DOCSLIB.ORG

Report from RACAC to the Australian Museum Trust

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Report from RACAC to the Australian Museum Trust Australian Museum Report from RACAC to the Australian Museum Trust on the implementation of the Science Research Strategy, 2007-2012 for the period: 1July 2007- April 2008 1 Table of Contents Executive Summary……………………………………………………………………………….4 Introduction……………………………………………………………………………………. …...8 Program 1 Addressing knowledge gaps and problems in understanding the biota in Australasian marine environments.……………………………………………………….....10 Program 2 Addressing knowledge gaps and problems in understanding the biota in Australian terrestrial and freshwater environments…………...…………………………..14 Program 3 Increasing our understanding of the genetic variation in key taxa (species) of the Australasian and Indo-Pacific biota………………………………………………………….………17 Program 4 Origin, evolution and biogeography of the biota of the Indo- Pacific and Australasian region. …………………………………………………………………...….21 Program 5 Understanding human impacts on the Australian biota…………………………………………….....24 Program 6 Investigating human cultures and communities over time in the diverse and changing environments of Australia and the Pacific Region………………………………27 Program 7 Linking intangible and tangible heritage……...……………………………………………………....30 Program 8 Investigating extant and extinct faunas and environmental systems in the context of recent geological history to better forecast future changes………………………….......33 Appendixes 1. Research Stocktake – a listing of research areas/projects 2. Research Grants – Funding from July 2007- April 2008 3. Publications – July 2007 to April 2008 2 Abbreviations SF: Senior Fellow RA: Research Associate VCF: Visiting Collections Fellow VRF: Visiting Research Fellow PGA: Postgraduate Award recipient CHSI: Cultural Heritage & Science Initiatives Branch Definitions Taxonomy/ Alpha Taxonomy is the science of finding, describing and categorising organisms, thus giving rise to taxonomic groups or taxa (singular: taxon), which may then be named. Phylogeography is the study of the historical processes that may be responsible for the contemporary geographic distributions of genetic diversity. A geographic information system (GIS) is an information system for capturing, storing, analyzing, managing and presenting data which are spatially referenced. 3 Executive Summary The reporting process was also useful in bridging silos since it brought the researchers’ work This is the first annual report on research together as part of the programs. undertaken at the Australian Museum following the adoption of the Australian Museum's Science Research and Collections Advisory Committee Research Strategy, 2007-2012. The purpose of this Strategy being to set out the priorities for 28th July 2008 research aligned with the Museum's vision, purpose, context, research strengths and capabilities taking into account both state and Key Drivers national priorities. Program 1: Addressing knowledge gaps and The Strategy provides a framework for research, problems in understanding the biota in balancing existing research and collection Australasian marine environments. strengths with emerging issues and priorities. The research undertaken primarily addressed The Strategy recognises the drivers, both internal issues such as documenting biodiversity, invasive and external, which shape and influence the species and other environmental impacts in Museum's research activities; of note, the loss of marine environments. It aligned with both State biodiversity, climate change, the impact of and Commonwealth initiatives designed to invasive species and better outcomes for native achieve an environmentally sustainable country vegetation and fauna, land, rivers and coastal with well managed marine ecosystems. waterways all of which have been identified as Commonwealth Government, international and significant issues both for New South Wales and charitable research funding was awarded to nationally. The depth and scope of the undertake many of the projects. Museum's collections and its specialist research scientists and collection managers place the Species groups studied drew on the specialist Museum in a unique position to make a expertise of the research and collection staff, to significant contribution to these scientific provide an improved understanding of current challenges. Key drivers of each research program species diversity and distributions, and were used are noted in the following section of this to inform marine planning. For example, summary. amphipods, which are noted for their diverse ecological roles and as indicators of This report was considered by the Research and biogeographic and environmental change, were a Collections Advisory Committee (RACAC) at a key group investigated. Similarly, research on its meeting on 20 May, 2008 which was preceded larval fish dispersal increases our understanding by a meeting with senior research and collection of the spatial scale at which marine populations staff who had coordinated the preparation of this operate, and is fundamental to management of report. RACAC commends this report to the them both for fishery purposes, and also for the Australian Museum Trust noting that while the design and operation of marine protected areas. implementation of this Strategy and reporting on its implementation are evolutionary processes, Many of these projects involve national and the report highlights good progress in meeting international collaborations to develop the goals of the Research Strategy. Research interdisciplinary teams. Some of the studies have activities and outcomes are aligned with been collection-based, using existing collection government priorities and projects undertaken data and also further building the collections. generally address well the external and internal drivers identified in the Strategic Plan. RACAC is pleased with the productivity of the researchers. 