Studies of foraging galleries and the invasion of living tres bu Coptotermes acinaciformis and C. brunneus (Isoptera)

1962 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 630 ◽  
Author(s):  
T Greaves
Keyword(s):  
Western Australia ◽  
The Other ◽  
Coastal Forests ◽  
Host Trees ◽  
Dead Trees ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Bark Tissue ◽  
Central Pipe ◽  
Tree Injury ◽  
Initial Entry

The establishment of colonies of Coptotermes acinaciformis (Froggatt) in living trees results in a central "pipe" being eaten out, this being filled with "mudgut" material. Adjacent trees sometimes contain a clear pipe in the trunk and the connection between these trees and the central colony tree was investigated. The gallery systems radiating from colonies in trees in coastal forests of eastern Australia were studied. In the first study subterranean galleries from one colony were traced to nine other living trees; in the second study, in a different tree association, 15 living trees were attacked from the central colony. Galleries from a colony persisting in a high stump were traced to three living trees in a further study. In each colony studied, dead trees, logs, and stumps were also attacked. The galleries from each colony extended over an area of 0.4 acre, the maximum length of any gallery being 156 ft. In some areas of Australia C. acinaciformis can persist in mound colonies after the host trees have been eaten out, and foraging galleries from a mound colony in Western Australia were traced to several gimlet gums (Eucalyptus salubris F. Muell.). In the Murchison River basin of Western Australia, mound colonies of Coptotermes brunneus Gay occur in an area of sclerophyll woodland and mallee. The foraging galleries were traced to two species of Eucalyptus, one of which was much more susceptible than the other. The sand adjacent to the galleries of C. brunneus is impregnated with some cementing substance. Evidence on the maximum foraging distance of 150 ft for C. brunneus is given. In both species the invasion of trees was often through the living bark tissue covering a root or at the base of the tree trunk. This is in contrast to the initial entry of colony-founding pairs, which can only enter through a tree injury.

scholarly journals Platycephalus orbitalis, a new species of flathead (Teleostei: Platycephalidae) collected from western Australia

Zootaxa ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 2271 (1) ◽  
pp. 57-63 ◽  
Author(s):  
HISASHI IMAMURA ◽  
LESLIE W. KNAPP
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Indian Ocean ◽  
Western Australia ◽  
Posterior Margin ◽  
Morphological Characters ◽  
The Body ◽  
The Other ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
The Indian Ocean ◽  
A New Species

A new plataycephalid, Platycephalus orbitalis, is described on the basis of specimens collected in the Indian Ocean off the coast of Western Australia at depths of 50–144 m. The new species had been mistakenly identified as P. marmoratus, which is now known to be restricted to eastern Australia. Several morphological characters (e.g, 65–68 pored scales in lateral line, snout and interorbit naked, and caudal fin blackish with white posterior margin) can separate Platycephalus orbitalis sp. nov. and P. marmoratus from the other 14 congeners. In addition, Platycephalus orbitalis sp. nov. differs from P. marmoratus in having the margin of the interopercle scalloped, skinny sensory tubes on the infraorbitals, the preopercle well developed and mostly covering the cheek region, and the body and head lacking distinct large spots and bands dorsally.

A phylogenetic recircumscription of Styphelia (Ericaceae, Epacridoideae, Styphelieae)

2020 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 137 ◽  
Author(s):  
Darren M. Crayn ◽  
Michael Hislop ◽  
Caroline Puente-Lelièvre
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Western Australia ◽  
New Caledonia ◽  
Phylogenetic Analyses ◽  
The Other ◽  
New Combinations ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Molecular Phylogenetic

The taxonomic limits of Styphelia (Ericaceae, Epacridoideae, Styphelieae) have been contentious since the genus was first described. At one extreme, it has been circumscribed so broadly as to include most epacrids with drupaceous fruit, at the other, to include only those species that also have long-exserted anthers and styles. Recent molecular phylogenetic analyses have indicated that while all previous circumscriptions of Styphelia are non-monophyletic, a large clade (the Astroloma–Styphelia clade) is consistently well supported. This clade comprises Astroloma, in part (i.e. section Stomarrhena sensu Bentham), Coleanthera, Croninia, Leucopogon, in part (i.e. section Pleuranthus sensu Bentham) and Styphelia sensu Bentham. On the basis of those analyses, we here recircumscribe Styphelia phylogenetically to include all species belonging to the Styphelia–Astroloma clade. The 146 taxa occur mostly in Australia, with smaller numbers in New Zealand, New Caledonia (1 species extends to Fiji and Vanuatu) and Malesia. An additional 74 phrase-named taxa belong to this clade, including 70 from Western Australia and 4 from eastern Australia (all other Australian states and territories). The Styphelia floras of Western Australia, eastern Australia, New Caledonia and Malesia are each endemic or nearly so; 1 species (S. nesophila (DC.) Sleumer) is shared between New Zealand and eastern Australia, and 2 species (S. cordifolia (Lindl.) F.Muell. and S. woodsii (F.Muell.) F.Muell.) are shared between Western Australia and eastern Australia. An amended diagnosis of Styphelia is provided, new combinations are made for 25 taxa, and new names published for another 9. Lectotypes are designated for two names (Leucopogon brevicuspis Benth. and L. strictus Benth.) found to have taxonomically heterogeneous syntypes.

