A significant south-western range extension for the desert mouse (Pseudomys desertor) in Western Australia

2016 ◽  
Vol 38 (1) ◽  
pp. 120
Author(s):  
R. J. Ellis ◽  
P. B. S. Spencer ◽  
J. S. Doody ◽  
T. Parkin
Keyword(s):  
Western Australia ◽  
Environmental Conditions ◽  
Arid Zone ◽  
Rodent Species ◽  
Range Extension ◽  
Arid And Semiarid

The desert mouse (Pseudomys desertor) is one of the most common and widespread native rodent species across arid and semiarid Australia. The species occurs in a variety of habitats and like many arid-zone rodents, its distribution and abundance is known to fluctuate with environmental conditions. Following the capture of a suspected specimen of P. desertor outside the current known range of the species, we used molecular-based methods to confirm the specimen’s identification as P. desertor. This note presents a record of the species north of Dalwallinu, Western Australia, which represents a significant range extension for the species of 324 km from the nearest confirmed record.

Diets and predictions of feeding rate of house mice and Lakeland Downs short-tailed mice inhabiting an arid-zone island in Western Australia

2002 ◽  
Vol 50 (3) ◽  
pp. 249 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Moro ◽  
S. D. Bradshaw
Keyword(s):  
Western Australia ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Feeding Rate ◽  
Arid Zone ◽  
Rodent Species ◽  
Dietary Sodium ◽  
Feeding Rates ◽  
Faecal Pellets ◽  
Dietary Requirements ◽  
Free Ranging

An analysis of the faecal pellets of two species of arid-zone mouse, the house mouse (Mus domesticus) and Lakeland Downs short-tailed mouse (Leggadina lakedownensis), inhabiting Thevenard Island in Western Australia was conducted to ascertain their dietary requirements, and to use this information to predict their feeding rates in the field. Both species consumed seed, monocotyledon and dicotyledon plant material and invertebrate material, although the relative frequency-of-occurrence of these items varied throughout the year. Invertebrate material formed the highest proportion of dietary intake for both rodent species at all times, suggesting that this dietary strategy is advantageous for rodent species that inhabit environments where plant seeding is seasonal and rainfall dependent. The dry-matter intake (DMI) of free-ranging M.�domesticus and L. lakedownensis was predicted and compared using information from two sources: their isotopic water fluxes and the water content of their diet, and their isotopic sodium fluxes and the sodium content of their diet with and without corrections for non-dietary (exogenous) sources of sodium. The DMI derived from the water turnover was high for both species, suggesting that the mice were drinking and that assumptions inherent in this calculation were violated. Feeding rates were also high if no correction was made for exogenous, non-dietary sodium. When corrections were made, however, M. domesticus was predicted to ingest 4.62 ± 0.20 g dry matter day–1 compared with 3.86 ± 0.23 g dry matter day–1 for L.�lakedownensis. When DMI was scaled on the basis of allometric predictions for desert eutherians, only estimates of DMI for M. domesticus fell outside the predicted 95% confidence intervals. The results presented suggest that M. domesticus were obtaining some sodium from sources additional to their diet. Taken together, this methodology provides a useful application for measuring the feeding rate of free-ranging species given known dietary requirements in the field.

scholarly journals The epidemiology of Sarcocystis spp. in cattle of Western Australia

1992 ◽  
Vol 108 (1) ◽  
pp. 107-113 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Savini ◽  
J. D. Dunsmore ◽  
I. D. Robertson ◽  
P. Seneviratna
Keyword(s):  
Western Australia ◽  
Host Age ◽  
Semiarid Regions ◽  
Sex Influence ◽  
Sarcocystis Spp ◽  
Artificial Digestion ◽  
Management Factors ◽  
Arid And Semiarid ◽  
Age And Sex

SUMMARYOesophagus samples from 714 cattle from Western Australia were examined by artificial digestion to detect the presence of Sarcocystis spp. The overall prevalence of infection was 52%. The prevalence of infection increased with age and was highest in the entire males (92%). The prevalence was lower in cattle which originated from arid and semiarid regions (9 and 31% respectively) than those from tropical (87%) and temperate (60%) regions. possible reasons for these differences are discussed and it is concluded that environmental and management factors as well as host age and sex influence the prevalence of infection with Sarcocystis spp. in cattle.

