Conservation status of Lechenaultia aphylla (Goodeniaceae), a disturbance opportunist from the Great Victoria Desert, Australia

2003 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 152
Author(s):  
Leigh W. Sage
Keyword(s):  
Population Growth ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Habitat Preferences ◽  
South Australia ◽  
The West ◽  
South West ◽  
Centre Of Diversity ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Recent Collection ◽  
Western Australian

LIKE all genera in the Goodeniaceae, the south-west of Western Australia is the centre of diversity for Lechenaultia R.Br. with 20 of 26 species in the genus endemic to the region (Keighery and Sage 1999; Morrison 1992). Many species of Lechenaultia (and Goodeniaceae) have habitat preferences for ephemerally wet sites (watercourses and lake edges), especially in the Eremaean Botanical Province (unpubl. data). Species such as L. striata (nomenclature follows Western Australian Herbarium 1998 and Orchard and Wilson 2001) and L. galactites are disturbance opportunists, showing prolific population growth after fire events (S. van Leeuwen, pers. comm.; unpubl. data). Of the remaining species scattered across central and eastern Australia, L. aphylla is the least known with only two non-flowering collections from the extreme eastern Great Victoria Desert bioregion of South Australia (including the holotype). A recent collection of the species made over 1 100 km to the west highlights the lack knowledge of the species and bioregion in general.

A new species of frog in the Litoria ewingii species group (Anura: Pelodryadidae) from south-eastern Australia

Zootaxa ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 4858 (2) ◽  
pp. 201-230
Author(s):  
MICHAEL MAHONY ◽  
BEDE MOSES ◽  
STEPHEN V. MAHONY ◽  
FRANK L. LEMCKERT ◽  
STEPHEN DONNELLAN
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Habitat Preferences ◽  
Nuclear Genome ◽  
Species Group ◽  
Nucleotide Polymorphisms ◽  
Population Declines ◽  
Genetic Groups ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
A New Species

Population declines and range contractions among Australian frogs that commenced in the early 1980s continue in some species that were once widespread. The generality of this pattern has been difficult to discern, especially for those species that are encountered rarely because they have restricted periods of calling activity with poorly defined habitat preferences, and are not common. Several lines of evidence indicate that Litoria littlejohni is such a species. This frog was once known from mid-eastern New South Wales to eastern Victoria, and evidence from wildlife atlas databases and targeted searches indicate that it has declined in large portions of its former range, leaving several populations that are isolated, in some cases restricted in distribution, and of small size. We investigated the relationships among populations using mitochondrial ND4 nucleotide sequences and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from the nuclear genome. We found that northern and southern populations form two highly divergent genetic groups whose distributions abut at the southern margin of the Sydney Basin Bioregion and these genetic groups also show divergence in morphology and male advertisement calls. Here we describe the populations to the south of the Sydney Basin Bioregion as a new species and provide information on its distribution and ecology. In light of the apparent isolation and small size of known populations of the new species and the consequent restriction of the range of L. littlejohni, we assessed the conservation status of both species. 

scholarly journals Field biology of the platypus ( Ornithorhynchus anatinus ): historical and current perspectives

1998 ◽  
Vol 353 (1372) ◽  
pp. 1081-1091 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. R. Grant ◽  
P. D. Temple–Smith
Keyword(s):  
South Australia ◽  
Field Studies ◽  
The State ◽  
General Distribution ◽  
Late Winter ◽  
The South ◽  
The West ◽  
Field Biology ◽  
Ornithorhynchus Anatinus ◽  
Eastern Australia

The field biology of the platypus, Ornithorhynchus anatinus , was first studied by a number of expatriate biologists who visited the Australian colonies to collect specimens in the 1800s. Their work was followed in the early to mid–1900s by a group of resident natural historians and later by an increasing number of academic biologists. All of these workers contributed significantly to the current understanding of the field biology of this unique Australian species. The platypus occupies much the same general distribution as it did prior to European occupation of Australia, except for its loss from the state of South Australia. However, local changes and fragmentation of distribution due to human modification of its habitat are documented. The species currently inhabits eastern Australia from around Cooktown in the north to Tasmania in the south. Although not found in the west–flowing rivers of northern Queensland, it inhabits the upper reaches of rivers flowing to the west and north of the dividing ranges in the south of the state and in New South Wales and Victoria. Its current and historical abundance, however, is less well known and it has probably declined in numbers, although still being considered as common over most of its current range. The species was extensively hunted for its fur until around this turn of this century. The platypus is mostly nocturnal in its foraging activities, being predominantly an opportunistic carnivore of benthic invertebrates. The species is homeothermic, maintaining its low body temperature (32°C), even while foraging for hours in water below 5°C. Its major habitat requirements include both riverine and riparian features which maintain a supply of benthic prey species and consolidated banks into which resting and nesting burrows can be excavated. The species exhibits a single breeding season, with mating occurring in late winter or spring and young first emerging into the water after 3—4 months of nurture by the lactating females in the nesting burrows. Natural history observations, mark and recapture studies and preliminary investigations of population genetics indicate the possibility of resident and transient members of populations and suggest a polygynous mating system. Recent field studies have largely confirmed and extended the work of the early biologists and natural historians.

