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UNSURPASSED QUALITY AND ACCURACY Front 3 JU L 1998

o you worry about being Fo'J· less threatening rea 111g you can wiped out by a giant 100- explore the mysterious life of lyrebirds. m tre-high wave as you These birds are extremely secretive and troll down the city streets? it's a feat just to catch a glimp e of them, When a thunderstom1 hit your neighbour­ let alone Ludy their behaviour. Or why hood do you quake in fear that a tornado not delve into the life of Tusked Frogs and could be about to twist your life apart? o? find out why they have been endowed with Well maybe you should con icier it, becau e tusks like those of an elephant or walrus? both these clisa ters are a possibility iI you Studying the survival techniques of tiny live in Ausb·alia. blossom-bats ha led Fritz Gei er to ques­ Jn this issue's View From the Fourth tion the long-held belief that the ability to Dimension, Michael Archer presents us maintain a near-constant body tempera­ with the possibility that 'tidal waves' or ture (homeothermy) is a general mam­ tsunamis may be regular visitors to the malian characteristic. Discover why in hi Australian coastJine and at any moment we article "Cool Bats". And Mark Eldridge could all be clumped by the mother of all raises the issue that all may not be well on waves. Feeling afer because you live far­ our offshore islands. As animals become ther inland than us crazy coastal dwellers? extinct on the mainland, many scientists Well think again, because we are all much have pinned the hope of an entire more likely to experience the ferocity of a species' survival on tiny offshore island tornado. These devastating twisting populations. But are these animals up to columns of air belong to the same family of weather phenomena the task? Find out in 'Trouble in Paradi e". that include the gentle gusts of wind that swirl papers around a In our regular features we take a light-hea1iecllook at the mis­ school playground or car park, and iliey are much more com­ named Little Wattlebircl, discover how our rainforest b·ees got mon in Australia than we would all like to think. They can al o their names, meet the rare Carpentarian Rock-rat, and highlight occur just about anywhere, from our densely populated city sub­ the greed that is destroying our beautiful lnclo-Pacific coral urbs to the middle of the outback. In 'Twisting the ight Away" reefs. All this, plus your free poster is the tiny Common Geoff Mc amara gives you the run-clown on tornadoes in Blossom-bat. Happy reading. Australia. -Jennifer Saunders

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NATURE AUSTRALIA WINTER 1998 1 TWISTING THE NIGHT Articles AWAY A storm cloud has the Potential to evolve into a whirling vortex of destruction, sucking up VOLUME 26 NUMBER 1 WINTER 1998 everything in its Path ...i f the Published by conditions are right! Geoff Museum Trust The Australian McNamara gives an exciting 6 College treet, explanation of tornadoes in Sydney, NSW 2000. Australia. Phone: (02) 9320 6000 Fax: (02) 9320 6073 BY GEOFF McNAMARA Internet:jenn [email protected] u 42 Web: http://www.austmus.gov.a Trust President: Malcolm Long . Museum Director: Desmond Griffin MANAGI G EDITOR Jennifer Saunders, B.Sc. CIE TIFIC EDITOR Georgina Hickey, B.Sc. PHOTO & EDITORIAL RESEARCHER Kate Lowe TROUBLE IN PARADISE? secure from AND PRODUCTION Being safe and DESIGN an island may not Watch This! Design predators on save a species from the enemy PRINTING within. Excel Printing BY MARK ELDRJDGE ADVERTISI G AND MARKETI G 24 Phone: (02) 9320 6178 SUBSCRIPTIO S TUSKED FROGS Phone: (02) 9320 6119 It would be a serious error to Toll-free (1800) 028 558 Fax: (02) 9320 6073 underestimate your opponent if you were a male Tusked Frog. Annual subscription (4 issues) Those tusks aren't there for Within Australia $A33 Other countries $A45 decoration! Two-year subscription (8 issues) Within Australia $A63 Other countries $A83 BY GEORDIE TORR Three-year subscription (12 issues) 50 Within Australia $A89 Other countries $Al16

ew subscriptions can be made by credit card on the NATUREAUSTRALIA toll-free hotline (1800) 028 558 or use the form in this magazine. If it has been removed, send cheque, money order or credit card authorisation to the address above, made payable to the 'Australian Museum' in Australian currency. All material appearing in NATUREAUSTRALIA is copynght. Reproduction in part or whole is not permitted without written authorisation from the Editor. NATUREAUSTRALIA welcomes articles on the natural LYREBIRDS: VEILED IN and cultural heritage of the Australian Region. Opinions SECRECY expressed by the authors are their own and do not Lyrebirds are master mimics necessarily represent the policies or views of the and copy any sound they hear. Australian Museum. NATUREAUSTRALIA is printed Right? Wrong, as Sydney on archival quality paper suitable for library collections. Curtis found out after Published 1998 ISSN-1324--2598 eaves­ COOL BATS dropping on Albert's Blossom-bats avoid an energy Lyrebirds. NATURE AUSTRALIA (as ANH) crisis by 'chilling out'. is proud winner of the 1987, '88, '89, BY SYDNEY CURTIS BY FRJTZ GEISER '90 , '91, '92 & '93 Whitley Awards for Best Periodical, and the 1988 & '90 32 56 Australian Heritage Awards.

