Estimating the weight of the Pleistocene marsupial lion, Thylacoleo carnifex (Thylacoleonidae:Marsupialia): implications for the ecomorphology of a marsupial super-predator and hypotheses of impoverishment of Australian marsupial carnivore faunas

1999 ◽  
Vol 47 (5) ◽  
pp. 489 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Wroe ◽  
T. J. Myers ◽  
R. T. Wells ◽  
A. Gillespie
Keyword(s):  
New South ◽  
Nutrient Deficiency ◽  
Soil Nutrient ◽  
Prima Facie ◽  
Average Weight ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Body Weights ◽  
Terrestrial Predator ◽  
Australian Marsupial ◽  
North Western

Using demonstrated relationships between body mass and humeral and femoral circumferences, we calculate the weight of the only specimen of Thylacoleo carnifex known from a near-complete skeleton. Body weights of 112–143 kg were estimated for this individual, from Moree, north-western New South Wales. Extrapolating on the basis of geometric similtude, we further estimated the weight of the largest T. carnifex for which we had cranial data at 128–164 kg. Moreover, estimates for at least three of the thirteen available specimens exceeded 124–160 kg, suggesting that individuals of this size were common. Our estimates of average weight for the species range from 101 to 130 kg. These results clearly show that Pleistocene Australia had a 'large' cat equivalent and that 'large' terrestrial predator niches were not then occupied exclusively by reptiles.They may also diminish the argument that soil-nutrient deficiency constrained the evolution of large mammalian carnivores on this continent in the Pleistocene. Similarly, we posit that prima facie evidence for reptilian domination of terrestrial carnivore niches during the Miocene is wanting, although it is conceded that far more detailed investigation is required to comprehensively test these hypotheses. Earlier studies have drawn parallels between T. carnifex and sabre-toothed predators, thought to have specialised in hunting particularly large and powerful prey. Taken in the context of upwardly revised weight estimates, we argue that Pleistocene marsupial lions may have dispatched even Diprotodon-sized animals. But again, more comprehensive study, including thorough biomechanical design analysis of the post-cranial skeleton in particular, will be required to thoroughly illuminate the predatory habitus and general ecology of Australia's largest and most specialised marsupial carnivore.

Soil and vegetation response to thinning White Cypress Pine (Callitris glaucophylla) on the North Western Slopes of New South Wales, Australia

2006 ◽  
Vol 285 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 245-255 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. T. McHenry ◽  
B. R. Wilson ◽  
J. M. Lemon ◽  
D. E. Donnelly ◽  
I. G. Growns
Keyword(s):  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Vegetation Response ◽  
The North ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Callitris Glaucophylla ◽  
North Western ◽  
Cypress Pine

The nutrient status and cultivation practices of the soils of the North-West wheat belt of NSW.

1954 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 422 ◽  
Author(s):  
EG Hallsworth ◽  
FR Gibbons ◽  
TH Lemerle
Keyword(s):  
Organic Carbon ◽  
New South ◽  
Nutrient Status ◽  
North West ◽  
Nitrogen Levels ◽  
The North ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Cultivation Practices ◽  
North Western ◽  
Available Phosphate

A study has been made of the nitrogen, organic carbon, phosphate, and pH levels of the wheat soils of north-western New South Wales, and the cultivation practices adopted. They are found generally to be high in both total and available phosphate, and particularly high figures for available phosphate, over 1000 p.p.m., were found in limited areas. The nitrogen levels of the virgin chernozemic soils are distinctly higher than those of the red-brown earths and red solodic soils, but soils of all groups show a decline with cultivation, which is most rapid in the first 10 years. The introduction of periods under lucerne raises the nitrogen level, but the wheat/grazed fallow or wheat/grazing oats appear to cause the same nitrogen losses as are encountered under continuous wheat, in spite of the prevalence of stubble burning which inevitably accompanies this practice. The average yields of wheat on the chernozemic soils are distinctly higher than those obtained on the red-brown earths and red solodic soils, on some of which nitrogen appears to be limiting.

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

The association between face cover and the productivity of Merino ewes in twelve NSW flocks

1967 ◽  
Vol 7 (28) ◽  
pp. 412
Author(s):  
JP Drinan ◽  
RB Dun
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Negative Association ◽  
The Body ◽  
Positive Correlation ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Body Weights ◽  
The Face ◽  
Fleece Weight

The association between the face cover and productivity of more than 3000 Merino ewes has been examined in 12 flocks located in the major sheep producing areas of New South Wales. Each flock was divided into Open (scores 1 and 2), Moderate (scores 3 and 4), and Muffled (scores 5 and 6) groups. A significant negative association between face cover and reproductive performance was apparent in two flocks that contained appreciable numbers of muffled-faced ewes. A similar trend was apparent in another Muffled flock, but in one other Muffled flock and four Open flocks, there was no evidence of such an association. The results from the remaining four flocks were not considered, due to the possibility that the results were confounded by face cover scoring after joining. In one Muffled flock, the body weights of weaner lambs were negatively correlated with their dams' face cover. A relationship between face cover score and total greasy fleece weight, corrected for previous reproductive performance, was absent from most flocks and negative in two, despite evidence of a positive correlation with belly weight. There was a trend to inferior fleeces of finer trade count in Moderate and Muffled groups of several flocks. Excess face cover was found to be an undesirable attribute in Merino flocks. Its importance was greatest in flocks containing appreciable numbers of muffled-faced ewes

