Aggressive interactions between freshwater turtle, Chelodina oblonga, hatchlings and freshwater crayfish, Cherax spp.: implications for the conservation of the critically endangered western swamp turtle, Pseudemydura umbrina

2002 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 295 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Bradsell ◽  
J. Prince ◽  
G. Kuchling ◽  
B. Knott
Keyword(s):  
Western Australia ◽  
Nature Reserve ◽  
Critically Endangered ◽  
Freshwater Turtle ◽  
Freshwater Crayfish ◽  
Predatory Behaviour ◽  
Aggressive Interactions ◽  
Native Crayfish

Interactions between turtle hatchlings of Chelodina oblonga and the marron, Cherax tenuimanus, the gilgie, C. quinquecarinatus, the koonac, C. preissii (freshwater crayfish native to Western Australia) and the introduced yabby, Cherax. sp., were observed in laboratory-based trials in uncluttered aquaria. Marron, koonacs and yabbies, but not gilgies, showed aggressive and predatory behaviour towards the hatchlings. In total, 59 attacks were observed in 26 of the 80 trials. On 12 occasions, crayfish captured hatchlings in their chelae. On two occasions, the attack of the crayfish was so quick that the hatchling was killed instantly. Compared with movement when alone, movement of hatchlings was significantly greater in the presence of koonacs and yabbies, but significantly less in the presence of marron and gilgies. The range of non-native yabbies currently is expanding into Ellen Brook Nature Reserve which harbours the last naturally persisting population of the critically endangered western swamp turtle, Pseudemydura umbrina. No native crayfish occur in the habitat of P. umbrina in this reserve. The possible invasion by the ecological generalist yabby poses a new threat to the survival of P. umbrina.

A quantitative dietary study of the ?Critically Endangered? Gilbert?s potoroo Potorous gilbertii.

2005 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
VP Nguyen ◽  
AD Needham ◽  
JA Friend
Keyword(s):  
Western Australia ◽  
Microscopic Examination ◽  
Nature Reserve ◽  
Fungal Spores ◽  
Fungal Spore ◽  
Critically Endangered ◽  
Spore Type ◽  
Faecal Analysis ◽  
Faecal Matter ◽  
Dietary Study

Faecal analysis from the only known population of Gilbert?s potoroo (Potorous gilbertii) near Albany, Western Australia revealed that it, like other rat-kangaroo species is primarily mycophagous. Diet was determined by faecal collections from live-captured animals within Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve. Microscopic examination of samples collected from June - September 2000 and additional samples from storage, found fungi to comprise over 90% of faecal matter. A total of 44 fungal spore types were identified with many believed to be of hypogeous origin. Fungal spores belonging to the genera Mesophellia, Elaphomyces, Hysterangium and an unknown spore type (Unknown 1) were frequently recorded in samples. Non-fungal material including plants (stems, roots and seeds) and invertebrates represented the remainder. This investigation found that P. gilbertii fed almost exclusively on fungi and could be considered a specialised mycophagist.

Behavioural responses of Australian freshwater crayfish (Cherax cainii and Cherax albidus) to exotic fish odour

2006 ◽  
Vol 54 (6) ◽  
pp. 399 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. G. Height ◽  
G. J. Whisson
Keyword(s):  
Western Australia ◽  
Predatory Fish ◽  
Behavioural Plasticity ◽  
Current Debate ◽  
Freshwater Crayfish ◽  
Indigenous Species ◽  
Exotic Fish ◽  
Behavioural Responses ◽  
Invasive Crayfish ◽  
Australian Freshwater

Exotic finfish and crayfish have been translocated into Western Australia for more than 100 years. Deliberate stocking and subsequent escape from man-made impoundments have resulted in widespread distribution of non-native yabbies (Cherax albidus) and the exotic redfin perch (Perca fluviatilis) in the State’s south-west. Both species are considered invasive and are known to compete with indigenous species for resources. The nature and degree of impact on native marron (Cherax cainii) is unclear and the subject of current debate. Other researchers have hypothesised that invasive species modify their behaviour in the presence of predators in a more rapid and advantageous manner than native species. This greater behavioural plasticity can result in displacement of indigenous species and successful colonisation of invaders. The aim of this study was to investigate behavioural responses of an indigenous crayfish (C. cainii) and an invasive crayfish (C. albidus) to odours from a native predator (Tandanus bostocki) and an exotic predatory fish (P. fluviatilis) present in Western Australia. Crayfish behaviour was observed in individual glass tanks following the addition of odours from native (T. bostocki) or exotic (P. fluviatilis) finfish predators. Marron exhibited minor behavioural modifications when presented with odours from native or exotic finfish. In contrast, the invasive yabby showed greater detection of odours, displaying significant changes in behaviour (P < 0.05). Yabbies also appeared to distinguish between food odour (commercial crayfish feed) and predator odour; however, neither marron nor yabbies displayed behaviour indicating that they could distinguish between a native or exotic fish predator. Results support the hypothesis that invasive crayfish species have a greater capacity for behavioural plasticity than non-invasive crayfish.

