Ecology and population biology of long-nosed bandicoots (Perameles nasuta) at North Head, Sydney Harbour National Park

1999 ◽  
Vol 26 (6) ◽  
pp. 805 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. K. Scott ◽  
I. D. Hume ◽  
C. R. Dickman
Keyword(s):  
Population Biology ◽  
National Park ◽  
Reproductive Activity ◽  
Early Summer ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Active Management ◽  
Motor Vehicles ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Introduced Predators ◽  
Sydney Harbour

The population biology, habitat utilisation and diet of a small, isolated population of long-nosed bandicoots (Perameles nasuta) was studied over a 22-month period at North Head in Sydney Harbour National Park, New South Wales. Reproductive output in this urban environment was high, with a mean litter size of 2.3 and production of up to four litters per year. The peak of reproductive activity was in late spring and early summer, with a cessation of breeding in late autumn or early winter. The main causes of death were identified as road trauma (58% – probably an overestimate because of the ease of finding road deaths) and predation by cats and foxes (37% – probably an underestimate because of the difficulty of locating carcasses unless radio-collared). Bandicoots utilised all macrohabitats (open grassed areas, heath, forest, swamp and scrub), but extensively used open grassed areas for foraging. Males had larger home ranges (4.4 ± 0.8 ha) than females (1.7 ± 0.2 ha). The largest home ranges of males coincided with the peak of the breeding season (September–November). Throughout the year P. nasuta fed primarily on beetles, invertebrate larvae and ants, but also on other invertebrates and on plant and fungal material. Some vertebrate and human- derived material (birdseed, vegetable scraps, plastic, twine) was also eaten. Although remarkably adaptable in its reproductive and dietary strategies, this population of long-nosed bandicoots is likely to follow other urban bandicoot populations toward extinction unless there is active management to reduce the high rate of mortality from motor vehicles and introduced predators.

The Biology of the Ground Parrot, Pezoporus wallicus, in Queensland. I. Microhabitat Use, Activity Cycle and Diet

1991 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 169 ◽  
Author(s):  
DC McFarland
Keyword(s):  
Home Range ◽  
National Park ◽  
Activity Cycle ◽  
Early Summer ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Microhabitat Use ◽  
Radio Tracking ◽  
Late Afternoon ◽  
Seed Availability ◽  
Dicotyledonous Plants

The microhabitat use, activity cycle and diet of the ground parrot in Cooloola National Park was examined by flushing birds, plotting call locations, radio-tracking 12 individuals, and sampling crop contents of trapped birds. Within a heathland, parrots appeared to use all parts of the dry and wet microhabitats but few of them used sedgelands and shrub- or tree-dominated areas. Birds visited dry microhabitats between late autumn and early summer, but used wet microhabitats mostly in summer. The shifts between dry and wet corresponded to changes in seed availability and accessibility, and may also be linked to climate. Radio-tracked birds were active throughout the day, with peaks just after sunrise, at mid-morning and in late afternoon. Voluntary flights were recorded only in the dawn and dusk calling periods. Home range area averaged 9.2 ha during all tracking periods, the smallest ranges being recorded in spring. Mean adult range (5.6 ha) was smaller than that of subadults (13.9 ha). There was considerable overlap in home ranges among individuals but little overlap in foraging areas. Ground parrots in Cooloola fed on seeds from at least 40 different species of monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous plants. Selection appeared to be based on whatever seeds were available, accessible and of a size that could be handled.

The Biology of the Ground Parrot, Pezoporus wallicus, in Queensland. II. Spacing, Calling and Breeding Behaviour

1991 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 185 ◽  
Author(s):  
DC McFarland
Keyword(s):  
National Park ◽  
Dominance Hierarchy ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Nest Density ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Dominance Status ◽  
Breeding Behaviour ◽  
Egg Failure ◽  
Individual Rank ◽  
Main Factor

The spacing, calling and breeding behaviour of ground parrots in Cooloola National Park was studied over three years. Despite having overlapping home ranges, individual parrots maintain a solitary existence, the inter-bird distance averaging 106 m. No aggressive behaviour was ever recorded. Calling was restricted to before sunrise and after sunset; it comprised whistling notes mostly in variable ascending scales. Four call types were used throughout the year, and three others only in the breeding season. Light intensity appears to be the main factor determining when calling starts and finishes; parrot density influences the rate of calling by individuals. Calling may be used to advertise dominance status and location of an individual. The formation of a dominance hierarchy would enable several birds to use the same area, individual rank determining priority of access to the spatially and temporally variable seed resources. Ground parrots bred in spring, the clutch size was either three or four. Nests were found only on the ground under vegetation in dry parts of heathlands that had not been burnt for at least 3-4 years. Minimum nest density ranged between 1.0 and 1.3 nests per 10 ha. Only the female incubated the eggs, the male provided all food to both the female and chicks. On average a pair produced 1.9 fledglings per nest each year. An unusually high rate of egg failure (22-31%) appears to be typical for this species.