4 Museum facilities which have been integral to morphologists, ecologists, geneticists and research in this program include Lizard Island information technologists and utilize key AM Research Station, and the DNA and Scanning research infrastructure (e.g., bioinformatics, Electron Microscope laboratories. geographic information system (GIS), scanning electron microscope (SEM), DNA lab). Program 2: Addressing knowledge gaps and problems in understanding the biota in Program 3: Increasing our understanding of the Australian terrestrial and freshwater genetic variation in key taxa (species) of the environments. Australasian and Indo-Pacific biota. It is not possible to measure human impact on The research undertaken involved collaborations biodiversity, or understand the significance of with external researchers and institutions, this loss unless there is knowledge of what species nationally and internationally. As genetic research are present in the NSW and Australian is expensive, it has largely been funded by environments, and what their relationships are to external funding sources. each other. Taxonomic and systematic research in this program has provided keystone information Research addressed significant New South Wales required to identify, manage and ameliorate loss issues such as the loss of biodiversity and the early of biodiversity. identification of invasive species, and the National Research Priorities ‘An environmentally This program has also used taxonomic sustainable Australia’ and ‘Safeguarding Australia’. knowledge, collection-based distributional data and community/species-specific ecological and The Museum contributed to building genetic data to assist land managers and policy international resources by joining the makers in making informed conservation and ‘International Barcode of Life’ project that aims management decisions, at both a landscape, and to systematize genetic identifications by on a species-specific scale. collecting sequence information from the same gene in all animals. This research also provides the rigorous and relevant framework required to identify potential Genetic approaches to monitoring biodiversity and detect actual invasive species, as well as and assisting resource-use planning for providing baseline data enabling the ongoing biodiversity conservation have focussed on impact of climate change to be monitored, Australian taxa. Studies have drawn on the modelled and predicted. Museum’s expertise in particular species groups to investigate how genetics can aid the This program is thus contributing to the conservation of endangered species, to provide achievement of a key goal of the NSW baseline information on natural geographic Government (as identified in the State Plan boundaries to monitor changes in species ‘Better environmental outcomes’) as well as a distribution caused by climate change. National Research Priorities for ‘An environmentally sustainable Australia’ and Genetic research by its nature has a strong ‘Safeguarding Australia’. collection focus and can be used to enhance the value of the museum’s collections for Most of the research in Program 2 involves understanding and solving emerging issues. collaboration between Museum staff and external Problems related to individual species or whole (often international) researchers and/or ecosystems have been addressed in this year’s institutions and is largely funded from external research, generally by bringing interdisciplinary sources. teams together including morphologists and geneticists. Most projects are collection/specimen based, bring together interdisciplinary teams including 5 The research for this program is mostly Research activities in this program
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Identification of the Molecular Changes Underlying Head Morphology Variation in Closely Related Drosophila Species
    Identification of the molecular changes underlying head morphology variation in closely related Drosophila species Dissertation For the award of the degree Doctor rerum naturalium (Dr. rer. nat.) Division of Mathematics and Natural Sciences of the Georg-August-Universität Göttingen within the doctoral program Genes and Development of the Georg-August University School of Science (GAUSS) submitted by Montserrat Torres Oliva from Barcelona (Spain) Göttingen, March 2016 Thesis Committee: Dr. Nico Posnien (1st Reviewer, advisor) Department of Developmental Biology, Johann-Friedrich-Blumenbach-Institute of Zoology and Anthropology, Georg-August-University Göttingen Prof. Dr. Martin Göpfert (2nd Reviewer) Department of Cellular Neurobiology, Schwann-Schleiden Research Centre, Georg- August-University Göttingen Prof. Dr. Tim Beiβbarth Department of Medical Statistics, University Medical Center Göttingen Further members of the Examination Board: Prof. Dr. Gregor Bucher Department of Evolutionary Developmental Genetics, Johann-Friedrich-Blumenbach- Institute of Zoology and Anthropology, Georg-August-University Göttingen Prof. Dr. Daniel Jackson Courant Research Centre Geobiology, Georg-August-University of Göttingen PD Dr. Halyna Shcherbata Research Group Gene Expression and Signaling, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry Date of oral examination: 23rd May 2016 ii Declaration Herewith I declare, that I prepared the Dissertation “Identification of the molecular changes underlying head morphology variation in closely related Drosophila species” on my own and with no other sources and aids than quoted. __________________________ Göttingen, 31.03.2016 Montserrat Torres Oliva iii iv I want to dedicate this work to my friend Orla Lawlor v Acknowledgements I would like to take this chance to thank all the people who, in some way or another, I feel have contributed and helped me complete this thesis.