Rhizobium as a factor in the re-establishment of legume-based pastures on clay soils of the wheat belt of north-western New South Wales

1998 ◽  
Vol 38 (6) ◽  
pp. 555 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. M. Bowman ◽  
D. M. Hebb ◽  
D. J. Munnich ◽  
J. Brockwell
Keyword(s):  
Nitrogen Fixation ◽  
Rhizobium Meliloti ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Clay Soils ◽  
Natural Fertility ◽  
Fixed Nitrogen ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Annual Medics ◽  
North Western

Summary. Populations of Rhizobium meliloti in self-mulching clay soils (Vertisols) at 48 sites on 27 properties in north-western New South Wales were classified according to number and ability to fix nitrogen with several species of Medicago. Rhizobia were counted using serial dilution, nodulation frequency, plant infection tests. Abilities of the soil populations to fix nitrogen were determined in the laboratory with whole-soil inoculation of Medicago seedlings in test tubes with shoots exposed to the atmosphere and roots within the tubes under bacteriological control, and in the field using a technique based on the natural abundance of 15N in the soil. The majority of soils contained >1000 cells of R. meliloti per gram. The major component of those populations fixed nitrogen with lucerne (Medicago sativa) and some components of some soils also fixed nitrogen with M. polymorpha, M. scutellata, M. littoralis, M. tornata, M. laciniata and Trigonella suavissima. However, a number of soils were located which contained few if any rhizobia effective in nitrogen fixation with M. polymorpha. Overall, the effectiveness of nitrogen fixation of the naturally occurring populations of R. meliloti in association with M. polymorpha, M. scutellata, M. littoralis and M. tornata was only 46% of the effectiveness of standard strains. At one particular site, where 10 lines of annual Medicago spp. were growing experimentally, fixed nitrogen as a proportion of shoot nitrogen averaged only 28%. At that site, there were no effective rhizobia for M. scutellata and it was wholly dependent on the soil as the source of its nitrogen. The results are discussed in relation to the need for a substantial input of legume nitrogen for restoring the natural fertility of self-mulching clay soils in degraded wheat lands of north-western New South Wales. It is suggested that lucerne, or perhaps other perennial Medicago spp., might fill this role better than annual medics such as M. polymorpha and M. scutellata that are more dependent than lucerne on specific strains of R. meliloti to meet their requirements for symbiotic nitrogen fixation.

Recruitment of Curly Mitchell Grass (Astrebla Lappacea) in North-Western New South Wales.

1996 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 179 ◽  
Author(s):  
MH Campbell ◽  
AM Bowman ◽  
WD Bellotti ◽  
DJ Munich ◽  
HI Nicol
Keyword(s):  
Seed Bank ◽  
Seedling Recruitment ◽  
New South ◽  
Rainfall Events ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Grazing System ◽  
Dry Conditions ◽  
Annual Weeds ◽  
North Western ◽  
Germinable Seed

The recruitment of Astrebla lappacea was studied from 1986 to 1995 in a pasture in north-western NSW where the density of plants had declined from 1 to 3 plants/m2 in 1970 to 0.023 plants/m2 in 1986. Three treatments were imposed: ungrazed-sprayed-slashed, where annual weeds were treated with herbicides and slashing to reduce competition during recruitment; ungrazed-only; and grazed-only. The seed bank of A. lappacea was measured on four occasions and densities of A. lappacea plants determined after major rainfall events mainly in summer and autumn. On the ungrazed treatments the seed bank of A. lappacea increased from 0 in 1988 to 908, 898 and 286 germinable seed/m2 in, respectively, 1992, 1993 and 1995. Flowering and seedling recruitment occurred each year from 1988 to 1995 but seedlings only survived to become mature plants from the 1988 and 1992 recruitments. The major reason for the death of seedlings was dry conditions in the latter half of the year (1 10 to 135 mm of raid6 months). Frosts and competition from Brassicaceae weeds (mainly Raphistrum rugosum) in winter and spring also contributed to death of seedlings. Recruitment of seedlings and their survival to mature plants was higher on the ungrazed-sprayed-slashed treatment than on the other treatments. Recruitment and survival on the ungrazed-only treatment occurred because Brassicaceae weeds did not establish when recruiting rains fell in summer. Plant densit increased from 0.023 plants/m2 in 1986 to, respectively, 0.86, 0.64 Y and 0.004 mature plantdm and 7.88, 6.37, 0.10 seedlings/m2 on the ungrazed-sprayed-slashed, ungrazed-only and grazed-only treatments in 1995. On the grazed-only treatment the methods used to detect seeds revealed none in the soil during the experiment. However, some seeds were present because there was a low level of recruitment none of which survived to mature plants. The number of mature plants declined from 0.023 to 0.004/m2 indicating that under the present grazing system the complete elimination of A. lappacea from pastures in north-western NSW is possible if some form of managed recruitment is not devised.