scholarly journals Jays and Oaks: an Eco-Ethological Study of a Symbiosis

Behaviour ◽  
1979 ◽  
Vol 70 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 1-116 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. Bossema
Keyword(s):  
Visual Information ◽  
Visual Cues ◽  
Early Summer ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Vertical Position ◽  
Pedunculate Oak ◽  
Environmental Pressures ◽  
Selective Pressures ◽  
In Captivity ◽  
Evolutionary Consequences

AbstractThe European jay (Garrulus g. glandarius) strongly depends on acorns for food. Many acorns are hoarded enabling the jay to feed upon them at times of the year in which they would otherwise be unavailable. Many of the hoarded acorns germinate and become seedlings so that jays play an important role in the dispersal of acorns and the reproduction of oaks (in this study: Quercus robur, the pedunculate oak). These mutual relationships were analysed both with wild jays in the field (province of Drente, The Netherlands) and with tame birds in confinement. Variation in the composition of the food throughout the year is described quantitatively. Acorns were the stock diet of adults in most months of the year. Leaf-eating caterpillars predominantly occurring on oak were the main food items of nestlings. Acorns formed the bulk of the food of fledglings in June. A high rate of acorn consumption in winter, spring and early summer becomes possible because individual jays hoard several thousands of acorns, mainly in October. In experiments, acorns of pedunculate oak were not preferred over equal sized acorns of sessile oak (which was not found in the study area). Acorns of pedunculate oak were strongly preferred over those of American oak and nuts of hazel and beech. Among acorns of pedunculate oak, ripe, sound, long-slim and big ones were preferred. Jays collect one or more (up to six) acorns per hoarding trip. In the latter case, the first ones are swallowed and the last one is usually carried in the bill. For swallowing the dimensions of the beak imposed a limit on size preference; for bill transport usually the biggest acorn was selected. The greater the number of acorns per trip, the longer was the transportation distance during hoarding. From trip to trip jays dispersed their acorns widely and when several acorns were transported during one trip, these were generally buried at different sites. Burial took place by pushing acorns in the soil and by subsequent hammering and covering. Jays often selected rather open sites, transitions in the vegetation and vertical structures such as saplings and tree trunks, for burial of acorns. In captivity jays also hoarded surplus food. Here, spacing out of burials was also observed; previously used sites usually being avoided. In addition, hiding along substrate edges and near conspicuous objects was observed. Jays tended to hide near sticks presented in a horizontal position rather than near identical ones in vertical position, especially when the colour of the sticks contrasted with the colour of the substrate. Also, rough surfaced substrate was strongly preferred over similar but smooth surfaced substrate. Successful retrieval of and feeding on hoarded acorns were observed in winter even when snow-cover had considerably altered the scenery. No evidence was obtained that acorns could be traced back by smell. Many indications were obtained that visual information from near and far beacons, memorized during hiding, was used in finding acorns. The use of beacons by captive jays was also studied. Experiments led to the conclusion that vertical beacons are more important to retrieving birds than identical horizontal ones. The discrepancy with the jay's preference for horizontal structures during hiding is discussed. Most seedlings emerge in May and June. The distribution pattern of seedlings and bill prints on the shells of their acorns indicated that many seedlings emerged from acorns hidden by jays in the previous autumn. The cotyledons of these plants remain underground and are in excellent condition in spring and early summer. Jays exploited acorns by pulling at the stem of seedlings and then removing the cotyledons. This did not usually damage the plants severely. Jays can find acorns in this situation partly because they remember where they buried acorns. In addition, it was shown that jays select seedlings of oak rather than ones of other species, and that they preferentially inspected those seedlings that were most profitable in terms of cotyledon yield and quality. Experiments uncovered some of the visual cues used in this discrimination. The effects of hoarding on the preservation of acorns were examined in the field and the laboratory. Being buried reduced the chance that acorns were robbed by conspecifics and other acorn feeders. Scatter hoarding did not lead to better protection of buried acorns than larder hoarding, but the spread of risk was better in the former than the latter. It was concluded that the way in which jays hoard acorns increases the chance that they can exploit them later. In addition, the condition of acorns is better preserved by being buried. An analysis was made of the consequences of the jay's behaviour for oaks. The oak does incur certain costs: some of its acorns are eaten by jays during the dispersal and storage phase, and some seedlings are damaged as a consequence of cotyledon removal. However, these costs are outweighed by the benefits the oak receives. Many of its most viable acorns are widely dispersed and buried at sites where the prospects for further development into mature oak are highly favourable. The adaptiveness of the characters involved in preferential feeding on and hoarding of acorns by jays is discussed in relation to several environmental pressures: competition with allied species; food fluctuations in the jay's niche; and food competitors better equipped to break up hard "dry" fruits. Reversely, jays exert several selective pressures which are likely to have evolutionary consequences for oaks, such as the selection of long-slim and large acorns with tight shells. In addition, oak seedlings with a long tap root and tough stem are selected for. Although other factors than mutual selective pressures between the two may have affected the present day fit between jays and oaks it is concluded that several characters of jays and oaks can be considered as co-adapted features of a symbiotic relationship.

