Population ecology of the eastern pygmy-possum (Cercartetus nanus) in a montane woodland in southern New South Wales

2014 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 212 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jamie M. Harris ◽  
Ross L. Goldingay ◽  
Lyndon O. Brooks
Keyword(s):  
Population Dynamics ◽  
Population Ecology ◽  
New South ◽  
Local Population ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
The Body ◽  
Floral Resources ◽  
Nectar Feeding ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Cercartetus Nanus

The population dynamics of nectar-feeding non-flying mammals are poorly documented. We investigated aspects of the population ecology of the eastern pygmy-possum (Cercartetus nanus) in southern New South Wales. We captured 65 individuals over a 4-year period during 5045 trap-nights and 1179 nest-box checks. The body mass of adult males (mean ± s.e. = 24.6 ± 1.0 g) was marginally not significantly different (P = 0.08) from that of non-parous adult females (28.2 ± 1.9 g). Females gave birth to a single litter each year of 3–4 young during February–May. No juveniles were detected in spring of any year. Mark–recapture modelling suggested that survival probability was constant over time (0.78) while recapture probability (0.04–0.81) varied with season and trap effort. The local population (estimated at ~20–25 individuals) underwent a regular seasonal variation in abundance, with a decline in spring coinciding with the cessation of flowering by Banksia. A population trough in spring has been observed elsewhere. This appears to represent some local migration from the study area, suggesting a strategy of high mobility to track floral resources. Conservation of this species will depend on a more detailed understanding of how flowering drives population dynamics.

scholarly journals The population dynamics of perennial chenopod shrubs in semi-arid western New South Wales.

1990 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 29 ◽  
Author(s):  
DJ Eldridge
Keyword(s):  
Population Dynamics ◽  
Population Ecology ◽  
Arid Zone ◽  
Seedling Survival ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Semi Arid

This thesis deals with some aspects of the population ecology of arid zone perennial chenopod shrubs. It examined the effects of grazing on the population dynamics of Atriplex vesicaria, Maireana astrotricha and Maireana pyramidata, the influence of weather on recruitment and survival of Atriplex vesicaria and the effects of various microtopographical features on seedling survival of Atriplex vesicaria.

scholarly journals Lifetime reproductive success in a population of female red kangaroos Macropus rufus in the sheep rangelands of western New South Wales: Environmental effects and population dynamics

2004 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 45 ◽  
Author(s):  
AD Bilton ◽  
DB Croft
Keyword(s):  
Population Dynamics ◽  
Reproductive Success ◽  
Environmental Conditions ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Reproductive Potential ◽  
Lifetime Reproductive Success ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Macropus Rufus ◽  
Initial Starting

Female reproductive success and the recruitment of offspring to the next generation are key components of animal population dynamics. With an annual commercial harvest of between 13 and 22% of the red kangaroo (Macropus rufus) population, it is increasingly important that these processes are understood. We used data on the reproductive success of 33 free-ranging female M. rufus on Fowlers Gap station in far western New South Wales to determine the expected lifetime reproductive success (LRS) of females within an unharvested population. We also designed a model to generate predictions about female LRS incorporating empirical relationships between a mother?s reproductive success and maternal age, environmental conditions and the sex and survivorship of a previous reproductive attempt. Results from observations on female LRS (calculated from annual weaning rates) and those generated by the model predict that female M. rufus on ?Fowlers Gap? wean, on average, 3.7 young in a lifetime (ranges 0 - 11 and 0 - 20, respectively); representing only 41% of their maximum reproductive potential. Manipulation of initial starting conditions allowed the effect of varying environmental conditions on female LRS to be explored. The condition of the environment when females commence breeding does not appear to significantly affect their overall lifetime reproductive output. However, the occurrence of drought does. Females experiencing two droughts in a lifetime did not live as long and weaned fewer offspring and grandoffspring (from their daughters) than those females experiencing only one drought in a lifetime. In addition to the adverse effect of drought on the reproductive success of female M. rufus in this study, we suggest that, given the relatively high and stable population densities of M. rufus on ?Fowlers Gap?, other mechanisms (acting primarily on juvenile survival) must exist which limit population growth.

