The life history of Trichosurus vulpecula hypoleucus (Phalangeridae) in the jarrah forest of south-western Australia

2005 ◽  
Vol 53 (4) ◽  
pp. 265 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. F. Wayne ◽  
C. G. Ward ◽  
J. F. Rooney ◽  
C. V. Vellios ◽  
D. B. Lindenmayer
Keyword(s):  
Life History ◽  
Western Australia ◽  
The Body ◽  
Summer Drought ◽  
Testis Size ◽  
Trichosurus Vulpecula ◽  
Adult Males ◽  
Eucalyptus Marginata ◽  
Adult Females ◽  
Western Australian

The common brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula) is noted for its morphological, biological and ecological variability across its range. Despite having suffered substantial population declines since European settlement, relatively little has been published on the south-western Australian subspecies, the koomal (T. v. hypoleucus). This study reports morphological, reproductive and general life-history data from an 18-month study of a population in the southern jarrah (Eucalyptus marginata) forest at Chariup (part of Perup), near Manjimup, in south-western Australia. As one of the smallest subspecies, adult males of T. v. hypoleucus averaged 1616 g and females averaged 1470 g. Sexual dimorphism also occurred with head length and pes length, but not tail length. A single autumn breeding season occurred in both 2002 and 2003, in which all adult females bred and produced a single young between February and May. The onset of autumn births was associated with the end of the summer drought. Unlike many other Trichosurus populations, no spring breeding pulse or ‘double-breeding’ events were observed. At least 83% of pouch young survived to pouch emergence. The growth rate of offspring was initially linear, but became curvilinear and approached an asymptote after ~5 months. Most females bred for the first time when they were 1 year old. On the basis of testis size, males also matured at 1 year old. The body condition of adult males, but not adult females, changed significantly over time and followed an apparently seasonal pattern in which their condition was poorest in winter and best in summer. While many of the life-history traits of the Chariup population were similar to those of other south-western Australian populations of T. v. hypoleucus, the most striking variations included age at maturity, extent of spring breeding pulse and female fecundity. Further comparisons with conspecifics elsewhere in Australia and New Zealand also highlight the variability exhibited by T. vulpecula across its range. Some aspects of the biology of T. v. hypoleucus were particularly similar to those observed for T. v. arnhemensis in northern Australia.

Interaction of Fire, Temperature and Light in the Germination Response of 16 Species From the Eucalyptus marginata Forest of South-Western Australia.

1994 ◽  
Vol 42 (5) ◽  
pp. 501 ◽  
Author(s):  
DT Bell
Keyword(s):  
Western Australia ◽  
Light Exposure ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Eucalyptus Marginata ◽  
Fire Temperature ◽  
Dark Conditions ◽  
Pre Treatment ◽  
Incubation Temperatures ◽  
Western Australian ◽  
Multiple Conditions

Germination responses to multiple conditions related to fire, temperature and light were examined and interpreted in relation to the environment of the jarrah (Eucalyptus marginata Donn ex Sm.) forest and the mediterranean-type climate of south-western Western Australia. Eight of the 16 selected representatives required a boiling pre-treatment as a simulation of fire before subsequent germination conditions were imposed. Trial conditions included a range of constant incubation temperatures and either a constant dark or 12h light:12h dark illumination cycle. Species common to the understorey tended to have narrow optima to temperature (13-18°C) with the greatest germination being achieved in temperatures typical of winter. Eucalyptus calophylla, one of the canopy species, germinated over a wider range of temperatures than the understorey species tested. Several species (e.g. Acacia pulchella var. glaberrima, Calothamnus rupestris, Eucalyptus marginata, Trymalium ledifolium, Xanthorrhoea gracilis and X. preissii) were not affected by the different light conditions at lower incubation temperatures, but more seeds remained dormant under higher temperatures when exposed to light. Most species, however, germinated best under continuously dark conditions, which related to being buried under soil. Two species, Banksia grandis and Hakea amplexicaulis, showed much higher germination under light exposure conditions compared to continuously dark conditions. These two serotinous species are large seeded and their seed ecology favours large gap and soil surface establishment. The multiple requirements of particular combinations of fire, temperature and light are related to the ecology of these native Western Australian species.

scholarly journals Social and Behavioural Factors in Cetacean Responses to Overexploitation: Are Odontocetes Less “Resilient” Than Mysticetes?

