The diet of the brush-tailed rabbit-rat (Conilurus penicillatus) from the monsoonal tropics of the Northern Territory, Australia

2005 ◽  
Vol 32 (6) ◽  
pp. 517 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ronald S. C. Firth ◽  
Elizabeth Jefferys ◽  
John C. Z. Woinarski ◽  
Richard A. Noske
Keyword(s):  
National Park ◽  
Microscopic Analysis ◽  
Northern Territory ◽  
Seed Material ◽  
Faecal Samples ◽  
Significant Difference

The diet of the brush-tailed rabbit-rat (Conilurus penicillatus) was assessed by microscopic analysis of faecal samples from 35 individuals collected from three different sites in the Northern Territory (Garig Gunak Barlu National Park (Cobourg Peninsula), Kakadu National Park and Melville Island) at various times of the year during 2000–02. Seed was the most abundant item in the overall diet of C. penicillatus, making up 68% of identifiable particles, with smaller proportions contributed by leaves (21%), plant stems (8%) and insects (2%). ANOSIM tests revealed no difference in diet between the sexes and seasons, but there was a significant difference in the diet between the sites, with seed material present in 74% of the samples from Cobourg and in 62% and 58% of samples from Kakadu and Melville respectively. Leaf matter was present in 19% of samples from Cobourg and in 26% and 24% of samples from Kakadu and Melville respectively. Stem material was present in only 6% of samples from Cobourg and in 8% and 13% of samples from Kakadu and Melville respectively. Insect matter was present in small quantities across all three sites. The high proportion of seed in the diet suggests that C. penicillatus is primarily granivorous.

Additional records of prey of the fat-tailed false antechinus Pseudantechinus macdonnellensis from central Australia.

2005 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 227 ◽  
Author(s):  
CJ Burwell ◽  
F Geiser ◽  
M Barritt ◽  
K May ◽  
CR Pavey
Keyword(s):  
Body Mass ◽  
Western Australia ◽  
National Park ◽  
South Australia ◽  
Northern Territory ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Faecal Samples ◽  
Central Australia

THE fat-tailed false antechinus (Pseudantechinus macdonnellensis) is a medium-sized dasyurid marsupial (body mass 18-33 g), that is endemic to central Australia. It is largely confined to rocky environments in the Northern Territory, Western Australia and South Australia (Menkhorst and Knight 2001). Despite its specialised habitat, the species is a generalist insectivore. Ten insect orders and spiders (Araneae) were recorded in faecal samples of a population in West MacDonnell National Park, Northern Territory, during a two and a half year study (Gilfillan 2001). Isoptera, Coleoptera and Orthoptera were the major insect orders in the diet. Here we report the results of the analysis of a small sample of faeces of P. macdonnellensis collected from the same location as the population studied by Gilfillan. Our results are noteworthy because of additions to the prey taken by P. macdonnellensis including three new classes and two new phyla.

scholarly journals Feeding Ecology of Sloth Bears in Chitwan National Park, Nepal

2015 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 118-122 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandip Khanal ◽  
Tej B. Thapa
Keyword(s):  
National Park ◽  
Diet Composition ◽  
Microscopic Analysis ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Summer Season ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Different Seasons ◽  
Chitwan National Park ◽  
Sloth Bear ◽  
And Behavior

Food habits of a species influences habitat use, ranging pattern and behavior. Seasonal diet composition of Sloth bear (Melursus ursinus) in the Chitwan National Park, Nepal was determined from 143 scats. Through macroscopic and microscopic analysis of scats; six types of plants, termites, ants, honey bees, wax, as well as mammalian hairs were identified. Although variation was observed, there was no significant difference in the diet composition in two different seasons. Overall, insects dominated the composition, occurring in 100% of the scats followed by the plants (39.16%) and mammalian hair (3.49%). Termites and ants were the major and stable dietary components. Termites (90%), Red ants (65%) and Aegle marmelos (35%) were important food for Sloth bear in summer season but the utilization of plants was very low. During winter, insects were heavily utilized by the bear. The utilization of termites (93.97%) and Ziziphus sp. (14.45%) was higher in comparison with summer season. Utilization of fruits in summer was negligible. By and large, on percent dry weight basis, insects (78.98%) dominated Sloth bear diet, followed by plants (20.99%) and mammalian hairs (0.04%).Journal of Institute of Science and Technology, 2014, 19(2): 118-122

Dry-season use of space, habitats and shelters by the short-eared rock-wallaby (Petrogale brachyotis) in the monsoon tropics

2006 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 207 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wendy R. Telfer ◽  
Anthony D. Griffiths
Keyword(s):  
Home Range ◽  
National Park ◽  
Northern Territory ◽  
Dry Season ◽  
Strong Preference ◽  
Use Of Space ◽  
Resting Sites ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Simultaneous Use ◽  
Rocky Habitats

