The Size and Composition of Groups in the Red Kangaroo, Macropus rufus

1979 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 237 ◽  
Author(s):  
EM Russell
Keyword(s):  
Group Size ◽  
Small Groups ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Temporal Stability ◽  
Adult Males ◽  
Red Kangaroo ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Macropus Rufus

Red kangaroos, observed in the field in western New South Wales, were dispersed in small groups which, although aggregated near shelter, food or water, appeared to move independently. The temporal stability of these small groups is not known. Mean group size was 2.6, and more animals were seen in groups of two, three or four than were seen alone. Groups of two were most common, more than half of them containing one female with young-at-foot. Mixed-sex groups with one or several adult males were found.

The effects of age, sex, reproductive status and temporal factors on the time-use of free-ranging red kangaroos

1993 ◽  
Vol 20 (6) ◽  
pp. 785 ◽  
Author(s):  
DM Watson ◽  
TJ Dawson
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Group Size ◽  
Time Use ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Time Of Day ◽  
Adult Males ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Free Ranging ◽  
Foraging Time

The effects of temporal (time of day and season) factors and size, sex, female reproductive state and group size on the diel time-use of free-ranging red kangaroos (Macropus rufus) was examined. Particular emphasis was given to the effects on their foraging behaviour, with foraging divided into cropping, chewing and searching components. The study was conducted in semi-arid western New South Wales from July 1991 to March 1992, a time of deepening drought conditions in New South Wales. Group size had very little influence on the time-use of M. rufus. It was negatively but only weakly correlated with the proportion of foraging time spent chewing (chewing intensity). No significant differences in time-use were found between size classes of adult males (large and medium-sized males), females with or without pouch young, or females with different-sized pouch young (no visible young, small pouch young or large pouch young). Differences occurred between adult males, adult females and subadult kangaroos. These differences were mainly associated with their chewing and searching behaviour and were related to body size; as body size increased the proportion of time spent chewing and the intensity of chewing increased while the proportion of time searching and the proportion of foraging time spent searching (searching intensity) decreased. Neither the proportion of time spent cropping or foraging nor the proportion of foraging time spent cropping (cropping intensity) or the proportion of active time spent foraging (foraging intensity) differed between any size/sex/reproductive class. Temporal effects had a considerable influence on time-use. M. rufus were most active at night and in the few hours after sunrise and sunset. Seasonal changes in time-use were largely a result of changes in daytime behaviour. M. rufus foraged less and rested more during the day in winter than in spring or summer. There was no increase in the intensity or proportion of time spent foraging or cropping at night to compensate for the reduction in diurnal foraging. It is hypothesised that temporal variations in time-use were related to variations in weather and vegetation conditions.

Habitat Selection by Sex, Age and Reproductive Class in the Red Kangaroo, Macropus rufus, in Western New South Wales

1981 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 465 ◽  
Author(s):  
CN Johnson ◽  
PG Bayliss
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Selection ◽  
National Park ◽  
Mating Systems ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Vegetation Types ◽  
Red Kangaroo ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Macropus Rufus ◽  
Lactating Females

The kangaroo populations of Kinchega National Park respond differently to shifts in pasture productivity, red kangaroos Macropus rufus being mobile and unevenly distributed with respect to soil and vegetation types, by comparison with the more evenly dispersed western grey kangaroos M. fuliginosus and the sedentary and localized euros M, robustus erubescens. Red kangaroo population classes tend to be differentially distributed, so that large males and heavily lactating females predominate on the seasonally preferred pastures, while other classes tend to predominate elsewhere. This finding has several implications for the management of red kangaroos and for our understanding of their resource ecology and mating systems.