scholarly journals Population biology of the crab Armases angustipes (Crustacea, Decapoda, Sesarmidae) at Brazilian tropical coast

2014 ◽  
Vol 104 (2) ◽  
pp. 150-161 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marina de Sá Leitão C. de Araújo ◽  
Deusinete de O. Tenório ◽  
Daniela da S. Castiglioni
Keyword(s):  
Population Structure ◽  
Sexual Dimorphism ◽  
Sex Ratio ◽  
Population Biology ◽  
Carapace Width ◽  
Reproductive Activity ◽  
Coastal Regions ◽  
Phytoplankton Productivity ◽  
Number Of Individuals ◽  
Tropical Coast

The semi terrestrial crabs are important elements of the fauna of coastal regions. The aim of this study was to analyze the population structure of Armases angustipes (Dana, 1852) at estuaries of the Ariquindá River, considered a non impacted area, and Mamucabas River, considered a few impacted area, on the south coast of state of Pernambuco, Brazil. The species occurred in all months of the year. The number of individuals per month varied, being higher in the months of transition between the seasons. This is probably due to significant seasonal variations of air and burrow temperature and burrow salinity. There was no sexual dimorphism in size of A. angustipes in the mangrove of Ariquindá River, but males were larger than females in the mangrove of Mamucabas River. In both estuaries, the sex ratio did not differ from Mendelian proportion, but showed a deviation for females. The analysis of temporal variation in sex ratio showed significant differences in some months of the year. These variations are due to cyclical events that act distinctly on each sex. In both estuaries, size classes of carapace width were equally represented by both sexes. The ovigerous females of A. angustipes occurred only in some months of the year, especially in summer, in both estuaries. Probably the high phytoplankton productivity observed in summer favors the reproductive activity, since these algae serve as food for the larvae. Specimens of the population of Rio Ariquindá are largest and wider than those of Mamucabas River. This fact, associated with the low abundance of crabs and the lower frequency of ovigerous females observed in Mamucabas River, is an indication that this population may be influenced by the environmental impacts that this estuary has received.

scholarly journals Small mammals of the Addo Elephant National Park

Koedoe ◽  
1975 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Swanepoel
Keyword(s):  
Introduced Species ◽  
Small Mammals ◽  
National Park ◽  
Sex Ratios ◽  
Rattus Rattus ◽  
Reproductive Activity ◽  
Body Measurements ◽  
Suricata Suricatta ◽  
Rhabdomys Pumilio ◽  
Mus Minutoides

A survey of the small mammals of the Addo Elephant National Park resulted in a checklist, as well as information on relative numbers, distribution within the Park, reproductive activity, sex ratios, and body measurements. Forty mammals species occur in the Park, while three re-introduced species probably do not occur any longer. Of the 40 species 28 are considered small mammals comprising 13 rodent, eight carnivore, two shrew, two bat, one primate and one lagomorph species, as well as the aardvark: Crociduraflavescens, C. cyanea infumata, Rousettus aegyptiacus, Eptesicus capensis, Cercopithecus pygerythrus, Canis mesomelas, Ictonyx striatus, Poecilogale albinucha, Genetta sp., Herpestes pulverulentus, Suricata suricatta, Proteles cristatus, Felis caracal, Orycteropus afer, Lepus saxatilis, Cryptomys hottentotus, Hystrix africae-australis, Pedetes capensis, Graphiurus murinus, Aethomys namaquensis, Praomys natalensis, Rhabdomys pumilio, Mus minutoides, Rattus rattus, Saccostomys campestris, Desmodillus auricularis, Otomys irroratus and 0. unisulcatus.

