral cats on species of conservation significance have focussed on direct impacts such as predation; few studies have considered the indirect impacts of cat-borne disease. Toxoplasma gondii, a cat-borne parasite, causes both acute and latent disease in a range of wildlife species, and macropods are particularly susceptible. Kangaroo Island is Australia’s third largest island and supports a high density of feral cats and high seroprevalence of T. gondii in multiple species, relative to the mainland. This suggests that Kangaroo Island has a high environmental contamination with the parasite and a high risk of infection for other species. Aims We aimed to describe T. gondii seroprevalence in culled and road-killed macropods, so as to assess the effects of island versus mainland location, sex, species and behaviour. Methods Macropod sera were tested for T. gondii IgG antibodies using a commercially available modified agglutination test. Key results The seroprevalence of T. gondii in culled western grey kangaroos (Macropus fuliginosus) was significantly higher on the island (20%, 11/54 positive) than on the mainland (0%, 0/61 positive). There was no difference in T. gondii seroprevalence between culled and road-killed (21%, 21/102 positive) kangaroos from the island. The seroprevalence of T. gondii was significantly higher in female (32%, 12/38 positive) than in male (13%, 8/60 positive) kangaroos, but we observed no sex effect in tammar wallabies (Macropus eugenii), and no effect of species. Conclusions The higher T. gondii seroprevalence in insular macropods supports previous reports of higher T. gondii exposure in other Kangaroo Island fauna. The lack of difference in T. gondii seroprevalence between culled and road-killed kangaroos suggests that T. gondii-positive animals are not more vulnerable to road mortality, in contrast to that suggested previously. Implications Our findings suggest greater potential adverse conservation impacts owing to toxoplasmosis on the island than on the mainland. In light of a recent study demonstrating higher cat abundance on the island than on the mainland, the higher observed T. gondii seroprevalence in insular macropods is likely to be a consequence of higher cat density.
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Morgan, Helen R., Guy Ballard, Peter J. S. Fleming, Nick Reid, Remy Van der Ven, and Karl Vernes. "Estimating macropod grazing density and defining activity patterns using camera-trap image analysis." Wildlife Research 45, no. 8 (2018): 706. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/wr17162.
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Context When measuring grazing impacts of vertebrates, the density of animals and time spent foraging are important. Traditionally, dung pellet counts are used to index macropod grazing density, and a direct relationship between herbivore density and foraging impact is assumed. However, rarely are pellet deposition rates measured or compared with camera-trap indices. Aims The aims were to pilot an efficient and reliable camera-trapping method for monitoring macropod grazing density and activity patterns, and to contrast pellet counts with macropod counts from camera trapping, for estimating macropod grazing density. Methods Camera traps were deployed on stratified plots in a fenced enclosure containing a captive macropod population and the experiment was repeated in the same season in the following year after population reduction. Camera-based macropod counts were compared with pellet counts and pellet deposition rates were estimated using both datasets. Macropod frequency was estimated, activity patterns developed, and the variability between resting and grazing plots and the two estimates of macropod density was investigated. Key Results Camera-trap grazing density indices initially correlated well with pellet count indices (r2=0.86), but were less reliable between years. Site stratification enabled a significant relationship to be identified between camera-trap counts and pellet counts in grazing plots. Camera-trap indices were consistent for estimating grazing density in both surveys but were not useful for estimating absolute abundance in this study. Conclusions Camera trapping was efficient and reliable for estimating macropod activity patterns. Although significant, the relationship between pellet count indices and macropod grazing density based on camera-trapping indices was not strong; this was due to variability in macropod pellet deposition rates over different years. Time-lapse camera imagery has potential for simultaneously assessing herbivore foraging activity budgets with grazing densities and vegetation change. Further work is required to refine the use of camera-trapping indices for estimation of absolute abundance. Implications Time-lapse camera trapping and site-stratified sampling allow concurrent assessment of grazing density and grazing behaviour at plot and landscape scale.
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Coulson, Graeme. "Male Bias in Road-kills of Macropods." Wildlife Research 24, no. 1 (1997): 21. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/wr96004.
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I determined the sex of a total of 251 road-kills of six macropod species in southern Australia over a 13-year period. There was a significant bias towards males in five species, ranging from 65 to 92% males, but there was no difference from parity in the red kangaroo, Macropus rufus. Male eastern grey kangaroos, M. giganteus, and male western grey kangaroos, M. fuliginosus, probably behave in ways that expose them to vehicles more than females. Male-biased road-kills of swamp wallabies, Wallabia bicolor, may reflect skewed population sex ratios. There are insufficient data on the behaviour and population structure of the red-necked wallaby, M. rufogriseus, and rufous-bellied pademelon, Thylogale billardierii, to determine which explanation is responsible for male-biased road mortality in these species.
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McLean, I. G., and N. T. Schmitt. "Copulation and Associated Behaviour in The Quokka, Setonix brachyurus." Australian Mammalogy 21, no. 1 (1999): 139. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/am99139.
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While preparing a review of published descriptions of copulatory behaviour in macropod marsupials (McLean, Lundie-Smith and Jarman 1993), we were surprised to find no description for one of the most studied species, the quokka (Setonix brachyurus, e.g. see Bradshaw 1983). Copulating quokkas have been seen previously by researchers (e.g. Kitchener 1970), but no account was given. Here we provide descriptions of copulatory behaviour in quokkas, and comment on levels of sexual behaviour and activity by quokkas in the wild and in captivity.
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Robinson, Natasha M., Wade Blanchard, Christopher MacGregor, Rob Brewster, Nick Dexter, and David B. Lindenmayer. "Finding food in a novel environment: The diet of a reintroduced endangered meso-predator to mainland Australia, with notes on foraging behaviour." PLOS ONE 15, no. 12 (December 17, 2020): e0243937. http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0243937.
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Translocated captive-bred predators are less skilled at hunting than wild-born predators and more prone to starvation post-release. Foraging in an unfamiliar environment presents many further risks to translocated animals. Knowledge of the diet and foraging behaviour of translocated animals is therefore an important consideration of reintroductions. We investigated the diet of the endangered meso-predator, the eastern quoll Dasyurus viverrinus. We also opportunistically observed foraging behaviour, enabling us to examine risks associated with foraging. Sixty captive-bred eastern quolls were reintroduced to an unfenced reserve on mainland Australia (where introduced predators are managed) over a two year period (2018, 2019). Quolls were supplementary fed macropod meat but were also able to forage freely. Dietary analysis of scats (n = 56) revealed that quolls ate macropods, small mammals, birds, invertebrates, fish, reptiles and frogs, with some between-year differences in the frequency of different diet categories. We also observed quolls hunting live prey. Quolls utilised supplementary feeding stations, indicating that this may be an important strategy during the establishment phase. Our study demonstrated that, in a novel environment, captive-bred quolls were able to locate food and hunt live prey. However, foraging was not without risks; with the ingestion of toxic substances and foraging in dangerous environments found to be potentially harmful. Knowledge of the diet of reintroduced fauna in natural landscapes is important for understanding foraging behaviour and evaluating habitat suitability for future translocations and management.
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Osawa, R., and PF Woodall. "A Comparative-Study of Macroscopic and Microscopic Dimensions of the Intestine in 5 Macropods (Marsupialia, Macropodidae) .2. Relationship With Feeding-Habits and Fiber Content of the Diet." Australian Journal of Zoology 40, no. 1 (1992): 99. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/zo9920099.
