Home Range, Burrow Usage and Diel Activity of Platypuses on the Duckmaloi Weir, New South Wales.

1998 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 308
Author(s):  
M. Mcleod ◽  
D. Goldney
Keyword(s):  
New South ◽  
Activity Patterns ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
River System ◽  
Diel Activity ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Ornithorhynchus Anatinus ◽  
Mark Release Recapture ◽  
Individual Variations

Platypuses, Ornithorhynchus anatinus, have been studied on the Duckmaloi River, New South Wales, in a long term mark-release-recapture project from 1986 to 1996. Some animals are recaptured regularly, while others are trapped only once. A high percentage of juveniles are never retrapped. New animals continue to be captured each year. Hence radio-tracking was employed to examine the movements of animals within the river system including their spatial utilisation of the Duckmaloi Weir. Concurrent studies on activity patterns and burrow usage were undertaken. Seventeen animals (I 0 juveniles, 2 subadults and 5 adults) were radio-tracked for various lengths of time between January and October 1993. Telemetric data revealed that radio-tagged animals were not recaptured on all possible occasions. Home ranges (length of river) varied from 0.5 km to 3.5 km. Home ranges of all animals, overlapped extensively, while core area overlap also occurred in the pool behind the Duckmaloi weir. One juvenile male dispersed 8.5 km upstream from the weir. Platypuses typically utilised areas when feeding with water depth between I to 2.5 m, rarely using areas less than 0.5 m deep. Juvenile platypuses were crepuscular and nocturnal, while adults, although mainly nocturnal also exhibited individual variations in diurnality. Although some individuals remained active throughout the night, others returned to burrows before re-entering the water. Animals commonly returned to certain burrow complexes with some exhibiting a higher degree of burrow site specificity than others. Certain burrows were used by nearly all radio-tagged animals over time while others were used by only a select number of individuals. Some animals tracked in the weir pool were found to share burrows.

Home range and movement of foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in coastal New South Wales, Australia

2000 ◽  
Vol 27 (6) ◽  
pp. 663 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul D. Meek ◽  
Glen Saunders
Keyword(s):  
Home Range ◽  
New South ◽  
Activity Patterns ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Coastal Habitat ◽  
Minimum Convex Polygon ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Fox Control ◽  
Polygon Method

Data on the home range and activity of 14 foxes was collected from coastal habitat in Jervis Bay, New South Wales during 1993–95. Radio-collared foxes had a mean home range of 135 ha and core activity areas of 23 ha (determined by the Minimum Convex Polygon method). There were no significant differences in the home ranges of male and female foxes. The home ranges of some foxes shifted throughout the study. Some animals went on long forays beyond their normal range. All animals displayed nocturnal activity patterns except during the breeding season or after long spells of wet weather when some foraging occurred during daylight hours. The information collected in this study is discussed in the context of fox control.

Contrast between the visible abundance of the brush-tailed rock-wallaby, Petrogale penicillata, and its rarity in fox and dog scats in the gorges east of Armidale, New South Wales

1996 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 373 ◽  
Author(s):  
D Lunney ◽  
B Law ◽  
C Rummery
Keyword(s):  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Small Populations ◽  
Scat Analysis ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Collection Period ◽  
Natal Home

Predator scats were collected near colonies of the brush-tailed rock-wallaby, Petrogale penicillata, in gorges near Armidale, New South Wales. Scat collection coincided with the two periods when these macropodids are believed to be most vulnerable to predation: when juveniles vacate the pouch (September) and when they disperse from natal home ranges (April). The ratio of known dingo to fox scats did not differ significantly from 1 : 1 for each collection period. The most common dietary items identified in the scat analysis were as follows: rabbits (in 30% of scats); swamp wallabies (21%); cattle (16%); and brushtail possums (10%). Despite a visible abundance of P. penicillata in the study area, it occurred rarely (1%) in the 342 canid scats collected, and no P. penicillata was detected in fox scats. While the collection and analysis of predator scats does detect P. penicillata, it does not provide an efficient means of doing so and is unlikely to be effective at detecting small populations of this species.

