Disarticulation of kangaroo skeletons in semi-arid Australia

2001 ◽  
Vol 49 (6) ◽  
pp. 615 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth H. Reed
Keyword(s):  
South Australia ◽  
Morphological Features ◽  
Long Bones ◽  
Fossil Bone ◽  
Caudal Vertebrae ◽  
Grey Kangaroo ◽  
Western Grey Kangaroo ◽  
African Ungulates ◽  
Semi Arid

This study presents a natural disarticulation sequence for the western grey kangaroo, Macropus fuliginosus, from surface bone assemblages in semi-arid South Australia. Comparison with published disarticulation sequences for African ungulates reveals significant differences in the kangaroo sequence, including earlier disarticulation of the forelimb long bones, carpus and cervical elements, and later disarticulation of the caudal vertebrae, and hindlimb long bones. These differences closely correspond to anatomical and morphological features of the kangaroo skeleton. The results of this study suggest that anatomy plays an important role in disarticulation and may ultimately control the process even following utilisation by predators and scavengers. The disarticulation sequence reported here has useful applications for the interpretation of fossil bone assemblages containing both extant and extinct kangaroos.

Endoparasites of an insular subspecies of the western grey kangaroo, Macropus fuliginosus

2004 ◽  
Vol 52 (6) ◽  
pp. 623 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. S. Webley ◽  
I. Beveridge ◽  
G. Coulson
Keyword(s):  
Parasite Species ◽  
South Australia ◽  
Parasite Prevalence ◽  
Bimodal Distribution ◽  
Tammar Wallaby ◽  
Gastrointestinal Parasites ◽  
Original Population ◽  
Core Species ◽  
Grey Kangaroo ◽  
Western Grey Kangaroo

This study examined parasites occurring in the insular subspecies of the western grey kangaroo, Macropus fuliginosus fuliginosus, from Kangaroo Island. A total of 25 kangaroos from three sites were examined for gastrointestinal parasites. Fifteen parasite species were identified: eight in the stomach, five in the small intestine and two in the large intestine. Parasite prevalence showed a bimodal distribution: 'satellite' species were predominantly cestodes, whereas 'core' species were nematodes. There was no evidence of co-speciation in the 12 parasite species occurring in both island and mainland western grey kangaroo subspecies. M. f. fuliginosus harboured fewer parasite species than M. f. melanops from the Fleurieu Peninsula, South Australia. This might be related to parasite prevalence and the intensity of infection in the original population of kangaroos. Alternatively, it might be related to differing environmental conditions or to chance. Host switching was evident, with Cloacina kartana, which has been recorded as a common parasite of the tammar wallaby, Macropus eugenii, also occurring in some kangaroos.

Breeding Biology and Current Status of the Grey Kangaroo, Macropus Fulginosus Fulginosus, of Kangaroo Island, South Australia.

1976 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 169 ◽  
Author(s):  
WE Poole
Keyword(s):  
South Australia ◽  
Growth Curves ◽  
Current Status ◽  
First Year ◽  
Grey Kangaroo ◽  
Western Grey Kangaroo ◽  
Early Exploration ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
Sexually Mature ◽  
Length Of Gestation

A distinct large dark brown kangaroo first attracted the attention of Europeans during the early exploration of Kangaroo I. in 1802-03. Although specimens were collected and the kangaroo ade- quately described, its subsequent taxonomic history was confused, and its origin long held to be Tasmania. This fallacy was not corrected until 1923-24. Subsequently the kangaroo has been re- cognized as a subspecies of the western grey kangaroo. Reproduction and growth of the young were examined in both wild and captive kangaroos. Males and females became sexually mature from age 20 months, the oestrous cycle was 34.6+ 3.2 (SD) days and the length of gestation 30.8 � 1.8 days. Births occurred on all months of the year but were more frequent in summer. The pouch life was just over 300 days, while loss of such young usually resulted in return to oestrus after an interval of 6.3 � 0.1 days. Disparity in sex ratio of the young was not significant. During their first year, young were measured each week. Growth curves are presented and linear or quadratic regressions fitted where applicable, together with 95% confidence limits.

