Australian Journal of Zoology最新文献

Pedipalp anatomy of the Australian black rock scorpion, Urodacus manicatus, with implications for functional morphology 澳大利亚黑岩蝎 Urodacus manicatus 的足趾骨解剖及其对功能形态的影响

IF 0.8 4区生物学

Australian Journal of Zoology Pub Date : 2024-05-13 DOI: 10.1071/zo23044

R. Bicknell, G. Edgecombe, Christopher H. R. Goatley, Glen Charlton, John R. Paterson

{"title":"Pedipalp anatomy of the Australian black rock scorpion, Urodacus manicatus, with implications for functional morphology","authors":"R. Bicknell, G. Edgecombe, Christopher H. R. Goatley, Glen Charlton, John R. Paterson","doi":"10.1071/zo23044","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1071/zo23044","url":null,"abstract":"Pedipalps – chelate ‘pincers’ as the second pair of prosomal appendages – are a striking feature of scorpions and are employed in varied biological functions. Despite the distinctive morphology and ecological importance of these appendages, their anatomy remains underexplored. To rectify this, we examined the pedipalps of the Australian black rock scorpion, Urodacus manicatus, using a multifaceted approach consisting of microcomputed tomography, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and live pinch force measurements. In doing so, we document the following aspects of the pedipalps: (1) the musculature in three dimensions; (2) the cuticular microstructure, focusing on the chelae (tibial and tarsal podomeres); (3) the elemental construction of the chelae teeth; and (4) the chelae pinch force. We recognise 25 muscle groups in U. manicatus pedipalps, substantially more than previously documented in scorpions. The cuticular microstructure – endo-, meso-, and exocuticle – of U. manicatus pedipalps is shown to be similar to other scorpions and that mesocuticle reinforces the chelae for predation and burrowing. Elemental mapping of the chelae teeth highlights enrichment in calcium, chlorine, nickel, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, vanadium, and zinc, with a marked lack of carbon. These elements reinforce the teeth, increasing robustness to better enable prey capture and incapacitation. Finally, the pinch force data demonstrate that U. manicatus can exert high pinch forces (4.1 N), further highlighting the application of chelae in subduing prey, as opposed to holding prey for envenomation. We demonstrate that U. manicatus has an array of adaptions for functioning as a sit-and-wait predator that primarily uses highly reinforced chelae to process prey.","PeriodicalId":55420,"journal":{"name":"Australian Journal of Zoology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2024-05-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140982438","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

Unravelling male advertisement call variability in the brown tree frog (Litoria ewingii) complex by using citizen science 利用公民科学揭示棕色树蛙（Litoria ewingii）群雄性广告呼叫的变异性

IF 0.8 4区生物学

Australian Journal of Zoology Pub Date : 2024-05-07 DOI: 10.1071/zo23026

Jessica Elliott-Tate, Jodi J. L. Rowley

{"title":"Unravelling male advertisement call variability in the brown tree frog (Litoria ewingii) complex by using citizen science","authors":"Jessica Elliott-Tate, Jodi J. L. Rowley","doi":"10.1071/zo23026","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1071/zo23026","url":null,"abstract":"In the face of global biodiversity declines, conservation measures are urgently needed. However, our lack of knowledge on species’ diversity, distributions and population trends presents a major obstacle, particularly for morphologically cryptic species. Field surveys to gather this information present a logistical challenge, but the rapid rise of citizen science presents a new opportunity, generating huge volumes of data rapidly across a species’ range. We use data from a national citizen-science project to document the distribution and advertisement call variability in a group of five morphologically conserved treefrogs. Using 542 male advertisement calls across the entire range of five species, we found considerable levels of acoustic variation both among and within species. Note shape, notes per call and positions of the longest and shortest notes were most useful to delineate species. Our research will assist in species delineation and identification in the field and form the basis for a more accurate understanding of species diversity and distributions in the brown tree frog complex. We also demonstrated the utility of citizen science in documenting species distributions and diversity.","PeriodicalId":55420,"journal":{"name":"Australian Journal of Zoology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2024-05-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141002105","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

Sexual dimorphism and reproductive biology of commercially harvested oriental rat snakes (Ptyas mucosa: Colubridae) from West Java 西爪哇商业捕捞的东方鼠蛇（Ptyas mucosa: Colubridae）的性双态性和生殖生物学