The decline and likely loss of a population of the Northern Long-nosed Potoroo Potorous tridactylus tridactylus in Tyagarah Nature Reserve on the New South Wales Far North Coast

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Milledge ◽  
Norman Graham ◽  
Jill Smith
Keyword(s):  
Nature Reserve ◽  
New South ◽  
Local Population ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Camera Trapping ◽  
North Coast ◽  
Far North ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Alectura Lathami ◽  
Potorous Tridactylus

ABSTRACT A population of the Northern Long-nosed Potoroo Potorous tridactylus tridactylus in Tyagarah Nature Reserve on the far north coast of New South Wales was first recorded in 1985. In 1992, a cage-trapping study captured 15 individuals in the central section of the reserve and the population was estimated at 80–90 individuals at that time. A subsequent cage-trapping study in 2004 captured four individuals in the southern section of the reserve, but further cage- and camera-trapping surveys in 2009 and 2012 failed to detect any individuals. Additional camera-trapping surveys between 2012 and 2015 and more intensive surveys between 2015 and 2016 also failed to detect any individuals. The lack of detections from targeted surveys over seven years between 2009 and 2016 suggests that the Tyagarah population of the subspecies has been lost. Reasons for this loss are unclear but may be due to a combination of factors including isolation of the reserve by urban development and highway upgrades, a lack of fire for 40 years, competition for food with the local population of the Australian Brush-turkey Alectura lathami, prolonged drought and possibly, predation by the Red Fox Vulpes vulpes and non-target effects of predator control programs.

Detection of the eastern pygmy-possum Cercartetus nanus (Marsupialia: Burramyidae) at Barren Grounds Nature Reserve, New South Wales.

2005 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 85 ◽  
Author(s):  
JM Harris ◽  
RL Goldingay
Keyword(s):  
New South ◽  
Survey Methods ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Detection Methods ◽  
Isolated Populations ◽  
South Eastern ◽  
Nest Boxes ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Cercartetus Nanus

THE eastern pygmy-possum (Cercartetus nanus) has an extensive distribution, from south-eastern Queensland to south-eastern South Australia, and also into Tasmania (Strahan 1995). Despite this it is rarely detected in fauna surveys (Bowen and Goldingay 2000). This rarity in detection suggested that the species may be characterised by small and isolated populations, and therefore vulnerable to extinction. Consequently, it became listed as a 'Vulnerable' species in New South Wales (NSW) in 2001. Unless resolved, the low rate of detection of C. nanus will continue to hinder the acquisition of basic ecological information that is needed to more clearly define its conservation status and that is fundamental to the development of a recovery plan. An extensive body of survey data for NSW involving C. nanus has been reviewed by Bowen and Goldingay (2000). Among a range of survey methods aimed at detecting this species, trapping within flowering banksias and checking installed nest-boxes had the highest rates of detection. Indeed, one study in northern NSW captured 98 individuals over a 3- year period from within nest-boxes (Bladon et al. 2002). All other studies detected fewer than 15 C. nanus. It is clear that further research is required to investigate the effectiveness of a range of detection methods.

The association between face cover and the productivity of Merino ewes in twelve NSW flocks

1967 ◽  
Vol 7 (28) ◽  
pp. 412
Author(s):  
JP Drinan ◽  
RB Dun
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Negative Association ◽  
The Body ◽  
Positive Correlation ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Body Weights ◽  
The Face ◽  
Fleece Weight

The association between the face cover and productivity of more than 3000 Merino ewes has been examined in 12 flocks located in the major sheep producing areas of New South Wales. Each flock was divided into Open (scores 1 and 2), Moderate (scores 3 and 4), and Muffled (scores 5 and 6) groups. A significant negative association between face cover and reproductive performance was apparent in two flocks that contained appreciable numbers of muffled-faced ewes. A similar trend was apparent in another Muffled flock, but in one other Muffled flock and four Open flocks, there was no evidence of such an association. The results from the remaining four flocks were not considered, due to the possibility that the results were confounded by face cover scoring after joining. In one Muffled flock, the body weights of weaner lambs were negatively correlated with their dams' face cover. A relationship between face cover score and total greasy fleece weight, corrected for previous reproductive performance, was absent from most flocks and negative in two, despite evidence of a positive correlation with belly weight. There was a trend to inferior fleeces of finer trade count in Moderate and Muffled groups of several flocks. Excess face cover was found to be an undesirable attribute in Merino flocks. Its importance was greatest in flocks containing appreciable numbers of muffled-faced ewes