It is widely recognised that the use of fixed diurnal shelters by rock-wallabies greatly affects their ecology. However, the details of how shelters and surrounding habitats are used, and how similar these characteristics are across rock-wallaby species, remain scarcely understood. The dry season home range, and use of habitats and den sites, of the short-eared rock wallaby (Petrogale brachyotis) were examined at Litchfield National Park, Northern Territory, Australia. We radio-tracked 10 individuals on foot to locate diurnal shelters, and with fixed towers to determine their nocturnal positions. P. brachyotis used a range of rock piles and outcrops for dens, and showed a strong preference for rocky habitats and adjacent woodland. On average, animals used four dens within outcrops, as well as more exposed resting sites. Individual rock-wallabies sometimes shared dens, but there appeared to be male–male intolerance of simultaneous use of dens. Mean home range in the dry season was 18.3 ha, and there was no significant difference in home-range area between sexes. Use of space by P. brachyotis was very similar to that reported for another tropical rock-wallaby species, P. assimilis, and many behavioural traits were also similar to those found in other species of Petrogale.

The effects of fire-driven succession on reptiles in spinifex grasslnads at Uluru National Park, Northern Territory

1996 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 39 ◽  
Author(s):  
P Masters
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
National Park ◽  
Northern Territory ◽  
Pronounced Effect ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Reptile Species ◽  
Species Richness And Abundance

Fire-driven succession had a pronounced effect on the distribution and abundance of reptiles inhabiting spinifex grasslands in Ulu~u National Park from 1987 to 1990. Forty species of reptiles were trapped during the study. Of these 14 were common (> 20 captures), 6 were uncommon (11-20 captures) and 20 were rare (< 10 captures). Species richness and abundance of individuals were greater on plots with mature spinifex for most species. On most sampling occasions only four geographically widely distributed species were more abundant on the regenerating plots: Rhynchoedura ornata, Diplodactylus stenodactylus, Ctenophorus nuchalis and Ramphytyphlops endoterus. Two species, Diplodactylus conspicillatus and Lerista bipes, showed no significant difference in abundance between plots. This study supports the suggestion that fire mosaics maximise reptile diversity. Although most reptile species were caught in mature spinifex, regenerating areas act as fire breaks and ensure that mature spinifex is always present.

scholarly journals The Wadden Sea as a National Park and UNESCO World Heritage Site: Students’ Word Associations with These Two Conservation Designations

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (14) ◽  
pp. 8006
Author(s):  
Till Schmäing ◽  
Norbert Grotjohann
Keyword(s):  
National Parks ◽  
National Park ◽  
Wadden Sea ◽  
World Heritage ◽  
World Heritage Site ◽  
Unesco World Heritage ◽  
Word Associations ◽  
Heritage Site ◽  
Unesco World Heritage Site ◽  
Significant Difference

The Wadden Sea ecosystem is unique in many respects from a biological perspective. This is one reason why it is protected by national parks in Germany and by its designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In biology didactics, there are only a few studies that focus on the Wadden Sea. This work investigates students’ word associations with the two stimulus words “national park” and “UNESCO World Heritage Site”. The survey was conducted among students living directly at the Wadden Sea and among students from the inland. The analysis of the identified associations (n = 8345) was carried out within the framework of a quantitative content analysis to be able to present and discuss the results on a group level. A statistically significant difference was found between the two groups. Overall, results showed that the students made subject-related associations as well as a large number of associations to both stimulus words that could be judged as non-subject-related. In some cases, a connection with the region of residence could be found, but this was not generally the case. Even students’ immediate residential proximity to the Wadden Sea is no guarantee that they have knowledge of the two considered protection terms.

New species of Drymopsalta Heath Cicadas (Cicadidae: Cicadettinae: Cicadettini) from Queensland and Northern Territory, Australia, with overview of genus

Zootaxa ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 3620 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-42
Author(s):  
A. EWART ◽  
L. W. POPPLE
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
High Frequency ◽  
Similar Pattern ◽  
National Park ◽  
Northern Territory ◽  
Allopatric Species ◽  
Temporal Structures ◽  
Cape York ◽  
Three New Species ◽  
Tree Foliage