IF 0.8 4区生物学

Australian Journal of Zoology Pub Date : 2024-05-03 DOI: 10.1071/zo23030

Amir Hamidy, E. Arida, Noor Laina Maireda, A. E. N. Herlambang, A. Riyanto, Mumpuni, Richard Shine, D. Natusch

{"title":"Sexual dimorphism and reproductive biology of commercially harvested oriental rat snakes (Ptyas mucosa: Colubridae) from West Java","authors":"Amir Hamidy, E. Arida, Noor Laina Maireda, A. E. N. Herlambang, A. Riyanto, Mumpuni, Richard Shine, D. Natusch","doi":"10.1071/zo23030","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1071/zo23030","url":null,"abstract":"Large (>3 m) slender-bodied rat snakes are abundant in agroecosystems of southern Asia and are heavily exploited for their skins and meat. We examined 216 specimens killed at commercial facilities in Cirebon, West Java, to quantify morphological and reproductive traits and evaluate harvest sustainability by comparing this sample to one taken 25 years previously. The snakes we examined were mostly adults, and mostly male. Females were less heavy-bodied than males of the same body length, matured at a larger size than males, but attained smaller maximum sizes. Reproduction and energy (fatbody) storage was seasonal in both sexes, with females containing oviductal eggs primarily during the annual wet season. Clutch size averaged 12.6 eggs and increased with maternal body size. Comparison of the two samples taken 25 years apart revealed strong similarity in sex ratio, the numerical preponderance of adults, body sizes at sexual maturation and mean adult body sizes, sexual dimorphism in body length and mass, reproductive seasonality in females, mean fecundity, and the relationship between fecundity and maternal body size. That consistency suggests that commercial harvesting over the intervening period has not affected the biological traits of rat snake populations, consistent with a sustainable level of offtake.","PeriodicalId":55420,"journal":{"name":"Australian Journal of Zoology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2024-05-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141016380","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

Koala admissions to a wildlife hospital in coastal New South Wales, Australia, over a nine-year period, 2014–2022 澳大利亚新南威尔士州沿海野生动物医院在 2014-2022 年九年期间收治考拉的情况

IF 0.8 4区生物学

Australian Journal of Zoology Pub Date : 2024-04-23 DOI: 10.1071/zo23023

Kate J. Dutton-Regester

{"title":"Koala admissions to a wildlife hospital in coastal New South Wales, Australia, over a nine-year period, 2014–2022","authors":"Kate J. Dutton-Regester","doi":"10.1071/zo23023","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1071/zo23023","url":null,"abstract":"The koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) population in Australia has been subjected to numerous threats leading to a significant decline in their numbers. The Port Macquarie region serves as a vital habitat for these iconic marsupials. Analysing records of 1227 koalas admitted to the Port Macquarie Koala Hospital (2014–2022), this study aimed to understand admission causes, temporal trends, and risk factors. Anthropogenic activities accounted for almost half (49.7%) of all admissions with ‘dangerous area’ and ‘motor vehicle accident’ (MVA) being common aetiologies. Young koalas were more susceptible to ‘dangerous area’, ‘MVA’, and ‘dog attack’ than other age groups. Koalas admitted for suspected chlamydia were also a significant contributing factor for admissions, and was most common in young koalas. Overall, the majority of koalas were candidates for rehabilitation or release (54.3%), but mature and aged koalas had the highest odds for mortality. This study highlights the ongoing impact of anthropogenic activities on koalas, emphasises the need for public education and reporting to mitigate risks, and underscores the importance of addressing diseases like chlamydia. These results contribute to our understanding of the factors influencing koala hospital admissions and can inform conservation and management strategies for this iconic Australian species.","PeriodicalId":55420,"journal":{"name":"Australian Journal of Zoology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2024-04-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140669034","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

A southern range extension for Sminthopsis macroura in Western Australia, at Eucla Sminthopsis macroura 在西澳大利亚欧克拉的分布范围向南扩展