scholarly journals Range extension of Lundomys molitor (Winge, 1887) (Mammalia: Rodentia: Cricetidae) to eastern Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil

Check List ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 2101
Author(s):  
Marcus Vinicius Brandão ◽  
Ana Claudia Fegies
Keyword(s):  
Rio Grande ◽  
Distribution Range ◽  
Rodent Species ◽  
Range Extension ◽  
Rio Grande Do Sul

The distribution range of Lundomys molitor, a cricetid rodent species known from only six localities, herein is extended about 295 km with the inclusion of a record from Rio Grande do Sul state. The new locality represents the easternmost limit of the distribution of this poorly studied species.

scholarly journals A Hotspot of Arid Zone Subterranean Biodiversity: The Robe Valley in Western Australia

Diversity ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (10) ◽  
pp. 482
Author(s):  
Huon L. Clark ◽  
Bruno A. Buzatto ◽  
Stuart A. Halse
Keyword(s):  
Western Australia ◽  
Arid Zone ◽  
Ground Level ◽  
Ore Formation ◽  
Monitoring Wells ◽  
Groundwater Aquifers ◽  
Species Lists ◽  
Below Ground ◽  
Drill Holes ◽  
Mining Exploration

Knowledge of subterranean fauna has mostly been derived from caves and streambeds, which are relatively easily accessed. In contrast, subterranean fauna inhabiting regional groundwater aquifers or the vadose zone (between surface soil layers and the watertable) is difficult to sample. Here we provide species lists for a globally significant subterranean fauna hotspot in the Robe Valley of the Pilbara region, Western Australia. This fauna was collected from up to 50 m below ground level using mining exploration drill holes and monitoring wells. Altogether, 123 subterranean species were collected over a distance of 17 km, comprising 65 troglofauna and 58 stygofauna species. Of these, 61 species were troglobionts and 48 stygobionts. The troglofauna occurs in small voids and fissures in mesas comprised mostly of an iron ore formation, while the stygofauna occurs in the alluvium of a river floodplain. The richness of the Robe Valley is not a localized aberration, but rather reflects the richness of the arid Pilbara region. While legislation in Western Australia has recognized the importance of subterranean fauna, mining is occurring in the Robe Valley hotspot with conditions of environmental approval that are designed to ensure species persistence.

The ecology of sympatric scincid lizards (Ctenotus) in arid South Australia

1998 ◽  
Vol 46 (6) ◽  
pp. 617 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. L. Read
Keyword(s):  
Home Range ◽  
Environmental Conditions ◽  
Plant Material ◽  
Reproductive Effort ◽  
Arid Zone ◽  
South Australia ◽  
Early Summer ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Local Species ◽  
Olympic Dam

Ctenotus skinks are the most diverse and abundant diurnal reptile genus at Olympic Dam, in the South Australian arid zone. The home range, demography, reproduction and diet of five syntopic Ctenotus species was studied over a 6-year period in chenopod shrubland. Longevity frequently exceeded three years in C. regius, four years in C. schomburgkii and five years in C. leonhardii, with a 7-year-old specimen of C. leonhardii being recorded. Females of most species tended to be larger and lived longer than males. Two eggs were typically laid by each species in early summer. Annual reproductive effort, particularly in C. leonhardii, varied considerably depending upon the prevailing environmental conditions. All local species apparently occupied home ranges, with maximum recapture radii in different species of 40–60 m. Ctenotus appear to be unspecialised insectivores, although plant material and lizards are sometimes eaten by the larger species.

Subterranean archipelago in the Australian arid zone: mitochondrial DNA phylogeography of amphipods from central Western Australia

2007 ◽  
Vol 16 (7) ◽  
pp. 1533-1544 ◽  
Author(s):  
STEVEN J. B. COOPER ◽  
JOHN H. BRADBURY ◽  
KATHLEEN M. SAINT ◽  
REMKO LEYS ◽  
ANDREW D. AUSTIN ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mitochondrial Dna ◽  
Western Australia ◽  
Arid Zone

New taxa in Glycine (Fabaceae: Phaseolae) from north-western Australia

2002 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 565 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. E. Pfeil ◽  
L. A. Craven
Keyword(s):  
New Taxa ◽  
Western Australia ◽  
National Park ◽  
Northern Territory ◽  
Range Extension ◽  
North Western

Three new taxa of Glycine are described, namely Glycine pullenii B.E.Pfeil, Tindale & Craven and G.�aphyonota B.E.Pfeil from Bungle Bungle-Purnululu National Park, Western Australia, and G. hirticaulis subsp. leptosa B.E.Pfeil from the Top End of the Northern Territory. A key to Glycine Willd. in north-western Australia is provided. A range extension for G. falcata Benth. is noted.

