Species delimitation and distribution in Aporometra (Crinoidea:Echinodermata): endemic Australian featherstars

2006 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 395 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lauren E. Helgen ◽  
Greg W. Rouse

Aporometra Clark, 1938, which belongs to the monotypic Aporometridae, is a crinoid genus endemic to temperate Australian waters. It has been described as being ‘viviparous’ and is among the smallest of comatulids. The small size of specimens, and poor morphological justifications for specific diagnoses have created uncertainty over the number of species in the genus and their distributions. This study identified a suite of characters using data from scanning electron microscopy and mtDNA sequencing (CO1 and ND2) to assess the number of species of Aporometra. Specimens were obtained from museums and collected from Western Australia, South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales. Type material was also examined when possible. Phylogenetic hypotheses were generated using maximum parsimony-based analyses of the separate and combined datasets. The results support the monophyly of Aporometra and the presence of two species, Aporometra wilsoni (Bell, 1888) and Aporometra occidentalis A. H. Clark, 1938, along the southern Australian coast. The status of the third nominal species, Aporometra paedophora (H. L. Clark, 1909), remains to be resolved, but it may be a junior synonym of A. wilsoni. Morphological diagnoses are reviewed. Aporometra occidentalis was only found in Western Australia, while A. wilsoni was found from Western Australia to Victoria. Phylogeographic differentiation between the western and southern populations of A. wilsoni is briefly discussed.

2013 ◽  
Vol 41 (2) ◽  
pp. 265-298
Author(s):  
Peter Congdon

Constitutional systems of Westminster heritage are increasingly moving towards fixed-term parliaments to, amongst other things, prevent the Premier or Prime Minister opportunistically calling a ‘snap election’. Amongst the Australian states, qualified fixed-term parliaments currently exist in New South Wales, South Australia and Victoria. Queensland, Tasmania and Western Australia have also deliberated over whether to establish similar fixed-term parliaments. However, manner and form provisions in those states' constitutions entrench the Parliament's duration, Governor's Office and dissolution power. In Western Australia and Queensland, unlike Tasmania, such provisions are doubly entrenched. This article considers whether these entrenching provisions present legal obstacles to constitutional amendments establishing fixed-term parliaments in those two states. This involves examining whether laws fixing parliamentary terms fall within section 6 of the Australia Acts 1986 (Cth) & (UK). The article concludes by examining recent amendments to the Electoral Act 1907 (WA) designed to enable fixed election dates in Western Australia without requiring a successful referendum.


Author(s):  
D. W. Minter

Abstract A description is provided for Podospora excentrica. Some information on its associated organisms and substrata, dispersal and transmission, habitats and conservation status is given, along with details of its geographical distribution (South America (Venezuela), Atlantic Ocean (Portugal (Madeira)), Australasia (Australia (New South Wales, South Australia, Victoria, Western Australia)), New Zealand, Europe (Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, UK)).


Author(s):  

Abstract A new distribution map is provided for Phytoplasma australiense [Candidatus] R.E. Davis et al. Bacteria: Phytoplasmas Hosts: Grapevine (Vitis spp.), pawpaw (Carica papaya) and Phormium tenax. Information is given on the geographical distribution in OCEANIA, Australia, New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Victoria, Western Australia, New Zealand.


2001 ◽  
Vol 41 (2) ◽  
pp. 187 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Aldaoud ◽  
W. Guppy ◽  
L. Callinan ◽  
S. F. Flett ◽  
K. A. Wratten ◽  
...  

In 1995–96, a survey of soil samples from subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.) paddocks was conducted across Victoria, South Australia, New South Wales and Western Australia, to determine the distribution and the prevalence of races of Phytophthora clandestina (as determined by the development of root rot on differential cultivars), and the association of its occurrence with paddock variables. In all states, there was a weak but significant association between P. clandestina detected in soil samples and subsequent root rot susceptibility of differential cultivars grown in these soil samples. Phytophthora clandestina was found in 38% of the sampled sites, with a significantly lower prevalence in South Australia (27%). There were significant positive associations between P. clandestina detection and increased soil salinity (Western Australia), early growth stages of subterranean clover (Victoria), mature subterranean clover (South Australia), recently sown subterranean clover (South Australia), paddocks with higher subterranean clover content (Victoria), where herbicides were not applied (South Australia), irrigation (New South Wales and Victoria), cattle grazing (South Australia and Victoria), early sampling dates (Victoria and New South Wales), sampling shortly after the autumn break or first irrigation (Victoria), shorter soil storage time (Victoria) and farmer’s perception of root rot being present (Victoria and New South Wales). Only 29% of P. clandestina isolates could be classified under the 5 known races. Some of the unknown races were virulent on cv. Seaton Park LF (most resistant) and others were avirulent on cv. Woogenellup (most susceptible). Race 1 was significantly less prevalent in South Australia than Victoria and race 0 was significantly less prevalent in New South Wales than in South Australia and Western Australia. This study revealed extremely wide variation in the virulence of P. clandestina. The potential importance of the results on programs to breed for resistance to root rot are discussed. in South Australia.