IF 0.8 4区生物学

Australian Journal of Zoology Pub Date : 2024-04-19 DOI: 10.1071/zo23045

L. Umbrello, Nathan Beerkens, Joshua Keen, Sylvie Schmidt, R. Teale, K. Travouillon, Michael Westerman, Andrew M. Baker

引用次数: 0

Location has a significant effect on body condition and blood parameters in the eastern longneck turtle (Chelodina longicollis) 地点对东部长颈龟（Chelodina longicollis）的身体状况和血液参数有重要影响

IF 0.8 4区生物学

Australian Journal of Zoology Pub Date : 2024-04-16 DOI: 10.1071/zo23031

T. F. Scheelings

引用次数: 0

The parasites of free-ranging terrestrial wildlife from Australia’s south-west 澳大利亚西南部散养陆生野生动物的寄生虫

IF 0.8 4区生物学

Australian Journal of Zoology Pub Date : 2024-04-09 DOI: 10.1071/zo23048

A. Northover, Stephanie S. Godfrey, A. Lymbery, A. Wayne, S. Keatley, Amanda Ash, Dazlyn Badsha, Siobhon L. Egan, James Barr, R. Thompson

{"title":"The parasites of free-ranging terrestrial wildlife from Australia’s south-west","authors":"A. Northover, Stephanie S. Godfrey, A. Lymbery, A. Wayne, S. Keatley, Amanda Ash, Dazlyn Badsha, Siobhon L. Egan, James Barr, R. Thompson","doi":"10.1071/zo23048","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1071/zo23048","url":null,"abstract":"The conservation management of threatened wildlife increasingly relies upon translocations to augment populations. Translocations, however, pose various risks: from the host perspective these include the spread of parasitic disease, whereas from a broader biodiversity perspective translocation may lead to the loss of rare parasites and other dependent fauna. Although Disease Risk Analyses are recommended during translocation planning, knowledge regarding the parasites infecting threatened species or their pathogenicity is often lacking. Between March 2014 and June 2016, woylies (Bettongia penicillata) and sympatric marsupials were screened for the presence of endo- and ectoparasites, during two fauna translocations in south-western Australia. Here, we summarise the parasite taxa identified from B. penicillata, brush-tailed possums (Trichosurus vulpecula hypoleucus) and chuditch (Dasyurus geoffroii), including prevalence data for host, parasite taxon and site. Results from the opportunistic sampling of other species (Isoodon fusciventer, Phascogale tapoatafa wambenger, Tiliqua rugosa and Felis catus) are also presented. New host–parasite records including Hepatozoon spp. from T. v. hypoleucus, Trypanosoma noyesi from T. rugosa, Ixodes australiensis and Ixodes tasmani from D. geoffroii, and I. australiensis and Amblyomma sp. from a P. t. wambenger were identified. This study highlights the importance of monitoring sympatric species, particularly when compiling baseline data of parasite fauna present within translocation sites and enhances our knowledge of parasites infecting terrestrial wildlife within Australia’s south-west, a Global Biodiversity Hotspot.","PeriodicalId":55420,"journal":{"name":"Australian Journal of Zoology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2024-04-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140724765","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

Lovers in strange places: amphibian calling and amplexus detected in tidal mangrove creeks after rainfall 陌生地方的恋人：降雨后在潮汐红树林小溪中发现的两栖动物的叫声和抱茎现象

IF 0.8 4区生物学

Australian Journal of Zoology Pub Date : 2024-03-28 DOI: 10.1071/zo23042

J. Gould, C. Beranek, Kate Schmahl, Rachael Donelly, Lynne Matthews, A. Callen, Colin McHenry

{"title":"Lovers in strange places: amphibian calling and amplexus detected in tidal mangrove creeks after rainfall","authors":"J. Gould, C. Beranek, Kate Schmahl, Rachael Donelly, Lynne Matthews, A. Callen, Colin McHenry","doi":"10.1071/zo23042","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1071/zo23042","url":null,"abstract":"Temporary freshwater lenses can form in saline environments after rainfall, providing essential resources for species including drinking water and dispersal routes. However, there is limited indication that these lenses can also be used for breeding. Herein, we provide evidence of the green and golden bell frog, Litoria aurea, performing breeding activities, including calling and amplexus, in tidal mangrove creeks on Kooragang Island, NSW, Australia. Our findings suggest that these creeks intermittently phase into a low salinity state after the influx of fresh water from rainfall, forming temporary freshwater lenses that can be exploited before the creeks revert to a saline state. These lenses had salinities (1.4 ppt and 4.5 ppt) within the tolerance limit of L. aurea tadpoles, although we are unsure whether oviposition took place and offspring survival to metamorphosis was achieved. It is possible that anthropogenic disturbances to hydrology on Kooragang Island have benefited L. aurea by restricting tidal influences in mangrove creeks, prolonging the duration of freshwater lenses.","PeriodicalId":55420,"journal":{"name":"Australian Journal of Zoology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2024-03-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140369211","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

