scholarly journals Landscapes without boundaries: wildlife and their environments in northern Australia

2005 ◽  
Vol 32 (5) ◽  
pp. 377 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. C. Z. Woinarski ◽  
R. J. Williams ◽  
O. Price ◽  
B. Rankmore
Keyword(s):  
Species Composition ◽  
Resource Availability ◽  
Northern Australia ◽  
Geographic Ranges ◽  
Topographic Features ◽  
Spatial Turnover ◽  
Landscape Variation ◽  
Gouldian Finch

This paper provides an introduction to the ecological fabric of northern Australia, described here as being a land characterised by extreme climatic seasonality and largely devoid of marked topographic features. Largely as a result of the latter trait, many species have extensive geographic ranges, and the spatial turnover in species composition is extremely limited. Somewhat counter-intuitively, these two traits can be accommodated by organisms only through reliance on critical, but often subtle, landscape variation. We present some preliminary models for Gouldian finch (Erythrura gouldiae) and black-footed tree-rat (Mesembriomys gouldii) to illustrate patterns of variation in their resource availability, and the consequences of such variation. We discuss briefly some studies that have attempted to integrate, or at least consider, these elements.

A plethora of planigales: genetic variability and cryptic species in a genus of dasyurid marsupials from northern Australia

2016 ◽  
Vol 64 (5) ◽  
pp. 303 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Westerman ◽  
Mark J. Blacket ◽  
Ashley Hintz ◽  
Kyle Armstrong ◽  
Patricia A. Woolley ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Variation ◽  
Nuclear Gene ◽  
Taxonomic Diversity ◽  
Sensu Stricto ◽  
Northern Territory ◽  
Eastern Coast ◽  
Northern Australia ◽  
Gene Sequences ◽  
Geographic Ranges ◽  
Genetic Lineages

Multiple mitochondrial and nuclear gene sequences reveal substantial genetic variation within the dasyurid marsupial genus Planigale, suggesting greater taxonomic diversity than is currently recognised. To further investigate planigale relationships 116 new mitochondrial and nuclear gene sequences, including 16 new specimens, were added to our database. We confirm the presence of an unrecognised species (Planigale ‘species 1’) limited to the Pilbara region of Western Australia and suggest that the ‘Mt Tom Price’ animals may be closely related to Planigale ingrami subtilissima. We also confirm that at least four distinct genetic lineages make up what is currently recognised as P. maculata. This complex of closely related taxa represents a radiation of sibling species rather than a single, genetically diverse one. Three of these lineages (M1 + M2, M3 and M4) are distributed sympatrically across the Top End of Australia and one (M5 = P. maculata sensu stricto) is localised to the eastern coast of Australia. Within the Planigale ingrami complex, Planigale ‘Mt Tom Price’ (lineage Ing. 1) occurs in the Pilbara in sympatry with Planigale ‘species 1’ and lineage Ing. 2 is found in the Northern Territory in sympatry with species of the P. maculata complex. There is thus a plethora of northern Australian planigales, many of which are formally undescribed and whose geographic ranges require careful re-evaluation.

scholarly journals Diversity and ecology of Pilargidae (Annelida: Polychaeta) from the Gulf of Carpentaria and Arafura Sea, northern Australia

Zoosymposia ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 537-550
Author(s):  
SHONA A. HOCKNULL ◽  
CHRISTOPHER J. GLASBY
Keyword(s):  
Species Composition ◽  
Distribution Patterns ◽  
Sediment Type ◽  
Geological History ◽  
Northern Australia ◽  
Sediment Types ◽  
Arafura Sea ◽  
History Of ◽  
Unit Depth ◽  
Sand And Gravel

This study identifies to species or species units 572 lots (>1000 specimens) of pilargids from six localities in the Arafura Sea and Gulf of Carpentaria (including the ports at Gove and McArthur River). We analyze the taxonomic data against geomorphic unit, depth, and sediment type. Preliminary results show that pilargid fauna of northern Australia comprises 13 species in seven genera (Ancistrosyllis, Cabira, Litocorsa, Loandalia, Pilargis, Sigambra, and Synelmis). Although all four localities have a similar diversity of species (six or seven species each), the species composition differs between each region: Litocorsa annamita and Synelmis rigida were found in all sediment types in the Arafura Sea and Gulf of Carpentaria; Ancistrosyllis cf. hartmanae (mud and sand dominated sediments only) and Sigambra pettiboneae (all sediment types) were restricted to the inshore localities of Gove and McArthur River; Loandalia gladstonensis and Sigambra sp. 2 were found on the shelf and in the inshore habitats of the Gulf of Carpentaria only; Litocorsa sp. ‘arafura’, Sigambra sp. ‘arafura’ and Synelmis gibbsi were found only in the Arafura Sea, with sediments dominated by sand and gravel; and Cabira sp. 1 and Sigambra cf. tentaculata were found at all locations, in all sediment types. Based on these distribution patterns and the Recent Quaternary geological history of the area, hypotheses of post-glacial colonization of the Gulf of Carpentaria are presented. The pilargid species composition in northern Australia is also compared to neighboring Indo-west Pacific regions.