Front Cover Now only found on four offshore islands the Burrowing Betto�g (Bettongia lesueur) became extinct throughout central and western Australia in the 1940s. Photo by Jiri Lochman/Lochman Transparencies. 2 98 NATURE AUSTRALIA WINTER 19 VIEWSFROM THEFO URTDIMENSIH ON Monkey Mates Foil Foe; Plant's THE ONE-IN-600-YEAR Pocket Predators; Turtles with WAVE a One-track Mind; Leafeating 'Tidal waves' or tsunamis are Frog; The Neanderthal's Nose· the stuff of movies and night­ What's Good about Garlic mares. Yet research in Breath?; WhyE mperors Australia has shown them to Hu1dle; Poison Pairs; Quick have been more common here Quiz. than we'd lihe to think. 8 BY MICHAEL ARCHER 70 REVIEWS THE LAST WORD Fairywrens and Grasswrens· RAPING THE REEFS AND N�ture Sounds of Australia,'. REAPING THE PROFITS Wznd?ws on Meteorology; A Next time you see a Napoleon Practical Guide to Soil Lichens Wrasse in a restaurant tank and Bryophytes of Australia's think about the species that died Dry Country; Life: an to get it there. U�authorised Biography; Wisdom from the Earth· Regulargeatures BY MICHAEL AW Ripples_ on a Cosmic Se�; John ST 80 G uld in Australia; Australian THE BACKYARD NATURALI ? WE CALL THIS Birds; Finding Birds in WATTLE tralia's Northern Territory. CLAYTONSBIRD? Columns �2. The little Wattlebird has been thrice denied, for it has neither beauty, nor song, nor, in fact, wattles. So what should it be called? BY STEVEVAN DYCK 18

LETTERS SOCIETY PAGE UnderstandingMagpies; Interested in nature but not Aboriginal Isolation?; More on sure what to do or where to go? Wombats and Hanson; Elusive Nature Australia's Society Page WIL D FOOD S Hyphens; Carnivorous is a great place to start. STRANGE NAMES IN Herbivores; Wrasse Report; DARK FORESTS Aboriginies and Ticks. 74 Australia's pioneer timbermen 4 have leftus with a rich legacy of THE GUIDE evocative names for our Nature Australia's market RARE & ENDA NGERED rainforest trees. place. CARPENTARIAN BY TIM LOW 76 ROCK-RAT A survey of the rugged 22 hinterland of the Gulf of PHOTO A RT Q&A Car�entaria revealed a new WOODWORK Bird-ofparadise Flies; Red sp�cz�s of rock-rat, tenaciously Take a moment to look more Heads; Wattle Tick Scale; Pie clinging to just a few limited closely at the rich textures of Teaser. Patches of suitable habitat. bark. 78 BY COLIN TRAINOR BY JOE SHEMESH 20 64