THE CHELONIA SEISMIC SURVEY: MINIMISING ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS ON A NATURE RESERVE

1992 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 429
Author(s):  
P.J. Long ◽  
V.L. Long
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Management ◽  
Environmental Impacts ◽  
Western Australia ◽  
Nature Reserve ◽  
Management Plan ◽  
Seismic Survey ◽  
Seismic Surveys ◽  
Innovative Methods ◽  
Environmental Management Plan ◽  
Bird Mortality

Onshore seismic surveys are traditionally associated with wide straight tracks, required for access by seismic vehicles and denuded of vegetation. The proposal by Lasmo Oil (Australia) Ltd and its co-venturers to perform a seismic survey on the Muiron Islands Nature Reserve was therefore received with some concern by residents of nearby Exmouth in Western Australia. The proponent undertook extensive surveys of the existing environment, however, and produced a strict environmental management plan which featured innovative methods to minimise impacts on both flora and fauna — in particular the extensive Wedge-tailed Shearwater colony on the islands. These methods were executed much as planned and caused negligible destruction of vegetation and no known bird mortality. The results indicate the management plan was highly successful and established a new benchmark for exploration in sensitive areas.This paper outlines the environmental management plan developed for the work and documents the results of the procedures employed. It concludes that such methods could be applied to similar projects elsewhere.

The reproductive biology of the helmeted honeyeater, Lichenostomus melanops cassidix

1995 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 173 ◽  
Author(s):  
DC Franklin ◽  
IJ Smales ◽  
MA Miller ◽  
PW Menkhorst
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Biology ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Nature Reserve ◽  
Critically Endangered ◽  
Nest Construction ◽  
Nest Failure ◽  
Adverse Weather ◽  
State Nature Reserve ◽  
Mayfield Method ◽  
State Nature

The reproductive biology of the critically endangered helmeted honeyeater was documented in and near the Yellingbo State Nature Reserve, Victoria, from 1984 to 1993. The population bred in pairs, sometimes with helpers. Females did most of the nest construction, incubation and brooding; both parents fed the young and males more often defended the nest. Nests were cup-shaped and placed in shrub thickets, or less commonly in reedbeds, ferns or eucalypt foliage. In all, 91% of clutches were of two eggs. Young fledged from 33% of nests, estimated by the Mayfield method. Predation was the main cause of nest failure, with adverse weather also a significant contributor. Post-fledging survival was high. Juveniles were substantially independent by the sixth week after hatching. The helmeted honeyeater was markedly multi-brooded, with re-nesting usually occurring rapidly after both failure and success. The commitment by individual pairs of helmeted honeyeaters to reproduction can extend to a predictable 70% of the year. This level of commitment is probably facilitated by their sedentary, territorial nature and the moisture-stable environment occupied. Reproductive performance does not limit the helmeted honeyeater population.

Isolation and characterisation of 14 polymorphic microsatellite loci for the plant-louse Trioza barrettae (Hemiptera : Triozidae)

2015 ◽  
Vol 63 (3) ◽  
pp. 201 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melinda L. Moir ◽  
Yvette Hitchen ◽  
Michael G. Gardner ◽  
David J. Coates ◽  
W. Jason Kennington
Keyword(s):  
Linkage Disequilibrium ◽  
Western Australia ◽  
Microsatellite Loci ◽  
Critically Endangered ◽  
Endangered Plant ◽  
The South ◽  
Single Population ◽  
South West ◽  
Polymorphic Microsatellite

We describe the isolation and development of 14 polymorphic microsatellite loci for the critically endangered plant-louse Trioza barrettae (Hemiptera : Triozidae). The loci were tested in 25 individuals from a single population situated in the south-west of Western Australia. No evidence of linkage disequilibrium was detected between any pair of loci. However, eight loci showed significant departures from Hardy–Weinberg expectations. The number of alleles per locus ranged from 2 to 27.

