Structure of a fish community in a temperate tidal mangrove creek in Botany Bay, New South Wales

1984 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 33 ◽  
Author(s):  
JD Bell ◽  
DA Pollard ◽  
JJ Burchmore ◽  
BC Pease ◽  
MJ Middleton
Keyword(s):  
Fish Community ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Large Species ◽  
Resident Species ◽  
Marine Habitats ◽  
Mangrove Creek ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Large Numbers ◽  
Permanent Residents

The fish assemblage in the lower reaches of a temperate tidal mangrove creek entering Botany Bay near Sydney, New South Wales, was sampled using rotenone every second month between December 1977 and October 1980. Almost 17 000 fish (weight ~ 115 kg), belonging to 46 species and 24 families, were collected. Six species dominated the assemblage and another four were relatively common. Fourteen species, including four of the above, were economically important. These fishes made up 38% of individuals and 32% of biomass and were represented only by small juveniles. Nineteen species (41%) were temporary residents; these mainly comprised juveniles of large species that live elsewhere as adults. Fifteen species (33%), most of which only attain a small size (< 100 mm), were assumed to be permanent residents. The remaining 12 species (26%) occurred in only one sample and were, therefore, classified as rare. The diversity (HI) and evenness (J') of the fish community were low and showed little seasonality because a few species dominated the assemblage on an irregular basis. Numbers of species and of individuals varied seasonally and were significantly correlated. Peaks in these parameters lagged behind those in water temperature by 4 months and were largely the result of the relatively restricted recruitment periods of several abundant temporary resident species. The large numbers of juveniles and small species in the mangrove creek habitat were attributed to the availability of suitable shelter and food for such small fishes. Concerted use of the mangrove habitat by several abundant temporary resident species during the same general period each year appeared to be facilitated by the occupation of otherwise vacant feeding niches and some staggering of their peak recruitment periods. Exclusive use of this habitat by small juveniles of several species in Botany Bay confirms that mangrove habitats in temperate Australia, like some of those studied in tropical and subtropical regions, are important nursery areas for fishes inhabiting adjacent estuarine and inshore marine habitats as adults.

Prehistoric aboriginal occupation of the rangelands: Interpreting the surface archaeological record of far western New South Wales, Australia.

2000 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 44 ◽  
Author(s):  
SJ Holdaway ◽  
PC Fanning ◽  
DC Witter
Keyword(s):  
Arid Regions ◽  
Aboriginal People ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Landscape Archaeology ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Large Numbers ◽  
Different Parts ◽  
Stone Artefact

Recent erosion in arid regions of western NSW has exposed large areas that are scattered with stone artefacts manufactured by Aboriginal people in prehistory. These exposures offer an opportunity for archaeologists to study the artefacts abandoned by Aboriginal people through time and to compare those artefacts that accumulate in different parts of the landscape. To reconstruct the nature of prehistoric behaviour in the rangelands, two approaches are needed. First, the geomorphological context of the artefacts needs to be considered since exposure of the artefacts is a function of landscape history. Second, large areas (measured in thousands of square metres) and large numbers of artefacts need to be considered if patterns reflecting long-term abandonment behaviour by Aboriginal people are to be identified. This paper reports on the Western New South Wales Archaeological Program (WNSWAP) which was initiated in 1995 to study surface archaeology in the rangelands. Geomorphological studies are combined with artefact analysis using geographic information system software to investigate Aboriginal stone artefact scatters and associated features such as heat retainer hearths, in a landscape context. Results suggest that apparently random scatters of stone artefacts are in fact patterned in ways which inform on prehistoric Aboriginal settlement of the rangelands. Key words: Aboriginal stone artefacts; rangelands; landscape archaeology; geomorphology; GIs

scholarly journals Overwintering of Clover Nodules in Alpine Conditions

1963 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 920 ◽  
Author(s):  
FJ Bergersen ◽  
FW Hely ◽  
AB Costin
Keyword(s):  
Soil Conservation ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Nodule Formation ◽  
Nodule Bacteria ◽  
Trifolium Ambiguum ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Large Numbers ◽  
Complete Fertilizer

As part of a programme investigating soil conservation in the Snowy Mountains area of New South Wales, trials were conducted in which seedlings of Trifolium ambiguum M. Bieb. and T. repens L. (Ladino clover) were planted in the spring of 1960 in eroded areas on Carruthers Peak adjacent to Mt. Kosciusko (lat. 36� 24'S., long. 14So IS'E.) at an elevation of about 7000 ft. Seedlings were raised in seed boxes of soil which had been massively inoculated with appropriate strains of nodule bacteria. Effectively nodulated seedlings were transplanted into peat cups filled with soil. This step was necessary because of the extreme host variation with respect to nodule formation and effectiveness in T. ambiguum (Hely 1957, 1963). The cups were planted intact together with a complete fertilizer mixture; at that stage all plants were well nodulated and the soil in the cups contained large numbers of nodule bacteria.

