Population Dynamics and Movement Patterns of Bolam's Mouse, Pseudomys bolami, at Roxby Downs, South Australia.

1998 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 353
Author(s):  
K.E. Moseby ◽  
J.L. Read
Keyword(s):  
Arid Zone ◽  
Sand Dunes ◽  
South Australia ◽  
Breeding Strategy ◽  
Early Summer ◽  
Ecological Data ◽  
Winter Rainfall ◽  
Land Systems ◽  
Single Night ◽  
Time Of Year

Basic ecological data were collected on Bolam's mouse, Pseudomys bolami, during a six year trapping study at Roxby Downs in northern South Australia. Pseudomys bolami inhabited mixed arid land systems in the Roxby Downs area, sheltering in the longitudinal orange sand dunes but foraging at night principally on the adjacent chenopod swales. Distances of up to 334m were traversed in a single night and recapture rates were high within trapping sessions but low between sessions suggesting wide-ranging movements and short-term residency. Dietary observations imply an omnivorous diet. Whilst the closely related P. hermannsburgensis is regarded as having an opportunistic breeding strategy, P. bolami reproduced opportunistically but also regularly in spring and early summer. Different reproductive strategies may be influenced by the latitudinal distribution of P. bolami near the southern margin of the arid-zone, where rainfall can occur at any time of year but winter rainfall is more predictable. This contrasts with P. hermannsburgensis, which inhabits more northerly arid areas where rainfall is erratic and unpredictable. There was a 10 fold fluctuation in P. bolami captures over the trapping period with numbers of P. bolami and house mice, Mus domesticus peaking 12 months after above average rains during 1992. Rodent captures remained high for two years afterwards. Although P. bolami persisted throughout the study period, M. domesticus was only present when conditions were above average. Trap success of P. bolami or M. domesticus did not vary between the five sub habitats at the 1 ha study site. However, trap success of P. bolami was positively related to vegetation cover, particularly cover of low bluebush, Maireana astrotricha. Maireana astrotricha may be important in providing both food and cover for P. bolami, a scenario consistent with the utilisation of spinifex, Triodia spp. by P. hermannsburgensis in the northern arid-zone. Past over- grazing of chenopod shrublands may have reduced cover and contributed to the suggested decline in the distribution of P. bolami.

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.

Changes in abundance and reproductive activity of small arid-zone murid rodents on an active cattle station in central Australia

2017 ◽  
Vol 44 (1) ◽  
pp. 22 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. G. Breed ◽  
C. M. Leigh ◽  
M. F. Breed
Keyword(s):  
Natural Environment ◽  
Arid Zone ◽  
Sand Dunes ◽  
Early Summer ◽  
High Abundance ◽  
Population Cycle ◽  
Similar Species ◽  
Population Abundance ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Central Australia

Context Boom and bust population cycles are characteristic of many arid-zone rodents, but it is unknown to what extent these dynamics might be influenced by the presence of invasive rodents, such as the house mouse (Mus musculus) in Australia. Aim To determine whether the presence of M. musculus can have negative consequences on the population abundance and reproduction of two old Australian endemic rodents (the spinifex hopping mouse, Notomys alexis, and sandy inland mouse, Pseudomys hermannsburgensis). Methods The study took place on the sand dunes of a cattle station in central Australia. Population abundance was estimated as the number of individuals caught in small mammal traps, and female reproductive condition by external examination and, in a few cases, euthanasia and inspection of the reproductive tract. Key results Two synchronous periods of high abundance of N. alexis and M. musculus occurred several months after significant rainfall events, whereas the abundance of P. hermannsburgensis was consistently low. No reproduction took place in N. alexis or M. musculus when populations had reached high abundance. During low-rainfall periods, M. musculus was not detected on the sand dunes, and the two endemic species were sparsely distributed, with reproduction occasionally being evident. Conclusions During dry periods, M. musculus contracted back to refuges around the homestead and, after significant rainfall, it expanded onto the sand dunes and became abundant at the same time as did N. alexis. In contrast, and unlike in areas where M. musculus was generally rare, P. hermannsburgensis always remained at a low abundance. These patterns suggest that in areas of the natural environment close to human-modified sites, populations of at least one species of an old endemic rodent are supressed by the presence of M. musculus. Reproduction did not occur in the old endemics at times of high M. musculus abundance, but did take place in spring/early summer, even in some dry years. Implications The spread of M. musculus into the Australian arid zone may have had negative impacts on the population dynamics of P. hermannsburgensis. These findings suggest that the presence of human settlements has resulted in refuges for house mice, which periodically spread out into the natural environment during ‘boom’ times and adversely affect the natural population cycle of ecologically similar species such as P. hermannsburgensis.