Southern hairy-nosed wombats (Lasiorhinus latifrons) in the Gawler Ranges region of South Australia: population growth from 1988 to 2016

2019 ◽  
Vol 41 (1) ◽  
pp. 112 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Swinbourne ◽  
David Taggart ◽  
Alyce Swinbourne ◽  
Bertram Ostendorf
Keyword(s):  
Population Growth ◽  
Agricultural Land ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
South Australia ◽  
European Rabbit ◽  
Ground Survey ◽  
Significant Damage ◽  
Species Population ◽  
Near Threatened

The southern hairy-nosed wombat (Lasiorhinus latifrons) is the faunal emblem of South Australia. It is also considered to be an agricultural pest, as its burrowing activities can cause significant damage to agricultural land and infrastructure. Unfortunately, much of our knowledge of this species’ population dynamics is limited and/or out of date. The aim of this study was to estimate the distribution and abundance of southern hairy-nosed wombats in the Gawler Ranges region of South Australia, and to identify any changes since the last survey in 1988. Using a combination of satellite imagery and a ground survey conducted in May 2016, we mapped the distribution of wombat warrens in the region and counted and measured all warrens within 1000 randomly selected 1-km2 cells. We estimate the current wombat population in the Gawler Ranges to be 240095 (149051–311595), an increase from 14373 in 1988. This population growth is most likely linked to a long-term decline in the European rabbit population following the release of RHVD in the 1990s. In 2016 the IUCN upgraded the conservation status of southern hairy-nosed wombats from ‘Least Concern’ to ‘Near Threatened’. Our findings suggest that this may not have been warranted.

Studies in Australian Amphibia. 1. The genus Crinia Tschudi in South-western Australia and some species from south-eastern Australia.

1957 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 30 ◽  
Author(s):  
AR Main
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Western Australia ◽  
Field Observations ◽  
Undescribed Species ◽  
Life History Data ◽  
South West ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Western Australian ◽  
A New Species

The Western Australian representatives of the genus Crinia Tschudi are reviewed. On the basis of field observations and data from in vitro crosses it is concluded that the following species occur in south-western Australia: Crinia rosea Harrison, C. leai Fletcher, C. georgiana Tschudi, C. glauerti Loveridge, C. insignifera Moore, and a new species. From in vitro crosses, Moore's (1954) conclusion that C. signifera Girard does not occur in the south-west of Australia is confirmed. C. glauerti is regarded as a western representative of the C. signifera super-species. Collections in eastern Australia revealed the presence of an undescribed species which is a representative of the C. insignifera super-species. Life history data are presented.

Three new ghost moths of the genus Oxycanus Walker, 1856 from Australia (Lepidoptera: Hepialidae)

Zootaxa ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 4732 (3) ◽  
pp. 351-374
Author(s):  
ETHAN P. BEAVER ◽  
MICHAEL D. MOORE ◽  
ALEJANDRO VELASCO-CASTRILLÓN ◽  
MARK I. STEVENS
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
South Australia ◽  
Coi Gene ◽  
Type Specimens ◽  
Australian Museum ◽  
Mtdna Coi ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Three New Species ◽  
Western Australian

Three new species of ghost moth, Oxycanus ephemerous sp. nov., O. flavoplumosus sp. nov., and O. petalous sp. nov. are described from South Australia, New South Wales, and south-west Western Australia, respectively. We illustrate these species and compare morphological and molecular (mtDNA COI gene) characters with similar Oxycanus Walker, 1856 species from Australia. Comparative images of Oxycanus subvaria (Walker, 1856), O. byrsa (Pfitzner, 1933), and O. determinata (Walker, 1856) are figured. The type material of the three new species are held in the Australian National Insect Collection, Canberra, the Western Australian Museum, Perth, and in the South Australian Museum, Adelaide. The type specimens of Oxycanus hildae Tindale, 1964 syn. n. were also examined and the taxon is here considered synonymous with O. subvaria. Concerns are raised about the conservation status of all three new species due to few or localised distribution records. 