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A comparative study of macroscopic and microscopic dimensions of the intestines in five macropod species indicated that the grazing macropods (the red kangaroo, Macropus rufus, and the eastern grey kangaroo, Macropus giganteus) had significantly longer caeca and large intestines than those of the browsing macropods (the swamp wallaby, Wallabia bicolor, and the red-necked pademelon, Thylogale thetis). This trend was not observed in the small intestine. The arid-adapted M. rufus also had a significantly longer large intestine than M. giganteus, which may be a water-conservation feature. Intestinal villi were tall in T. thetis, which consumed a less fibrous diet, whereas the agile wallaby, Macropus agilis, on a highly fibrous diet, had short villi; other macropods, on diets of medium fibre content, had villi of intermediate height. Thus, the size of the hindgut (i.e. caecum and large intestine) may provide an index of the specific feeding habit of a species (browsing or grazing), whilst parameters of the villi of the small intestine may reflect the quality of the animals' current diet.
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Meek, Paul D., and Jason Wishart. "Camera trap evidence of red fox (Vulpes vulpes) predation attempts on adult macropods." Pacific Conservation Biology 23, no. 3 (2017): 302. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/pc17007.
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Camera traps provide a novel and quasicovert method of gathering information on animal behaviour that may otherwise remain undetected without sophisticated and expensive filming equipment. In a rangelands pest management project at Mt Hope in the central west of New South Wales, Australia, we recorded foxes seemingly hunting kangaroos on three occasions. While we did not record direct instances of predation, our observations provide camera trap photographic evidence suggesting that foxes will attempt to tackle mammals above the critical weight range, including large macropod species such as western grey kangaroos.
10
Meek, Paul D. "The movement, roaming behaviour and home range of free-roaming domestic dogs, Canis lupus familiaris, in coastal New South Wales." Wildlife Research 26, no. 6 (1999): 847. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/wr97101.
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In this study 10 free-roaming domestic dogs from an Aboriginal community were radio-collared to determine the sizes of their home ranges and to observe their wandering behaviour. Half of the radio-tagged dogs went on wandering forays, while the other five roamed only within the vicinity of the community. Home-range size was highly variable within the study group: the mean for the wandering dogs was 927 ha whereas that of the sedentary dogs was 2.6 ha. Dogs travelled 8–30 km on forays. All forays were initiated at night and those that were recorded had an average duration of 26 h. Foray destinations were usually riparian habitats where macropod quarry were abundant.
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Alacs, Erika, Deryn Alpers, Paul J. de Tores, Mick Dillon, and Peter B. S. Spencer. "Identifying the presence of quokkas (Setonix brachyurus) and other macropods using cytochrome b analyses from faeces." Wildlife Research 30, no. 1 (2003): 41. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/wr01109.
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Non-invasive methods have the potential to circumvent problems associated with using more traditional techniques when surveying for rare and elusive species. In this study, non-invasive molecular-based methods have been used to analyse the scats of several species of marsupials. DNA was successfully extracted from scats of the quokka, Setonix brachyurus, and three other macropods (Macropus fuliginosus, M. irma and M. eugenii) sympatric with the quokka and with similar-appearing scats. Partial sequence from the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene from these four species and seven other macropods was used to measure genetic differentiation among them to determine whether the quokka could be unambiguously identified from the scats alone. The results confirm that molecular approaches can be used for macropod species identification using scats as the source material. The approach will have potential survey and management applications, and, more specifically, may lead to more accurate assessment of the quokka's geographic range, leading to implementation of more appropriate management strategies for its conservation.
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Holt, W. V., L. M. Penfold, S. D. Johnston, P. Temple-Smith, J. Shaw, C. McCallum, W. Lindemans, and D. Blyde. "Cryopreservation of macropodid spermatozoa: new insights from the cryomicroscope." Reproduction, Fertility and Development 11, no. 6 (1999): 345. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/rd99076.
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This study examined the effects of cooling and cryopreservation upon macropod spermatozoa (eastern grey kangaroo, Macropus giganteus and red-necked wallaby, Macropus rufogriseus). Sperm survival during and after freezing to –30˚C or –70˚C in minimum essential medium (MEM) + 5, 10, 20 or 30% (v/v) glycerol, MEM + 10 or 20% (v/v) ethylene glycol and MEM containing a mixture of 7.5% (v/v) glycerol + 10% (v/v) dimethylsulphoxide was examined by cryomicroscopy. The MEM/glycerol mixtures permitted better post-thaw sperm recovery than the other cryoprotectants. After freezing to –30˚C at 10˚C min –1 in 20% glycerol, then rewarming at 20˚C min –1 , flagellar activity resumed in more than 50% of spermatozoa when the temperature increased into the range 5–10˚C. However, as the temperature increased, into the range 20–25˚C, motility declined rapidly so that less than 5% motile cells were seen at 35˚C. Spermatozoa in MEM without cryoprotectant were also examined by cryomicroscopy to evaluate changes in flagellar configuration, swimming behaviour and viability during cooling from 35˚C to approximately –7˚C, and rewarming to 35˚C. Cooling from 35 to 28˚C induced kangaroo spermatozoa to exhibit rigid principal-piece bending and non-linear motility, which was reversed by further cooling and the spermatozoa resumed their normal linear movement. Rewarming induced principal-piece bending in the range of 20–30˚C, but this effect was reversed by further warming. Although red-necked wallaby spermatozoa showed these effects, they also exhibited a tendency to form rosette-like clusters during rewarming, especially when the temperature reached approximately 14˚C. The clusters were induced when the flagellar end-pieces became anteriorly reflected, producing hook-like flagellar conformations, which then became interlinked.
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Payne, Alison L., and Peter J. Jarman. "Macropod studies at Wallaby Creek. X. Responses of eastern grey kangaroos to cattle." Wildlife Research 26, no. 2 (1999): 215. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/wr95037.
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The instantaneous behavioural and spatial responses of eastern grey kangaroos to the presence of cattle were studied at Wallaby Creek, north-eastern New South Wales. Kangaroo groups were distributed closer to cattle groups than would be expected by chance, both at a study-site scale (154-ha) and at a 1-ha scale; large males were recorded on average further from cattle than were smaller males. Nearest-neighbouring kangaroo groups were located such that cattle groups rarely interrupted the lines of sight between them. Observed disturbance and displacement by cattle provoked a minimal response in kangaroos, which fled only tens of metres and soon resumed their previous activity. The presence of cattle had few detectable instantaneous effects on the behaviour of the kangaroos, except to increase their alertness and the feeding time of small (but not large) kangaroo groups. These effects indicate that cattle pose little threat to kangaroos.
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Finch, Katherine, and Amy Humphreys. "Day Time Activity Budgets, Height Utilization and Husbandry of Two Zoo-Housed Goodfellow’s Tree Kangaroos (Dendrolagus goodfellowi buergersi)." Journal of Zoological and Botanical Gardens 3, no. 1 (March 4, 2022): 102–12. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/jzbg3010009.
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Goodfellow’s tree kangaroos (Dendrolagus goodfellowi) are an endangered, arboreal macropod native to the lower, mid-montane rainforests of Papua New Guinea. Despite a number of holders keeping D. goodfellowi in zoos across the world, there is a lack of recent published work on this species. Here, we present daytime activity budgets, document height use and provide husbandry information for two Goodfellow’s tree kangaroos (Dendrolagus goodfellowi buergersi) housed at Chester Zoo, UK. Throughout the observation period, both individuals spent the majority of their time resting within the environment but also spent time engaging in vigilance, travel and feeding behaviour. Additionally, despite the age and sex differences of the study individuals, both animals used the highest height level in the indoor habitat most frequently. We aim to share our information and encourage knowledge transfer with other holders, to both increase understanding and promote evidence-based management of this species.
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Pahl, Lester. "Macropods, feral goats, sheep and cattle: 1. Equivalency in how much they eat." Rangeland Journal 41, no. 6 (2019): 497. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/rj19044.