Impact of extrafloral nectar availability and plant genotype on ant (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) visitation to quaking aspen (Salicaceae)

2015 ◽  
Vol 148 (1) ◽  
pp. 36-42 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathon R. Newman ◽  
Diane Wagner ◽  
Patricia Doak
Keyword(s):  
Populus Tremuloides ◽  
Late Summer ◽  
Early Summer ◽  
Quaking Aspen ◽  
Plant Genotype ◽  
Free Living ◽  
Natural Induction ◽  
Formica Fusca ◽  
Time Of Year ◽  
Nectar Availability

AbstractFor quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides Michaux; Salicaceae) the rate of extrafloral (EF) sugar secretion is increased by defoliation and decreased by drought. Although wholesale blocking of EF nectar has been shown to reduce ant (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) visitation to aspen, the effect of more subtle and realistic variations in nectar availability on ant recruitment is unknown. Working in Alaskan boreal forest (United States of America), we reduced and supplemented EF nectar availability on potted aspen ramets of three genotypes and surveyed visitation by free-living Formica fusca (Linnaeus) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Ants were more responsive to a subtle increase in sugar availability than to a decrease. While nectar reduction had no effect on ant visitation, nectar supplementation increased ant visitation to one aspen genotype by 70% during an early summer trial. Average ant visitation to different aspen genotypes varied during the late summer, indicating that aspen genotype can influence attractiveness to ants. We conclude that natural induction of EF secretion in response to herbivory may benefit aspen through improved ant recruitment, though the response is dependent on aspen genotype and time of year. Differences among aspen genets in attractiveness to ants could influence the relative success of genotypes, especially in settings in which aspen regenerates from seed.

scholarly journals A Study of Desertification Using Remote Sensing Techniques in Basra Governorate, South Iraq

2021 ◽  
pp. 912-926
Author(s):  
Fadel Abbas Zwain ◽  
Thair Thamer Al-Samarrai ◽  
Younus I. Al-Saady
Keyword(s):  
Remote Sensing ◽  
Land Degradation ◽  
Land Surface ◽  
Vegetation Index ◽  
Normalized Difference Vegetation Index ◽  
Arid Zone ◽  
Sand Dunes ◽  
Risk Index ◽  
Anthropogenic Factors ◽  
Landsat Images

Iraq territory as a whole and south of Iraq in particular encountered rapid desertification and signs of severe land degradation in the last decades. Both natural and anthropogenic factors are responsible for the extent of desertification. Remote sensing data and image analysis tools were employed to identify, detect, and monitor desertification in Basra governorate. Different remote sensing indicators and image indices were applied in order to better identify the desertification development in the study area, including the Normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), Normalized Difference Water Index (NDWI), Salinity index (SI), Top Soil Grain Size Index (GSI) , Land Surface Temperature (LST) , Land Surface Soil Moisture (LSM), and Land Degradation Risk Index (LDI) which was used for the assessment of degradation severity .Three Landsat images, acquired in 1973, 1993, and 2013, were used to evaluate the potential of using remote sensing analysis in desertification monitoring. The approach applied in this study for evaluating this phenomenon was proven to be an effective tool for the recognition of areas at risk of desertification. The results indicated that the arid zone of Basra governorate encounters substantial changes in the environment, such as decreasing surface water, degradation of agricultural lands (as palm orchards and crops), and deterioration of marshlands. Additional changes include increased salinization with the creeping of sand dunes to agricultural areas, as well as the impacts of oil fields and other facilities.

Subaqueous speleothems from the Flinders Ranges, South Australia, as palaeohydrological archives for the arid zone

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Calla Gould-Whaley ◽  
Russell Drysdale ◽  
Jan-Hendrick May ◽  
John Hellstrom ◽  
Hai Cheng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Arid Zone ◽  
Regional Climate ◽  
South Australia ◽  
Middle Latitude ◽  
Water Levels ◽  
Human Migration ◽  
Dispersal Patterns ◽  
Groundwater Levels ◽  
Flinders Ranges ◽  
Ecosystem Changes