Do sulphur-crested cockatoos (Cacatua galerita) call the weather? 硫冠凤头鹦鹉（Cacatua galerita）会呼唤天气吗？

IF 0.8 4区生物学

Australian Journal of Zoology Pub Date : 2024-03-21 DOI: 10.1071/zo23043

Marissa L. Gillies, Culum Brown

{"title":"Do sulphur-crested cockatoos (Cacatua galerita) call the weather?","authors":"Marissa L. Gillies, Culum Brown","doi":"10.1071/zo23043","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1071/zo23043","url":null,"abstract":"Storms can have significant impacts on wildlife and many animals, including birds, can predict a storm’s arrival and change their behaviour accordingly. Storms are often associated with changes in environmental variables, particularly with a fall in barometric pressure. Social animals may collectively detect and advertise the potential onset of inclement weather to facilitate group responses. The present study tested the hypothesis that the sulphur-crested cockatoo uses environmental cues to predict the onset of storms and communicates this to conspecifics by emitting a specific ‘rain call’. Field observations were made over a four-month period at four locations in greater Sydney. Cockatoo calls were recorded, along with multiple environmental variables: barometric pressure, relative humidity, rainfall and temperature. We also noted the time of day relative to sunrise and sunset. We found that rain calls occurred throughout the day but were most prominent at dawn and were far more common at two of the four study sites. Rain calls were more likely to occur at slightly lower temperatures, during periods of high humidity and if it was currently raining. We found no evidence that the calls were prompted by current atmospheric pressure, but the observation period did not contain many storms.","PeriodicalId":55420,"journal":{"name":"Australian Journal of Zoology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2024-03-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140221647","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

Ethyl-Iophenoxic acid as a serum marker for oral baiting of Tasmanian devils 作为塔斯马尼亚袋獾口服诱饵的血清标记物的乙基异苯氧酸

IF 0.8 4区生物学

Australian Journal of Zoology Pub Date : 2024-03-15 DOI: 10.1071/zo23017

Ruth Pye, David S Nichols, Sally A. Nofs, Amy T. Gilbert, A. Flies

{"title":"Ethyl-Iophenoxic acid as a serum marker for oral baiting of Tasmanian devils","authors":"Ruth Pye, David S Nichols, Sally A. Nofs, Amy T. Gilbert, A. Flies","doi":"10.1071/zo23017","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1071/zo23017","url":null,"abstract":"Oral baits containing vaccines, medicants or toxicants have been delivered to a broad range of wildlife species to protect against or treat disease, or suppress populations. Ethyl-Iophenoxic acid (Et-IPA) is used as a biomarker to determine oral bait consumption by wildlife species to assess and refine baiting strategies. Et-IPA is a persistent biomarker in many eutherian mammal species but not in the two marsupial species, swamp wallaby (Wallabia bicolor) and brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula), tested to date. Et-IPA has not previously been evaluated in carnivorous marsupials. The Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii), the largest extant carnivorous marsupial, is threatened by devil facial tumour disease (DFTD). Development of an oral DFTD vaccine bait is underway. In this study, eight devils were fed between 1 mg and 50 mg Et-IPA via oral baits to assess the effectiveness of Et-IPA as a serum biomarker for this species. Using liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry, serum Et-IPA was detected in the devils up to 206 days after ingestion. This study demonstrates the utility of Et-IPA for estimating oral bait consumption by devils, the first carnivorous marsupial species to which this applies.","PeriodicalId":55420,"journal":{"name":"Australian Journal of Zoology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2024-03-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140239662","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0