scholarly journals Patterns of Diversity and Distribution of Arboreal Social Bees’ Beehives within Chimpanzees’ Home Range in a Forest-Savanna Mosaic (Comoé National Park, Côte d’Ivoire)

Sociobiology ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 66 (3) ◽  
pp. 480
Author(s):  
Angele Nicodenin Soro ◽  
Juan Lapuente ◽  
Abduoulaye Ngolo Kone ◽  
Kolo Yeo ◽  
Souleymane Konate
Keyword(s):  
National Park ◽  
Secondary Forest ◽  
Ground Level ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Gallery Forest ◽  
Habitat Types ◽  
Social Bees ◽  
Mature Forest ◽  
Forest Island ◽  
Forest Habitats

The goal of this study was to explain the patterns of diversity and distribution of arboreal social bees nesting in forest habitats of the Comoé National park, within the home-ranges of wild chimpanzees that consume their honey. Investigations were done using a total sixteen plots, one hectare each, established in three habitat types (mature forest island, secondary forest island and gallery forest). The diversity and distribution of arboreal social bees was estimated with visuals searches. The exploitation of the beehives of these bee by the chimpanzees was also evaluated using chimpanzees’ honey dipping tools as indicators. Results revealed five bees’ species belonging to two tribes; Meliponini (Meliponula ferruginea, Meliponula togoensis, Meliponula bocandei, Hypotrigona gribodoi) and Apini (Apis mellifera). Frequent exploitation of the honey of stingless bees by the chimpanzees was observed, except for H. gribodoi. Meliponula ferruginea was the most exploited species by chimpanzees. A total of 114 beehives were found in the overall established plots leading to an estimated density of 2.4 beehives/ha in the study area. Among the surveyed habitats, mature forest island was found to harbor the highest beehive density (4.2 beehives/ha), followed respectively by secondary-forest island (1.9 beehives/ha) and gallery forest (1.1 beehives/ha). Finally, all bee species were found nesting in cavities of trees with a DBH ranging from 15 to 87.3 cm, with a special preference for Dialium guinneense. However, the DBH of nesting trees and beehives’ height, measured from the ground level, did not significantly influence the honey exploitation by chimpanzees. In sum bee species diversity and distribution might be important in the survival of chimpanzees of a forest savanna landscape.

scholarly journals Reproductive activity and morphometric assessment of three commercial species of sea cucumber (Echinodermata) from Karimunjawa National Park, Indonesia

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (8) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mustagfirin MUSTAGFIRIN ◽  
Diah Permata Wijayanti ◽  
Subagiyo SUBAGIYO
Keyword(s):  
National Park ◽  
Sea Cucumber ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Reproductive Activity ◽  
Market Demand ◽  
Sea Cucumbers ◽  
Gonad Somatic Index ◽  
Commercial Species ◽  
Morphometric Assessment ◽  
Somatic Index

Abstract. Mustagfirin, Wijayanti DP, Subagiyo. 2021. Reproductive activity and morphometric assessment of three commercial species of sea cucumber (Echinodermata) from Karimunjawa National Park, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 22: 3333-3341. Sea cucumbers are benthic animals that have economic value and play an important role in the environment. Exploitation on large scale to fulfill high market demand, caused overexploitation. The number of sea cucumbers in Karimunjawa decreased as a result of limited management. There is no study conducted on the commercial sea cucumbers (Holothuria edulis, Pearsonothuria graeffei, and Bohadschia vitensis) in Nyamuk Island, Karimunjawa. The objectives of the research were to determine the morphometric assessment and the reproductive cycle of the three species. The morphometric assessment of weight showed that the weight of H. edulis ranges 247.3-2539g, P. graeffei 415.3-428.1g, and B. vitiensis 672.4-678.1g, respectively. The first maturity size of gutted body weight (GWB50) for H. edulis was 127.84g, P. graeffei 357.61g, and B. vitiensis 279.34g. The gonad somatic index (GSI) range 13.60-15.60% for H. edulis, 14.75-12.25% for P. graeffei and 10.83-14.57% for B. vitiensis. The result of gonad somatic index with a value above 10% means that it has entered the spawning phase. The above data indicated that the three commercial species spawned monthly, during new moon. It is likely that the spawning peak occurred when the temperature was increased. However, the pattern of reproductive activity in this study was limited at Nyamuk Island. Future studies are needed to observe whether there is a correlation between the increasing water temperature and the reproductive activity of the three sea cucumbers.