<p>Australia is the driest continent outside of Antarctica yet relatively little is known about its long-term moisture history. Many local palaeoclimate archives suffer preservation problems, particularly in the arid centre of the continent, where weathering and erosion leave behind an incomplete record. In an attempt to redress the paucity of arid-zone palaeoclimate records, we investigate ‘pendulites’, subaqueous speleothems that grow episodically according to fluctuations in local groundwater levels. At Mairs Cave (central Flinders Ranges, South Australia), pendulites have formed around stalactites. During the first sustained episode of drowning, the stalactite is veneered by subaqueous calcite, sealing it and preventing further stalactitic growth after water levels fall. Once sealed, the pendulites only record periods of persistent drowning, assumed to correspond to major pluvial episodes.</p><p>Age data from two pendulite samples collected from close to the ceiling where the highest water levels have reached reveal two main groundwater ‘high-stand’ phases centred on ~67 and ~48 ka, coincident with Southern Hemisphere summer insolation maxima. This suggests that precession-driven southward migration of the ITCZ resulted in regular and persistent incursions of tropical air masses to the central Flinders Ranges. Trace element, stable isotope and growth-rate changes reveal that these orbitally controlled growth intervals are superimposed by regional climate responses to Dansgaard-Oeschger and Heinrich events. The results from Mairs Cave shed new light on the moisture history of central Australia, in particular the competing influences of tropical and middle-latitude circulation systems. This provides a precisely dated regional palaeoclimate template for reconstructing ecosystem changes, understanding human migration/dispersal patterns of the first Australians, and the progressive demise of megafauna. We also highlight the utility of subaqueous speleothems more generally as important archives for investigating arid-zone palaeoclimate.</p>

Zooplankton diversity and assemblages in arid zone rivers of the Lake Eyre Basin, Australia

2006 ◽  
Vol 57 (1) ◽  
pp. 49 ◽  
Author(s):  
Russell J. Shiel ◽  
Justin F. Costelloe ◽  
Julian R. W. Reid ◽  
Peter Hudson ◽  
Joan Powling
Keyword(s):  
Seasonal Changes ◽  
Arid Zone ◽  
Early Summer ◽  
Taxon Richness ◽  
Ecosystem Structure ◽  
Regression Analyses ◽  
Flood Events ◽  
Assemblage Composition ◽  
Boom And Bust ◽  
Three Rivers

The responses of zooplankton assemblages in arid zone rivers to seasonal changes, flow events, drying and water quality changes are fundamental to our understanding of these unregulated rivers. For three years the zooplankton and littoral microfauna in three rivers in the Lake Eyre Basin were studied. A diverse assemblage was discovered with a total of 398 identifiable taxa being recorded, consisting of 72 protist, 227 rotifer and 93 microcrustacean taxa. Zooplankton diversity was highest in a boom phase during, or in the summer following, a large flood. The rotifer assemblage dominated during, or soon after, periods of flow. However, during the winter and early summer, there was a decline in rotifer taxon richness and abundance accompanied by an increase in microcrustacean taxon richness and abundance. The winter samples occurred during the recession of a large flood and the early summer samples during periods of no flow. These changes suggested the involvement of a strong annual cycle of ecosystem structure evident within the longer term patterns of boom and bust driven by the timing and size of flood events. Multivariate and regression analyses found that salinity was a significant and independent driver of assemblage composition.

The decline of the Brushtail Possum, Trichosurus vulpecula (Kerr 1798), in arid Australia.

1992 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 107 ◽  
Author(s):  
JA Kerle ◽  
JN Foulkes ◽  
RG Kimber ◽  
D Papenfus
Keyword(s):  
Surface Waters ◽  
Arid Zone ◽  
South Australia ◽  
Brushtail Possum ◽  
Protection Measures ◽  
European Settlement ◽  
Introduced Predators ◽  
Average Water ◽  
Cumulative Residual ◽  
Predator Pit

That the brushtail possum was once common and widespread in the arid zone is confirmed by a collation of historical information. Although possums were widespread, detailed records from the Northern Territory and South Australia show that they were most abundant in rocky ranges and outcrops and along watercourses. Possums are now rare in the arid zone. In considering the reasons for the decline of this apparently robust species we have further developed Morton's (1990) model for mammal decline in the arid zone. Our hypothesis is based on the premise that disturbance of refuge habitat patches critical for the survival of the species was occurring at the same time as the country was subjected to a below average water balance. During the period between 1920 and 1970 rainfall was either average or markedly below average with no exceptional rainfalls recorded. Analysis of the rainfall data using a cumulative residual mass curve suggests that sub-surface waters were probably not fully recharged, placing a natural stress on the refuge habitats. At the same time, possum populations were being affected by many disturbing factors introduced by European settlement. Once the populations were reduced, they fell into a 'predator- pit' through depredation by dingoes and introduced predators and were unable to increase in numbers even with the advent of improved conditions. In this paper we identify the need to accurately determine the refuge habitats of a species and then utilise tools such as the cumulative mass residual curve to predict when these habitats will be under most stress. Specific protection measures can then be developed in association with land managers in order to reduce disturbance at the most critical times.