    [Show full text]
  • Disaggregation of Bird Families Listed on Cms Appendix Ii
    Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals 2nd Meeting of the Sessional Committee of the CMS Scientific Council (ScC-SC2) Bonn, Germany, 10 – 14 July 2017 UNEP/CMS/ScC-SC2/Inf.3 DISAGGREGATION OF BIRD FAMILIES LISTED ON CMS APPENDIX II (Prepared by the Appointed Councillors for Birds) Summary: The first meeting of the Sessional Committee of the Scientific Council identified the adoption of a new standard reference for avian taxonomy as an opportunity to disaggregate the higher-level taxa listed on Appendix II and to identify those that are considered to be migratory species and that have an unfavourable conservation status. The current paper presents an initial analysis of the higher-level disaggregation using the Handbook of the Birds of the World/BirdLife International Illustrated Checklist of the Birds of the World Volumes 1 and 2 taxonomy, and identifies the challenges in completing the analysis to identify all of the migratory species and the corresponding Range States. The document has been prepared by the COP Appointed Scientific Councilors for Birds. This is a supplementary paper to COP document UNEP/CMS/COP12/Doc.25.3 on Taxonomy and Nomenclature UNEP/CMS/ScC-Sc2/Inf.3 DISAGGREGATION OF BIRD FAMILIES LISTED ON CMS APPENDIX II 1. Through Resolution 11.19, the Conference of Parties adopted as the standard reference for bird taxonomy and nomenclature for Non-Passerine species the Handbook of the Birds of the World/BirdLife International Illustrated Checklist of the Birds of the World, Volume 1: Non-Passerines, by Josep del Hoyo and Nigel J. Collar (2014); 2.
    [Show full text]
  • Grey Range Thick-Billed Grasswren Brochure
    How to find a Grey Range Thick-billed Grasswren BirdLife Australia 1. Look for a patch of relatively healthy Black Bluebush Identifying Grey Range acknowledges the Traditional shrubland. Owners of the Country on 2. Watch from 10 to 30m away, observe shrubs and look for Thick-billed Grasswren which we live and work, and we bird movement - using binoculars is ideal. pay our respects to their Elders 3. Look at the birds’ appearance and behaviour (see inside) past, present and emerging. and compare with similar looking species. We recognise and are grateful Be patient. If you are lucky, the bird might land on a clear 4. for the immense contribution perch. However, please don’t chase or harass the bird. of Indigenous people to the When trying to find birds it is important to respect the rights knowledge and conservation of of all landowners and always ask for permission before entering private property. Australia’s birds. Australia’s voice for birds since 1901 What to record BirdLife Australia is dedicated to achieving 1. Take a photo of the habitat and of the bird, if possible, outstanding conservation results for our native although this is usually very difficult! birds and their habitats. With our specialised 2. An accurate location of where you found the bird using a knowledge and the commitment of an Australia GPS, phone or another device, or even a detailed map that wide network of volunteers and supporters, includes proximity to roads and landmarks. This is the most we are standing together to stop extinctions. important step! 3.
