Speciation of Antechinus stuartii and A. subtropicus (Marsupialia : Dasyuridae) in eastern Australia: molecular and morphological evidence

2003 ◽  
Vol 51 (5) ◽  
pp. 443 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. S. Crowther ◽  
J. Sumner ◽  
C. R. Dickman
Keyword(s):  
Mitochondrial Dna ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Genetic Distances ◽  
Morphological Evidence ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
D Loop ◽  
Antechinus Stuartii ◽  
Time Of Divergence

This paper evaluates the systematic status of the Antechinus populations of northern New South Wales and southern Queensland, using a combined morphological and molecular (allozymes and mitochondrial DNA) approach. Analysis of the d-loop section of the mitochondrial DNA control region revealed two highly supported clades within A. stuartii sensu lato that were sympatric in the Border Ranges of northern New South Wales. However, genetic distances between these clades were small (approximately 3%), indicating that time of divergence was probably relatively recent. Allozyme electrophoresis also showed very small differences between clades/species. Analyses of cranial and dental characters showed that the members of each of these clades differed morphologically and that the clades corresponded to A. stuartii and the recently described A.�subtropicus. The combined results support the species status of A. stuartii and A.�subtropicus, and suggest that speciation was likely a result of a recent vicariant event.

Geographic dimorphism in the mountain brushtail possum (Trichosurus caninus): the case for a new species

2002 ◽  
Vol 50 (4) ◽  
pp. 369 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. B. Lindenmayer ◽  
J. Dubach ◽  
K. L. Viggers
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Distinct Species ◽  
Genetic Distances ◽  
Brushtail Possum ◽  
Genetic Characteristics ◽  
Simple Index ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Eastern Australia

The morphological and genetic characteristics of the mountain brushtail possum (Trichosurus caninus) are described for animals from a range of locations throughout its known geographic distribution in eastern Australia. Although there is considerable variation among populations, unequivocal morphological and genetic differences exist between northern and southern populations of the species. Specimens from southern populations (from Victoria) have a significantly (P < 0.001) larger ear conch, a significantly (P < 0.001) longer pes, and a significantly (P < 0.001) shorter tail than do specimens from northern populations (from New South Wales and Queensland). Animals can be clearly distinguished using a simple index based on these three morphological measures, which are gathered from live animals. North–south dimorphism is strongly supported by patterns in genetic data that show genetic distances of 2.7–3.0% between the southern and northern populations. The combined outcomes of morphological and genetic analyses suggest the existence of two distinct species. We recommend that the northern form, distributed from central New South Wales north to central Queensland, retain the name Trichosurus caninus; the southern form from Victoria is described here as Trichosurus cunninghami, sp. nov. The common names of these new species should be the 'short-eared possum' and the 'mountain brushtail possum', respectively.

Antechinus agilis (Marsupialia : Dasyuridae), a new species from the A. stuartii complex in south-eastern Australia

1998 ◽  
Vol 46 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. R. Dickman ◽  
H. E. Parnaby ◽  
M. S. Crowther ◽  
D. H. King
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Dental Morphology ◽  
South Eastern ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Antechinus Stuartii ◽  
Average Size ◽  
A New Species

A new species from the Antechinus stuartii stuartii complex, A. agilis, sp. nov., is described from Victoria and south-eastern New South Wales. It differs from A. stuartii primarily in its smaller average size, lighter and greyer fur colour, relatively smaller anterior and posterior palatal vacuities, and more rounded premolars. The species can be distinguished in the field on external morphology. A. agilis resembles A. stuartii adustus from northern Queensland more closely in skull and dental morphology than it does A. stuartii from central coastal New South Wales, with which it is parapatric and occasionally sympatric in the southern coastal part of the State. Considerable morphological variation is apparent amongst populations regarded previously as A. stuartii from southern Queensland and northern New South Wales, suggesting that more than one taxon is included currently under A. stuartii. Further clarification of the relationships of A. agilis requires evaluation of variation in such populations of A. stuartii and also with A. flavipes from northern New South Wales and southern and central Queensland.

Population structure of the Australian gummy shark (Mustelus antarcticus GÜnther) inferred from allozymes, mitochondrial DNA and vertebrae counts

1998 ◽  
Vol 49 (7) ◽  
pp. 733 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. G. Gardner ◽  
R. D. Ward
Keyword(s):  
Mitochondrial Dna ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Haplotype Diversity ◽  
Spatial Differentiation ◽  
Restriction Enzymes ◽  
Population Heterogeneity ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Allozyme Loci

The gummy shark (Mustelus antarcticus) is the main target of southern Australian shark fisheries. Its stock structure was investigated through allozymes (up to 28 loci), mitochondrial DNA (up to 10 restriction enzymes) and vertebrae counts. The average heterozygosity per allozyme locus (0.099) and degree of polymorphism (0.255) was high for sharks. Composite mitochondrial DNA haplotype diversity (0.534) and mean nucleotide sequence diversity (0.16%) were also moderately high. Three of the seven polymorphic allozyme loci (CK-A*, LDH-1*, PEP*) and the mtDNA haplotypes showed significant spatial differentiation. Two genetic stocks were identified: one along the southern coast of Australia from Bunbury in Western Australia to Eden in New South Wales and one off northern New South Wales (in the region of Newcastle to Clarence River). There was some evidence for a third stock off Townsville, Queensland. The northern occurrences extend the known geographical range of this species. Vertebrae counts from Eden northwards increased, supporting the conclusion of population heterogeneity off eastern Australia.