Inter- and Intra specific Conflict between Arid-zone Kangaroos at Watering Points

1985 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 337 ◽  
Author(s):  
DB Croft
Keyword(s):  
Arid Zone ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Agonistic Behaviour ◽  
Age Classes ◽  
Equivalent Age ◽  
Red Kangaroo ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Macropus Rufus ◽  
Drinking Place

Red kangaroos Macropus rufus and euros M. robustus were observed drinking at a stock trough in northwestern New South Wales. The populations of both species were divided into five age-sex classes. Drinking and agonistic behaviour was similar across classes and species. Inter- and intraspecific conflict between these classes for a drinking position were analysed. Within species, there is a size-related hierarchy for gaining and maintaining a drinking space, favouring the larger class. Interspecifically, euros, the smaller species, dominate equivalent age classes of red kangaroos. Retaliation in aggressive encounters is more likely between adjacent rank neighbours than those more distant in the hierarchy. Drinking individuals tend to win more encounters than individuals attempting to gain a drinking place. The longer a kangaroo has been drinking the less likely it is to act aggressively to an intruder. When drinking, spacing between kangaroos is essentially random. Both species displace another individual at a similar mean distance of 0.6-0.8 m, but spacing between adult euros is wider than between adult red kangaroos. Spacing is modified by the relative positions of neighbours on either side of the trough. The results are discussed in terms of social and other factors that may have led to the euro's dominance of the red kangaroo at water.

scholarly journals Lifetime reproductive success in a population of female red kangaroos Macropus rufus in the sheep rangelands of western New South Wales: Environmental effects and population dynamics

2004 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 45 ◽  
Author(s):  
AD Bilton ◽  
DB Croft
Keyword(s):  
Population Dynamics ◽  
Reproductive Success ◽  
Environmental Conditions ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Reproductive Potential ◽  
Lifetime Reproductive Success ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Macropus Rufus ◽  
Initial Starting

Female reproductive success and the recruitment of offspring to the next generation are key components of animal population dynamics. With an annual commercial harvest of between 13 and 22% of the red kangaroo (Macropus rufus) population, it is increasingly important that these processes are understood. We used data on the reproductive success of 33 free-ranging female M. rufus on Fowlers Gap station in far western New South Wales to determine the expected lifetime reproductive success (LRS) of females within an unharvested population. We also designed a model to generate predictions about female LRS incorporating empirical relationships between a mother?s reproductive success and maternal age, environmental conditions and the sex and survivorship of a previous reproductive attempt. Results from observations on female LRS (calculated from annual weaning rates) and those generated by the model predict that female M. rufus on ?Fowlers Gap? wean, on average, 3.7 young in a lifetime (ranges 0 - 11 and 0 - 20, respectively); representing only 41% of their maximum reproductive potential. Manipulation of initial starting conditions allowed the effect of varying environmental conditions on female LRS to be explored. The condition of the environment when females commence breeding does not appear to significantly affect their overall lifetime reproductive output. However, the occurrence of drought does. Females experiencing two droughts in a lifetime did not live as long and weaned fewer offspring and grandoffspring (from their daughters) than those females experiencing only one drought in a lifetime. In addition to the adverse effect of drought on the reproductive success of female M. rufus in this study, we suggest that, given the relatively high and stable population densities of M. rufus on ?Fowlers Gap?, other mechanisms (acting primarily on juvenile survival) must exist which limit population growth.

Red kangaroo, Megaleia rufa (Desmarest), in north-western New South Wales. 2. Food

1971 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 29 ◽  
Author(s):  
PT Bailey ◽  
PN Martensz ◽  
RD Barker
Keyword(s):  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Red Kangaroo ◽  
South Wales ◽  
North Western

Habitat Utilization by Sympatric Red Kangaroos Macropus-Rufus, and Western Grey Kangaroos Macropus-Fuliginosus, in Western New-South-Wales

1988 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 413 ◽  
Author(s):  
D Priddel
Keyword(s):  
Temporal Change ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Aerial Survey ◽  
Habitat Utilization ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Macropus Rufus

Habitat utilisation by sympatric red kangaroos, Macropus rufus, and western grey kangaroos, M. fuliginosus, was monitored by aerial survey. Red kangaroos used floodplain and sandplain with equal intensity. Western grey kangaroos favoured floodplain and utilised woodland on both landforms relatively more than did red kangaroos. Movements of kangaroos between sandplain and floodplain paralleled changes in pasture condition. Red kangaroos responded to pasture growth, moving to sandplain immediately after rain. Western greys followed up to 3 months later, the increase in use of sandplain being weakly correlated (r = 0.70) to an increase in pasture biomass. There was no evidence of any temporal change in use of either woodland or open plain by either species.