    [Show full text]
  • Selection for Imperfection: a Review of Asymmetric Genitalia 2 in Araneomorph Spiders (Araneae: Araneomorphae)
    bioRxiv preprint doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/704692; this version posted July 16, 2019. The copyright holder for this preprint (which was not certified by peer review) is the author/funder, who has granted bioRxiv a license to display the preprint in perpetuity. It is made available under aCC-BY 4.0 International license. 1 Selection for imperfection: A review of asymmetric genitalia 2 in araneomorph spiders (Araneae: Araneomorphae). 3 4 5 6 F. ANDRES RIVERA-QUIROZ*1, 3, MENNO SCHILTHUIZEN2, 3, BOOPA 7 PETCHARAD4 and JEREMY A. MILLER1 8 1 Department Biodiversity Discovery group, Naturalis Biodiversity Center, 9 Darwinweg 2, 2333CR Leiden, The Netherlands 10 2 Endless Forms Group, Naturalis Biodiversity Center, Darwinweg 2, 2333CR Leiden, 11 The Netherlands 12 3 Institute for Biology Leiden (IBL), Leiden University, Sylviusweg 72, 2333BE 13 Leiden, The Netherlands. 14 4 Faculty of Science and Technology, Thammasat University, Rangsit, Pathum Thani, 15 12121 Thailand. 16 17 18 19 Running Title: Asymmetric genitalia in spiders 20 21 *Corresponding author 22 E-mail: [email protected] (AR) 23 bioRxiv preprint doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/704692; this version posted July 16, 2019. The copyright holder for this preprint (which was not certified by peer review) is the author/funder, who has granted bioRxiv a license to display the preprint in perpetuity. It is made available under aCC-BY 4.0 International license. 24 Abstract 25 26 Bilateral asymmetry in the genitalia is a rare but widely dispersed phenomenon in the 27 animal tree of life. In arthropods, occurrences vary greatly from one group to another 28 and there seems to be no common explanation for all the independent origins.
    [Show full text]
  • Caracterização Proteometabolômica Dos Componentes Da Teia Da Aranha Nephila Clavipes Utilizados Na Estratégia De Captura De Presas
    UNIVERSIDADE ESTADUAL PAULISTA “JÚLIO DE MESQUITA FILHO” INSTITUTO DE BIOCIÊNCIAS – RIO CLARO PROGRAMA DE PÓS-GRADUAÇÃO EM CIÊNCIAS BIOLÓGICAS BIOLOGIA CELULAR E MOLECULAR Caracterização proteometabolômica dos componentes da teia da aranha Nephila clavipes utilizados na estratégia de captura de presas Franciele Grego Esteves Dissertação apresentada ao Instituto de Biociências do Câmpus de Rio . Claro, Universidade Estadual Paulista, como parte dos requisitos para obtenção do título de Mestre em Biologia Celular e Molecular. Rio Claro São Paulo - Brasil Março/2017 FRANCIELE GREGO ESTEVES CARACTERIZAÇÃO PROTEOMETABOLÔMICA DOS COMPONENTES DA TEIA DA ARANHA Nephila clavipes UTILIZADOS NA ESTRATÉGIA DE CAPTURA DE PRESA Orientador: Prof. Dr. Mario Sergio Palma Co-Orientador: Dr. José Roberto Aparecido dos Santos-Pinto Dissertação apresentada ao Instituto de Biociências da Universidade Estadual Paulista “Júlio de Mesquita Filho” - Campus de Rio Claro-SP, como parte dos requisitos para obtenção do título de Mestre em Biologia Celular e Molecular. Rio Claro 2017 595.44 Esteves, Franciele Grego E79c Caracterização proteometabolômica dos componentes da teia da aranha Nephila clavipes utilizados na estratégia de captura de presas / Franciele Grego Esteves. - Rio Claro, 2017 221 f. : il., figs., gráfs., tabs., fots. Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual Paulista, Instituto de Biociências de Rio Claro Orientador: Mario Sergio Palma Coorientador: José Roberto Aparecido dos Santos-Pinto 1. Aracnídeo. 2. Seda de aranha. 3. Glândulas de seda. 4. Toxinas. 5. Abordagem proteômica shotgun. 6. Abordagem metabolômica. I. Título. Ficha Catalográfica elaborada pela STATI - Biblioteca da UNESP Campus de Rio Claro/SP Dedico esse trabalho à minha família e aos meus amigos. Agradecimentos AGRADECIMENTOS Agradeço a Deus primeiramente por me fortalecer no dia a dia, por me capacitar a enfrentar os obstáculos e momentos difíceis da vida.