Phylogenetic relationships of the heath dragons (Rankinia adelaidensis and R. parviceps) from the south-western Australian biodiversity hotspot

2008 ◽  
Vol 56 (3) ◽  
pp. 159 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jane Melville ◽  
Luke P. Shoo ◽  
Paul Doughty
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Preferences ◽  
Taxonomic Revision ◽  
Biodiversity Hotspot ◽  
Phylogenetic Study ◽  
The South ◽  
Generic Level ◽  
Nuclear Introns ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Morphological Differences ◽  
Western Australian

Although the south-western Australian region is recognised as a global biodiversity hotspot, there are still significant gaps in our understanding of the biodiversity of this region. We present a phylogenetic study of the heath dragons (Rankinia adelaidensis and R. parviceps) from this region, incorporating a 1612-bp section of mtDNA and two nuclear introns, Gapdh (~244 bp) and Enol (~330 bp). In addition, we present a generic-level analysis of three gene regions (mtDNA, Gapdh, BDNF), which provides clear evidence that Rankinia adelaidensis and R. parviceps are not closely related to Rankinia diemensis from eastern Australia. Instead, the heath dragons are strongly supported as forming a clade with the genus Ctenophorus. In addition, we find that there are significant levels of haplotype divergence between currently recognised subspecies of the heath dragons (R. a. adelaidensis, R. a. chapmani, R. p. parviceps, R. p. butleri). We suggest that the genetic divergences between subspecies result from geographic isolation in allopatry owing to habitat preferences, followed by drift and/or selection. On the basis of these deep divergences and consistent morphological differences between subspecies, we recommend elevating all taxa to full species, and provide a taxonomic revision of the genera Rankinia and Ctenophorus.

scholarly journals Conservation Status of Bryophytes in Eastern Australia

1994 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 117-122
Author(s):  
Heinar Streimann
Keyword(s):  
National Parks ◽  
Vascular Plants ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Habitat Preferences ◽  
Conservation Programs ◽  
Present Evidence ◽  
Forest Reserves ◽  
Eastern Australia

No bryophyte conservation programs are in place in Australia as the knowledge of bryophytes is poor, especially of their habitat preferences and distribution. The conservation of species against habitats is discussed and it is maintained on present evidence that areas conserved for vascular plants and/or animal habitats, as national parks and forest reserves, in most cases would adequately conserve bryophytes.

A taxonomic revision of the Stylidium despectum group (Stylidiaceae) from southern Australia

2011 ◽  
Vol 24 (6) ◽  
pp. 375 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juliet A. Wege
Keyword(s):  
Western Australia ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
South Australia ◽  
Taxonomic Revision ◽  
Jarrah Forest ◽  
Widespread Species ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Conservation Concern ◽  
Herbarium Collections ◽  
Western Australian

A morphological review of the diminutive annual species from the Stylidium despectum R.Br. group (Stylidiaceae) is presented. Twelve species are recognised, of which 10 are endemic in the south-west of Western Australia and two are widespread across southern temperate Australia. Following examination of type material, herbarium collections and field observations, a change of circumscription is presented for S. despectum and S. inundatum R.Br. The former name is applied to a widespread species that occurs in Western Australia, South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales and Tasmania, and is characterised by scattered or rosetted leaves, pink and/or white corolla lobes in a fan-shaped arrangement, and an immobile floral column. S. brachyphyllum Sond. is newly placed into synonymy under S. despectum and a lectotype selected. S. inundatum is redefined as a south-western Australian endemic with scattered leaves, vertically-paired or evenly spreading corolla lobes, and a mobile floral column. A lectotype is designated for S. inundatum, and S. sidjamesii Lowrie & Kenneally is treated as conspecific. S. beaugleholei J.H.Willis is confirmed for Western Australia, South Australia, Victoria and Tasmania. S. asymmetricum Wege, a new and apparently rare species from the Northern Jarrah Forest in south-western Australia, is formally described and revised descriptions are provided for S. longitubum Benth., S. pygmaeum R.Br., S. rhipidium F.L.Erickson & J.H.Willis, S. roseoalatum F.L.Erickson & J.H.Willis, S. roseonanum Carlquist, S. tinkeri Lowrie & Kenneally, S. utricularioides Benth. and S. xanthopis F.L.Erickson & J.H.Willis. A lectotype is designated for S. longitubum Benth. and S. utricularioides var. rosulatum Mildbr. is newly placed into synonymy under S. roseoalatum. A key to species is provided, along with photographs to aid identification. Further field-based studies are required to refine the taxonomy of this group and to better understand the distribution, rarity and conservation status of some of the taxa. In Western Australia, seven species are listed as being of conservation concern, of which S. asymmetricum, S. tinkeri and S. xanthopis require immediate further survey to ascertain whether they should be given Threatened Flora status.