Comparison of the breeding sites and habitat of two hole-nesting estrildid finches, one endangered, in northern Australia

1992 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 373-388 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sonia C. Tidemann ◽  
James Boyden ◽  
Robert Elvish ◽  
Jennifer Elvish ◽  
Brian O'Gorman
Keyword(s):  
Discriminant Analysis ◽  
Breeding Habitat ◽  
Northern Australia ◽  
Termite Mounds ◽  
Short Supply ◽  
Breeding Sites ◽  
Nest Sites ◽  
Tree Hollows ◽  
Feeding Habitat ◽  
Gouldian Finch

ABSTRACTThe endangered Gouldian Finch Erythrura gouldiae is the only Australian finch to nest exclusively in tree hollows or, more rarely, in termite mounds. It is sympatric with the abundant Long-tailed Finch Poephila aculicauda which nests frequently in tree hollows. The aim of this study was to define the characteristics of nest sites and breeding areas of Gouldian and Long-tailed Finches to determine whether nest hollows were in short supply, and where finches fed relative to their nest sites. The Gouldian Finch chose hollows with smaller, more northerly entrances than Long-tailed, or randomly chosen hollows, nested deeper down the hollow and on steeper hill-slopes. Both species preferred single to multi-trunked trees of larger diameter than trees with randomly chosen hollows. Discriminant analysis classified 22–25% of the randomly chosen hollows and 28–38% of Long-tailed nesting hollows as Gouldian hollows. Gouldian Finches were more specific in their choice of nest sites than Long-tailed Finches. The vegetation at the two sites differed floristically, but within each site there was no floristic distinction between feeding or breeding sites or sites chosen at random. Gouldian Finches chose feeding habitat where trees were more spaced, on less rocky, barer ground than around breeding sites.On the basis of the criteria measured, there was no shortage of suitable hollows available to the Gouldian Finch for nesting. The overlap between feeding and breeding sites indicates the importance of managing breeding habitat for conservation.

scholarly journals Pericarpial nectary-visiting ants do not provide fruit protection against pre-dispersal seed predators regardless of ant species composition and resource availability

PLoS ONE ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 12 (12) ◽  
pp. e0188445 ◽  
Author(s):  
Priscila Andre Sanz-Veiga ◽  
Leonardo Ré Jorge ◽  
Santiago Benitez-Vieyra ◽  
Felipe W. Amorim
Keyword(s):  
Species Composition ◽  
Resource Availability ◽  
Seed Predators

Intra- and interspecific similarity in species composition of helminth communities in two closely-related rodents from South Africa

Parasitology ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 144 (9) ◽  
pp. 1211-1220 ◽  
Author(s):  
ANDREA SPICKETT ◽  
KERSTIN JUNKER ◽  
BORIS R. KRASNOV ◽  
VOITTO HAUKISALMI ◽  
SONJA MATTHEE
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Species Composition ◽  
Spatial Variation ◽  
Geographic Distance ◽  
Parasite Community ◽  
Helminth Species ◽  
Spatial Behaviour ◽  
Geographic Ranges ◽  
Rhabdomys Pumilio ◽  
Distance Decay Of Similarity

SUMMARYTo reveal factors responsible for spatial variation in parasite community composition we studied patterns of similarity in helminth species composition in two closely-related rodents (Rhabdomys pumilioandRhabdomys dilectus) that differ in their social and spatial behaviour and live under different environmental conditions across 20 localities in South Africa. We asked whether the two hosts harbour similar assemblages, whether these are more dissimilar between than within hosts and if host social structure, behaviour or environment affects similarity patterns in helminth infracommunities within and among localities. We also investigated whether similarity in species composition of helminth component communities decreases with an increase of geographic distance between host populations. We found that the pattern of space use by the hosts rather than their social behaviour promotes differences in helminth species composition between host species as well as among host populations from different localities. The rate of distance decay of similarity in species composition of helminth component communities differed between the two hosts due to difference in the degree of environmental variation across their geographic ranges. We conclude that patterns of spatial variation in helminth species composition are driven mainly by host spatial behaviour and, to a lesser extent, by environment-associated factors.

Breeding Biology of the Gouldian Finch Erythrura gouldiae, an Endangered Finch of Northern Australia

1999 ◽  
Vol 99 (3) ◽  
pp. 191-199 ◽  
Author(s):  
S.C. Tidemann ◽  
C. Lawson ◽  
R. Elvish ◽  
J. Boyden ◽  
J. Elvish
Keyword(s):  
Breeding Biology ◽  
Northern Australia ◽  
Gouldian Finch

Species composition and biomasses of fishes in tropical seagrasses at Groote Eylandt, northern Australia

1992 ◽  
Vol 35 (6) ◽  
pp. 605-620 ◽  
Author(s):  
S.J.M. Blaber ◽  
D.T. Brewer ◽  
J.P. Salini ◽  
J.D. Kerr ◽  
C. Conacher
Keyword(s):  
Species Composition ◽  
Northern Australia
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