scholarly journals Thorough assessment of DNA preservation from fossil bone and sediments excavated from a late Pleistocene–Holocene cave deposit on Kangaroo Island, South Australia

2014 ◽  
Vol 84 ◽  
pp. 56-64 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dalal Haouchar ◽  
James Haile ◽  
Matthew C. McDowell ◽  
Dáithí C. Murray ◽  
Nicole E. White ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Late Pleistocene ◽  
South Australia ◽  
Fossil Bone ◽  
Dna Preservation ◽  
Cave Deposit

Comparative morphology and species-groups of the oribatid mite genus Scapheremaeus (Acari: Oribatida: Cymbaeremaeidae), with new species from South Australia

Zootaxa ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 2213 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-46 ◽  
Author(s):  
MATTHEW J. COLLOFF
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Oribatid Mite ◽  
South Australia ◽  
Biosphere Reserve ◽  
Single Species ◽  
Comparative Morphology ◽  
Species Group ◽  
Undescribed Species ◽  
Species Groups ◽  
Semi Arid

The morphology of the genus Scapheremaeus Berlese, 1910 is reviewed and characters of taxonomic utility delineated. Based on the morphological review, some 13 species-groups are outlined based on major morphotypes. There are two main categories: i) species that have a complete circumdorsal scissure with plicate microsculpture on the circumnotogastral plate and strongly contrasting microsculpture (foveolae, ridges or tubercles) on the centrodorsal plate (plicate species-groups), and ii) species with the circumdorsal scissure complete, incomplete or absent but with little or no contrast in microsculpture between the central and lateral regions: typically both regions foveolate or reticulate (non- plicate species-groups). A catalogue of world species of Scapheremaeus is provided. Scapheremaeus petrophagus (Banks, 1906) is not a Scapheremaeus but belongs to an undetermined genus in the Ameronothroidea. Cymbaeremaeus cyclops Oudemans, 1915 is recombined to Scapheremaeus. Five new species are described (S. angusi sp. nov., S. cheloniella sp. nov., S. ewani sp. nov., S. lambieae sp. nov., and S. pulleni sp. nov.) from soil and litter habitats in semi-arid Mallee eucalypt vegetation at Bookmark Biosphere Reserve, South Australia. These are the first members of the genus Scapheremaeus to be described from Australia, though undescribed species have been recorded previously. All the new species are morphologically closely-related and belong to a single species-group: Carinatus.

An extension to the known range of the eastern grey kangaroo Macropus giganteus on Cape York Peninsula.

2005 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 225 ◽  
Author(s):  
EG Ritchie
Keyword(s):  
Arid Regions ◽  
Grey Kangaroo ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Northern Cape ◽  
Cape York ◽  
Open Forests ◽  
Semi Arid

THE eastern grey kangaroo (Macropus giganteus) is one of Australia?s widest-ranging large macropodids, occurring in open forests, woodlands, subalpine woodland, farmland, and semi-arid regions throughout most of eastern Australia (Menkhorst and Knight 2001). However current general accounts (e.g., Poole 1995, Menkhorst and Knight 2001) regard M. giganteus as being absent from the northern Cape York Peninsula.

The measurement of luteinising hormone in the western grey kangaroo (Macropus fuliginosus ocydromus) and the black-flanked rock wallaby (Petrogale lateralis lateralis)

2009 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 61 ◽  
Author(s):  
Phillip Matson ◽  
Christopher Mayberry ◽  
Nicole Willers ◽  
Margaret A. Blackberry ◽  
Graeme B. Martin
Keyword(s):  
Enzyme Immunoassay ◽  
Luteinising Hormone ◽  
Standard Curve ◽  
Grey Kangaroo ◽  
Western Grey Kangaroo

An enzyme immunoassay with an anti-bovine-LH antibody (518B7) was applied to female western grey kanagaroos (Macropus fuliginosus ocydromus) and black-flanked rock wallabies (Petrogale lateralis lateralis). Validation showed parallelism to the assay standard curve, and significant increases in plasma LH concentrations after challenging animals with intramuscular GnRH.