1970 ◽  
Vol 10 (43) ◽  
pp. 196
Author(s):  
WM McArthur ◽  
K Spencer

A scheme is proposed as a basis for soil fertility studies in areas where little information is available. The first stage consists of sampling the area on a grid and determining the patterns of variation in the status of those nutrient elements likely to be deficient. These patterns are then compared with intensity patterns of environmental (including edaphic) variables. Where the two sets of variables can be quantified, regression analysis may be used to estimate the closeness of the relationship ; otherwise the relationship must be assessed visually from the degree of conformity between patterns. Those environmental variables that relate, causally or otherwise, to the distribution of components of chemical fertility are identified by strong correlations. Information so gained may be used in subsequent agronomic studies, both as a guide to number and location of field plots and as a framework for studies in soil chemistry and pedology. The scheme is illustrated using data derived from studies on the Dorrigo Plateau of New South Wales. Factors relating closely to phosphorus, sulphur, molybdenum, and nitrogen distribution were identified. In no case could one factor be used to predict the adequacy of all nutrients.


Zootaxa ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 4832 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-75
Author(s):  
SVATOPLUK BÍLÝ ◽  
MARK HANLON

Taxonomic revision of the genus Bubastes Laporte & Gory, 1836. Thirteen new species are described: Bubastes barkeri sp. nov. (New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria), B. deserta sp. nov. (South Australia), B. dichroa sp. nov. (Western Australia), B. flavocaerulea sp. nov. (New South Wales, Queensland), B. hasenpuschi sp. nov. (Queensland), B. iridiventris sp. nov. (Western Australia), B. iris sp. nov. (Western Australia), B. macmillani sp. nov. (Western Australia), B. magnifica sp. nov. (Queensland, New South Wales), B. michaelpowelli sp. nov. (Western Australia), B. pilbarensis sp. nov. (Western Australia), B. remota sp. nov. (Northern Territory) and B. viridiaurea sp. nov. (Western Australia). The following seventeen new synonyms are proposed: Bubastes thomsoni Obenberger, 1928, syn. nov. = B. australasiae Obenberger, 1922, B. olivina Obenberger, 1920, syn. nov. = Neraldus bostrychoides Théry 1910, B. boisduvali Obenberger, 1941, syn. nov. = B. erbeni Obenberger, 1941, B. borealis Obenberger, 1941, syn. nov. = B. globicollis Thomson, 1879, B. laticollis Blackburn, 1888, syn. nov. = B. globicollis Thomson, 1879, B. simillima Obenberger, 1922, syn. nov. = B. globicollis Thomson, 1879, B. obscura Obenberger, 1922, syn. nov. = B. inconsistans Thomson, 1879, B. septentrionalis Obenberger, 1941, syn. nov. = B. inconsistans Thomson, 1879, B. viridicupraea Obenberger, 1922, syn. nov. = B. inconsistans Thomson, 1879, B. blackburni Obenberger, 1941, syn. nov. = B. kirbyi Obenberger, 1928, B. chapmani Obenberger, 1941, syn. nov. = B. kirbyi Obenberger, 1928, B. aenea Obenberger, 1922, syn. nov. = B. niveiventris Obenberger, 1922, B. saundersi Obenberger, 1928, syn. nov. = B. odewahni Obenberger, 1928, B. occidentalis Blackburn, 1891, syn. nov. = B. sphaenoida Laporte & Gory, 1836, B. persplendens Obenberger, 1920, syn. nov. = B. sphaenoida Laporte & Gory, 1836, B. splendens Blackburn, 1891, syn. nov. = B. sphaenoida Laporte & Gory, 1836 and B. strandi Obenberger, 1920, syn. nov. = B. suturalis Carter, 1915. Neotype is designated and redescribed for Bubastes cylindrica W. J. Macleay, 1888 and lectotypes are designated for Bubastes thomsoni Obenberger, 1928 and B. leai Carter, 1924. Morphological characters of the genus are presented and all species are illustrated (incl. historical types) and a key is provided for all species of the genus. 


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document