Distribution of the Platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus) in New South Wales: Results of The 1994-96 New South Wales Rivers Survey.

1999 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 177
Author(s):  
T.R. Grant ◽  
P.C. Gehrke ◽  
J.H. Harris ◽  
S. Hartley
Keyword(s):  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Wide Distribution ◽  
Native Fish ◽  
Coastal Regions ◽  
Community Based ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Ornithorhynchus Anatinus ◽  
The Stability ◽  
Population Numbers

Data from the New South Wales Rivers Survey on the occurrence of platypuses have provided the most recent and comprehensive record of platypus distribution in the State. The species was most commonly reported from the montane and coastal regions, being less common on the western slopes and uncommon in the rivers of the western lowlands. The observations confirmed those from earlier community-based surveys. In contrast to the distribution of native fish species, there appears to have been little change in the overall state-wide distribution of the platypus in response to degrading processes in the rivers of New South Wales, although nothing is known of the stability of their population numbers.

Bird Distributions on Small Rainforest Remnants in New South Wales.

1981 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 637 ◽  
Author(s):  
RW Howe ◽  
TD Howe ◽  
HA Ford
Keyword(s):  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Additional Species ◽  
South Wales ◽  
High Dispersal ◽  
North Eastern ◽  
Bird Distributions ◽  
Open Country

We studied bird distributions on 15 small patches of subtropical rainforest, ranging from 0.08 to 2.5 ha, in north-eastern New South Wales. Three-quarters of the bird species found in an extensive area of nearby rainforest were recorded in one or more of these isolated patches. Species that were not recorded, generally were rare in the extensive forest or are characterized by large home ranges. Several species more typical of open country were also found in the isolated patches. The number of resident species per patch ranged from one to 19; these were added in a rather predictable order from small to larger areas. Additional species observed in the patches either were transient or had home ranges encompassing several discontinuous areas. Although area is the best single predictor of species richness, isolation, disturbance by livestock and distance from water all tend to reduce the number of resident bird species. We propose that high dispersal abilities of rainforest birds near Dorrigo reflect the geographical and palaeogeographical distribution of Australian rainforest. The small total area and discontinuity of original tracts of rainforest, perhaps accentuated during the Pleistocene, have generally prevented persistence or colonization of highly sedentary, specialized bird species.

Morphological observations on the Erthrocytes, Leukocytes and Platelets of Free-Living Platypuses, Ornithorhynchus anatinus (Shaw) (Monotremata : Ornithorhynchidae)

1983 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 421 ◽  
Author(s):  
PJ Canfield ◽  
RJ Whittington
Keyword(s):  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Free Living ◽  
Ultrastructural Studies ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Ornithorhynchus Anatinus

Blood was collected from the bill sinus of 10 healthy, mature platypuses captured in the Upper Shoalhaven River of New South Wales. Blood from all 10 animals was used for light microscopic morphometrical studies, and that from four of them was used for ultrastructural studies. The erythrocytes presented no unusual features and were similar to those described for other monotremes, marsupials and man. Platelets were of a mammalian type and uniform. Features of the leukocytes were compared and contrasted with those of other monotremes, marsupials, domestic mammals and man. Unusual features of the leukocytes of the platypus included the consistent presence of Dohle bodies within segmented neutrophils, and the nonsegmented nature of nuclei of eosinophils and basophils. Ultrastructural studies confirmed these findings.

Patterns of waterbird use in wetlands of the Paroo, A river system of inland Australia.

1992 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 128 ◽  
Author(s):  
MT Maher ◽  
LW Braithwaite
Keyword(s):  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
River System ◽  
Aerial Survey ◽  
Flood Event ◽  
Flood Events ◽  
Inland Wetlands ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Waterbird Species ◽  
North Western

The significance of inland wetlands to Australian waterbirds has been overlooked until recently. One important area identified from regular aerial survey centres on the Paroo River in north-western New South Wales. Between April 1983 and December 1985, a period covering a major flood, waterbird populations were estimated on five wetland systems associated with the Paroo during 14 trips. Fifty- three waterbird species were recorded with the anatids, Anas gibberifrons and Malacorhynchus membranaceus, accounting for 75 per cent of total estimated populations. Most breeding events were observed in those wetlands dominated by Muehlenbeckia florulenta (lignum). Breeding accounted for shifts in waterbird populations between wetland systems. A model of waterbird usage of the five wetland systems in relation to a complete flood event is described. The importance for waterbird conservation of wetlands used for breeding and maintenance of populations between flood events, and threats to the integrity of these wetlands are discussed.