scholarly journals The availability and dimensions of tree hollows that provide nest sites for cockatoos (Psittaciformes) in Western Australia

1982 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 541 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. A. Saunders ◽  
G. T. Smith ◽  
I. Rowley
Keyword(s):  
Western Australia ◽  
The Other ◽  
Agricultural Area ◽  
Future Prospects ◽  
Inside Diameter ◽  
Nest Sites ◽  
Tree Hollows ◽  
Dead Trees

A 15-ha plot of salmon gum woodland contained 241 hollows with an entrance diameter and depth exceeding 90 mm, in 173 trees, the majority (95%) in salmon gums. Occupancy of these hollows during the spring of 1978 was 47%; eight species of bird (six Psittaciformes, one Anseriformes and one Falconiformes) were involved. Galahs, corellas, red-tailed black cockatoos and Port Lincoln parrots were the most numerous hollow-nesting birds in the area; there were differences in the sizes of hollows they used, which were separable on entrance size and on inside diameter of the hollow 0.5 m below the entrance. There was a trend for hollow size to decrease in the order: red-tailed black cockatoos, corellas, galahs and Port Lincoln parrots. Red-tailed black cockatoos nested in more dead trees, or trees which were lower and had smaller canopies, than did the other three species. The woodland contained few young trees, trees were dying rapidly and there was no regeneration. This situation is typical for woodland throughout the agricultural area, and future prospects are discussed.

Two new species of Terebrasabella (Annelida: Sabellidae: Sabellinae) from Australia

Zootaxa ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 1434 (1) ◽  
pp. 51 ◽  
Author(s):  
ANNA MURRAY ◽  
GREG W. ROUSE
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
The Other ◽  
Barrier Reef ◽  
Lizard Island ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Two New Species ◽  
Coral Rock

Two new species of Terebrasabella Fitzhugh & Rouse, 1999 are described from eastern Australia. Terebrasabella hutchingsae sp. nov., was found from preserved coral rock debris collected in 1977 on the outer Barrier Reef near Lizard Island, Queensland. Terebrasabella fitzhughi sp. nov., was found alive in burrows in and among spirorbin serpulid tubes on intertidal rocks in Tasmania in 1996. Both species were found in mucoid tubes, and brood their young in a manner similar to the only other described species of Terebrasabella, T. heterouncinata Fitzhugh & Rouse, 1999. Terebrasabella hutchingsae sp. nov., is exceptional as it possesses a type of thoracic neurochaetal uncinus different from the other two species, and which is similar to the notochaetal acicular “palmate hook” seen in Caobangia. Descriptions of both species are given, and the diagnosis for Terebrasabella is emended. Larval and chaetal morphology and relationships among of the three known Terebrasabella spp. are discussed.

scholarly journals Morphological variation in Leptorhynchos squamatus (Gnaphalieae: Asteraceae)

2002 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 205 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christina Flann ◽  
Pauline Y. Ladiges ◽  
Neville G. Walsh
Keyword(s):  
High Altitude ◽  
Morphological Variation ◽  
Environmental Conditions ◽  
Leaf Size ◽  
Alpine Plants ◽  
The Other ◽  
Herbarium Specimens ◽  
South Eastern ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Low Altitude

A study of morphological variation in Leptorhynchos squamatus (Labill.) Less. across its range in south-eastern Australia was undertaken to test the hypothesis that L. squamatus includes two taxa. Phenetic pattern analyses of both field-collected and herbarium specimens on the basis of morphology confirmed two major groups. Bract, cypsela, pappus bristle and leaf characters were particularly important in separating the two groups. The taxa are separated by altitude differences with one being a low-altitude plant found in many habitats and the other being a high-altitude taxon that is a major component of alpine meadows. Lowland plants have dark bract tips, fewer and wider pappus bristles than alpine plants, papillae on the cypselas and more linear leaves. A somewhat intermediate population from the Major Mitchell Plateau in the Grampians shows some alpine and some lowland characters but is included in the lowland taxon. Seeds from five populations (two alpine, two lowland and Major Mitchell) were germinated and plants grown for 18 weeks under four controlled sets of environmental conditions. The experiment showed that leaf size and some other characters are affected by environmental conditions, but that there are underlying genetic differences between the lowland and alpine forms. Leptorhynchos squamatus subsp. alpinus Flann is described here to accommodate the highland taxon.