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The extent to which goats and cattle eat equivalent amounts of forage as sheep has been based on their maintenance energy requirements (MERs) relative to a 50kg wether or dry ewe, known as a dry sheep equivalent (DSE). As such, a 50kg goat was considered 1 DSE and a 450kg steer as 7–8 DSE. In comparison, the DSE of macropods has been based on their basal metabolic rate (BMR) or energy expenditure of grazing (EEg) relative to those of sheep, with a 50kg macropod thought to be 0.7 and 0.45 DSE respectively. Based on published energy requirements of goats, macropods and cattle relative to sheep, their DSE values are estimated to be 1.2, 1.0 and 7.6 respectively. However, relative energy requirements may not be the same as relative dry matter intakes (DMIs), due to differences in forage quality, the structure of digestive tracts and selective foraging capabilities. Allometric equations that predict DMI were developed from published liveweights and intakes of sheep, goats, macropods and cattle. Given DMIs when fed high-quality forage, a 50kg goat was 1 DSE, a 50kg macropod was 0.7 DSE and a 450kg steer was 7.6 DSE. Their DMIs were depressed by 35–50% when fed low-quality forage, but a goat remained as 1 DSE, macropods increased to 1.0 DSE and cattle increased to 8.3 DSE. The capacity of macropods to maintain relatively higher DMIs of low-quality forage than sheep is probably due of their faster digesta passage rates and more expandable stomachs. These DMIs of animals provided ad-libitum quantities of similar forages in small pens are likely to differ from their DMIs when selectively grazing heterogeneous rangeland pastures. Under these conditions, sheep select higher-quality diets than cattle, and kangaroos select higher-quality diets than sheep, which increase the relative DMIs of the smaller herbivores. For this reason, a 50kg macropod is likely to be 1 DSE and consume twice as much forage than previously assumed.
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Lentle, R. G., K. J. Stafford, M. A. Potter, B. P. Springett, and S. Haslett. "The temporal character of feeding behaviour in captive tammar wallabies (Macropus eugenii Desmarest)." Australian Journal of Zoology 46, no. 6 (1998): 579. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/zo98027.
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Four tammar wallabies, maintained in a fixed 12 : 12 light : dark cycle, were fed ad libitum, one of three foods, of differing nutrient density and fibre content, consecutively, each for a period of two weeks. During the second week, food consumption was assessed daily and the temporal feeding pattern was monitored by visible and infrared video recording. Apart from a short rest period around noon, feeding continued throughout the 24-hour cycle, peaking crepuscularly. Total daily feeding time corrected to metabolic body weight was significantly longer, but dry-matter intake corrected to metabolic body weight was significantly lower than that of larger macropod species, indicating greater investment in chewing. Feed-event duration, inter-feed-event interval, rate of feeding, and dry matter intake all increased significantly on pelleted foods of low nutritional density. Rate of feeding and feed-event duration increased significantly on diced carrot such that dry-matter intake was not significantly different to that on high-quality pelleted food. Survivorship curves of inter-feed-event intervals were predominantly linear. This and the consistently higher positive correlations between the duration of individual feed events and inter-feed-event intervals than between meals and inter-meal intervals, indicated a nibbling rather than a meal-based feeding strategy. Levels of correlation of feed-event duration with inter-feed-event interval were generally low but there was a significant increase in positive correlation when food of lower quality was given. The duration of successive feed events tended to increase on low-quality and decrease on high-quality food more consistently than did successive inter-feed-event intervals.
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Southwell, CJ, KE Weaver, SC Cairns, AR Pople, AN Gordon, NW Sheppard, and R. Broers. "Abundane of macropods in north-eastern New South Wales, and the logistics of broad-scale ground surveys." Wildlife Research 22, no. 6 (1995): 757. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/wr9950757.
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A broad-scale ground survey of macropod abundance in north-eastern New South Wales was undertaken in 1989-90. The survey area was stratified into an eastern and western region, and within regions by habitat on the basis of vegetation and topographic criteria. Macropod density in each stratum was estimated from walked line transect counts for five species: Macropus giganteus, Macropus robustus, Macropus parryi, Macropus rufogriseus and Wallabia bicolor. Within sampled strata, macropod density was substantially higher in the western region than in the eastern region. Macropus parryi occurred in only trace numbers in the eastern region, with the number of sightings too small for reliable density estimation. No M. parryi were sighted in the western region. Macropus giganteus and M. rufogriseus were the dominant species in sampled strata in the eastern region, while M. giganteus and M. robustus were dominant in the west. Overall, pre-survey activities of habitat digitising and liaison with landholders required approximately the same effort as actual survey work. Liaison with landholders required relatively more time in the eastern region, where human population was higher, than in the western region. Incomplete coverage of planned transect routes, due mainly to impenetrable vegetation, lead to a positive bias of no more than 10-20% in population estimation for M. giganteus and M. robustus, and an unknown bias for the other species. The use of broad vegetation information on 1 : 100 000 map sheets for habitat stratification limited the scale at which analysis of sightability could be undertaken. Macropus giganteus and M. robustus are commercially harvested in the western region. Annual commercial harvest rates in the three years prior to the survey were conservatively estimated to be less than 0.9% for M. robustus and less than 5.4% for M. giganteus.
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Lentle, R. G., I. D. Hume, K. J. Stafford, M. Kennedy, B. P. Springett, and S. Haslett. "Observations on fresh forage intake, ingesta particle size and nutrient digestibility in four species of macropod." Australian Journal of Zoology 51, no. 6 (2003): 627. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/zo02032.
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The particle-size distributions of the ingesta of the sacciform forestomach in free-ranging animals of a grazing macropod species [Macropus eugenii (tammar wallaby)], a grazer/browser [Macropus parma (parma wallaby)], a browser/grazer [Petrogale penicillata (brush-tailed rock-wallaby)] and a browser [Wallabia bicolor (swamp wallaby)] from Kawau Island, New Zealand, were compared with those of captive animals maintained on a standing ryegrass (Lolium perenne) sward. Nutrient digestibility was also measured in tammar and parma wallabies fed ryegrass or browse, i.e. fresh mahoe (Melicytus ramiflora) and this was related to particle-size distributions of the ingesta.There were significant differences in the particle size distributions of digesta from tammar and parma wallabies in the wild but not in captivity. In free-ranging animals the ingesta from both browsing species, the brush-tailed rock-wallaby and the parma wallaby, contained consistently greater proportions of coarse particles and smaller proportions of fine particles than did those of the tammar wallaby. These differences may be correlated with reported differences in their tooth morphologies. However, the presence of significant differences in particle-size distributions of the digesta between brush-tailed rock-wallabies and parma wallabies when constrained to grass, despite reported similarities in their tooth morphology, suggests that factors other than tooth morphology contribute to differences in the oral processing of food by browsing and grazing macropods. There were greater proportions of grass fragments in the coarse than in the finer fractions of ingesta from free-ranging brush-tailed rock-wallabies, indicating that this species is less effective at chewing grass.There were no overall differences between tammar and parma wallabies in the digestibilities of organic matter, neutral-detergent fibre (NDF) or acid-detergent fibre (ADF) but the NDF and ADF digestibilites of both species increased significantly with increase in the proportion of fine ingesta particles and with increase in mass of fermentative digesta.These findings indicate the importance of oral processing to digestive efficiency in macropods and the relationship between oral processing and tooth morphology.
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Leggett, Keith E. A., Amoi Stubbs-Oliver, Matthew L. Brun, and Terence J. Dawson. "Carnivory in euros, inland wallaroos (Macropus robustus erubescens)." Australian Mammalogy 42, no. 3 (2020): 357. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/am19055.
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This paper reports on an observation of carnivorous scavenging by euros (inland wallaroos) (Macropus robustus erubescens) at Fowlers Gap in western New South Wales. We believe this to be the first sighting of a euro feeding on another macropod.
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Robertshaw, JD, and RH Harden. "The Ecology of the Dingo in North-Eastern New South Wales. 3. Analysis of Macropod Bone Fragments Found in Dingo Scats." Wildlife Research 12, no. 2 (1985): 163. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/wr9850163.
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From a study in New South Wales, Australia, of fragments of macropod bone in 951 samples of the faeces of dingoes, it was concluded that field estimates of dingo predation on macropods from carcass remains were heavily biased towards older and larger wallabies. Young wallabies separated from the mother or ejected from the pouch of a hunted female tended to be eaten whole or to leave remains too small to be noticed in the field.