Home ranges of feral cats (Felis catus) in central-western New South Wales, Australia

2005 ◽  
Vol 32 (7) ◽  
pp. 587 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robyn Molsher ◽  
Chris Dickman ◽  
Alan Newsome ◽  
Warren Müller
Keyword(s):  
Home Range ◽  
Habitat Use ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Home Range Size ◽  
Range Size ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Habitat Types ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Adult Cats

Twenty-one feral cats were radio-tracked using direct sighting and triangulation techniques (amassing 730 location fixes) during winter in an agricultural landscape in central-western New South Wales. Factors affecting home-range size, home-range overlap and habitat use were assessed. Mean home-range size was 248 ha (s.e. = 34.9, n = 15 cats, 598 location fixes). Home-range size and habitat use were not influenced by sex or age of adult cats, prey abundance or time of day. However, cat weight significantly influenced range size, with heavier cats having larger ranges than smaller cats. Although the cats are apparently solitary, their home ranges overlapped considerably, particularly between young adults and old adult cats. Cats were active both by day and night and did not occupy permanent dens. Home ranges encompassed mixed habitat types that provided both shelter and prey. Open woodland and open forest were the main habitat types covered by home ranges, but within these areas cats showed a preference for grassland, where rabbits were more abundant. The results recorded in this study indicate that cat-control programs should concentrate in mixed habitat areas, where both shelter and food are available, and over widely dispersed areas. The absence of group living suggests that the effectiveness of virally vectored fertility or biological control agents would be limited.

Movements and Home Ranges of Feral Pigs (Sus Scrofa) in Kosciusko National Park, New South Wales.

1996 ◽  
Vol 23 (6) ◽  
pp. 711 ◽  
Author(s):  
G Saunders ◽  
B Kay
Keyword(s):  
Home Range ◽  
National Park ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Home Range Size ◽  
Range Size ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Minimum Convex Polygon ◽  
Feral Pigs ◽  
South Wales

The movements of a subalpine population of feral pigs were examined at Kosciusko National Park in southeastern New South Wales. Sufficient data were collected to estimate the home-range area of 20 pigs on the basis of 782 telemetry and trap locations. Mean (+/- s.d.) home-range size (minimum convex polygon method) for males (35.0 t 22.2 km*2) was significantly greater than that for females (1 1.1 +/- 5.2 km*2). Use of capture-recapture distances to estimate home-range size was considered inappropriate. A test for nomadism suggests that, although home ranges of pigs in this environment were larger than those reported for other pigs in Australia, the pigs were essentially sedentary. Management implications for this population are discussed.

Aspects of Lactation in the Platypus, Ornithorhynchus anatinus (Monotremata), in Waters of Eastern New South Wales.

1983 ◽  
Vol 31 (6) ◽  
pp. 881 ◽  
Author(s):  
TR Grant ◽  
M Griffiths ◽  
RMC Leckie
Keyword(s):  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Young Leave ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Ornithorhynchus Anatinus ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Lactating Females ◽  
One Year ◽  
The One ◽  
First Time

Female platypuses captured in waters of eastern New South Wales were found to be lactating between the months of October and March. Lactating females were most numerous in December, accounting for 64% of females captured. Non-lactating females were taken in all months, indicating that not all females breed successfully every year. There was no significant difference between the fatty acid complement of milk taken from a platypus lactating very late in the season and those of others sampled in December at the peak of the lactation season. Some evidence exists that females do not become reproductive until at least their second year of life. Some females were found lactating in consecutive years, and others lactated one year and not in the one following. Animals of over 9 years of age are known to breed. Most juveniles were captured in February, March and April, and it is suggested that the young leave the breeding burrows for the first time in late January through to March, and become independent from their mothers, who are ceasing lactation at that time.

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