One step ahead of the enemy: investigating aggressive interactions between invasive and native crayfish before the contact in nature

2015 ◽  
Vol 17 (12) ◽  
pp. 3503-3515 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcelo M. Dalosto ◽  
Alexandre V. Palaoro ◽  
Catherine Souty-Grosset ◽  
Sérgio Luiz de Siqueira Bueno ◽  
Tainã Gonçalves Loureiro ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Aggressive Interactions ◽  
One Step ◽  
Native Crayfish

Critically endangered Pristis microdon (Elasmobranchii), as a host for the Indian parasitic copepod, Caligus furcisetifer Redkar, Rangnekar et Murti, 1949 (Siphonostomatoida): New records from northern Australia

2010 ◽  
Vol 55 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
David Morgan ◽  
Danny Tang ◽  
Stirling Peverell
Keyword(s):  
Western Australia ◽  
New Records ◽  
Parasitic Copepod ◽  
Parasite Fauna ◽  
The Body ◽  
Critically Endangered ◽  
Northern Australia ◽  
Tidal Waters ◽  
First Time ◽  
Fitzroy River

AbstractThis paper presents the first records of the parasitic copepod Caligus furcisetifer Redkar, Rangnekar et Murti, 1949 beyond Indian waters, specifically, on the body surface and head of the critically endangered largetooth sawfish (commonly referred to as the freshwater sawfish in Australia), Pristis microdon Latham, 1794 (Elasmobranchii, Pristidae), in brackish tidal waters of the Fitzroy River in the Kimberley region of Western Australia and the Leichhardt River in the Gulf of Carpentaria in northern Queensland. This represents a geographic range extension of ∼8000 km for this parasite. Further, it is only the second member of the genus Caligus to be found on an elasmobranch host in Western Australia and it is the first time this species has been reported from the Southern Hemisphere. Male biased dispersal of P. microdon may be the vector in which the parasite has dispersed from India across to northern Australia, or vice versa. A decline in populations of the critically endangered P. microdon (and possibly other pristid species) in these regions may lead to a concomitant decline in their parasite fauna.

Phylogeographic structure of a freshwater crayfish (Decapoda:Parastacidae:Cherax preissii) in south-western Australia

2006 ◽  
Vol 57 (8) ◽  
pp. 837 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gavin Gouws ◽  
Barbara A. Stewart ◽  
Savel R. Daniels
Keyword(s):  
Gene Flow ◽  
Western Australia ◽  
Molecular Dating ◽  
Phylogeographic Structure ◽  
Freshwater Crayfish ◽  
The North ◽  
South West ◽  
Biogeographical Regions ◽  
Freshwater Decapods ◽  
North Western

Although phylogeographic patterns of freshwater decapods elsewhere in Australia are well documented, little is known of the phylogeography and biogeography of the endemic freshwater fauna of south-western Australia. Here, the phylogeographic structure of a freshwater crayfish, Cherax preissii Erichson, 1846, was investigated to determine contemporary and historical patterns of gene flow and to examined evolutionary and biogeographical scenarios. Allozyme and cytochrome c oxidase subunit I mitochondrial DNA data were collected from 15 populations, sampled across the known C. preissii distribution. Both markers revealed a clear distinction and separation among populations occurring in the north-western and southern portions of the distribution. Inferences of allopatric fragmentation and molecular dating attributed the divergence of the aquatic fauna of these regions to periods of Pliocene–Pleistocene aridity. Connectivity appeared to be greater within each of these regions. Evidence suggested contemporary, but not ongoing, gene flow, particularly within the southern region. This was possibly facilitated by dispersal during pluvial Pleistocene periods or drainage connectivity during episodic marine regressions. The divergence and distributions of these lineages parallels patterns seen in other freshwater crayfish of the region. More explicit investigation of these and further fine-scale phylogeographic studies may contribute to the understanding of biogeography and evolution in the south-west, and may further refine currently recognised biogeographical regions.

scholarly journals Birds of Lake McLarty Nature Reserve, Western Australia: an internationally important wetland facing an uncertain future

2018 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 145
Author(s):  
Michael D. Craig ◽  
Glenn I. Moore ◽  
Tony Kirkby ◽  
Marcus Singor ◽  
Bill Russell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Western Australia ◽  
Nature Reserve ◽  
Uncertain Future
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