Movements of Sympatric Red Kangaroos, Macropus-Rufus, and Western Grey Kangaroos, Macropus-Fuliginosus, in Western New-South-Wales

1988 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 339 ◽  
Author(s):  
D Priddel ◽  
G Wellard ◽  
N Shepherd
Keyword(s):  
Population Dynamics ◽  
National Park ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Macropus Rufus

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.

Differential habitat use by a local population of subadult common dunnarts, Sminthopsis murina, following wildfire in coastal wet heath, New South Wales, Australia

2005 ◽  
Vol 32 (7) ◽  
pp. 617 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vaughan Monamy ◽  
Barry J. Fox
Keyword(s):  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Habitat Use ◽  
New South ◽  
Habitat Preferences ◽  
Local Population ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
High Soil Moisture ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Unusual Occurrence ◽  
Habitat Fidelity

Little has been published about Sminthopsis murina, a small insectivorous marsupial encountered infrequently during trapping studies. Individuals favour vegetation associations found in recently burnt heathlands and forests; however, individuals rarely remain in such areas long enough for repeated capture. We report an unusual occurrence of habitat fidelity by a dense population of subadult S. murina in coastal wet heath, New South Wales, Australia. Individuals were captured repeatedly in the first 16 months following wildfire (30 subadults trapped 154 times: recapture rate = 80%). Densities peaked 10 months after fire at 3.75 individuals ha–1. More males than females were captured (23 males, 7 females). Habitat analyses revealed differential use of regenerating coastal wet heathland by S. murina. Significantly more captures were made in areas of high soil moisture in the first six months following fire. Captures then decreased in these areas but increased where soil moisture had been lower and where vegetation had been growing more slowly. Beyond the 1995/96 breeding season, regenerating vegetation became increasingly dense and less patchy and captures of S. murina ultimately declined to zero. This paper records a rare opportunity to examine habitat preferences of a single cohort of subadult S. murina. Habitat use may have been determined by the presence of a narrow range of vegetation structure.

Saccocirridae (Annelida : Archiannelida) from the central coast of New South Wales

1981 ◽  
Vol 32 (3) ◽  
pp. 439 ◽  
Author(s):  
R Brown
Keyword(s):  
World Wide ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Ventral Surface ◽  
The Body ◽  
Coarse Grained ◽  
Pacific Region ◽  
Central Coast ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Turbulent Water

Saccocirrids (archiannelids) were collected from coarse-grained sediments in turbulent water from the central New South Wales coast. Saccocirrus jouinae, sp. nov., and S. tridentiger, sp, nov., are described, and S. krusadensis Alikunhi, 1948 newly recorded in Australia. In these species gonads occur only on the left side of the body and cilia are found on the ventral surface. Of the 17 species attributed to the Saccocirridae, seven species are known to have unilateral gonads and ventral ciliation. They occur only in the Indo-Pacific region. Species with gonads on both sides of the body have not been described with cilia on the ventral surface. Their distribution is world-wide.

Novel field observations of eucalypt sap feeding behaviour in the Eastern Pygmy-possum Cercartetus nanus

2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (2) ◽  
pp. 251-255
Author(s):  
Renae Hockey ◽  
Lachlan Wilmott ◽  
Lachlan Hall ◽  
George Madani
Keyword(s):  
Feeding Behaviour ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Field Observations ◽  
South Eastern ◽  
South Wales ◽  
The Family ◽  
Tree Sap ◽  
Sap Feeding ◽  
Cercartetus Nanus

The Eastern Pygmy-possum Cercartetus nanu s is a small arboreal marsupial in the family Burramyidae that is threatened in parts of its range. Considered a generalist omnivore, its diet is known to include invertebrates, seeds, nectar and pollen. Tree sap has never before been recorded as a part of the diet of C. nanus . Here, we report on two observations of C. nanus feeding on eucalypt sap in south-eastern New South Wales.

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