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul R. Wade ◽  
Randall R. Reeves ◽  
Sarah L. Mesnick
Keyword(s):  
Life History ◽  
Mating Systems ◽  
Alloparental Care ◽  
Transfer Of Knowledge ◽  
Older Individuals ◽  
Adult Males ◽  
Baleen Whales ◽  
Social Nature ◽  
Adult Females ◽  
Behavioural Factors

Many severely depleted populations of baleen whales (Mysticeti) have exhibited clear signs of recovery whereas there are few examples in toothed whales (Odontoceti). We hypothesize that this difference is due, at least in part, to social and behavioural factors. Clearly, a part of the lack of resilience to exploitation is explained by odontocete life history. However, an additional factor may be the highly social nature of many odontocetes in which survival and reproductive success may depend on: (a) social cohesion and organization, (b) mutual defence against predators and possible alloparental care, (c) inter-generational transfer of “knowledge”, and (d) leadership by older individuals. We found little evidence of strong recovery in any of the depleted populations examined. Their relatively low potential rates of increase mean that odontocete populations can be over-exploited with take rates of only a few percent per year. Exploitation can have effects beyond the dynamics of individual removals. Four species showed evidence of a decrease in birth rates following exploitation; potential mechanisms include a deficit of adult females, a deficit of adult males, and disruption of mating systems. The evidence for a lack of strong recovery in heavily exploited odontocete populations indicates that management should be more precautionary.

The biology of the Jarrah leaf miner, Perthida glyphopa common (Lepidoptera : Incurvariidae)

1970 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 91 ◽  
Author(s):  
MMH Wallace
Keyword(s):  
Life History ◽  
Western Australia ◽  
Soil Type ◽  
Surface Soil ◽  
Leaf Miner ◽  
Eucalyptus Species ◽  
Eucalyptus Marginata ◽  
Innate Resistance

The jarrah leaf miner P. glyphopa causes conspicuous damage to both jarrah (Eucalyptus marginata) and to flooded gum (E. rudis) in Western Australia. It may also attack other Eucalyptus species but rarely reaches high densities in them. Details of the life history and distribution are presented and processes influencing numbers in the field are discussed. These include larval parasitism (Hymenoptera); possible predation by birds; tree or understorey density or both; surface soil type; and innate resistance of certain trees to attack. A theory of outbreak initiation and subsequent decline is outlined.

scholarly journals A newly recognised species of Cryptes Maskell 1892 (Hemiptera: Coccidae) from Western Australia

Zootaxa ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 4508 (1) ◽  
pp. 101 ◽  
Author(s):  
YEN-PO LIN ◽  
TAKUMASA KONDO ◽  
TAKUMASA KONDO ◽  
PENNY J. GULLAN ◽  
LYN G. COOK
Keyword(s):  
Adult Female ◽  
Western Australia ◽  
Dna Sequences ◽  
Species Complex ◽  
Phylogenetic Analyses ◽  
Australian Species ◽  
Adult Females ◽  
Nuclear Loci ◽  
Acacia Aneura ◽  
Western Australian

Cryptes utzoni Lin, Kondo & Cook sp. n. (Hemiptera: Coccidae) is described based on adult female morphology and DNA sequences from mitochondrial and nuclear loci. This Australian endemic species was found on the stem of Acacia aneura (Fabaceae) in Western Australia. All phylogenetic analyses of three independent DNA loci show that C. utzoni is closely related to C. baccatus (Maskell), the type and only species of Cryptes Maskell, 1892. The adult female of C. utzoni is described and illustrated and a table is provided of the characters that differ among adult females of the two species of Cryptes now recognised (C. baccatus and C. utzoni) and a morphologically similar Western Australian species, Austrolichtensia hakearum (Fuller). There is deep genetic divergence in COI among samples of C. baccatus, suggesting the possibility of a species complex in this taxon. 