    [Show full text]
  • 1 © Australian Museum. This Material May Not Be Reproduced, Distributed
    AMS564/002 – Scott sister’s second notebook, 1840-1862 © Australian Museum. This material may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used without permission from the Australian Museum. Text was transcribed by volunteers at the Biodiversity Volunteer Portal, a collaboration between the Australian Museum and the Atlas of Living Australia This is a formatted version of the transcript file from the second Scott Sisters’ notebook Page numbers in this document do not correspond to the notebook page numbers. The notebook was started from both ends at different times, so the transcript pages have been shuffled into approximately date order. Text in square brackets may indicate the following: - Misspellings, with the correct spelling in square brackets preceded by an asterisk rendersveu*[rendezvous] - Tags for types of content [newspaper cutting] - Spelled out abbreviations or short form words F[ield[. Nat[uralists] 1 AMS564/002 – Scott sister’s second notebook, 1840-1862 [Front cover] nulie(?) [start of page 130] [Scott Sisters’ page 169] Note Book No 2 Continued from first notebook No. 253. Larva (Noctua /Bombyx Festiva , Don n 2) found on the Crinum - 16 April 1840. Length 2 1/2 Incs. Ground color ^ very light blue, with numerous dark longitudinal stripes. 3 bright yellow bands, one on each side and one down the middle back - Head lightish red - a black velvet band, transverse, on the segment behind the front legs - but broken by the yellows This larva had a very offensive smell, and its habits were disgusting - living in the stem or in the thick part of the leaves near it, in considerable numbers, & surrounded by their accumulated filth - so that any touch of the Larva would soil the fingers.- It chiefly eat the thicker & juicier parts of the Crinum - On the 17 April made a very slight nest, underground, & some amongst the filth & leaves, by forming a cavity with agglutinated earth - This larva is showy - Drawing of exact size & appearance.
    [Show full text]
  • Have You Seen This Bird? We Need Sightings of the Grey Range Thick-Billed Grasswren
    Have you seen this bird? We need sightings of the Grey Range Thick-billed Grasswren Long brown tail often held erect and still Stout bill Head coarsely streaked white Fawn brown underparts with fainter streaking on the breast Dull brown back and wings Sturdy, dark grey legs Size comparison Measurements are from the tip of the beak to the tip of the tail. Australian Magpie Crested Pigeon Singing Honeyeater Thick-billed Grasswren Rufous Fieldwren Fairy-wren 38-44cm 30-34cm 18-22cm 15-20cm 13cm 11.5-13cm Introduction How to find a Grey Range Thick-billed The Grey Range Thick-billed Grasswren is a subspecies of Grasswren Thick-billed Grasswren that only occurs in Far Northwest NSW. 1. Look for a patch of relatively healthy Black Bluebush shrubland. Scientific name: Indicative Amytornis modestus obscurior distribution Watch from 10 to 30m away, observe shrubs and of Grey Range 2. Size: 15 – 20 cm (tip of beak to tip of tail.) Thick-billed look for bird movement - using binoculars is ideal. Grasswren Population: <50 3. Look at the birds’ appearance and behaviour (see Status: Critically Endangered below) and compare with similar looking species. 4. Be patient. If you are lucky, the bird might land Habitat on a clear perch. However, please don’t chase or Grey Range Thick-billed Grasswren live in Black Bluebush harass the bird. Maireana pyramidata shrublands preferring areas where the shrubs are tallest and thickest. They may also be When trying to find birds it is important to respect found in Cottonbush Maireana aphylla. the rights of all landowners and always ask for permission before entering private property.