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Balland, Jeff, Catherine A. Herbert, Justin A. Welbergen, and John M. Martin. "Habitat selection in a peri-urban area by a large mammal indicates a low potential for human–wildlife conflict." Wildlife Research 47, no. 5 (2020): 381. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/wr19234.
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Abstract ContextIn Australia, various species of macropods (family Macropodidae) are known to occur within peri-urban areas, where they can be a source of human–wildlife conflict. Some species, such as the eastern grey kangaroo (Macropus giganteus), have received considerable research attention over the past few years following demands from land managers for evidence-based management guidelines; however, the ecology of other macropod species found in peri-urban areas, such as the eastern wallaroo (Osphranter robustus robustus), remains poorly understood. AimsThe aims were to determine the home range of male and female eastern wallaroos and assess habitat selection in order to define whether wallaroos in a peri-urban environment should be viewed as thriving (‘matrix-occupying’), persisting (‘matrix-sensitive’) or struggling (‘urban-sensitive’). MethodsHome range and habitat use of six adult male, five adult female and one subadult male eastern wallaroo were investigated using GPS telemetry between October 2017 and May 2018 in the south-west of Sydney. Key resultsHome ranges (mean±s.e.) of males (63.1±10.2ha) were significantly larger than those of females (31.1±3.3ha). Every adult wallaroo had highly overlapping monthly home ranges, indicating strong site fidelity in all individuals. Eastern wallaroos selected habitats based on vegetation composition during the night and canopy cover during the day. Grassland and open native woodlands were preferred during foraging activities at night. By contrast, human-modified habitats, including hard surfaces and lawns, were avoided at all times by all individuals. ConclusionThe results indicate that eastern wallaroos avoid human-modified features in the landscape, so they could be viewed as persisting (‘matrix-sensitive’) in peri-urban areas. ImplicationsCompared with matrix-occupying macropods, such as the eastern grey kangaroo, the eastern wallaroo is less likely to cause human–wildlife conflicts – a result of its avoidance of human-modified habitat. Land-use planning, involving green corridors linking remnant vegetation, should be implemented as part of urban planning to enable the persistence of diverse mammal populations in urban areas, particularly matrix-sensitive species.
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Hoolihan, D. W., and A. W. Goldizen. "The grouping dynamics of the black-striped wallaby." Wildlife Research 25, no. 5 (1998): 467. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/wr97122.
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The grouping dynamics of the black-striped wallaby (Macropus dorsalis) were investigated using mark–resight techniques at Taunton National Park, in Central Queensland. Individually marked black-striped wallabies were observed in groups of varying size and composition. Marked wallabies were never observed together twice, despite some individuals being seen up to 15 times. Black-striped wallabies on Taunton National Park appeared to form the open-membership grouping structure common to most gregarious macropods. However, black-striped wallabies in the present study were found to be less gregarious than social macropods in previous studies.
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Nagy, KA, GD Sanson, and NK Jacobsen. "Comparative Field Energetics of Two Macropod Marsupials and a Ruminant." Wildlife Research 17, no. 6 (1990): 591. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/wr9900591.
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Field metabolic rates (FMRs) and water influx rates were measured via the doubly labelled water method in wild Tasmanian pademelons and grey kangaroos living in the Jock Marshall Reserve at Clayton, Victoria, and in wild black-tailed deer free-ranging within a nature reserve at Davis, California. Deer expended more than 3 times more energy per day than similar sized grey kangaroos. Feeding rates required to achieve energy balance were estimated from FMRs along with an estimate of metabolizable energy content of the food. The estimated feeding rates for pademelons and kangaroos were combined with similar values for 5 other species of macropods to calculate an allometric (scaling) relationship for food requirements of macropod marsupials. Feeding rate had the following relationship to body mass: g food (DM) consumed per day = 0.20 g body mass0.79 (r2 = 0.94). The findings reported herein should be useful for predicting the approximate food requirements of free-ranging macropods and deer for purposes of ecological modelling, conservation efforts and management programmes.
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Wadley, Jessica J., Jeremy J. Austin, and Damien A. Fordham. "Rapid species identification of eight sympatric northern Australian macropods from faecal-pellet DNA." Wildlife Research 40, no. 3 (2013): 241. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/wr13005.
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Context Conservation of vulnerable and endangered species requires a comprehensive understanding of their distribution and habitat requirements, so as to implement effective management strategies. Visual scat surveys are a common non-invasive method for monitoring populations. However, morphological similarity of scats among sympatric species presents a problem for accurate identification. Visual misidentifications of scats can have major impacts on the accuracy of abundance and distribution surveys of target species, wasting resources and misdirecting management and conservation actions. DNA identification of scats can overcome this issue, while simultaneously providing a rich source of genetic information for population and dietary studies. Aims We developed a simple and reliable method to identify morphologically similar macropod scats from eight sympatric species in north-eastern Australia, using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) of a portion of the mtDNA ND2 gene. Methods We identified a short (275-bp) polymorphic region of ND2, which is easily amplifiable from degraded DNA, developed a primer set, and identified a set of three restriction endonucleases (AluI, BstNI and HphI) which, in combination, can discriminate among the eight target species. So as to test the effectiveness of this protocol, we collected 914 macropod scats from 53 sites in the north-eastern Australia. Key results In total, 406 of these scats were extracted, with 398 (98%) containing amplifiable macropod DNA. All 398 scats were subsequently identified to species by using our RFLP protocol. Sequencing of a subset of these samples confirmed the accuracy of the test. Species identification of scats by using DNA identified eight species of macropods, five of which were outside their documented distributions, one of which was ~400 km. Conclusions Our PCR–RFLP method is a simple and efficient means to identify macropod scats to species, eliminating the need for sequencing, which is costly, time-consuming and requires additional laboratory equipment. Implications The method allows for rapid and non-invasive assessment of macropod species and is particularly useful for surveying populations across multiple sites.
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Lentle, R. G., I. D. Hume, K. J. Stafford, M. Kennedy, S. Haslett, and B. P. Springett. "Molar progression and tooth wear in tammar (Macropus eugenii) and parma (Macropus parma) wallabies." Australian Journal of Zoology 51, no. 2 (2003): 137. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/zo02008.
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We investigated the functional significance of molar progression and the influence of diet on the usefulness of molar progression as an index of age in two macropodid marsupials, the tammar wallaby (Macropus eugenii), a grazing species, and the parma wallaby (Macropus parma), a browser/grazer, by exploring the relationships between the index of molar progression and several skull and tooth parameters. We also tested allometric models that related molar progression and aspects of tooth morphology to body mass. Results support the notion that molar progression in these closely related macropods results from 'mesial shift'(forward movement resulting from growth of the bones of the skull bearing the dentary, the anterior viscerocranium) rather than from 'mesial drift' (forward movement of molars relative to the anterior viscerocranium).There were no significant differences between the two species in the rate of molar progression despite differences in diet. Instead, the greater reliance of tammar wallabies on grasses was reflected in differences in their tooth morphology from that of parma wallabies. The sum of the breadths of erupted molariform teeth of tammars increased significantly faster with body mass and with length of the anterior viscerocranium than in parma wallabies and approximated a theoretical model for compensation with metabolic body mass more closely than models based on other morphological parameters.The total mesiodistal length of dentition, the mesiodistal lengths of the component teeth of the proximal molar row, and the distance between the mesial and distal lophs were all significantly lower in tammar wallabies than in parma wallabies. These differences result in tammar wallabies having greater numbers of transverse cutting edges per unit of molar tooth length, which maximises the efficiency of comminution of long grass fibres.
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Press, A. J. "The distribution and status of macropods (Marsupialia: Macropodidae) in Kakadu National Park, Northern Territory." Australian Mammalogy 11, no. 2 (June 1, 1988): 103–8. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/am88013.