A live-trapping of Australian brush-tailed possums, Trichosurus vulpecula (Kerr), in the Orongorongo Valley, Wellington, New Zealand

1973 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 75 ◽  
Author(s):  
MC Crawley
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Trichosurus Vulpecula ◽  
Adult Males ◽  
Adult Females ◽  
Capture Site ◽  
Live Trapping ◽  
Indigenous Forest ◽  
Autumn And Winter ◽  
Initial Capture

A live-trapping study of a population of Australian brush-tailed possums, Trichosurus vulpecula (Kerr), in indigenous forest of the Orongorongo Valley, Wellington, N.Z., was carried out from March 1966 to November 1968. In 14 ha of podocarp-mixed broadleaf forest, 301 possums (150; 151) were individually marked and repeatedly captured in a series of trapping periods. The population comprised residents and transients of both sexes with sub- adults forming the bulk of the latter, particularly in spring. The estimated population density varied from 10.6 per ha in November 1966 to 6.4 per ha in August 1968. There was one well-defined season of births each autumn and a few births in winter. On average, 73% (67-92%) of mature females produced pouch young each year. Females resident throughout the study had the highest breeding success (79%). Achievement of sexual maturity was delayed; no females bred until they were 2 yr old, and some not even at 3 yr. Losses occurred at all stages of the life history and averaged 62% between the pouch young and subadult stages; thus only 28 subadults per 100 females were recruited. Adult losses averaged 26% per annum. Adult males (mean weight 2.46 kg) were heavier than adult females (2.33 kg). Weights varied seasonally, with males heaviest in summer and lightest in spring, and females heaviest in winter and lightest in summer. Possums of both sexes were rather sedentary, with males (95% of captures within 115 m of the initial capture site) being less so than females (95 % of captures within 90 m of the initial capture site). More than half of the captures (55% for males, 62% for females) were made within 30 m of the site of initial capture. Males moved farther in autumn and summer than in other seasons, while females did so in autumn and winter. Subadults were apparently more sedentary than adults. Home ranges of adult males (mean 0.81 ha) were significantly larger than those of adult females (0.46 ha). Considerable overlapping of the ranges of both sexes occurred, and territorial behaviour was not conspicuous. The dispersion of the population remained the same throughout the study although the component individuals changed. The results of the present study are compared with those of similar studies in New Zealand and Australia, and the dynamics of the Orongorongo Valley possum population are discussed with reference to variable rates of reproduction and mortality.

Evolutionary relationships among blue- and black-plumaged populations of the white-winged fairy-wren (Malurus leucopterus)

2002 ◽  
Vol 50 (6) ◽  
pp. 581 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amy C. Driskell ◽  
Stephen Pruett-Jones ◽  
Keith A. Tarvin ◽  
Sarah Hagevik
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Differentiation ◽  
Western Australia ◽  
Evolutionary Relationships ◽  
Adult Males ◽  
Base Pairs ◽  
Black And White ◽  
Unique Character ◽  
Western Australian ◽  
A Current ◽  
Bright Blue

The white-winged fairy-wren (Malurus leucopterus) exhibits striking plumage colour variation between the Australian mainland and two islands (Dirk Hartog Island and Barrow Island) off the coast of Western Australia. Adult males on the mainland are bright blue with white wings and adult males on the two islands are black with white wings. To examine evolutionary relationships within this species, we sequenced 980 base pairs of two mitochondrial genes from 34 individuals from both islands and five mainland sites. Birds on Barrow Island were the most genetically distinct. Specimens from Dirk Hartog shared a unique character with, and were most similar to, birds from the Western Australian mainland. The black-and- white-plumaged subspecies from the two islands were not each other's closest relatives. Mapping of plumage evolution produced two equally parsimonious hypotheses: (1) black plumage arose from blue plumage convergently on the two islands, or (2) black plumage arose from blue plumage once and was followed by a re-evolution of blue plumage in mainland Western Australia birds. Levels of genetic differentiation in this species were low but genetic differentiation was discovered between morphologically identical eastern and western populations of the mainland subspecies, which is evidence for a current barrier to gene flow on mainland Australia.