NATURE STRIPS Careful, She Might See You; Disease Fit for a King; Seals Boom, Ecosystems Bust; Neolithic Neurosurgery; N02 Smoliing; Egg-dumping Bugs; 3 ATN UR E A USTRALIA WINTER 1998 paragraphs where lhe clanger of reslricling migration, as LETTERS aclvocaled by a number of The forum for readers to politicians and academics as air their views about their well as Pauline Hanson could be a lhreal lo our long'. concerns, past articles and lerm survival. J interesting personal events. One connolalion that could be. dr�wn from Archer's art,_cle ,s that, as_ a result of their long-term isolation and small numbers, the Au. Lralian Aborigines must have been in a parlous state at the Understanding would only aggravate the clu ion that the male Magpie time Europeans arrived. Magpies Magpie. I recall thinking that is not overly serious about Indeed the Tasmanian Abor­ Thankyou for an excellent I was the one who was the attack but is merely igines must have been close magazine. I particularly en­ aggravated. 'showing off' to his mate. to, if not at, the point of no joyed the pring 1997 issue However a an adult living I hope my experience may return as a people. containing ick Cilento's in outh Ausb·alia, I have be of help to others who, Perhaps Archer could en­ article and study of the changed my behaviour. I deep down, also love these lighten us on what effect much-maligned Ausb·alian have discovered that, on rather perverse Australian 40,000 years of isolation had Magpie. turning and facing the on­ creature . on the original Australians My own experience as a coming Magpie, it will -Stephen Dose and their prospects if there child living in the hills near always abort its attack before Redwood Park, SA had not been an influx of Perth (Lesmurdie, Western making contact. Another "biological and cultural Ausb·alia) wa of being ab­ approach is to have your pet Aboriginal change" brought about by solutely scared witless by Dog with you. In this case, I Isolation? European settlement. thi bombing behaviour, and have been ignored by the I was interested in the -Don Moran I would swing a great stick Magpie and my Dog has article by Michael Archer, Tea Gardens, NSW above my head and throw become the target, who ''Worries about Withering rock at the reb·eating bird. eems to think it is all a bit of Wombats", in the Spring More on Wombats One dear old chap who a game. 1997 issue of Nature Aus­ and Hanson witnessed this behaviour This would seem to be tralia. I was particularly I was astonished when sagely advised me that I consistent with Cilento's con- drawn to the last two Michael Archer, in the Spring 1997 issue, trans­ muted a Hairy-nosed Wom­ bat into Pauline Hanson! The need for genetic diversity i well known, and Archer points out the clanger of inbreeding, quoting the Amish of Pennsylvania. ot all additions to a genetic pool are necessarily advantag· eous, and in AustraEa the 'bad' gene for Thalassaemia (faulty red blood cells) has been inb·oduced from the Eastern Mediterranean. , Au b·alia already has a I very diverse genetic pool. l The biggest conb·ibution i from the English, but that , has a wide base-Roman olcliers, Viking invaders, French ormans, religious refugees from the Continent, and so forth. The next 1 large t contribution would be Celtic from Irish immigrants. There were many refugees from cenb·al and southern Europe alter. World War 2. Acid in mailer groups such ) as the Afghan camel drivers, Chine e who have been here for 200 years, and recent outh A ian arrivals. or houlcl we overlook that Lhere has been the inb·o· duction of Indigenous o-enes with Magpie Learning to live s. ALIA WIN 1998 NATURE AUSTR Tammar Wallabies are considered to be dedicated herbivores, yet they are known to eat a variety of animals. into the mainstream r pool. Is The longest-living mammals, In The inadequate environ­ vores, nurtured by protein A cher seriously suggesting on the other hand, undoubt­ ment (1993) I discussed a provided by their mothers' that Pauline Hanson is going edly are humans, at three- number of examples of bodies. But many seed- and t� make any igni:ficant core years and ten or animals which, like most nectar-eating birds must feed difference to this diversity? somewhat more. slugs (there are species that their young on insects. And Archer makes a plea for But you're in distinguished are wholly carnivorous), are mammalian herbivores such maximising our diversity, but company in your neglect of considered to be obligate as the Giant Panda, the �he p�esent politically correct the crucial hyphen. After all, herbivores but eat animal Gorilla, squirrels, voles, bats multiculturalism' is the exact Tim Flannery titled his tissue whenever or wherever and many Au b·alian pos­ opposite, as it accentuates brilliant and compelling book the opportunity arises. This sums, all, to a greater or �nd perpetuates the biolog­ The future eaters (those who carnivory may take the form lesser extent, prey upon ica\ and cultural differences, will eat in the future), when of predation, cannibalism, other animals, both invert­ which he rightly deplores. It I'm perfectly certain that scavenging, coprophagy or ebrate and vertebrate. More eems to me that people in what he intended was The the digestion of ruminant recently Hippopotamuses have the community who espouse future-eaters (those who are micro-organisms, and its been reported eating Impala, the preservation of separate eating their future). function is the alleviation of and eagrass-eating Dugong cultures are the ones who -Angus Martin the chronic shortage of not only eat fi h caught in r fear change, and probably Biotica, Melbourne, Vic. nitrogen f om which mo l nets, but ystematically feed pose a worse threat than herbivores suffer for most of upon ascidians ( ea squirt ) . Pauline. Carnivorous the time. The quintessentially Aust­ (I was enjoying reading Carnivory by herbivore ralian wallabies are also abo Herbivores ut wombats!) The report in the Spring occurs among arthropods, considered to be obligate -John Bloomfield 1997 issue of Nature molluscs, fish, reptile , birds herbivore . However, the Casuarina, NT Australia of carnivory by and mammals. However, Tammar Wallaby is known to probably of most interest lo eat a variety of animals, Elusive herbivorous Spani h slugs Hyphens calls for further comment. readers of your journal are including young birds and 0, Nature Australia, we The mild urpri e inferred the examples of active mice, and insect which it edants can't resist pointing in the predation by those birds and actively digs up. Allied Rock­ �ut by the question mark that you got it wrong. title ("Meat-eating Slugs?") mammals that most people- wallabies and Rufous Hare­ T he_ longes! wallabies are also known to (Q living mammals highlights the general lack of even many biologists- uick Q uiz, assume to be wholly supplem nt their diet with are Spring 1997) awareness of the extent to not humans at something which many presumed herb­ herbivorous. insects. And Michael Archer �er two metres, but Blue ivores are, in fact, nothing of All birds and mammals reported how hi pet Swamp ales at around 25 metres. the sort. start life as obligate carni- Wallaby natched and ate NATURE 5 AUSTRALIA WINTER 1998 sell this fish. Stephen Doggett (Nature 'immunological memory' to r his plate on �e Sydney to chicken f om to Dave Pollard, . Autumn 1997) of the help eliminate the organism * Sp(·mg According Aust sis Tick's table (Nature Aust. the fish is not found in New Australian Paraly more rapidly following a l994). The same behav10ur is ability to cause paralysis and subsequent exposure. How for a pet South Wales waters, and ever has been recorded listed as a occasionally death in species as Gala explained to me, ther; -wallaby. therefore not Allied Rock species in this with a short historical is no evidence that specific of cases threatened tick. This number In an analogy, neither association with the immunological memory can to suggest that State. that, 'J begins Tigers found in New Doggett also mentioned be conferred as a genetic trait may be much are was carnivory Wales. Does this mean until an antivenom within any given population. more common among the South this that it could be legal for us to produced in the 1940s, What is more likely is that wallabies-and possib\y humans. 