Timing of breeding and female fecundity of the greater bilby (Macrotis lagotis) in the temperate zone of South Australia: implications for translocations of a previously widespread species

2019 ◽  
Vol 46 (5) ◽  
pp. 444 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karleah K. Berris ◽  
Steven J. B. Cooper ◽  
William G. Breed ◽  
Susan M. Carthew
Keyword(s):  
Litter Size ◽  
Reproductive Strategy ◽  
Arid Zone ◽  
South Australia ◽  
Reproductive Activity ◽  
Temperate Zone ◽  
Breeding Biology ◽  
Head Length ◽  
Widespread Species ◽  
Free Ranging

Context Many of Australia’s threatened mammals were once widespread across the continent and present in both arid, semiarid and temperate habitats. However, data on breeding biology can be lacking for some climatic regions due to local extinctions of populations. The breeding biology of the greater bilby (Macrotis lagotis) has previously only been studied in captive colonies or free-ranging arid zone populations. Between 1997 and 2005, captive-bred bilbies were released at two sites in temperate South Australia. These populations provided an opportunity to determine whether bilbies adopt a seasonal reproductive strategy in the temperate zone, where this species has not been present since the early 1900s. Aims To determine the season of births, litter size and female reproductive potential in two free-ranging populations of the bilby in the temperate zone of South Australia. Methods Bilbies were regularly cage-trapped at Venus Bay Conservation Park and Thistle Island between August 2007 and April 2010 to obtain data on reproductive activity in both populations. Key results Births of pouch young in both populations occurred in winter (June–August), spring and early summer, but not between February and mid-May. Males had a significantly smaller mean testes size relative to head length in late summer, when breeding activity ceased. Average litter size at pouch emergence was between 1.00 and 1.47 pouch young, with females producing up to three litters per annum. The mean head length of females that successfully raised twins was significantly larger than that of females who raised a single pouch young. Conclusions The seasonal breeding pattern observed in the present study differs from that of year-round reproductive activity in captivity and the arid zone. The present study suggests that female body size influences fecundity, and that releasing large females at the start of the breeding season in temperate areas may maximise the initial rate of increase of a translocated bilby population. Implications The present study suggests previously widespread species such as the bilby can adapt their reproductive strategy to suit local conditions. Cessation of breeding in autumn, as observed in this study, has also been observed in other bandicoot species in southern Australia.

scholarly journals The Influence of Climate on Foliar Symptoms of Eutypa Dieback in Grapevines

2007 ◽  
Vol 97 (10) ◽  
pp. 1284-1289 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. R. Sosnowski ◽  
D. Shtienberg ◽  
M. L. Creaser ◽  
T. J. Wicks ◽  
R. Lardner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climatic Factors ◽  
Disease Incidence ◽  
South Australia ◽  
Symptom Expression ◽  
Winter Rainfall ◽  
Eutypa Lata ◽  
Eutypa Dieback ◽  
Foliar Symptoms ◽  
Geographical Regions ◽  
Very High

Foliar symptoms of Eutypa dieback, caused by Eutypa lata, in grapevines, cv. Shiraz, varied from year to year in a 6-year study conducted in South Australia and, although trends were similar for vineyards within geographical regions, differences were observed between regions. We attempted to elucidate the causes underlying this variation and hypothesized that it was influenced by climatic factors. A number of possible relationships were identified between climate and symptom expression: (i) increased symptom expression was related to increased winter rainfall 18 months earlier, (ii) decreased disease incidence and prevalence were related to increased temperature in spring, and (iii) a reduction in disease incidence was related to both very high and very low rainfall in October. Theories for these relationships are proposed and require further investigation. A conceptual model was developed which requires validation and has the potential to predict the incidence of foliar symptoms of Eutypa dieback. Information from this study could lead to an improved integrated pest management system to suppress foliar symptoms and sustain productivity of vines infected with E. lata.

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