The breeding biology of the Forest Red-tailed Black Cockatoo Calyptorhynchus banksii naso Gould in south-western Australia. II. Breeding behaviour and diet

2013 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 143 ◽  
Author(s):  
R E Johnstone ◽  
T Kirby ◽  
K Sarti
Keyword(s):  
Western Australia ◽  
Wildlife Conservation ◽  
Breeding Biology ◽  
Melia Azedarach ◽  
Eucalyptus Marginata ◽  
Breeding Behaviour ◽  
Short Period ◽  
Fledgling Success ◽  
Western Australian ◽  
Courtship Displays

Little is known of the breeding behaviour of the Forest Red-tailed Black Cockatoo Calyptorhynchus banksii naso (FRTBC), a large, iconic forest cockatoo, endemic to the south-west corner of Western Australia, currently listed as Vulnerable under the State Western Australian Wildlife Conservation Act and under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act. In this paper, we provide details of breeding behaviour of FRTBC based on observations throughout the year over 17 years, together with observations of diet and feeding behaviour over the same period. FRTBC are monogamous hollow-nesters. Breeding was recorded in all months, with peaks in autumn-winter (April– June) and spring (August–October), with few records in January and February. Breeding also varied between years, with little breeding in 1999, 2001 and 2008, but many observations in 2006 and 2009. Breeding occurred at times of fruiting of either of the principal feed trees, Jarrah Eucalyptus marginata or Marri Corymbia calophylla, so it does not depend solely on one or the other of these species. Courtship displays were noted at all times of the day, from before dawn at roost sites to dusk. In total, 205 breeding events were recorded, of which 69 (93%) of 72 nests had breeding confirmed on a second visit. Use of particular nest hollows varied considerably, with some used only once and some up to seven times. Only one egg is laid, which the female incubates for 29 to 31 days, before a nestling hatches weighing between 27 and 32 g. The female remains in the hollow during incubation and only leaves for a short period in the evening to be fed by the male, usually at dusk. The chicks are brooded for up to 10 days, after which the female leaves the nest between dawn and dusk. Pairs of birds appear to recognise each other by calls, not responding to calls by others in the area. Chicks only respond when the parent is heard. Chicks are fully feathered at 48 days. Fledgling success was estimated at 60%. Juveniles remain dependent on the adults 18 months to 2 years. Thirty-seven chicks were banded between 1997 and 2011. Juvenile-immature birds moved on average less than 3 km from their natal tree and older birds were observed moving up to 19 km. This suggests that FRTBC are generally sedentary. Immature birds took up to three times as long as their parents to open Jarrah or Marri nuts and eat the seeds. In recent years there has been an interesting change in foraging behaviour of birds in the northern Darling Range (adjacent to the Perth metropolitan area) with the FRTBC discovering and using a new food source, the introduced Cape Lilac Melia azedarach, and this species is of growing importance as food in the Perth region. In combination, the data on breeding biology and diet highlight the importance of identifying recruitment rates and food availability in managing populations of FRTBC.

scholarly journals Metabolism and Defluorination of Fluoroacetate in the Brush-Tailed Possum (Trichosurus Vulpecula)

1979 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 15 ◽  
Author(s):  
RJ Mead ◽  
AJ Oliver ◽  
DR King
Keyword(s):  
Western Australia ◽  
South Australia ◽  
Acetone Powder ◽  
Trichosurus Vulpecula ◽  
Aconitate Hydratase ◽  
Partial Protection ◽  
Hydratase Activity ◽  
Western Australian

The brush-tailed possum (T. vulpecula) from Western Australia was found to be nearly 150 times more resistant to fiuoroacetate intoxication in vivo than the same species from South Australia. Acetone powder preparations from the liver of animals from both populations showed similar abilities to convert fiuoroacetate into fiuorocitrate. Aconitate hydratase activity in liver preparations from both Western Australian and South Australian animals was similarly and competitively inhibited by fiuorocitrate. Both animals were capable of defiuorinating fiuoroacetate at similar rates by a glutathione-dependent enzymic mechanism resulting in the formation of free fiuoride ion and S-carboxymethylcysteine. Glutathione was also capable of partial protection against the toxic effects of fiuoroacetate in vitro by a further unelucidated mechanism.