Nitrogen fertilizer and wheat in a semi-arid environment. 1. Effect on yield

1967 ◽  
Vol 7 (28) ◽  
pp. 453 ◽  
Author(s):  
JS Russell
Keyword(s):  
Nitrogen Fertilizer ◽  
South Australia ◽  
Arid Environment ◽  
Yield Response ◽  
Considerable Variability ◽  
Mean Values ◽  
Comparable Level ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Effect On Yield ◽  
Semi Arid

Response experiments with Gabo wheat at four rates of ammonium sulphate (0, 11.5, 23, and 46 lb N an acre) were carried out at a number of widely-spread locations in the cereal growing areas of South Australia during six seasons in the period 1956-61. Considerable variability in grain and grain + straw yield and in the observed response to nitrogen fertilizer was found. Season and site effects were marked and season-site interactions were also observed. The mean grain yield response was 8.7, 7.2, and 5.1 lb grain for each lb of nitrogen applied as fertilizer at the rates of 11.5, 23, and 46 lb N an acre. These mean values are lower than those reported for other more humid wheat growing areas, but there are conditions where response is at a comparable level. The main difficulty lies in predicting these situations. Several aspects of the use of nitrogen fertilizer in a semi-arid environment are discussed.

276. The technical and biological validation of an LH assay for use with the Western Grey Kangaroo (Macropus fuliginosis) and Black-flanked Rock Wallaby (Petrogale lateralis lateralis)

2008 ◽  
Vol 20 (9) ◽  
pp. 76
Author(s):  
P. Matson ◽  
C. Mayberry ◽  
N. Willers ◽  
M. A. Blackberry ◽  
G. B. Martin
Keyword(s):  
Plasma Concentrations ◽  
Standard Curve ◽  
Biological Validation ◽  
Grey Kangaroo ◽  
Coefficients Of Variation ◽  
Western Grey Kangaroo ◽  
Technical Validation ◽  
Zoo Biology ◽  
Smithsonian Institute ◽  
And Control

Methods for the measurement of marsupial LH invariably rely upon the similarity of the LH molecule between different species and usually use anti-ovine or anti-bovine LH antibody and an ovine or bovine labelled LH preparation. Initial attempts to measure plasma LH in the Western Grey Kangaroo with assays using antibodies to 4 different isoforms of ovine LH raised in 7 different rabbits were unsuccessful. An enzymeimmunoassay (EIA) developed for the Asian elephant (Zoo Biology 23:45–63) was then applied to the Western Grey Kangaroo and the Black-flanked Rock Wallaby. This EIA has an anti-bovine-LH monoclonal antibody (518B7 provided by Dr Jan Roser, University of California, Davis, USA), biotinylated ovine LH label and bovine LH standard (NIADDK-oLH-26 and NIH-bLH-B10, both provided by Dr Janine Brown and Nicole Abbondanza, Smithsonian Institute, Front Royal, Virginia USA). Technical validation showed that serial dilution down to 1:8 of plasma from 7 individuals of each species showed parallelism to the assay standard curve, and control samples (1.24–5.30 ng/mL) had between-assay coefficients of variation <9%. Biological validation was achieved by challenging animals with intramuscular GnRH (Fertagyl®, 2.5 µg/kg) and measuring LH before and 25 min after the injection. Significant increases in plasma concentrations of LH (mean ± sem; all P > 0.0005) were seen after GnRH for both the Western Grey Kangaroo (from 5.0 ± 0.8 ng/mL to 9.4 ± 1.2 ng/mL; n = 19) and the Black-flanked Rock Wallaby (from 6.0 ± 0.7 ng/mL to 10.6 ± 0.6 ng/mL; n = 28). In conclusion, this assay can be successfully used to measure LH in these two species.

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