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This study was undertaken to establish the status and distribution of macropods in Kakadu National Park. The study utilised the knowledge of the traditional Aboriginal owners of the park and collected information from field surveys, literature and personal communications. Distribution maps are given and species status is assessed . Macropus agilis, M. antilopinus and M. bernardus are common in Kakadu, although M. bernardus has a restricted distribution. M. robustus is not as common as the other species of Macropus and has a restricted distribution. Petrogale brachyotis is locally abundant while Peradorcas concinna is scarce; both species have restricted distributions. Onychogalea unguifera has been recorded infrequently, and there is only one record of Lagorchestes conspicillatus from Kakadu.
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Heathcote, CF. "Grouping of Eastern Grey Kangaroos in Open Habitat." Wildlife Research 14, no. 4 (1987): 343. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/wr9870343.
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Grouping of Macropus giganteus in an extremely open habitat was investigated in this study by measuring group size and group cohesion. In comparison with populations at similar densities in more forested habitats, the study population of M. giganteus formed larger groups. This finding supports a prediction that macropods will form larger groups in open habitats, and this is interpreted as being an adaptive response to increased exposure to predation.
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Lentle, Roger G., Murray A. Potter, Brian P. Springett, and Kevin J. Stafford. "A Trapping and Immobilisation Technique for Small Macropods." Wildlife Research 24, no. 3 (1997): 373. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/wr95052.
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A technique for trapping and immobilising small macropods is described and tested on forest-dwelling Tammar wallabies (Macropus eugenii Desmarest). The trapping method uses wire fencing and a monofilament nylon drop-net. The animals were immobilised with ketamine hydrochloride and xylazine. Tammar wallabies are reputedly hard to catch, but our technique produced higher trapping rates, lower trap-avoidance rates and lower death rates than other methods. In all, 46 Tammars were captured in 29 trap-nights. No deaths occurred during, or in the four weeks following, trapping.
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Gentle, Matthew, Neal Finch, James Speed, and Anthony Pople. "A comparison of unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) and manned helicopters for monitoring macropod populations." Wildlife Research 45, no. 7 (2018): 586. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/wr18034.
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Context Developments in the use of remote aircraft, or unmanned aerial systems (UAS), for ecological study have been rapid. Helicopter surveys have proven to be a reliable, repeatable method for broad-scale monitoring of harvested kangaroo populations in Australia’s rangelands, but the recent availability of long-range UAS may offer improvements in detectability and cost efficiency. Aims We aimed to test the ability of a long-range UAS (Spylite, Bluebird Aero Systems Ltd, Kadima, Israel) to survey macropod populations at a landscape scale, and validate the results against those from the current best-practice helicopter surveys. Methods Four 80-km transects in south-western Queensland were surveyed using a helicopter and UAS. Two observers, occupying the rear seats of the helicopter, recorded animals observed in distance classes perpendicular to either side of the aircraft. Continuous electro-optical (EO) or infrared (IR) video from the UAS were recorded for later processing. Animal densities were calculated using line-transect methods for both techniques. The efficiency and cost effectiveness of each survey technique were also assessed using the flight and data processing times. Key results The encounter rate for macropods during the UAS was significantly lower compared with the helicopter survey, resulting in low estimates of macropod density (3.2 versus 53.8 animals km–2 respectively). The UAS technique recorded between 2.9 and 12.7% of the macropod density observed on each transect during the helicopter survey. The helicopter surveys were less expensive and more efficient and cost effective, requiring less flight and data processing time than the UAS surveys. Conclusions Utilising long-range UAS to detect and count groups of wild animals for landscape-scale wildlife monitoring has potential, but improvements in detection and identification technology are needed to match or exceed the accuracy of the conventional aerial survey technique for kangaroos. Implications Recent advances in camera technology and methodological refinements are encouraging for aerial survey of wildlife using UAS. However, significant improvements are required to survey for kangaroos and new technology should again be tested against current benchmarks.
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Barker, R. D., and G. Caughley. "Distribution and abundance of kangaroos (Marsupialia: Macropodidae) at the time of European contact: Victoria." Australian Mammalogy 15, no. 1 (1992): 81. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/am92011.
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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.
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Deakin, Janine E., Katherine Belov, Natalie C. Curach, Peter Green, and Desmond W. Cooper. "High levels of variability in immune response using antigens from two reproductive proteins in brushtail possums." Wildlife Research 32, no. 1 (2005): 1. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/wr03107.
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Immune-based fertility control is being considered as an effective long-term approach for controlling the pest brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula) population in New Zealand. This relies heavily on the immune response of each immunised possum. A strong and lasting immune response in the majority of individuals in a population is essential. In this study, possums and the model macropod species, the tammar wallaby (Macropus eugenii) were immunised with either a luteinising hormone or androgen receptor synthetic peptide coupled to the carrier molecule KLH (keyhole limpet haemocyanin). The antibody response of wallabies to the antigens was relatively uniform. In contrast, the possum immunoglobulin response to both synthetic peptides and KLH was variable. The apparent high level of variation in the immune response of possums raises questions about the feasibility of using these two antigens to control possum numbers in New Zealand.
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Jarman, PJ, ME Jones, CN Johnson, CJ Southwell, RI Stuartdick, KB Higginbottom, and JL Clarke. "Macropod Studies at Wallaby Creek .8. Individual Recognition of Kangaroos and Wallabies." Wildlife Research 16, no. 2 (1989): 179. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/wr9890179.
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Recognition of individual large mammals by natural features is an ancient practice, the usefulness of which has recently become appreciated in field studies. We show that such recognition is possible and repeatable, under particular circumstances, with macropodid marsupials in the field in Australia. In trials, there was a 98% agreement between observers in identification of individuals of both eastern grey kangaroos Macropus giganteus and red-necked wallabies M. rufogriseus. Characters used to identify individuals were first definitive ('oddity') characters, and then specific sets of character-states. However, in time observers came to recognise individuals 'on sight', by unconscious summation of character-states. Recognition skills could be readily learned by observers, allowing almost complete populations of these species to be known and the component members studied individually. The technique should be applicable in studies of other macropodid populations.
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Wiggins, Natasha L., Grant J. Williamson, Hamish I. McCallum, Clive R. McMahon, and David M. J. S. Bowman. "Shifts in macropod home ranges in response to wildlife management interventions." Wildlife Research 37, no. 5 (2010): 379. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/wr09144.
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Context. Understanding how the individual movement patterns and dispersion of a population change following wildlife management interventions is crucial for effective population management. Aims. We quantified the impacts of two wildlife management strategies, a lethal intervention and a subsequent barrier intervention, on localised populations of the two most common macropod species in Tasmania, the Tasmanian pademelon (Thylogale billardierii) and the red-necked wallaby (Macropus rufogriseus rufogriseus). This manipulation allowed us to examine two competing hypotheses concerning the distribution of individuals in animal populations – the Ideal Free Distribution (IFD) hypothesis and the Rose Petal (RP) hypothesis. We predicted that the RP would be supported if individuals maintained their previous home ranges following intervention, whereas the IFD would be supported if individuals redistributed following the management interventions. Methods. The movement patterns of T. billardierii and M. r. rufogriseus were tracked using GPS technology before and after the two management interventions. Key results. Following lethal intervention, pademelons and wallabies (1) maintained their home-range area, (2) increased their utilisation of agricultural habitat and (3) shifted their mean centroid locations compared with the pre-intervention period. Following barrier intervention, pademelons and wallabies (1) maintained their home-range area, (2) decreased their utilisation of agricultural habitat and (3) shifted their mean centroid locations compared with the pre-intervention period. Conclusions. On the basis of the individual responses of macropods to the management strategies (1) lethal intervention appeared to induce small shifts in home-range distributions of those remaining individuals in the population with home ranges overlapping the areas of lethal intervention and (2) barrier intervention is likely to induce whole-scale population movements of the animals that survive the lethal intervention in their search of an alternative food source. Both species displayed spatial and temporal shifts in their home-range distributions in response to lethal and barrier interventions that appear to conform broadly to predictions of IFD, at least in the timeframe of the present experiment. Implications. Wildlife management strategies, which are increasingly constrained by ethical, socio-political and financial considerations, should be based on ecological and behavioural data regarding the likely responses of the target population.