Three new species are described in the genus Drymopsalta Ewart, previously known only from D. crepitum Ewart and D. daemeli Distant. The three new species occur in Southern Queensland and Northern Territory. D. wallumi sp. nov. occurs along coastal S.E. Queensland, whereas D. hobsoni sp. nov. is restricted to the Bringalily State Forest, near Inglewood, southern inland Queensland. D. acrotela sp. nov. is found in the Litchfield National Park and other locations near Jabaluka, Cahills Crossing, E. Alligator River and Nourlangie, all across the northern Northern Territory. D. crepitum occurs on the Cape York Peninsular extending into the southern Gulf, while D. daemeli occurs in two localised regions in central coastal N.S.W. Each of the species inhabits heath vegetation, often spilling-over into adjacent tree foliage. The species of Drymopsalta are small and inconspicuous cicadas (<15 mm body length) with relatively high frequency songs (~15 to 22 kHz). The temporal structures of the normal calling songs follow a similar pattern in each species, consisting of the emission of short chirps (comprising 2–16 ticks). Between the chirps are emitted one (D. wallumi, D. hobsoni, D. acrotela), two (D. daemeli) or 1–9 (D. crepitum) intervening single ticks. The species can be distinguished by the timing and the number of these single ticks relative to the adjacent chirps with the notable exception of D. hobsoni and D. acrotela. The calling songs of these two allopatric species are indistinguishable, an unusual feature in Australian cicadas. Two additional song variants are described, a more unstructured chirping song without intervening single ticks observed in each of the species except D. crepitum, and periodic extended buzzing echemes emitted within the calling songs (excepting the D. wallumi song).

Investigation into the diet of the central rock-rat (Zyzomys pedunculatus)

2003 ◽  
Vol 30 (5) ◽  
pp. 513 ◽  
Author(s):  
Theresa J. Nano ◽  
Cate M. Smith ◽  
Elizabeth Jefferys
Keyword(s):  
Sample Size ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Microscopic Analysis ◽  
Faecal Pellet ◽  
Northern Territory ◽  
The West ◽  
Major Food ◽  
Seasonal Shift ◽  
Leaf Consumption

The diet of the rare central rock-rat, Zyzomys pedunculatus, was assessed by microscopic analysis of 18 faecal pellet samples collected from four different sites in the west MacDonnell Ranges in the Northern Territory. Samples were collected from the four sites in summer (n = 13), one site in winter (n = 3), and two sites in spring (n = 2). Four major food categories were observed in the samples: seed, leaf, stem and insect. Seed was by far the most dominant food in the overall diet of Z. pedunculatus, making up 72% of identifiable particles, leaf was secondary (21%), while stem and insects contributed only 3% and 4% respectively. Although the sample size was small, no major seasonal shift between seed and invertebrate dominance was evident. Seed dominated the diet in both summer and winter, though winter seed consumption was lower (78% v. 58%). The level of seed consumption in the two spring samples was highly divergent (38% v. 93%), stressing the need for more samples to be collected from dry periods. Lowered rates of seed consumption during winter and in one of the spring samples were accompanied by increases in leaf consumption. Insect consumption remained low across all sampled seasons, suggesting that this species is not an omnivore. Rather, the dominance of seed in the diet suggests that Z. pedunculatus is primarily a granivore, a finding that has implications for the conservation status and management of this little-known species.

Effects of collection zones and storage on hatchability and survival of feral helmeted guineafowl (Numida meleagris galleata pallas) eggs

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 74-81
Author(s):  
A.A. Yusuf ◽  
O.A. Jayeola ◽  
I.O.O. Osunsina ◽  
G.A. Dedeke
Keyword(s):  
National Park ◽  
Captive Breeding ◽  
Storage Systems ◽  
Ecological Zones ◽  
Numida Meleagris ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
In Captivity ◽  
Protein Supply ◽  
And Storage ◽  
Kainji Lake

The desire to shore up the shortfall in protein supply, the increased awareness of the importance of cholesterol free animal protein, like guineafowl, and the need to conserve their wild genes, have necessitated studies on improved captive breeding of feral helmeted guineafowl. Hence, this study was aimed at determining the effects of ecological zones and storage systems on the guineafowl eggs. Guineafowl eggs (n=214), were collected from identified and monitored-nests within the Kainji Lake National Park (KLNP) and Old Oyo National Park (OONP). Out of 91 eggs collected from KLNP, 32 and 38 were stored at room temperature (RT-21-25°C) and refrigerator (RF-17-20°C), respectively for five days prior to incubation while 21 eggs were not stored (NS-27-29°C), and out of 123 collected from OONP, 70 and 19 were stored for five days prior to incubation at (RT-21-25°C) and (RF-17-20°C), respectively while 34 eggs were (NS- 27-29°C). Prior to incubation, eggs were weighed, the height and width were measured. The process was repeated after incubation for unhatched eggs. Candling was done three days before hatching at day 29 of egg incubation. Embryo status of unhatched eggs was determined by cracking the eggs. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse the data. The NS eggs from Kainji (7.60%) and Oyo (2.01%) had the lowest percentage shrinkage in weight across the three storage systems. The order was reversed in height with RF eggs from Kainji (0.96%) and Oyo (0.46%) having lowest. The least shrinkage in width of eggs from Oyo was recorded in the RF eggs (0.00%) and in NS (0.59%) from Kainji. Eggs candling showed that presumed fertile (opaque) was highest (69.10%) in NS eggs followed by RT (45.00%). There was no significant difference (p>0.05) between the hatchability of eggs from the two parks though hatchability (7.60%) of Kainji eggs was higher than those of Oyo (7.40%). Further check on fertilization after incubation showed that RT (37.50%) eggs from Kainji were fertilized but were unable to hatch alive so also was RF eggs (21.10%). The study showed that the eggs sizes vary with ecozones while size of the eggs and storage systems affects hatchability and survival of feral helmeted guineafowl eggs in captivity. Keywords: Guineafowl; ecozones; storage systems; incubation; candling; hatchability