scholarly journals Effects of Environmental Variables on some Physiological Responses of Microtus montanus Under Natural Conditions

1982 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. 66-68
Author(s):  
Aelita Pinter
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Variables ◽  
National Park ◽  
Reproductive Activity ◽  
Natural Conditions ◽  
Term Study ◽  
Microtus Montanus ◽  
Long Term Study ◽  
Microtine Rodents ◽  
Different Seasons

Cyclic fluctations in the popu]ation density of rnicrotine rodents have been known since antiquity. However, factors responsible for this phenomenon are not known. The objectives of this long term study are essentially threefold: 1. characterize those environmental variables that might affect Microtus montanus in different seasons of the year; 2. record the growth, maturation and reproductive activity of the voles under natural conditions; and 3. determine the maturational, as well as, the seasonal pelage changes of these rodents. The data resulting from the execution of the above objectives would be correlated in an attempt to determine the causes undedying the multiannual fluctuations in the population density of these microtine rodents in Grand Teton National Park.

The diet of grizzly bears in the Flathead River drainage of southeastern British Columbia

1995 ◽  
Vol 73 (4) ◽  
pp. 704-712 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bruce N. McLellan ◽  
Fred W. Hovey
Keyword(s):  
National Park ◽  
Ursus Arctos ◽  
Handling Time ◽  
Early Spring ◽  
Early Summer ◽  
Grizzly Bears ◽  
Green Vegetation ◽  
Heracleum Lanatum ◽  
Shepherdia Canadensis ◽  
Food Consumed

Based on the analysis of 1100 feces or scats, the seasonal diet of grizzly bears (Ursus arctos) in the Flathead drainage between 1979 and 1991 was estimated. In the early spring, major foods included ungulates and hedysarum roots (Hedysarum sulphurescens). Later in the spring and early summer, green vegetation that mainly included horsetails (Equisetum arvense), graminoids, and cow parsnip (Heracleum lanatum) dominated the diet. Later in the summer, berries, particularly huckleberries (Vaccinium spp.) and soopolallie (Shepherdia canadensis), were most common. In the autumn, berries, ungulates, and hedysarum roots were major foods. Seasonal changes in nutrients were measured for major foods. The volume of a food consumed within a season was inversely related to food quality, suggesting that food availability and handling time may have been more important factors influencing diet selection. The proportions of food items in the scats, and species of fruit in particular, varied among years. The Flathead and contiguous Waterton Lakes National Park are so far the only study areas in North America that contain all major bear foods found across the interior of the continent, and in particular, both major berry species, huckleberries and soopolallie. This observation supports the hypothesis that a favourable food base in the Flathead is partially responsible for the high density of bears found there. It is important for managers to realize the possible uniqueness of the Flathead area and not extrapolate information without due caution.

The ecology of sympatric scincid lizards (Ctenotus) in arid South Australia

1998 ◽  
Vol 46 (6) ◽  
pp. 617 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. L. Read
Keyword(s):  
Home Range ◽  
Environmental Conditions ◽  
Plant Material ◽  
Reproductive Effort ◽  
Arid Zone ◽  
South Australia ◽  
Early Summer ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Local Species ◽  
Olympic Dam

Ctenotus skinks are the most diverse and abundant diurnal reptile genus at Olympic Dam, in the South Australian arid zone. The home range, demography, reproduction and diet of five syntopic Ctenotus species was studied over a 6-year period in chenopod shrubland. Longevity frequently exceeded three years in C. regius, four years in C. schomburgkii and five years in C. leonhardii, with a 7-year-old specimen of C. leonhardii being recorded. Females of most species tended to be larger and lived longer than males. Two eggs were typically laid by each species in early summer. Annual reproductive effort, particularly in C. leonhardii, varied considerably depending upon the prevailing environmental conditions. All local species apparently occupied home ranges, with maximum recapture radii in different species of 40–60 m. Ctenotus appear to be unspecialised insectivores, although plant material and lizards are sometimes eaten by the larger species.

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