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Lethbridge, Mark, Michael Stead, and Cameron Wells. "Estimating kangaroo density by aerial survey: a comparison of thermal cameras with human observers." Wildlife Research 46, no. 8 (2019): 639. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/wr18122.
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Abstract ContextAerial surveys provide valuable information about the population status and distribution of many native and pest vertebrate species. They are vital for evidence-based monitoring, budget planning and setting management targets. Despite aircraft running costs, they remain one of the most cost-effective ways to capture distribution and abundance data over a broad area. In Australia, annual surveys of large macropods are undertaken in several states to inform management, and in some jurisdictions, to help set commercial kangaroo harvest quotas. Improvements in the cost efficiencies of these surveys are continually sought. Aerial thermal imaging techniques are increasingly being tested for wildlife surveys, but to date no studies have directly compared population data derived from thermal imaging with data collected by human observers during the same flight. AimsDuring an aerial survey of western grey kangaroos (Macropus fuliginosus), eastern grey kangaroos (M. giganteus) and red kangaroos (Osphranter rufus) across the state of Victoria, Australia, the objective was to conduct a direct comparison of the effectiveness of thermal camera technology and human observers for estimating kangaroo populations from aerial surveys. MethodsA thermal camera was mounted alongside an aerial observer on one side of the aircraft for a total of 1360km of transect lines. All thermal footage was reviewed manually. Population density estimates and distance sampling models were compared with human observer counts. Key resultsOverall, the kangaroo density estimates obtained from the thermal camera data were around 30% higher than estimates derived from aerial observer counts. This difference was greater in wooded habitats. Conversely, human-derived counts were greater in open habitats, possibly due to interference from sunlight and flushing. It was not possible to distinguish between species of macropod in the thermal imagery. ConclusionsThermal survey techniques require refining, but the results of the present study suggest that with careful selection of time of day for surveys, more accurate population estimates may be possible than with conventional aerial surveys. ImplicationsConventional aerial surveys may be underestimating animal populations in some habitats. Further studies that directly compare the performance of aerial observers and thermal imaging are required across a range of species and habitats.
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Mella, Valentina S. A., Christine E. Cooper, and Stephen J. J. F. Davies. "Ventilatory frequency as a measure of the response of tammar wallabies (Macropus eugenii) to the odour of potential predators." Australian Journal of Zoology 58, no. 1 (2010): 16. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/zo09083.
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This study uses changes in ventilatory frequency to quantify the physiological response of an Australian terrestrial herbivore, the tammar wallaby (Macropus eugenii), to olfactory cues suggesting the presence of potential predators. Ventilatory frequency proved to be a quantifiable measure to assess the response of this macropod marsupial to olfactory cues. Ventilatory frequency increased from mean resting levels of 45 ± 5.1 breaths min–1 to 137 ± 11.2 breaths min–1 during the first minute of exposure to all odours. These physiological responses diminished over time, with ventilatory frequency in the first minute after introduction of the scents greater than that during the subsequent four, suggesting that the initial reaction was due to disturbance and was investigative in nature. However, the ratio of ventilatory frequency in the remaining 4 min after introduction of the odours compared with before was greater for fox (3.58 ± 0.918) and cat (2.44 ± 0.272) odours than for snake (2.27 ± 0.370), distilled water (1.81 ± 0.463) and quoll (1.71 ± 0.245) odours, suggesting that fox and cat odour provoked a greater response. However, the wallabies’ response to the odour of these introduced predators and to horse odour (2.40 ± 0.492) did not differ. Our study indicates that a long period of co-history with particular predators is not a prerequisite for detection of potentially threatening species. We do not find any support for the hypothesis that an inability to interpret olfactory cues to detect and respond to potential predation by introduced predators is responsible for the decline of these macropod marsupials.
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Short, J., and B. Turner. "Distribution and abundance of spectacled hare-wallabies and euros on Barrow Island, Western Australia." Wildlife Research 18, no. 4 (1991): 421. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/wr9910421.
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Spectacled hare-wallabies (Lagorchestes conspicillatus) and euros (Macropus robustus isabellinus) occur on Barrow I. at densities of 42 and 8 km-2, respectively, which result in estimates of total population sizes of c. 10000 and 1800, respectively. Spectacled hare-wallabies occur throughout the island in all habitat types; euros tend to be concentrated in the deeply dissected country in the central-west of the island. Limited areas of floodout flats are important feeding areas for euros, being the only major habitat on the island dominated by grasses other than Triodia. There was no significant difference between density of either species on the two halves of the island (one half is dominated by a commercial oilfield; the other is relatively undisturbed). Barrow I. is the smallest island off the Australian coast to have successfully supported a population of large macropods for the 8000-10000 years since separation from the mainland by rising sea-level. Hence, the population estimate of euros on Barrow I. provides an empirical measure of the viable population size necessary for the long-term survival of large macropods. This estimate is nearly two orders of magnitude less than that estimated from a theoretical model of minimum viable population size (Belovsky 1987).
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Clarke, JL, ME Jones, and PJ Jarman. "Diurnal and Nocturnal Grouping and Foraging Behaviors of Free-Ranging Eastern Grey Kangaroos." Australian Journal of Zoology 43, no. 5 (1995): 519. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/zo9950519.
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Group size, methods of surveillance and foraging rates of free-ranging eastern grey kangaroos, Macropus giganteus, were compared between night and day, from data on 24-h followings of 24 individuals. Kangaroos occurred in smaller groups in the dark but the reduction in group size took place before or around dusk, and could not be attributed to animals drifting apart after dark. Instead, changes in group size coincided with much movement by animals around dusk. Both males and females tended to spend less time surveying after dark, but females surveyed in fewer bouts at night than in the day. Females used the upright posture more at night than in the day; this is a conspicuous posture but one that probably enhanced their view of the surroundings. Foraging rates of kangaroos were lower after dark than before dusk because of an increased search time per bite. There was no evidence that other foraging parameters, such as rare of movement whilst feeding, were affected by darkness. Eastern grey kangaroos are one of the most social and diurnally active species of macropod and their highly flexible social system of open-membership groups appears to allow individuals to join and leave groups according to their foraging and safety requirements.
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Priddel, D., G. Wellard, and N. Shepherd. "Movements of Sympatric Red Kangaroos, Macropus-Rufus, and Western Grey Kangaroos, Macropus-Fuliginosus, in Western New-South-Wales." Wildlife Research 15, no. 3 (1988): 339. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/wr9880339.
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Between July 1979 and November 1980 a total of 261 red kangaroos, Macropus rufus, (216F; 45 M) and 170 western grey kangaroos, M. fuliginosus, (136F;34M) were caught and tagged with individually recognisable collars. Between July 1979 and January 1986, 1751 sightings of tagged individuals were recorded. Information gained from these sightings was used to assess how far each kangaroo ranged. More than 90% of individuals of either species did not range far (<9 km for reds; <6 km for western greys) even when local pastures were severely depleted during drought. A few individuals dispersed much further-up to 323 km. On average, red kangaroos ranged further than western greys. Kangaroos on Kinchega National Park ranged no less or no further than those on an adjacent pastoral leasehold. At least 17 tagged individuals crossed the macropod-deterrent fence surrounding Kinchega; several crossed repeatedly. Dispersal of kangaroos from Kinchega was slight, supporting the hypothesis of Bayliss (1985) that dispersal has no significant impact on population dynamics.