A Study of the Biology of the Wild Rabbit in Climatically Different Regions in Eastern Australia V*. The Use of Aerial Surveys to Map the Distribution of Rabbit Warrens over Large Areas of Semiarid North-western New South Wales

1974 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 17 ◽  
Author(s):  
BS Parker ◽  
K Myers
Keyword(s):  
New South ◽  
Wild Rabbit ◽  
Good Picture ◽  
Fine Grained ◽  
Aerial Surveys ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Recent Sediments ◽  
North Western ◽  
Arid And Semiarid

Aerial surveys can be used to measure the distribution of rabbit warrens over large areas of arid and semiarid Australia. Clumped patterns of distribution of rabbit warrens found by ground surveys are also detected in aerial surveys, which further show that the highest density of warrens occurs in habitats containing shales or other fine-grained rocks overlain by recent sediments, or those closely related to drainage systems. A good picture of rabbit distribution is obtained when about 25% of the area has been overed by the aircraft. * Part IV, Aust. J. Zool., 1971, 19, 355–70.

Predation of Red Kangaroos, Macropus rufus, by the Dingo, Canis familiaris dingo (Blumenbach) in North-Western New South Wales

1981 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 255 ◽  
Author(s):  
NC Shepherd
Keyword(s):  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Pathological Finding ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Daily Rate ◽  
Rate Of Increase ◽  
Border Fence ◽  
Selection For ◽  
The Difference ◽  
North Western

Over 7 weeks a group of five dingoes killed 83 red kangaroos within 150 m of a watering point in north-western New South Wales. All except three of these kangaroos were juveniles. Detailed autopsies were performed on 17 of the dead kangaroos: primary predation was the only significant gross pathological finding; the dingoes had eaten portions from about half the kangaroos killed. The daily rate of killing was estimated to be about 0.38 kg prey per kg predator. The rate of killing and the selection for juvenile kangaroos suggested that dingoes could have a direct effect on kangaroo densities by limiting rate of increase. The significance of this finding is discussed with reference to the difference in abundance of kangaroos between the New South Wales and Queensland sides of the border fence.

Sexual cycles of pigeons in arid and semiarid Australia

1976 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 331 ◽  
Author(s):  
HJ Frith ◽  
SM Carpenter ◽  
LW Braithwaite
Keyword(s):  
New South ◽  
Biological Significance ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Annual Cycles ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Gonad Size ◽  
The Common ◽  
Autumn And Winter ◽  
North Western ◽  
Arid And Semiarid

The gonad cycles of the crested pigeon Ocyphaps lophotes and the common bronzewing Phaps chalcoptera in inland New South Wales, and the plumed pigeon Geophaps plumifera and the red- plumed pigeon G. ferruginea in central and north-western Australia, have been studied. In each species some males were producing abundant sperm and some females had enlarged ovarian follicles in each month of the year. There was a tendency for fewer birds to be at the maximum stage of spermatogenesis in autumn and winter than in other seasons. The size of the testis was not indicative of its spermatogenic state. There were annual cycles of gonad size in each species; the maxima were the spring and summer. The timing of the cycles did not differ in the two plumed pigeons but in both species the maxima were earlier than in the other species. Male common bronze-wings achieved maximum gonad size earlier than did male crested pigeons. In addition to the annual cycle there were significant biannual effects in males. Except for the male and female of the red-plumed pigeon, in which they may have had some biological significance, these biannual effects were probably only included to improve the accuracy of the curve fitting. There were significant effects of rainfall on the gonad cycle of all species except the common bronzewing; these were consistent with the expected effect of rainfall on the birds' food supply and nutrition. It was concluded that, although the gonad cycles were controlled mainly by changes in photo-period, the abundance of food and the effects of rainfall on it were important in modifying the cycle.

Patterns of waterbird use in wetlands of the Paroo, A river system of inland Australia.

1992 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 128 ◽  
Author(s):  
MT Maher ◽  
LW Braithwaite
Keyword(s):  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
River System ◽  
Aerial Survey ◽  
Flood Event ◽  
Flood Events ◽  
Inland Wetlands ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Waterbird Species ◽  
North Western

The significance of inland wetlands to Australian waterbirds has been overlooked until recently. One important area identified from regular aerial survey centres on the Paroo River in north-western New South Wales. Between April 1983 and December 1985, a period covering a major flood, waterbird populations were estimated on five wetland systems associated with the Paroo during 14 trips. Fifty- three waterbird species were recorded with the anatids, Anas gibberifrons and Malacorhynchus membranaceus, accounting for 75 per cent of total estimated populations. Most breeding events were observed in those wetlands dominated by Muehlenbeckia florulenta (lignum). Breeding accounted for shifts in waterbird populations between wetland systems. A model of waterbird usage of the five wetland systems in relation to a complete flood event is described. The importance for waterbird conservation of wetlands used for breeding and maintenance of populations between flood events, and threats to the integrity of these wetlands are discussed.

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