Energy Reserves, Reproductive Status and Population Biology of Overwintering Biprorulus-Bibax (Hemiptera, Pentatomidae) in Southern New-South-Wales Citrus Groves

1990 ◽  
Vol 38 (4) ◽  
pp. 415 ◽  
Author(s):  
DG James
Keyword(s):  
Population Biology ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Reproductive Status ◽  
Energy Reserves ◽  
Citrus Groves ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Behavioural Strategy ◽  
Large Numbers ◽  
Orange Trees

Information is presented on energy reserves, reproductive status and population biology of over- wintering Biprorulus bibax (Breddin) in southern New South Wales citrus groves. Large numbers of adult bugs overwintered in clusters on orange trees adjacent to a lemon grove at Cudgel in the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area (M.I.A.). Clusters of up to 50 tightly packed bugs were found on single trees, and dispersed into the adjacent lemons in early October. Clustering was observed on all citrus except lemon. Overwintering bugs were non-reproductive. Individuals obtained from overwintering clusters at Dareton in Sunraysia were larger, heavier and contained greater lipid reserves than bugs which overwintered alone. These differences did not occur in cluster and non-cluster bugs from the M.I.A. Bugs overwintering on lemons in the M.I.A. weighed less and contained lower reserves of lipid than did individuals which overwintered on orange, mandarin and grapefruit. Lipid reserves of B. bibax were not greatly depleted during overwintering. Overwintering in clusters on citrus hosts other than lemon appears to be an important and successful behavioural strategy for B. bibax in commercial citrus groves in southern New South Wales.

Observations on the Fish Fauna below Tallowa Dam (Shoalhaven River, New South Wales) during River Flow Stoppages

1978 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 543 ◽  
Author(s):  
KA Bishop ◽  
JD Bell
Keyword(s):  
Endangered Species ◽  
River Flow ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Fish Fauna ◽  
Careful Consideration ◽  
Construction Work ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Large Numbers ◽  
Australian Grayling

Some observations on the consequences of construction work at Tallowa Dam (Shoalhaven River, New South Wales) on the fish fauna below the dam are described. In total 17 species of freshwater fish were collected on four occasions between 29 November and 22 December 1976 when water flow was terminated for short periods below the dam wall. Large numbers of individuals belonging to several fish species died on each occasion, including 312 Australian grayling, Prototroctes maraena (an 'endangered' species), on 29 November. It is suggested that water resources authorities should give careful consideration to the ecological effects of constructing and maintaining impound- ments on downstream fish communities.

The incidence of Heliothis armigera (Hübner) and H. punctigera Wallengren (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) on cotton and other host-plants in the Namoi Valley of New South Wales

1980 ◽  
Vol 70 (1) ◽  
pp. 113-131 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. G. Wardhaugh ◽  
P. M Room ◽  
L. R Greenup
Keyword(s):  
Host Plants ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Light Trap ◽  
Heliothis Armigera ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Large Numbers ◽  
Resident Populations ◽  
Successive Generations ◽  
Lepidoptera Noctuidae

AbstractFour years of light-trap and crop survey data from the Namoi Valley of New South Wales are presented for Heliothis armigera (Hb.) and H. punctigera Wllgr. These suggest there are four generations a year. The associated seasonal sequence of major host-plants supporting successive generations, appeared to be: H. armigera—wheat; pre-flowering cotton; flowering cotton and sorghum; sorghum, flowering cotton and sunflowers; and H. punctigera—lucerne, linseed and medics; pre-flowering cotton; flowering cotton, sunflowers and soyabeans; lucerne, linseed and medics; pre-flowering cotton. On host-plants common to both species, a change in dominance from H. punctigera to H. armigera occured as each summer progressed. Suggested causes are: seasonal changes in the availability of host-plants, favouring H. armigera over H. punctigera; insecticide resistance in H. armigera; and the competitive superiority of H. armigera. Large numbers of H. armigera in cotton appeared to be related to: warm springs, which favoured moth emergence during the period of wheat anthesis; the incomplete control of infestations within cotton itself, leading to the development of resident populations; and the influx of moths from other host-plants, especially sorghum, during the latter half of the season.

Feeding Ecology of Three Sympatric Species of Leatherjackets (Pisces : Monacanthidae) from a Posidonia Seagrass Habitat in New South Wales

1978 ◽  
Vol 29 (5) ◽  
pp. 631 ◽  
Author(s):  
JD Bell ◽  
JJ Burchmore ◽  
DA Pollard
Keyword(s):  
Feeding Ecology ◽  
Fish Community ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Sympatric Species ◽  
Seagrass Habitat ◽  
Total Biomass ◽  
Epiphytic Algae ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Animal Material

Three species of leatherjackets, Monacanthus chinensis, Meuschenia freycineti and Meuschenia trachylepis, averaged 34% of the total biomass and 27% of the total numbers of fishes in a Posidonia australis seagrass habitat near Sydney. Monacanthus chinensis was dominant, comprising 22% of the total biomass and 18% of the total numbers in this fish community. All three species were omnivorous, consuming considerable amounts of seagrass and algae as well as animal material. However, only the encrusting fauna and epiphytic algae of the seagrass appeared to be actually digested. Other foods of all three species included hydroids, molluscs, crustaceans and polychaetes. Meuschenia freycineti consumed the largest quantities (65%) of seagrass, Monacanthus chinensis consumed the largest amount (40%) and greatest variety of animal foods, and Meuschenia trachylepis took the smallest quantity (12%) and number of animal foods and the greatest amount (55 %) of algae. All three species were found to be highly dependent on the encrusting fauna, epi- phytic algae and other epifauna and infauna of this seagrass habitat, and the importance of preserving Posidonia beds is therefore stressed.