1s sell Tiger fur in shops here species list included Aborigines may have a genetic other 'herbivores'-than Aboriginal Australians have basis for resistance to In science, as in life as well? Also, as Koalas are the I believed. do occupied this continent for at 1 we often do not not found in Hong Kong, effects of the Paralysis Tick generally, least 50,000 years, so is it not venom, possibly as a result of · possible that they may have evolutionary influences conse- acquired immunity to quent to their lifestyle, as j Paralysis Tick envenomation suggested by Westaway. As Koalas are not found in Hong Kong, during this long prehistoric Gala cited several examples I association? of genetic but non-irn- I do we believe it is legal to trade Certainly the nature of a munological resistance to hunter-gatherer lifestyle environmental organisms in Koalas there? would ensure frequent humans. The high prevalence ; encounters with ticks, and of sickle cell anaemia among one would consider that such various populations through­ would a long association out the world may relate to the 1 see something until we go we believe it is legal to trade reduce the effect of the tick's resistance that this genetic looking for it. How many Koalas there? venom. A preliminary mutation confers against more examples await such Further questions to the method of testing this malaria. More recently, a directed looking? Queensland Fisheries Man­ hypothesis would be to see if remarkable degree of re­ -Tom White agement Authority con­ there have been any cases in sistance to HIV infection has University of Adelaide, SA firmed that it is not only legal the past of Aboriginal been demonstrated in indi- ; to catch Napoleon Wrasse, a Australians being diagnosed viduals with a genetic vari­ Wrasse Report threatened species listed by with Paralysis Tick enveno­ ation (or polymorphism) in While Australia and its IUCN, in Queensland waters, mation. If a level of immunity an immune-cell molecule f environmentalists continue but there are no restrictions is diagnosed, would it then called the CCR5 receptor. The to condemn the live fish imposed on this species for be possible to identify the venom of the Australian ' trade by Asian restaurants commercial fishermen. Ben biological mechanism Paralysis Tick is a neurotoxin selling Napoleon Wrasse McMullen cites the reason responsible for such and causes paralysis by 1 (Cheilinus undulatus), Aus­ being that the species is immunity? blocking electrical conduction tralia is itself exporting this naturally low in abundance in -Michael Westaway in nerve cells, but little is ) fish to Asia. This species is the wild! Do we see a point in Taring, Qld known about the exact mole- > listed by the IUCN as this argument? A species that cules in the nerve cells that threatened.This is defined as is naturally found in small being prone to the effects Despite contacting several are targeted. Gala suggested of numbers, therefore go for it, that, if Aborigines are indeed I human activities (or stochas­ catch as many as you can. Aboriginal research organ­ tic events whose impact is isations, I was unable to resistant to the paralysing ' Apparently research to effects of tick venom, perhaps increased by human activ­ restrict harvest of Queens­ obtain any information on the 1 ities) within a very short land Grouper effects of the Paralysis Tick on they will be found to have a (Epinephalus polymorphism in one of these , period of time in an un­ lanceolatus) and Napoleon Aborigines. However, Dr foreseeable future, and is Wrasse is in the Salvador Gala, from the nerve-cell molecules. pipeline. If anyone knows anything thus capable of becoming However, based on the track Department of Immunology at 1 critically endangered about the incidence and effects or even record of Australia's fisheries Westmead Hospital, offered i extinct in a very short departments, it might be the some useful comments re­ of Australian Paralysis Tick period. year 2020. garding the possible biological envenomation among Abor· �estaurants in Sydney's igines, please let us know. Meanwhile, it is perfectly 'f!'lechanism of resistance, if -Stephen Doggett Chmatown are also selling legal o f r Australians to har­ indeed a low incidence of tick­ Westmead Hospital, Sydney live Napoleon Wrasse. An 80- vest Napoleon Wrasse induced paralysis centimetre and was found individual was sell them to restaurants in to exist in Aboriginal popu­ seen squashed into a small downtown Sydney and lations. tank at the Golden Asia. NATURE AUSTRALIA welcomes Century Those supporting an Aus­ Gala explained that the Restaurant, Sussex Street tralian ban letters for publication and Haymarket, on exporting this biological mechanism of re­ last October' fish should sistance requests that they be limited to The price contact Colin would be unlikely to tag ...$Al,000. A� Griffith, Director have 250 words and typed if possible. I wnte this, of National an immunological basis. OceanNEnviron­ Parks and Wi A specific ment is trying ldlife at immune response to Please supply a daytime tele­ to gather Environment Australia (GPO any particular infectious resources to purchase this or phone number and type or print fish Box 636, Canberra ACT en�enomating organism re­ for release in Queens­ 2601). your name and address clearly land waters. quires that an individual first be exposed to the on the letter. The best letter in A phone call to -Michael organism the Aw with the this issue will receive a Funnel­ Fisheries Research Insti OceanNEnvironment effect that th; tute immune system the revealed that it is perfectly Carlingford, NSW _ undergoes cer­ web Spider towel from A borigines tain changes legal for restaurants in in which it Museum Shop. The winner this and Ticks ac_qu[res the ability to • Previously ANH eliminate issue is Michael Westaway. Mention was made by the organism, and 6 subsequently attains a state of 8 NATURE AUSTRALIA WINTER 199 Established in 1985, the SW Wildlife Information & Rescue Service (WIRES) is the largest volw1teer wildlife rescue organisation in Australia. WIRES works to rescue injured, orphaned and distressed native animals, caring for them until they can be released back into the wild.