    [Show full text]
  • Amytornis Modestus Inexpectuatus Thick Billed Grasswren
    NSW Threatened Species Scientific Committee Publication date: 15/05/2020 -14/08/2020 Notice of and reason for the Final Determination The NSW Threatened Species Scientific Committee, established under the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 (the Act), has made a Final Determination to list Amytornis modestus inexpectatus (Matthews, 1912), Thick-billed Grasswren, as an EXTINCT SPECIES in Part 1 of Schedule 3 of the Act and, as a consequence, to omit reference to Amytornis modestus inexpectatus as an Critically Endangered species in Part 4 of Schedule 1 of the Act. Listing of Species Presumed Extinct is provided for by Part 4 of the Act. Summary of Conservation Assessment Amytornis modestus inexpectatus is eligible to be listed as an Extinct species. The NSW Threatened Species Scientific Committee has found that: 1. Amytornis modestus inexpectatus (Matthews, 1912) (Thick-billed Grasswren) (Maluridae), is currently listed as a Critically Endangered species in the Act. 2. Amytornis modestus (North, 1902) (Thick-billed Grasswren) is one of 11 presently recognised species within the purely continental Australian genus Amytornis (Black 2016). Until recently the species A. textilis was recognised across Australia, however since 2010 the eastern and western populations have been placed in A. m. modestus (Thick-billed Grasswren) and Amytornis textilis (Western Grasswren), respectively (Christidis et al. 2010). A recent taxonomic assessment identified seven subspecies of A. modestus (Black 2011, 2016; Austin et al. 2013): five subspecies are extant - A. m. cowarie (South Australia [SA]), A. m. curnamona (SA); A. m. indulkanna (SA, Northern Territory [NT]); A. m. obscurior (NSW, far south Queensland [Qld]); and A. m.
    [Show full text]
  • Australia South Australian Outback 8Th June to 23Rd June 2021 (13 Days)
    Australia South Australian Outback 8th June to 23rd June 2021 (13 days) Splendid Fairywren by Dennis Braddy RBL South Australian Outback Itinerary 2 Nowhere is Australia’s vast Outback country more varied, prolific and accessible than in the south of the country. Beginning and ending in Adelaide, we’ll traverse the region’s superb network of national parks and reserves before venturing along the remote, endemic-rich and legendary Strzelecki and Birdsville Tracks in search of a wealth of Australia’s most spectacular, specialised and enigmatic endemics such as Grey and Black Falcons, Letter-winged Kite, Black-breasted Buzzard, Chestnut- breasted and Banded Whiteface, Gibberbird, Yellow, Crimson and Orange Chats, Inland Dotterel, Flock Bronzewing, spectacular Scarlet-chested and Regent Parrots, Copperback and Cinnamon Quail- thrushes, Banded Stilt, White-browed Treecreeper, Red-lored and Gilbert’s Whistlers, an incredible array of range-restricted Grasswrens, the rare and nomadic Black and Pied Honeyeaters, Black-eared Cuckoo and the incredible Major Mitchell’s Cockatoo. THE TOUR AT A GLANCE… THE SOUTH AUTRALIAN OUTBACK ITINERARY Day 1 Arrival in Adelaide Day 2 Adelaide to Berri Days 3 & 4 Glue Pot Reserve and Calperum Station Day 5 Berri to Wilpena Pound and Flinders Ranges National Park Day 6 Wilpena Pound to Lyndhurst Day 7 Strzelecki Track Day 8 Lyndhurst to Mungerranie via Marree and Birdsville Track Day 9 Mungerranie and Birdsville Track area Day 10 Mungerranie to Port Augusta Day 11 Port Augusta area Day 12 Port Augusta to Adelaide Day 13 Adelaide and depart RBL South Australian Outback Itinerary 3 TOUR MAP… RBL South Australian Outback Itinerary 4 THE TOUR IN DETAIL… Day 1.