scholarly journals Conservation systematics of the shield-backed trapdoor spiders of the nigrum-group (Mygalomorphae, Idiopidae, Idiosoma): integrative taxonomy reveals a diverse and threatened fauna from south-western Australia

ZooKeys ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 756 ◽  
pp. 1-121 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael G. Rix ◽  
Joel A. Huey ◽  
Steven J.B. Cooper ◽  
Andrew D. Austin ◽  
Mark S. Harvey
Keyword(s):  
Western Australia ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
South Australia ◽  
Molecular Data ◽  
Integrative Taxonomy ◽  
Species Status ◽  
State Legislation ◽  
Australian State ◽  
Threatened Fauna ◽  
Western Australian

The aganippine shield-backed trapdoor spiders of the monophyleticnigrum-group ofIdiosomaAusserers. l.are revised, and 15 new species are described from Western Australia and the Eyre Peninsula of South Australia:I.arenaceumRix & Harvey,sp. n.,I.corrugatumRix & Harvey,sp. n.,I.clypeatumRix & Harvey,sp. n.,I.dandaraganRix & Harvey,sp. n.,I.formosumRix & Harvey,sp. n.,I.gardneriRix & Harvey,sp. n.,I.gutharukaRix & Harvey,sp. n.,I.incomptumRix & Harvey,sp. n.,I.intermediumRix & Harvey,sp. n.,I.jarrahRix & Harvey,sp. n.,I.kopejtkaorumRix & Harvey,sp. n.,I.kwonganRix & Harvey,sp. n.,I.mcclementsorumRix & Harvey,sp. n.,I.mcnamaraiRix & Harvey,sp. n., andI.schoknechtorumRix & Harvey,sp. n.Two previously described species from south-western Western Australia,I.nigrumMain, 1952 andI.sigillatum(O. P.-Cambridge, 1870), are re-illustrated and re-diagnosed, and complementary molecular data for 14 species and seven genes are analysed with Bayesian methods. Members of thenigrum-group are of long-standing conservation significance, andI.nigrumis the only spider in Australia to be afforded threatened species status under both State and Commonwealth legislation. Two other species,I.formosumRix & Harvey,sp. n.andI.kopejtkaorumRix & Harvey,sp. n., are also formally listed as Endangered under Western Australian State legislation. Here we significantly relimitI.nigrumto include only those populations from the central and central-western Wheatbelt bioregion, and further document the known diversity and conservation status of all known species.

Arthonia ilicina. [Descriptions of Fungi and Bacteria].

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. F. Cannon
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South America ◽  
Rain Forest ◽  
New South ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
South Australia ◽  
The West ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Temperate Rain Forest ◽  
Ecological Continuity

Abstract A description is provided for Arthonia ilicina, which is frequently found on living and dead bark of smooth-barked trees, usually but perhaps not invariably in regions with a moist climate. Some information on its associated organisms and substrata, habitat, dispersal and transmission, and conservation status is given, along with details of its geographical distribution (Africa (South Africa), North America (Canada (British Columbia, Newfoundland), USA (Alaska, California, Florida, Louisiana, Minnesota, Oregon, Washington)), South America (Argentina, Ecuador, Chile), Asia (Taiwan), Atlantic Ocean (Portugal (Azores, Madeira), Spain (Canary Islands)), Australasia (Australia (New South Wales, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia)), Caribbean (Cuba), Europe (Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Ukraine, UK)). This species is routinely used in the British Isles as an indicator when making ecological assessments, and specifically as an indicator of ecological continuity, particularly in the west of Ireland and the west of Scotland, and of oceanic and temperate rain forest.

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