scholarly journals First Report of Charcoal Rot on Canola Caused by Macrophomina phaseolina in Western Australia

Plant Disease ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 93 (6) ◽  
pp. 666-666 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Khangura ◽  
M. Aberra
Keyword(s):  
Western Australia ◽  
Pathogenic Fungi ◽  
Macrophomina Phaseolina ◽  
The United States ◽  
Conidial Suspension ◽  
Brassica Napus L ◽  
Longitudinal Splitting ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Lateral Branches ◽  
Vascular Region

In the spring of 2006, canola (Brassica napus L.) plants suffering from wilt were observed in an experimental plot at Merredin, Western Australia. Symptoms on the affected plants were tan-brown, longitudinal streaks along the main stem and on some lateral branches. Lesions on the stem were predominantly unilateral but sometimes covered the entire stem. Some of the lateral branches were completely wilted, and if present, pods were either shriveled or contained small seed. At the base of the stem, the lesions were grayish brown streaks that caused longitudinal splitting of the stem base. Small spherical (55 to 75 μm in diameter) and elongated (75 to 120 μm long) microsclerotia were seen in the pith and vascular region. Roots appeared to be symptomless, but upon removing the epidermis, grayish streaks were also seen on the roots and small sclerotia were observed in the pith and the vascular region of roots. One hundred and four small pieces (1 to 2 cm) of stem and root from 10 symptomatic plants were surface sterilized with 1.25% NaOCl, rinsed twice in sterile distilled water, and plated on potato dextrose agar (PDA) supplemented with 10 ppm of aureomycin. These were incubated under a blacklight at 22°C. Macrophomina phaseolina (Tassi) Goid. was isolated from 80% of the pieces as identified by colony morphology and the size of microsclerotia that ranged between 50 and 190 μm (3). Eight-three isolates were obtained. None of the isolates produced pycnidia on PDA. However, pycnidia (100 to 190 μm) with pycnidiospores (17.5 to 30 × 7.5 to 10 μm) were produced on the affected stems collected from the field. Pathogenicity tests with one of the isolates were conducted on seven 2-week-old canola plants (cv. Stubby). Three uninoculated plants served as the control. Roots of 2-week-old plants were dipped in an aqueous conidial suspension (1 × 104 conidia/ml) of M. phaseolina for an hour while roots of control plants were dipped in sterile water. Inoculated and control plants were repotted in separate pots and transferred to a glasshouse. A week after inoculation, M. phaseolina produced chlorosis of the leaves, and subsequently, complete wilting and death of the inoculated plants. M. phaseolina was successfully reisolated from roots and stems of symptomatic plants. No symptoms developed on the control plants. Pathogenicity was also tested by soaking seeds of cv. Stubby with an aqueous conidial suspension of M. phaseolina for one-half hour and incubating on agar media after drying. Germinating seeds were colonized by the growing mycelium and seedlings were completely killed within a week. Abundant microsclerotia were produced on the dead seedlings. M. phaseolina has been previously reported on canola in the United States (1) and Argentina (2) and more recently has been reported on canola in eastern Australia (4). To our knowledge, this is the first record of occurrence of M. phaseolina on canola in Western Australia and its impact on canola yield needs to be determined. References: (1) R. E. Baird et al. Plant Dis. 78:316, 1994. (2) S. A. Gaetán et al. Plant Dis. 90:524, 2006. (3) P. Holliday and E. Punithalingam. Macrophomina phaseolina. No. 275 in: Descriptions of Plant Pathogenic Fungi and Bacteria. CMI, Kew, Surrey, UK, 1970. (4) M. Li et al. Aust. Plant Dis. Notes 2:93, 2007.

A revision of the textricellin spider genus Raveniella (Araneae:Araneoidea:Micropholcommatidae): exploring patterns of phylogeny and biogeography in an Australian biodiversity hotspot

2010 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 209 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael G. Rix ◽  
Mark S. Harvey ◽  
J. Dale Roberts
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Western Australia ◽  
Coastal Plain ◽  
Mitochondrial Protein ◽  
Biodiversity Hotspot ◽  
Rrna Genes ◽  
Protein Coding ◽  
Swan Coastal Plain ◽  
Coastal Species ◽  
Eastern Australia