scholarly journals Parasitology and urban livestock farming in Nigeria : prevalence of ova in faecal and soil samples and animal ectoparasites in Makurdi

2007 ◽  
Vol 78 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
E.A. Omudu ◽  
E.U. Amuta
Keyword(s):  
Test Tube ◽  
Soil Samples ◽  
Helminth Parasites ◽  
Livestock Farming ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Zoonotic Infections ◽  
Faecal Samples ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Flotation Technique ◽  
Chi Square Analysis

Domestic environmental pollution resulting from urban livestock farming was investigated in Makurdi using parasitological techniques. The test tube flotation technique was used for the parasitological analysis of animal faecal matter and soil samples collected from residential premises. Ectoparasitic fauna of dogs, goats, sheep and cattle cohabiting with humans within the same residential compound were also collected and identified. The hand-picking and body brushing methods were employed to search for ticks, fleas, lice and mites. Of the 150 soil samples examined, 55 (36.7 %) were positive for 1 or more eggs of helminth parasites. There was no significant difference in the distribution of eggs in the soil samples from the 3 areas sampled (c2=0.046, df=2, P>0.05). Ascaris species were the dominant parasite eggs found. Of the 180 faecal samples examined, 107 (59.4 %) were positive for 1 or more eggs of helminth parasites. Chi-square analysis showed no significant difference in the level of infection of different animal faeces sampled (c2=5.74, df=4, P>0.05). Ascaris species were again the dominating helminth parasite eggs found. There was also no significant difference in the prevalence of helminth eggs in the animal faecal samples from the 3 areas sampled (c2=5.99, df=4, P>0.05). A total of 1908 ectoparasites was recovered (ticks: 32.80 %; lice: 22.43 %; fleas: 22.06% and mite: 22.69 %). There was no significant difference in infestation animals between sexes (c2=0.10, df=4, P>0.05). The predominant genus encountered for ticks were Amblyomma, while Linognathus (43.90%), Ctenocephalides (97.38%) and Sarcoptes (58.89 %) were most predominant for lice, fleas and mites respectively. The public health implications of the findings, especially as these relate to the increasing incidence and prevalence of zoonotic infections, are discussed.

scholarly journals ‘Little Gunshots, but with the blaze of lightning’: Xavier Herbert, Visuality and Human Rights

2017 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 87-105
Author(s):  
Jane Lydon
Keyword(s):  
Human Rights ◽  
World War Ii ◽  
Aboriginal People ◽  
Northern Territory ◽  
Social Changes ◽  
Narrative Strategies ◽  
World War ◽  
Major Work ◽  
The North ◽  
Significant Difference

Xavier Herbert published his bestseller Capricornia in 1938, following two periods spent in the Northern Territory. His next major work, Poor Fellow My Country (1975), was not published until thirty-seven years later, but was also set in the north during the 1930s. One significant difference between the two novels is that by 1975 photo-journalism had become a significant force for influencing public opinion and reforming Aboriginal policy. Herbert’s novel, centring upon Prindy as vulnerable Aboriginal child, marks a sea change in perceptions of Aboriginal people and their place in Australian society, and a radical shift toward use of photography as a means of revealing the violation of human rights after World War II. In this article I review Herbert’s visual narrative strategies in the context of debates about this key historical shift and the growing impact of photography in human rights campaigns. I argue that Poor Fellow My Country should be seen as a textual re-enactment, set in Herbert’s and the nation’s past, yet coloured by more recent social changes that were facilitated and communicated through the camera’s lens. Like all re-enactments, it is written in the past conditional: it asks, what if things had been different? It poses a profound challenge to the state project of scientific modernity that was the Northern Territory over the first decades of the twentieth century.

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