Patterns of Distribution of Acacia in Australia

1988 ◽  
Vol 36 (4) ◽  
pp. 385 ◽  
Author(s):  
BR Maslin ◽  
L Pedley
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Western Australia ◽  
Arid Zone ◽  
Patterns Of Distribution ◽  
The North ◽  
Geographic Patterns ◽  
South West ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Semiarid Areas ◽  
The Tropics

Patterns of distribution are described for the three subgenera and nine sections that make up the Australian Acacia flora. Subgenus Phyllodineae (833 species) is widespread and contains 99% of the species; subgenus Acacia (six species) and subgenus Aculeiferum (one species) are poorly represented and virtually confined to the north of the continent. The geographic patterns of species-richness are strongly influenced by sections Phyllodineae (352 species), Juliflorae (219 species) and Plurinerves (178 species). Section Phyllodineae has centres of richness south of the Tropic of Capricorn in temperate and adjacent semiarid areas of eastern, south-eastern and south-western Australia. The section is poorly represented in the tropics. The closely related sections Juliflorae and Plurinerves predominate in the north of the continent, semiarid areas of the south-west, many rocky tablelands of the Arid Zone and along the Great Dividing Range and adjacent inland riverine lowland areas in eastern Australia. The remaining four sections contribute little to the overall patterns of species-richness. The principal speciespoor areas are sandy and fluvial lowland regions of the Arid Zone. In eastern Australia, sections Botrycephalae, Juliflorae, Phyllodineae and Plurinerves show discontinuous patterns of species-richness along the Great Dividing Range. All sections have species whose ranges terminate in the area of the McPherson-Macleay Overlap region.

The Sensitivity of Australian Animals to 1080 Poison IV. Native and Introduced Rodents

1982 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 505 ◽  
Author(s):  
JC Mcilroy
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Respiratory Distress ◽  
Western Australia ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Rodent Species ◽  
Indigenous Plants ◽  
Actual Effect ◽  
Highly Sensitive ◽  
Vertebrate Pests ◽  
Factor Governing

Most rodent species that have been tested in Australia and elsewhere are highly sensitive to 1080 poison. A few native species. particularly members of the 'pseudo-mouse group' (Conilurini), part of whose range is in Western Australia, are much more tolerant. These species may have developed this tolerance from being exposed to indigenous plants that contain fluoroacetate. The most common signs of poisoning amongst rodents are depression, hypersensitivity to stimuli, respiratory distress and convulsions. Signs of poisoning first appeared amongst the species tested in this study 0.4-38.1 h after dosing. Deaths occurred 0.7-205.8 h after dosing. The susceptibility to 1080-poisoning of the 14 species of rodents tested in Australia depends on both sensitivity and body size, and is discussed in relation to typical baits and concentrations of 1080 used against vertebrate pests. Individuals of most species of rodents would appear to face a considerable risk if pest-poisoning campaigns are carried out within their range, but the crucial factor governing the actual effect on populations will be how many individuals find and eat the baits.

The sand shrimp genus Philocheras (Caridea: Crangonidae) from the continental margin of Western Australia including the description of a new species and a key to Australian species

Zootaxa ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 2372 (1) ◽  
pp. 157-168
Author(s):  
JOANNE TAYLOR
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Western Australia ◽  
Continental Margin ◽  
Range Extension ◽  
Australian Species ◽  
De Man ◽  
First Time ◽  
A New Species

Eight species of Philocheras (Crustacea: Caridea: Crangonidae) are reported from the Northwest Shelf of Western Australia. One species is new to science Philocheras anthonyi sp. nov. Five species are reported for the first time from Australian waters, P. angustirostris (De Man, 1918), P. incisus (Kemp, 1916), P. japonicus (Doflein, 1902), P. modestus (De Man, 1918) and P. plebs (Kemp, 1916). A range extension within Australia is reported for Philocheras lowisi (Kemp, 1916) and P. planoculminus Bruce, 1994. These records expand the number of Philocheras species previously recorded from Australian waters from ten to 16. A revised key and illustrated guide to the species from Australia is provided.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document