    [Show full text]
  • Terrestrial Arthropod Surveys on Pagan Island, Northern Marianas
    Terrestrial Arthropod Surveys on Pagan Island, Northern Marianas Neal L. Evenhuis, Lucius G. Eldredge, Keith T. Arakaki, Darcy Oishi, Janis N. Garcia & William P. Haines Pacific Biological Survey, Bishop Museum, Honolulu, Hawaii 96817 Final Report November 2010 Prepared for: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Pacific Islands Fish & Wildlife Office Honolulu, Hawaii Evenhuis et al. — Pagan Island Arthropod Survey 2 BISHOP MUSEUM The State Museum of Natural and Cultural History 1525 Bernice Street Honolulu, Hawai’i 96817–2704, USA Copyright© 2010 Bishop Museum All Rights Reserved Printed in the United States of America Contribution No. 2010-015 to the Pacific Biological Survey Evenhuis et al. — Pagan Island Arthropod Survey 3 TABLE OF CONTENTS Executive Summary ......................................................................................................... 5 Background ..................................................................................................................... 7 General History .............................................................................................................. 10 Previous Expeditions to Pagan Surveying Terrestrial Arthropods ................................ 12 Current Survey and List of Collecting Sites .................................................................. 18 Sampling Methods ......................................................................................................... 25 Survey Results ..............................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Four New Species of Ciulfina Giglio-Tos, 1915 (Mantodea: Liturgusidae, Liturgusinae) from the Northern Territory, Australia
    Zootaxa 3797 (1): 029–038 ISSN 1175-5326 (print edition) www.mapress.com/zootaxa/ Article ZOOTAXA Copyright © 2014 Magnolia Press ISSN 1175-5334 (online edition) http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3797.1.6 http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:9A650252-080A-4A5B-875B-3689DE5EAEB1 Four new species of Ciulfina Giglio-Tos, 1915 (Mantodea: Liturgusidae, Liturgusinae) from the Northern Territory, Australia GREGORY I. HOLWELL School of Biological Sciences, The University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland, 1142, New Zealand. E-mail: [email protected]. Abstract The praying mantid genus Ciulfina Giglio-Tos includes many small, gracile tree-trunk dwelling species found throughout northern Australia. Four new species of Ciulfina: C. annecharlotteae, C. herbersteinae, C. ianrichardi, and C. terrymariceae are formally described on the basis of male genital morphology. Key words: Mantodea, Liturgusidae, Ciulfina, praying mantis Introduction The genus Ciulfina Giglio-Tos 1915 (Mantodea: Liturgusidae) includes five described species from Australia: Ciulfina biseriata Westwood 1889, Ciulfina liturgusa Giglio-Tos 1915, Ciulfina baldersoni Holwell, Ginn & Herberstein 2007, Ciulfina klassi Holwell, Ginn & Herberstein 2007 and Ciulfina rentzi Holwell, Ginn & Herberstein 2007. External morphology is highly conservative in members of this genus. Whereas females are indistinguishable based on genitalia (Holwell et al. 2007), male genital structures are complex and highly species- specific. Balderson (1978) made extensive observation on genital variation within this genus and suggested that more than 17 species might exist. The historical taxonomic literature for Ciulfina is confusing and is discussed in detail in Holwell et al. (2007a). Of particular note is the uncertain taxonomic status of C.
    [Show full text]
  • ATG Spring 2016 Newsletter
    ARMIDALE TREE GROUP NEWSLETTER Number 107 Spring Edition October 2016 Planting Guides for Armidale Butterflies and Skippers by David Britton Editor: Kerry Steller The Armidale Tree Group 80 Mann St, Armidale, 2350 Phone 67711620 www.armidaletreegroup.org Cover Photo: Yellow Admiral Butterfly, Vanessa itea, drinking nectar from a Golden Everlasting or Paper Daisy in an Armidale garden (Photo: Kate Boyd) Editors note: 2016 Spring Edition Dear ATG Members and Friends Welcome to our 2016 Spring edition of the ATG Newsletter. It is a very busy Spring Season with so much happening to inform and entertain you. Keep abreast of what is on offer and join in when you can. Also consider our need for enthusiastic people on our great ATG committee at our AGM on 2nd November! What can talents you share with us? Kerry Steller (editor) Our feature article this season on Butterflies and Skippers was written by David Britton in 2002 and David has kindly updated this for us. Dr David Britton worked for UNE, leaving some years ago to be the collection manager of entomology at the Australian Museum in Sydney and now lives with tropical butterflies in Cairns. This article was written while David was living in Armidale. David’s article includes known food plants for many species. If you have identified butterflies or caterpillars feeding on other plant species we would be interested to know. For example, Peter Metcalfe says that while the caterpillars of Orchard Swallowtails usually eat leaves of citrus trees, Correas are in the same family as citrus and could be hosts for these lovely big butterflies, however David has seen the eggs laid but has not seen the larvae survive past the third moult.
    [Show full text]