In the last 13 years over 160,000 of Australia's native animals, from koalas suffering burns from bushfire, to a snake caught in a drink can, have been rescued by WIRES.

JOIN FRIENDS certificate plus the OF WIRES , satifaction of knowing I Friends of WIRES you're helping to save our Mr/Ms/Miss .... are valuable supporters I native animals and the Address I and contribute to the environment. I ongoing costs of running ... Postcode .... MAKE A DONATION I a wildlife rehabilitation Phone. I organisation. Your financial assitance I caring o Yes I would like to join Friends Ot WIRES at $30.00 will aid WIRES in tor a years subscription. I For just $30 a year you for sick, injured and I Yes I would like to help WIRES. Please find enclosed I receive 'LiveWIRES' orphaned wildlife and my cheque/money order tor a tax deductable published quarterly, full of donation ot $ ...... to give our wildlife one I ensure the Organisation more chance. I articles and news on continues to give our I wildlife research, debates, o I would like to be involved in WIRES work. Please wildlife one more send me more information. I updates and rescue stories, precious I a special introductory pack, chance. Post this coupon to: Reply Paid AAA29 NSW Wildlife Information & Rescue Service (WIRES) I and Membership card, PO Box 260 I Forestville NSW 2087 I L------.J h lend lo be less successful perhaps fathers- . because they spend more tune couq. ing other females than feect. ing their young. Low fledg.; Nature ling success, howev�r, may also reflect the qualities of? the mothe1:. Il might be that , males with poor-�1uality Strips mates are compensating for ) their mate's inadequacies by COMPILED BY breeding with other femal es as well. The battle between GEORGINA HICKEY the sexes continues. > -D.C.,