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Smales, LR. "A revision of the subgenus Labiostrongylus (Labiosimplex) (Nematoda : Cloacinidae) from macropodid marsupials, with descriptions of twelve new species and a key to the species of the subgenus." Invertebrate Systematics 9, no. 2 (1995): 181. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/it9950181.
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Species of Labiostrongylus are parasitic in the stomachs of macropodid and potoroid marsupials. The subgenus Labiostrongylus (Labiosimplex) is revised in this paper. The species Labiostrongylus (Labiosimplex) australis, L. (Ls.) bancrofti, L. (Ls.) bipapillosus, L. (Ls.) clelandi, L. (Ls.) communis, L. (Ls.) kungi, L. (Ls.) longispicularis, L. (Ls.) petrogale and L. (Ls.) redmondi are redescribed. L. ualabatus is placed as a synonym of L. (Ls.) clelandi. Twelve new species, L. (Ls.) robustus, sp. nov., L. (Ls.) major, sp. nov., L. (Ls.) occidentalis, sp. nov., L. (Ls.) aridus, sp. nov., L. (Ls.) flanneryi, sp. nov., L. (Ls.) thetidis, sp. nov., L. (Ls.) irma, sp. nov., L. (Ls.) thomasae, sp. nov., L. (Ls.) dendrolagi, sp. nov., L. (Ls.) pearsortensis, sp. nov., L. (Ls.) godmani, sp. nov., and L. (Ls.) laterilabellosus, sp. nov., are described. Labiostrongylus spp. 1–4 from Macropus parma and Lagorchestes hirsutus are discussed but not named and a key to the subgenus is given. A list of macropodid and potoroid hosts of species of Labiostrongylus is provided, and an indication of where further host collection is needed to augment taxonomic work on the genus is given.
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Brook, L. A., and A. S. Kutt. "The diet of the dingo (Canis lupus dingo) in north-eastern Australia with comments on its conservation implications." Rangeland Journal 33, no. 1 (2011): 79. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/rj10052.
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The dingo (Canis lupus dingo and hybrids) is the top mammalian predator on the Australian mainland and is thought to control and suppress populations of native herbivores and smaller mesopredators, including the introduced feral cat (Felis catus). Dingoes have been persecuted as a threat to domestic livestock, and local population decreases have been linked to increasing mesopredator populations, which in turn may cause the decline of small native mammals. There is little data on the dingo’s dietary composition in northern Australia. We examined the diet of dingoes in north-eastern Queensland via scat collection and analysis. A total of 178 scats were examined between 1994 and 2000, comprised of 185 prey items and representing 21 discrete prey types. Native mammal prey was the most frequent dietary component (69.7%), with large- to medium-sized macropods (Macropus spp. and Wallabia bicolor) present in the majority of samples (51.1%). Critical Weight Range species were found in 18.0% of the records. Introduced species such as the European hare/rabbit (Lepus capensis/Oryctolagus cuniculus) and cattle (Bos taurus) were found in smaller amounts (14.6 and 10.1%, respectively). These results suggest that dingoes prey considerably on large- to medium-sized macropods in our study area (north-eastern Australia). Dingo diet tends to differ regionally where dingoes prey on native species that are locally common or abundant. Finally, the diets of the dingo and feral cat do not appear to considerably overlap in our study area, which may have implications for mesopredator suppression.
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Irlbeck, NA, and ID Hume. "The role of Acacia in the diets of Australian marsupials ? A review." Australian Mammalogy 25, no. 2 (2003): 121. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/am03121.
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Many of the 600 species of Acacia found in Australia form part of the diet of several groups of marsupials. Acacia foliage is generally high in tannins but is consumed by several folivorous possums and by some macropods (kangaroos and wallabies), but the macropods eat it mainly as dry leaf litter during times of food shortage (in dry seasons and drought). Acacia gum is an important diet component of two omnivorous possums (Petaurus breviceps, Gymnobelidius leadbeateri) and, to a lesser extent, two rat-kangaroos (Bettongia sp.). Acacia seeds are consumed by marsupials to a limited extent, but are an important seasonal component of the diet of the mountain brushtail possum (Trichosurus cunninghami), and possibly the tammar wallaby (Macropus eugenii) on Kangaroo Island. Likewise, Acacia arils (lipid-rich appendages to the seeds of some species) are an important seasonal component of the diet of the mahogany glider (Petaurus gracilis). Acacia pollen and nectar are consumed by several omnivorous possums (e.g., Petaurus norfolcensis) as well as by at least one species of rock-wallaby (Petrogale sp.), but the quantitative contributions made by these floral products to the protein and energy budgets of the consumers have been difficult to determine. Thus several parts of the Acacia plant are food resources for one or more groups of marsupials, but the contribution of the genus to marsupial nutrition is often overlooked.
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Hume, ID. "Nitrogen-Metabolism in the Parma Wallaby, Macropus-Parma." Australian Journal of Zoology 34, no. 2 (1986): 147. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/zo9860147.
Full textAbstract:
The maintenance nitrogen requirement of the parma wallaby, Macropus parma, was found to be 566 mg per kg W*0.75 per day on a dietary basis, and 477 mg per kg W*0.75 per day on a truly digestible basis. This is similar to that of the red-necked pademelon, Thylogale thetis, another small wallaby which occupies a similar moist forest habitat, but much higher than (at least double) those of four other macropodid marsupials, all of which are from less mesic environments, that have been studied. Urea recycling decreased in response to water restriction in M. parma; in other published reports urea recycling did not change in T. thetis when water intake was restricted, but in three arid-adapted eutherian herbivores it increased. Voluntary intakes of dry matter and water by M. parma wefe also similar to those published for T. thetis, but higher than those of other macropodid species. These results support the hypothesis that within the Macropodidae nutrient requirements are linked closely with preferred habitat, regardless of phylogeny.
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Munn, Adam J., Peter Banks, and Ian D. Hume. "Digestive plasticity of the small intestine and the fermentative hindgut in a marsupial herbivore, the tammar wallaby (Macropus eugenii)." Australian Journal of Zoology 54, no. 4 (2006): 287. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/zo06004.
Full textAbstract:
We investigated the effects of a ground, pelleted diet versus natural forage on the gross morphology of the gastrointestinal tract of a medium-sized (5–7 kg body mass) macropodid marsupial, the tammar wallaby (Macropus eugenii). The empty wet mass (g) of the small intestine of tammar wallabies maintained on a pelleted diet for 6 weeks was 22% greater than that of animals maintained on natural forage, once body mass was taken into account by ANCOVA. Similarly, the body-mass-adjusted length of the tammar wallaby caecum and proximal colon combined was 25% longer in animals maintained on the pelleted diet compared with those maintained on forage. Our data suggest that food particle size may be directly involved in controlling the size of the post-gastric alimentary tract in tammar wallabies, and thus in their diet choice and nutritional ecology. Notably, this is the first study that links phenotypic plasticity of the gut directly to diet in a marsupial and we conclude that the tammar wallaby is an excellent model for exploring the causes and consequences of digestive plasticity in macropodid marsupials.
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Woolnough, AP. "Comparison of two techniques to survey macropod abundance in an ecologically sensitive habitat." Australian Mammalogy 27, no. 1 (2005): 69. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/am05069.
Full textAbstract:
THERE are many techniques available to measure the abundance of animal populations (e.g., Caughley 1977; Caughley and Grigg 1981; Southwell 1989; McCallum 2000; Buckland et al. 2001). A key point emphasised by each of these authors is that when choosing the most appropriate method(s) for measuring the abundance of animal populations, the manager or researcher must consider the ecological question(s) being asked. This in turn will determine what technique(s) will be most appropriate, what data are likely to be collected for analysis, and how these data will address the ecological question being asked. For the larger macropods, particularly Macropus spp., many of the techniques used to measure the abundance, and associated issues, have been reviewed (see Southwell 1989). Despite this, the applicability of these techniques has rarely been compared, particularly with respect to the observed variability in temporal counts.