Seasonal Changes in Diet Preferences of Free-Ranging Red Kangaroos, Euros and Sheep in Western New South Wales.

1977 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 127 ◽  
Author(s):  
BA Ellis ◽  
EM Russell ◽  
TJ Dawson ◽  
CJF Harrop
Keyword(s):  
Animal Species ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Stomach Contents ◽  
Ovis Aries ◽  
Severe Drought ◽  
Red Kangaroo ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Selective Eating ◽  
Free Ranging

Stomach contents of free-ranging animals were analysed botanically for low Atriplex shrubland in western New South Wales, Australia, during 1972-74 in good seasons producing abundant growth and diversity of vegetation. Red kangaroo (Megaleia rufa), euro (Macropus robustus) and sheep (Ovis aries) selected grass and forbs when those were readily available. In poorer pasture sheep selected mainly flat-leaved chenopods (saltbush) and kangaroos selected mainly grass with different amounts of flat- or round-leaved chenopods. Euros were the most selective, eating grass even when there was little grass present. Potential overlaps in diet between kangaroos and sheep were greatest in good pasture and least in the poorest conditions. The other groups of plants considered were non-chenopod shrubs and browse. Extent of overlap was not clear, because animals may have eaten different species within the groups of plants. The study period did not include any severe drought, in which overlap in diet and competition between animal species would have been most significant.

Movements of Sympatric Red Kangaroos, Macropus-Rufus, and Western Grey Kangaroos, Macropus-Fuliginosus, in Western New-South-Wales

1988 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 339 ◽  
Author(s):  
D Priddel ◽  
G Wellard ◽  
N Shepherd
Keyword(s):  
Population Dynamics ◽  
National Park ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Macropus Rufus

Between July 1979 and November 1980 a total of 261 red kangaroos, Macropus rufus, (216F; 45 M) and 170 western grey kangaroos, M. fuliginosus, (136F;34M) were caught and tagged with individually recognisable collars. Between July 1979 and January 1986, 1751 sightings of tagged individuals were recorded. Information gained from these sightings was used to assess how far each kangaroo ranged. More than 90% of individuals of either species did not range far (<9 km for reds; <6 km for western greys) even when local pastures were severely depleted during drought. A few individuals dispersed much further-up to 323 km. On average, red kangaroos ranged further than western greys. Kangaroos on Kinchega National Park ranged no less or no further than those on an adjacent pastoral leasehold. At least 17 tagged individuals crossed the macropod-deterrent fence surrounding Kinchega; several crossed repeatedly. Dispersal of kangaroos from Kinchega was slight, supporting the hypothesis of Bayliss (1985) that dispersal has no significant impact on population dynamics.

Population Parameters of Two Congeneric Possums, Trichosurus spp., in Norh Eastern New South Wales

1981 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 205 ◽  
Author(s):  
RA How
Keyword(s):  
Breeding Season ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Adult Males ◽  
Population Parameters ◽  
Bond Population ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Open Forest ◽  
Adult Sex Ratio ◽  
Population Strategy

In adjacent areas in north-eastern New South Wales, T. vulpecula occurs in the open forest and woodland and T. caninus occurs in the closed and tall open forest; both species are found in the pine plantation. T. vulpecula has a single breeding season in autumn when all females 1 y old and older reproduce. The young become independent around 175 days old and disperse at up to 2 y old. Mortality is low (15%) among dependent young but considerably higher among independent dispersing individuals. T. caninus also has a single autumn breeding season. The young become independent around 240 days old but disperse after 18-26 months, females moving before males. Mortality is high (56%) among dependent young but less so among subadults. An adult sex ratio of parity is the result of a higher survival among subadult males than females offsetting the reverse in adults. Some 2-y-old and all 3-y-old females reproduce but a few older females fail to breed in certain years. There is evidence that the high mortality of dependent young and failure of older females to breed is associated with offspring of previous years remaining in the population. Adult males and females appear to form a pair-bond. Population parameters of T. vulpecula described from other areas show considerable variation; this flexibility in population strategy explains the species' success in occupying a diversity of habitats and rapidly colonizing new areas.

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