Careful, She other's performance-and time to be unfaithful himself? change partners if necessary. In a series of experiments Disease Fit Might See You In large breeding flocks, in which pairs of birds were for a King? udgerigars (Melopsit­ males may be tempted to housed away from the rest of ad with rage and twice Btacus undulatus) are court other females but must the flock, eliminating the M as dangerous. It's the ? prodigious breeders. With also ensure that their mates need for mate guarding, image of Tyrannosaurus rex . abundant food, they are able are not tempted by other males were tempted with the that springs to mind, cour- ' to breed rapidly, enabling males. Aliza Baltz and Anne presence of another female. tesy of museums and Steven > them to exploit unpre­ Clark, while at the University Again the researchers found Spielberg films. But why did dictable desert rains. Large of Binghamton in New York, that males tended only to T rex have such a bad atti- ' flocks gather around tempo­ observed that captive male court the new female if an tude? Scientists may have rary waterways, with many Budgerigars tend to seek opaque barrier was placed found the reason: a nasty> birds pairing and breeding. extra-pair copulations when between him and his 'wife'. case of gout. Male Budgerigars feed their their mates are out-of-sight in Those few that did attempt One of the oldest disease > incubating mates and subse­ the nest box. But are they courtship in full view were known to medicine, gout was 1 quent offspring. This con­ really trying to hide their rewarded with aggressive reported in T rex by Bruce centrated breeding effort unfaithfulness from their beak jabs and rude vocalisa­ Rothschild (Arthritis Centre and the abundance of alter­ mate? Perhaps when the tions. of Northeast Ohio) and col­ native partners creates a female is around, the males Females may be right to leagues after they discovered tense environment in which are simply too busy guarding judge an unfaithful partner a spherical hole in a cast i both sexes can assess each her from other males to have harshly. Promiscuous males (exact replica) of the forearm '

8 - NATURE AUSTRALIA WINTER J99 -

Is the rapid increase in Antarctic Fur Seals a natural or human-induced phenomenon? bone of 'Sue', the T rex speci­ Although gout has been to near oblivion less than 100 the rise within the species' men discovered in South observed in monitor lizards, years ago, is proving to be normal range of population Dakota (and recently sold to turtles, crocodiles and some cause for concern. sizes over the last few thou­ the Field Museum of Natural birds, this is the first report of The increase in these seals sands years, before humans History in Chicago for nearly dinosaur gout. Only about has been so rapid and exten­ visited Antarctica? These have $US8.4 million). one woman for every 20 men sive that they have been been critical questions facing Gout i caused when suffer from gout, so if wreaking ecological havoc in conservationists trying to pro­ excess uric acid in the body dinosaurs follow the same coastal and freshwater eco­ tect Antarctica from degrada­ precipitates as crystals in the pattern, who could blame systems on parts of the tion. lining of a joint. It is the accu­ 'Sue' for being angry? Antarctic Peninsula and near­ Looking for answers mulation of millions of these -A.T. by islands. On Signy Island, Dominic Hodgson and needle-shaped crystals that adine Johnston from the erodes holes in the bone and British Antarctic Survey analysed ea! hairs in lake causes great pain and swell­ r ing. The researchers at first The number of seals that visit each sediment core samples f om thought the hole was just a Signy Island to determine bubble that formed during past population patterns the casting process, but they summer rose from 100 before 1976 including the timing of were assured it was not a booms. Their investigations flaw. Then they found similar to over 20,000 in 1994. revealed that the present lesions from the hand bone of increase on the island is far another tyrannosaurid. The greater than anything experi- erosions showed a slight . enced by the pecies during r is d lip around the edges, a for example, the number of the past 7,000 years and that it � � Seals Boom, unlikely to be a natural distinctive feature of gout, Ecosystems seals that visit each summer is compared with other inflam­ rose from 100 before 1976 to event. matory diseases such as Bust over 20,000 in 1994. At sites Hodgson and John ton believe the increase in seal is arthritis. ormally, a p �pulation where the seals haul them­ While T. rex obviously did N boom tn an anunal that selve out of the water, vege­ linked to the massive reduc­ not consume the alcohol with not so long ago was facing tation destruction, oil ero­ tion of baleen whale in the sion and eutrophication of Southern Ocean ince the Which we often associate extinction would be a wel­ r gout, red meat was high on comed phenomenon. How­ f eshwater lakes have been 1920s due to the whalino­ the menu. Red meat contains ever, a recent explosion in extensive. industry. A the whale° a large amount of chemicals numbers of the Antarctic Fur Is this increase in Antarctic declined, the krill upon which Fur Seals a natural or human­ �all_ed purines, which meta- Seal (Arctocephalus gazella), a they fed appear to have oltse to uric acid. species that humans hunted induced phenomenon, and is become abundant and capable 9 NATURE AUSTRALIA WINTER 1998 Seven- thousand-year-old brain surgery, times two. evidence of regenerated b-;; over the front_ hole indicates that the patient survived the operation and lived long enough for the hole to heal· indeed long enough t� receive (and survive!) his ) second trepanation, which is only partially grown over. The reason why neuro. surgery was carried out on this approximately 5O-year­ old individual back in 5100 1 BC remains speculative. In traditional African societies, trepanations may be adminis- 1 tered to those who have phys­ ical head injuries or �uf fer 1 disorders such as persistent headaches, epilepsy, tumours or mental disease. Whatever the ailment suffered by thi Neolithic Frenchman, we hope the cure was not wor e than the complaint. -K.H.