Distribution and identity of species in the Antechinus stuartii - A. flavipes group (Marsupialia : Dasyuridae) in south-eastern Australia

1998 ◽  
Vol 46 (1) ◽  
pp. 27 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Sumner ◽  
C. R. Dickman
Keyword(s):  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Annual Rainfall ◽  
Published Data ◽  
South Eastern ◽  
Mean Annual Rainfall ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Antechinus Stuartii ◽  
South Eastern Australia

This study describes genetical differences between three morphologically similar species of Antechinus in south-eastern Australia, and uses the climatic model BIOCLIM to clarify their expected geographical distributions. Allozyme electrophoresis revealed Nei’s distances of >0.2 between A. flavipes and A. stuartii and A. flavipes and A. agilis, the latter a newly recognised species in south-eastern Australia. Fixed allele differences were determined in five proteins between A. stuartii and A. flavipes from an area of sympatry in northern New South Wales, confirming their genetic distinctness. A smaller distance (0.08) separated A. stuartii from A. agilis, but fixed allele differences in albumin and mannose phosphate isomerase distinguished these species clearly. Locality records for the three species were compiled from the electrophoretic results, museum specimen records and published data, and used to generate expected distributions for each species. A. flavipes is predicted to occur primarily in warm, inland areas of south- eastern Australia with a mean annual rainfall of 785 mm, but to occur along the coast in South Australia and southern Queensland. In contrast, the distributions of A. stuartii and A. agilis are predicted to be broadly coastal, with the former occurring in northern New South Wales and southern Queensland in areas with high mean annual rainfall (1430 mm) and temperature (16.0°C), the latter in southern New South Wales and Victoria in cooler areas (11.8°C annual mean) with intermediate rainfall (1071 mm). Sympatry appears to be limited between A. flavipes and its two congeners; A. stuartii and A. agilis are predicted to be parapatric with only two small areas of overlap being evident.

Effects of logging and fire on small mammals in Mumbulla State Forest, near Bega, New South Wales

1987 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 163 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Lunney ◽  
B. Cullis ◽  
P. Eby
Keyword(s):  
Small Mammals ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Canopy Cover ◽  
Ground Cover ◽  
First Year ◽  
Severe Effect ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Antechinus Stuartii ◽  
Rattus Fuscipes

This study of the effects of logging on small mammals in Mumbulla State Forest on the south coast of New South Wales included the effects of a fire in November 1980 and a drought throughout the study period from June 1980 to June 1983. Rattus fuscipes was sensitive to change: logging had a significant impact on its numbers, response to ground cover, and recapture rate; fire had a more severe effect, and drought retarded the post-fire recovery of the population. The three species of dasyurid marsupials differed markedly in their response to ground cover, canopy cover, logging and fire. Antechinus stuartii was distributed evenly through all habitats and was not affected by logging, but fire had an immediate and adverse effect which was sustained by the intense drought. A. swainsonii markedly preferred the regenerating forest, and was not seen again after the fire, the failure of the population being attributed to its dependence on dense ground cover. Sminthopsis leucopus was found in low numbers, appeared to prefer forest with sparse ground cover, and showed no immediate response to logging or fire; its disappearance by the third year post-fire suggests that regenerating forest is inimical to the survival of this species. Mus musculus showed no response to logging. In the first year following the fire its numbers were still very low, but in the next year there was a short-lived plague which coincided with the only respite in the 3-year drought and, importantly, occurred in the intensely burnt parts of the forest. The options for managing this forest for the conservation of small mammals include minimising fire, retaining unlogged forest, extending the time over which alternate coupes are logged and minimising disturbance from heavy machinery.

An Aerial Survey of 3 Game Species of Waterfowl (Family Anatidae) Populations in Eastern Australia

1986 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 213 ◽  
Author(s):  
LW Braithwaite ◽  
M Maher ◽  
SV Briggs ◽  
BS Parker
Keyword(s):  
Surface Waters ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Aerial Survey ◽  
Game Species ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Black Duck ◽  
The Pacific ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Central Eastern