South-western Western Australia is a biodiversity hotspot, with high levels of local endemism and a rich but largely undescribed terrestrial invertebrate fauna. Very few phylogeographic studies have been undertaken on south-western Australian invertebrate taxa, and almost nothing is known about historical biogeographic or cladogenic processes, particularly on the relatively young, speciose Quaternary sand dune habitats of the Swan Coastal Plain. Phylogeographic and taxonomic patterns were studied in textricellin micropholcommatid spiders belonging to the genus Raveniella Rix & Harvey. The Micropholcommatidae is a family of small spiders with a widespread distribution in southern Western Australia, and most species are spatially restricted to refugial microhabitats. In total, 340 specimens of Raveniella were collected from 36 surveyed localities on the Swan Coastal Plain and 17 non-Swan Coastal Plain reference localities in south-western Western Australia. Fragments from three nuclear rRNA genes (5.8S, 18S and ITS2), and one mitochondrial protein-coding gene (COI) were used to infer the phylogeny of the genus Raveniella, and to examine phylogeographic patterns on the Swan Coastal Plain. Five new species of Raveniella are described from Western Australia (R. arenacea, sp. nov., R. cirrata, sp. nov., R. janineae, sp. nov., R. mucronata, sp. nov. and R. subcirrata, sp. nov.), along with a single new species from south-eastern Australia (R. apopsis, sp. nov.). Four species of Raveniella were found on the Swan Coastal Plain: two with broader distributions in the High Rainfall and Transitional Rainfall Zones (R. peckorum Rix & Harvey, R. cirrata); and two endemic to the Swan Coastal Plain, found only on the western-most Quindalup dunes (R. arenacea, R. subcirrata). Two coastally restricted species (R. subcirrata, R. janineae) were found to be morphologically cryptic but genetically highly distinct, with female specimens morphologically indistinguishable from their respective sister-taxa (R. cirrata and R. peckorum). The greater Perth region is an important biogeographic overlap zone for all four Swan Coastal Plain species, where the ranges of two endemic coastal species join the northern and south-western limits of the ranges of R. peckorum and R. cirrata, respectively. Most species of Raveniella were found to occupy long, highly autapomorphic molecular branches exhibiting little intraspecific variation, and an analysis of ITS2 rRNA secondary structures among different species of Raveniella revealed the presence of an extraordinary hypervariable helix, ranging from 31 to over 400 nucleotides in length.

Uraba lugens (eucalypt leaf skeletonizer).

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisa Berndt
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Western Australia ◽  
Timber Production ◽  
Native Range ◽  
Natural Forests ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Important Pest ◽  
Eucalypt Forests

Abstract U. lugens was first considered a serious pest of natural eucalypt forests in Western Australia in 1983 when the first severe outbreak occurred there (Strelein, 1988). Prior to that it was widely known as a pest of eucalypt forests in eastern Australia (Campbell, 1962; Harris, 1974). As these natural forests are or were managed for timber production, it is considered an economically important pest in its native range. Damage to amenity trees is also a common problem, although few trees are killed by this defoliation (Anonymous, 1979).U. lugens was recorded as invasive in New Zealand by Crabtree (1997). In its exotic range it has become a significant pest of amenity trees, particularly Lophestemon confertus (Australian brush box), which is commonly planted in some parts of Auckland City (Kriticos et al., 2007).

scholarly journals Deepwater Indo-Pacific species of the snake-eel genus Ophichthus (Anguilliformes: Ophichthidae), with the description of nine new species

Zootaxa ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 2505 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
JOHN E. McCOSKER
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Western Australia ◽  
New Caledonia ◽  
The Philippines ◽  
Junior Synonym ◽  
Identification Key ◽  
Gulf Of Aden ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Pacific Species ◽  
Depth Distributions

The 19 Indo-Pacific species of the snake-eel genus Ophichthus (family Ophichthidae, subfamily Ophichthinae) that live at or below 200 m are reviewed. Included are: Ophichthus aphotistos, O. brachynotopterus, O. echeloides, O. exourus, O. genie, O. kunaloa, O. megalops, O. mystacinus, O. serpentinus, O. urolophus, and nine new species which are described: O. alleni from 115–200 m off eastern Australia; O. aniptocheilos from 391–421 m off Tonga; O. congroides from 300 m off the Tuamotu Islands; O. hirritus from 600 m off the Seychelle Islands; O. humanni from 254–300 m off Vanuatu; O. ishiyamorum from 258–400 m off the Gulf of Aden, Somalia; O. lentiginosus from 400 m off Vanuatu and New Caledonia; O. microstictus from 362–450 m off Tonga, Fiji, and possibly New Caledonia; and O. tomioi from 300– 423 m off the Philippines, Marquesas, Fiji, and the Seychelle Islands. The range and depth distributions of the following are expanded to include: O. brachynotopterus to New Caledonia and Vanuatu between 541–580 m; O. mystacinus to Tonga, Fiji, and the Philippines between 371–824 m; and O. urolophus to Western Australia and Indonesia between 40– 420 m. An identification key is provided. Characteristics and the behavior of species of the subgenus Coecilophis, to which all treated species except O. aphotistos belong, is discussed. Ophichthys madagascariensis Fourmanoir (1961) is proposed to be a junior synonym of Pisodonophis cancrivorus (Richardson 1848).

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