N02 Smoking lot of plants, including Amany Australian native need to experience a fire before their seeds will germi­ nate. For a long time it wa assumed that it was the heat from such events that provid- 1 ed the critical trigger for ger­ mination. However in recent > years certain seeds have been shown to respond to 1 smoke, even when there is no fire (see Nature Aust. Summer 1996-97). ow, for· the first time, researcher have narrowed the trigger )

down to a specific compound 1 in smoke. Plant ecologists Jon Keeley� and C.]. Fotheringham, of Occidental College in Los > Angeles, collected dormant seeds of Whispering Bells > (Emmenanthe penduliflora�. a 1 of supporting a much larger it-one at the front about six they resemble the 'trepana­ common Californian wild· than normal seal population. centimetres across and a larg­ tions' created by modern neu­ flower that proliferates after to These findings will be er one at the top of the skull rosurgeons, who remove sec­ fires, and exposed them_ important to future decisions about nine centimetres tions of the skull to get at the either straight nitrogen dwx· > on conservation of the across. brain or to relieve pressure ide (N02) or wood smoke Antarctic environment. The team of scientists from around it. The straight, (which contains N02). . ;. -K.McG. studying the skull had to rule slanting edges of the holes With as little as one min· out the possibility that the indicate that the bone was ute's exposure in either situa· ' holes were created from removed by a mixture of cut­ tion, the researchers m�n­ Neolithic other means, such as frac­ ting and scraping, demon­ aged to trigger germination Neurosurgery tures, infection, tumours, or strating great craftsmanship in every seed. They had the well-preserved human disturbance from animals and well-founded anatomical same succe s when the� Askeleton, excavated from after burial. Kurt Alt (from knowledge*. Furthermore, exposed seed to N02 vapou the stone-age burial site at the Institute of Human from sand, paper and water �nsisheim in France, pro­ Genetics and Anthropology * Malcolm C. Lillie has since that had ab orbed smoke two vides evidence that brain in Freiburg, Germany) and reported evidence of an older months earlier. surgery was practised more colleagues noted that the (7,620--8,020-year-old) trepanation Plants with seeds that ger· than 7,000 years ago! The holes are remarkably free of /rorn. a cemetery in the Ul1raine minate ev nt skull had two large holes in after a fire � -;. surrounding cracks, and that (Nature vol.391, p.854, 1998). whatever the exact tngge 10 NATURE AUSTRALIA WINTER 1998 be-have evolved seed­ aY growing in the 11J!l11gs used to A male Golden Egg Bug carries post-fire environ- c 1ea1·ed . its namesake on its back. N 0 2 1s a corn- ment . Because pI d d on air pollutant ( ·o uce where she'd caught them. m . I f to - By t only 111 the smo ce na the next day all of the eggs also cars and ��al fires but and corpses were gone. K eley and �o­ aeroplanes>; � _ - Similarly, 86 per cent of eggs e1 y I theringham s d!scov_ a1s� that she placed in the flower the worry111g issue of heads of the plants on which ution could !1iether air poll the insects live were gone b·ick the seeds_ of some plant� within one day and none into germinal�ng at th� wrong remained after a week. In time for their seedlings to contrast, marked bugs thrive. retained 84 per cent of their -K.McG. eggs when they were recap­ tured a week later. Egg-du ping But, although the taxi ser­ Bugs vice is an effective way of ithout the option of reducing egg mortality, it isn't perfect. doting grandpare_nts About a fifth of W to dump the lads, the piggy-backed eggs are on which parasitised 5 Mediterranean Golden by a species of � the wasp. Males are Egg Bug (P_hyllornorpha better at � looking after their cargo, with laciniata) has hit on a nov�I � fewer of their eggs suffering � alternative: females lay their from the wasps' depreda- f their �u eggs on the b�cks ? tions. Aria Ka1tala of neighbours. both males and females carry extremely difficult to remove And why do the University of Stockholm these bugs the eggs, between one and 15 them without damaging their submit to such a liberty investigated the details of this in the per individual, although host. first place? At any arrange­ given peculiar parenting males had, on average, twice Eggs that don't have trans­ moment during the mating ment. the burden of females. The port don't fare too well. season, up to 30 per cent of She examined over 900 eggs are firmly glued onto Kaitala killed six egg-carry­ individuals are involved in adult bugs and found that the bugs' backs and it's ing males and left them copulation, a process that