scholarly journals Life history of the Rio Grande leopard frog (Lithobates berlandieri) in Texas

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel F. Hughes ◽  
Walter E. Meshaka
Keyword(s):  
Life History ◽  
Body Size ◽  
Rio Grande ◽  
Leopard Frog ◽  
Minimum Size ◽  
Late Winter ◽  
Adult Males ◽  
Adult Females ◽  
Body Sizes ◽  
Gravid Females

ABSTRACTWe ascertained various life-history traits from an examination of 310 museum specimens of the Rio Grande leopard frog (Lithobates berlandieriBaird, 1859) collected during 1907–2016 from Texas, USA.Lithobates berlandieriwas captured during every month of the year except November, and adults were most frequently encountered during January–September with a distinct peak in May. Mean body size of adult males (69.5 mm) was smaller than that of adult females (77.5 mm), and both sexes were larger in mean body sizes than those of New Mexico populations (M = 64.4 mm; F = 73.5 mm). Females were gravid during January–September, and most gravid females were captured from late-winter to early-summer. Gonadal enlargement in males was generally high throughout January–September with no detectable seasonal increase. Feeding became widespread in both sexes during May–June shortly after a spring breeding bout. Spent females were common in July and lipid deposition increased in June/July, signaling oogenesis for breeding in the fall. From 15 gravid females, we estimated a mean clutch size of 3,107 eggs which was correlated with female body size, yet egg diameter was not related to clutch or body size. Age to metamorphosis was likely 2 to 4 months depending upon whether eggs were laid in the winter/spring or late fall. If metamorphosis occurred in May/June, the minimum size at sexual maturity in adult males (50.1 mm) could have been reached in 3–4 months and in 6–7 months for adult females (57.2 mm). Mean adult body sizes, however, may have taken 12 to 17 months to reach. A synthesis across Texas populations suggests that the breeding season extends almost continuously from the fall through the winter and spring until mid-summer and is interrupted by winter and summer peaks in seasonal temperatures.

The life history of Pseudocheirus occidentalis (Pseudocheiridae) in the jarrah forest of south-western Australia

2005 ◽  
Vol 53 (5) ◽  
pp. 325 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. F. Wayne ◽  
J. F. Rooney ◽  
C. G. Ward ◽  
C. V. Vellios ◽  
D. B. Lindenmayer
Keyword(s):  
Life History ◽  
Western Australia ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Temporal Variations ◽  
Jarrah Forest ◽  
Eucalyptus Marginata ◽  
Introduced Predators ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
History Of ◽  
Ringtail Possum

Life-history attributes are described for the threatened ngwayir or western ringtail possum (Pseudocheirus occidentalis) in inland jarrah (Eucalyptus marginata) forest east of Manjimup, south-western Australia. Data on 81 individuals were collected over 18 months. There was no sexual dimorphism and body size was similar to that found in other P. occidentalis populations, but larger than the closely related P. peregrinus in eastern Australia. Breeding at Chariup was more strongly seasonal than that of coastal populations, with 77% of births in May–June and the remainder in October–November. All neonates were singletons except for one instance of non-viable twins. No females bred twice in the same year. The growth rate of the head length of pouch young (<5 months of age) was 0.245–0.362 mm day–1 and curvilinear toward an asymptote thereafter. Temporal variations in body condition, coat condition and ectoparasites were significant. Mortality was highly seasonal (84% of deaths were April–September) and predominantly caused by predation, mainly by fox (Vulpes vulpes) and cat (Felis catus). More effective and strategic control of introduced predators prior to and during autumn/winter, could therefore improve the viability of jarrah forest populations. Nutrition appears to influence many of the life-history traits of P. occidentalis. Nutrition also may partly explain the differences in size, life history and conservation status between P. occidentalis and P. peregrinus.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document