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Southwell, C. J., and N. Sheppard. "Assessing Harvested Populations of the Euro (Macropus robustus erubescens) in the Barrier Ranges of Western New South Wales." Australian Mammalogy 21, no. 2 (1999): 165. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/am00165.
Full textAbstract:
Macropus robustus is one of several macropod species harvested commercially in Australia. In New South Wales the major areas where M. robustus impacts on land management practices, and hence harvesting occurs, are the New England region in the northeast, where the subspecies M. robustus robustus (the Wallaroo) occurs, and the Barrier Ranges region in the west, where the subspecies M. r. erubescens (the Euro) occurs. Assessing the size and trend of populations is an important aspect of harvest management. There has been no assessment of M. r. erubescens population size or trend in the Barrier Ranges. An aerial line transect survey in a 3350 km survey area encompassing the Barrier Ranges returned an estimated population size of 18,000 ±3,000 (SE) animals. This estimate is likely to be substantially negatively biased. Following this survey, a quota (the maximum number of animals that can be taken in a year) of 2400 was set for commercial harvesting of M r. erubescens in the Barrier Ranges region, representing a maximum annual harvest rate of 13%. Recommendations for improved methodology to reduce bias in future surveys are provided.
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Bond, Amy R., and Darryl N. Jones. "Temporal trends in use of fauna-friendly underpasses and overpasses." Wildlife Research 35, no. 2 (2008): 103. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/wr07027.
Full textAbstract:
The impact of roads on local biodiversity is a major issue associated with urbanisation. A major arterial road in the southern suburbs of Brisbane, south-east Queensland, was upgraded in 2004–05 from two to four lanes. In an attempt to minimise the impact of the larger road on local wildlife populations, a range of fauna crossing structures were constructed at the site. Monitoring of road-kill was undertaken for 4 months before construction and after the completion of construction. Assessment of the use of two underpasses and a large overpass (‘land-bridge’) started 6 months after construction using sand tracking in underpasses and scat sampling on the land-bridge. An initial 26-week period of intensive monitoring was undertaken from August 2005 to February 2006 followed by monthly monitoring from June 2006 to June 2007. On average, 1–5 tracks per day were detected in the underpasses at the start of the survey, increasing steadily to ~42 tracks per day by February 2006. The monthly survey showed regular use of the underpasses by a wide range of species and species-groups, the most abundant being ‘rodents’, most likely Rattus species, both native and introduced. The land-bridge was also used continuously by three species of macropod (red-necked wallaby, Macropus rufogriseus; swamp wallaby, Wallabia bicolor; and eastern grey kangaroo, Macropus giganteus) with brown hare (Lepus capensis) becoming increasingly common in summer 2006. The exclusion fencing was extremely effective in preventing most road-kill, at least of larger species, except following human-related breaches in the fence.
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Helgen, Kristofer M., Rod T. Wells, Benjamin P. Kear, Wayne R. Gerdtz, and Timothy F. Flannery. "Ecological and evolutionary significance of sizes of giant extinct kangaroos." Australian Journal of Zoology 54, no. 4 (2006): 293. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/zo05077.
Full textAbstract:
A method, based on femoral circumference, allowed us to develop body mass estimates for 11 extinct Pleistocene megafaunal species of macropodids (Protemnodon anak, P. brehus, P. hopei, P. roechus, Procoptodon goliah, ‘P.’ gilli, Simosthenurus maddocki, S. occidentalis, Sthenurus andersoni, S. stirlingi and S. tindalei) and three fossil populations of the extant eastern grey kangaroo (Macropus giganteus). With the possible exception of P. goliah, the extinct taxa were browsers, among which sympatric, congeneric species sort into size classes separated by body mass increments of 20–75%. None show evidence of size variation through time, and only the smallest (‘P.’ gilli) exhibits evidence suggestive of marked sexual dimorphism. The largest surviving macropodids (five species of Macropus) are grazers which, although sympatric, do not differ greatly in body mass today, but at least one species (M. giganteus) fluctuated markedly in body size over the course of the Pleistocene. Sexual dimorphism in these species is marked, and may have varied through time. There is some mass overlap between the extinct and surviving macropodid taxa. With a mean estimated body mass of 232 kg, Procoptodon goliah was the largest hopping mammal ever to exist.
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Stirrat, S. C., and M. Fuller. "The Repertoire of Social Behaviours of Agile Wallabies, Macropus agilis." Australian Mammalogy 20, no. 1 (1998): 71. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/am97064.
Full textAbstract:
The repertoire of social behaviours of the Agile Wallaby, Macropus agilis, was compiled from observations of free-ranging and captive animals in the vicinity of Darwin, Northern Territory. Behaviours were divided into general, maternal, agonistic and sexual contexts. A larger repertoire of behaviours was recorded from captive wallabies but most of these behaviours, except subtle acts like Flehmen and sexual vocalisations, were also seen in free-ranging individuals. The social behaviours of M. agilis are similar to those of other species in the subgenus Prionotemnus. Macropus agilis performed tail-lashing (in sexual, agonistic and general contexts) and males did not use sustained tail support during fights, features which distinguish Prionotemnus from the other subgenera of Macropus. Macropus agilis gave a foot-thump flight signal but also tapped their feet when aware of a potential threat. More complex sexual and agonistic acts which occur in Whiptail Wallabies (Macropus parryi), Euros (Macropus robustus) and Grey Kangaroos (Macropus giganteus) were not observed in M. agilis.
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Osawa, R., and PF Woodall. "A comparative study of macroscopic and microscopic dimensions of the intensine in five macropods (Marsupialia: Macropodidae). I. Allometric relationships." Australian Journal of Zoology 40, no. 1 (1992): 91. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/zo9920091.
Full textAbstract:
Macroscopic and microscopic dimensions of the intestines in five macropod species (the red kangaroo, Macropus rufus; the eastern grey kangaroo, M. giganteus; the agile wallaby, M. agilis; the swamp wallaby, Wallabia bicolor; and the red-necked pademelon, Thylogale thetis) were investigated allometrically in relation to body mass. In general, the length of the small intestine changed in an area : volume (A:V) compensating manner, but the circumference showed negative allometry such that the overall change in surface areas, both ground and mucosal (including the contribution of villi), were isometric but also included the coefficient derived from 'Kleiber's Law' (0.75) in their 95 and 99% confidence limits, respectively. Villous height and width generally showed no significant correlations with body size, but villous density was lower in large individuals. The allometry coefficient for the length of the large intestine was generally near the A:V compensating value (0.5) in most intraspecific analyses but much higher in the interspecific analysis, suggesting that some factor other than body size might be important (possibly dietary fibre). Caecal length was significantly correlated with body size only in two largest species (M. rufus and M. giganteus) and the interspecific analysis gave a value near A:V compensation).
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Lentle, R. G., K. J. Stafford, M. A. Potter, B. P. Springett, and S. Haslett. "Ingesta particle size, food handling and ingestion in the tammar wallaby (Macropus eugenii Desmarest)." Australian Journal of Zoology 47, no. 1 (1999): 75. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/zo98038.
Full textAbstract:
The particle size distribution of stomach contents from 25 tammar wallabies (Macropus eugenii Desmarest) shot in the Okataina State Forest and adjoining farmland near Rotorua, New Zealand, were determined. There was a greater percentage of finer, and a smaller percentage of larger, particles than reported in the stomach contents of larger macropods. The chewing and biting activities of four free-ranging tammars fitted with radio-microphone collars were monitored. Chewing rates (chews per minute) were similar to those of other small herbivorous vertebrates. There were significantly lower rates of chewing and higher chew-to- bite ratios when browsing than when grazing. Observations of browsing by three captive tammars showed inefficient handling by mutually opposed palms and digitopalmar grip, resulting in low rates of ingestion. We suggest that tammars lower the time necessary for fermentation of food by reducing the size of food particles, and that their choice between graze and browse is influenced by food handling and chewing investment.