Needle Cast of Pinus radiata in New South Wales

1991 ◽  
Vol 39 (2) ◽  
pp. 137 ◽  
Author(s):  
D Choi ◽  
JA Simpson
Keyword(s):  
Pinus Radiata ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Symptom Expression ◽  
Needle Cast ◽  
Nitrogen Levels ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Large Numbers

Green needles of 7-9-year-old Pinus radiata trees at a plantation in Sunny Corner, New South Wales, have been infected primarily by two species of fungi, Cyclaneusma minus and Lophodermium pinastri. Needles emerged from fascicle sheaths in October and November and persisted on the trees for about 2 years before developing symptoms of Cyclaneusma minus infection during summer and autumn. Immature current year's needles were infected by both C. minus and L. pinastri before they were fully elongated. Ascospores of C. minus were released from cast needles in very large numbers in spring (September-November) and most new infections occurred during this period. Infection by L. pinastri lagged behind that by C. minus by about 2 months. There was significant between-tree variation in disease levels of each of these fungi. Susceptibility to C. minus was not linked with susceptibility to L. pinastri. Nitrogen levels in P. radiata foliage and symptom expression are correlated.

scholarly journals Mass feeding event of Turquoise Parrots and Eastern Rosellas on the North-west Slopes of New South Wales

2021 ◽  
Vol 38 ◽  
pp. 212-220
Author(s):  
Michael Dahlem ◽  
Vanessa Collins
Keyword(s):  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
North West ◽  
The North ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Large Numbers ◽  
Digitaria Eriantha

This note describes the detection of two contemporaneous mass feeding events of a total of ~1000 parrots. After a report of large numbers of Turquoise Parrots Neophema pulchella being found on 8 May 2021, the next day we encountered flocks totalling ~300 Turquoise Parrots and ~700 Eastern Rosellas Platycercus eximius feeding on seeding grasses on a cattle property on the North-west Slopes of New South Wales. The two species, which congregated separately from each other, showed a preference for different species of introduced grasses, neither of which had been reported previously in the diets of these parrots: Turquoise Parrots fed on Purple Pigeon Grass Setaria incrassata and Eastern Rosellas fed on Premier Digit Grass Digitaria eriantha. Sometime between 10 and 21 May, the feeding event was over, before the supply of seeds was exhausted; neither before nor after the event has either species been observed in these large numbers in the region.

scholarly journals Can Lanchester's Laws Help Explain Interspecific Dominance in Birds?

The Condor ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 106 (2) ◽  
pp. 395-400 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erin L. Shelley ◽  
Maile Y. U. Tanaka ◽  
Anna R. Ratnathicam ◽  
Daniel T. Blumstein
Keyword(s):  
Important Determinant ◽  
Arid Zone ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Abundant Species ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Large Numbers ◽  
Australian Birds ◽  
Foraging Decisions ◽  
Interspecific Dominance

AbstractWe studied the applicability of Lanchester's laws of combat to explain interspecific dominance in birds. We focused on 10 species of Australian birds in the arid zone of New South Wales that foraged at an established locust trap. Consistent with the “linear law,” larger species usually dominated smaller species in one-on-one encounters. We found no support for the “N-square law,” which predicted that large numbers of smaller species could dominate larger species when more abundant. Further analysis of the most abundant species revealed that it was less likely to visit the locust trap when larger, more dominant heterospecifics were present. Body size, and not numerical superiority, seems to be an important determinant in interspecific foraging decisions in birds.¿Puede la Ley de Lanchester Ayudar a Explicar la Dominancia Interespecífica en Aves?Resumen. Hemos estudiado la aplicabilidad de las leyes del combate de Lanchester en explicar la dominancia interespecífica en aves. Hemos focalizado este estudio en 10 especies de aves australianas de la zona árida de New South Wales, las cuales se alimentaron en trampas de insectos establecidas para tal fin. Consistente con la “ley lineal,” las especies de mayor tamaño usualmente dominaron a las especies más pequeñas en los encuentros uno a uno. No encontramos evidencia que apoye la “ley cuadrática,” la cual predice que un gran número de especies de pequeño tamaño podrían dominar a especies de tamaño mayor cuando las primeras son más abundantes. Posteriores análisis sobre la especie más abundantes revelaron que la probabilidad de visita a las trampas de insectos es menor cuando individuos heteroespecíficos más grandes y más dominantes están presentes. El tamaño corporal, y no la superioridad numérica, parece ser un importante factor en las decisiones de forrajeo en las aves.

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