Populations of waterfowl of three game species, the Pacific black duck Anus superciliosa, grey teal A. gibberifrons, and maned duck Chenonetta jubata, were assessed by aerial survey in October 1983 within a survey region of 2 697 000 km2 of eastern Australia. The numbers of each species were assessed on all surface waters of over 1 ha, and on a sample of smaller surface waters within 10 survey bands each 30 km wide and spaced at intervals of 2� latitude from 20�30' to 38�30'S. The area within the survey bands was 324 120 km2, which gave a sampling intensity of 12.0% of the land surface area. The area of features shown as wetlands or water impoundments within the survey bands on 1 : 2 500 000 topographic maps was 19 200 km2 or 11.2% of the total area of these features in the survey region. The area of surface waters surveyed was assessed at 465 300 ha. Assessments of populations of each species were tallied for wetlands by grid cells of 6 min of 1� longitude along the survey bands (258-309 km2 depending on latitude). Distributions were then mapped, with log*10 indices of populations in each cell. Distributions of the black duck and grey teal showed a pattern of intense aggregation in limited numbers of cells, that of the maned duck was more evenly distributed. The major concentrations of the Pacific black duck were recorded in northern New South Wales and the south-eastern, western, central eastern and central coastal regions of Queensland; those of the grey teal were in south-western, western and northern New South Wales and central-eastern Queensland; the maned duck was broadly distributed over inland New South Wales with the exception of the far west, inland southern Queensland, and central northern Victoria.

scholarly journals The Tumbarumba Basaltic Gem Field, New South Wales: in relation to sapphire-ruby deposits of eastern Australia

2002 ◽  
Vol 54 (2) ◽  
pp. 215-248 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. L. Sutherland ◽  
I. T. Graham ◽  
R. E. Pogson ◽  
D. Schwarz ◽  
G. B. Webb ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Eastern Australia

Drosophilidae of Australia. 4. Mycodrosophila

1980 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 261 ◽  
Author(s):  
IR Bock
Keyword(s):  
New South ◽  
East Asian ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
The South ◽  
Asian Species ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
First Time

The Australian Mycodrosophila fauna comprises 21 species distributed in northern and eastern Australia to southern New South Wales. Only one species, M. argentifrons Malloch, is previously described from Australia; the south-east Asian species M. separata (de Meijere) is recorded for the first time. The remaining 19 species are new: adequate material has been available to permit the description and naming of 18 of them.

Corrigendum to: Soil indicators and their use by farmers in the Billabong Catchment, southern New South Wales

Soil Research ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 47 (3) ◽  
pp. 340
Author(s):  
B. Kelly ◽  
C. Allan ◽  
B. P. Wilson
Keyword(s):  
Management Practices ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Soil Health ◽  
Soil Management ◽  
Management Decisions ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Health Need ◽  
Soil Indicators

'Soil health' programs and projects in Australia's agricultural districts are designed to influence farmers' management behaviours, usually to produce better outcomes for production, conservation, and sustainability. These programs usually examine soil management practices from a soil science perspective, but how soils are understood by farmers, and how that understanding informs their farm management decisions, is poorly documented. The research presented in this paper sought to better understand how dryland farmers in the Billabong catchment of southern New South Wales use soil indicators to inform their management decisions. Thematic content analysis of transcripts of semi-structured, face-to-face interviews with farmers suggest several themes that have implications for soil scientists and other professionals wishing to promote soil health in the dryland farming regions of south-eastern Australia. In particular, all soil indicators, including those related to soil 'health', need to relate to some clear, practical use to farmers if they are to be used in farm decision making. This research highlights a reliance of the participants of this research on agronomists. Reliance on agronomists for soil management decisions may result in increasing loss of connectivity between farmers and their land. If this reflects a wider trend, soil health projects may need to consider where best to direct their capacity-building activities, and/or how to re-empower individual farmers.

Migration and dispersal of the Rutherglen bug, Nysius vinitor Bergroth (Hemiptera: Lygaeidae), in eastern Australia

1988 ◽  
Vol 78 (3) ◽  
pp. 493-509 ◽  
Author(s):  
Garrick McDonald ◽  
Roger A. Farrow
Keyword(s):  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
South Australia ◽  
Early Spring ◽  
Flight Duration ◽  
Migratory Activity ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Synoptic Conditions ◽  
Yorke Peninsula

AbstractAerial sampling for Nysius vinitor Bergroth was undertaken in the surface and upper air, at altitudes of 2 and 100-300 m, respectively, at Trangie in central New South Wales and at Corny Point, Yorke Peninsula, South Australia. Insects were sampled for 15 periods, each of 3-11 days, between October 1979 and February 1984, covering all months except January, March and May. N. vinitor was one of the most abundant insects caught in the upper air during the day and night (mean density of 652/106 m3), while the congeneric N. clevelandensis Evans was rarely caught at any time. N. vinitor was caught in all months sampled except for the winter months of July and August, and the largest daily catches occurred in September. Females were generally less common than males, although the relative incidence in the upper air catches frequently increased significantly from day to night. Fewer mature females were caught in the upper air (0-16·8%) than at the surface (0-48·4%). Densities were generally much greater in the surface air than in the upper air, although during the major flights of spring, there was less than a two-fold difference, indicating increased migratory activity. Migration occurred in a range of synoptic conditions resulting in the displacement of individuals in a variety of directions and distances depending on synoptic flow at the time of flight. Major migrations occurred at night, following dusk take-off, in disturbed weather associated with prefrontal airflows. These resulted in net southward displacements of ca 200-300 km depending on flight duration. It is suggested that major immigration flights into central-western New South Wales and regions to the south regularly occur in early spring (September-October) and probably arise from breeding areas in subtropical latitudes.

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