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ATURE AUSTRALIA'S attractive library box holds 12 issues of the magazine. Finished in durable dark green PVC, with gold lettering on the spine, it will ensure your copies of Nature Australia remain in mint condition. Library boxes are available at $12.95 each, including postage and handling. Use the form in the back of this issue to order your library boxes. - r Ivory Coast t equenlly associ­ compared to the Leopard, the surprise aerial attacks may last 20 hours and_ le�ves the bug open to explo1tat10n. ate with smaller Diana Mon­ generator or blank tapes. of another predator-the They're apparenlly so keys ( Cercopithecus diana). Furthermore, the association Crowned Hawk Eagle (Step. wrapped up in the act that Because the two monkey b tween the two species was hanoaetus coronatus). most prevalent from Sept­ they are unable to stop other species have little dietary -A.l females climbing on top and overlap, Ronald Noe and ember to November-the unloading their offspring on Redouan Bshary (from the Chimpanzee hunting season. Plant's Pocket them. German Max Planck Institute By hanging in large groups, -G.T. for Physiology of Behaviour) Reel Colobus and Diana Predators decided to investigate the pre­ Monkeys contribute to each t has long been recognised Monkey Mates dation hypothesis. They other's protection, and I that the small hair-tufts and Foil Foe played tape-recordings of a reduce the chance of becom­ pockets on the underside of Chimpanzee and a Leopard ing lunch. Reel Colobus leaves provide refuges for ne of the great debates (both of which prey on mon­ Monkeys benefit from the predatory arthropods (see 0 among animal behav­ keys), and also recordings of vigilant Diana Monkeys, Nature Aust. * Summer iowists has been why differ­ a generator and a blank tape, which scan the ground and 1991-92). In exchange for ent species sometimes associ­ to mixed monkey groups. foliage for Chimps and call helter and protection, scien. s_ ate together. Some argue it The two species actively loudly when they detect clan­ t1sts have suspected that makes finding food easier; sought each other out when ger. But what do Diana these 'pocket predators' rid others say being in a group they heard the Chimpanzee Monkeys get out of the asso­ the plants of pests. This had protects against predators. tape, but not when they heard ciation? The researchers sus­ never been proven experi- Reel Colobus Monkeys (Pro­ l11e Leopard tape. The groups pect Dianas seek 'safety in colobus badius) living in the also stayed together longer numbers', which has the Red Colobus Monkeys work best Ta'i National Park in Africa's after hearing the Chimp call, effect of shielding them from with other monkey species. ' mentally ... until now. Using the commercial cot- ton plant Gossypium hir­ sutum, Anurag Agrawal and Richard Karban (University of California at Davis) attached small tufts of cotton fibre to the lower surface of the leaves, artificially provid­ ing 'mite houses' or 'leaf domatia' as they are known. (This particular species of cotton does not have natw-ally occurring domatia, although close relatives do.) The researchers observed a 30 per cent increase in fn�it pro­ duction b) the plants with the domatia. They also noticed that herbivorous spider mites were consistently fewer on these plants, while predators such as big-eyed bugs (Geocoris spp.) and the

w

::,� « ..,,,.n>L,.,..,,.., ti z •:-,��r�i�;;....«--;a � , � >­ -----' ""z After nesting, Leatherback Turtles migrate along virtually identical paths despite different departure times and the vastness of the open ocean.

minute Pirate Bug (Orius tris­ vation effort has been direct­ How do the solo Leather­ ticolor) were five times more ed towards protecting their back Turtles follow the same abundant. Eggs and nymphs nesting beaches. However, a route in millions of square of these predators were found new study tracking migrating kilometres of open ocean? tucked within the cotton tufts, Leatherback Turtles (Dermo­ They may be guided by food but nowhere else on the chelys coriacea) suggests they sources, ocean floor features, leaves. may also be vulnerable at sea. magnetic cues or even tem­ The increased reproductive Stephen Morreale from perature gradients. Either success of the experimental Cornell University and col­ way, the existence of ocean plants is proof that plants ben­ leagues attached satellite corridors for Leatherbacks efit from the association. By transmitters to the carapaces has important implications providing refuge areas, a of eight female Leatherback for their conservation. By plant can support a number of Turtles after laying eggs on a clustering along specific path­ predators, which in return beach near Playa Grande, ways, the turtles may reduce the population of dam­ Costa Rica. The endangered increase the vulnerability of aging herbivores. These turtles were tracked for up to their entire population. Thus, results may provide new 2,780 kilometres south-west while protecting nesting strategies for controlling agri­ through the Pacific Ocean. beache is important, it may cultural pests without the use When the researchers com­ be equally important to safe­ of chemicals. By engineering pared the satellite b·acks for guard the interconnecting plants to yield leaf domatia, the four years of the study, migratory corridors to keep the mutual association of they found the Leatherbacks turtles on b·ack. predator and plant could had followed virtually identi­ -A.T. bring pest species under bio­ cal routes. In one instance, logical control. two turtles that had left 13 Leaf-eating -K.H. clays apart were only 20 kilo­ Frog metres from each other after travelling more than 700 kilo­ n a reversal of the human Turtles with r metres. I norm, it' the adult f ogs a One-track The chance of turtles fol­ that don't like eating their Mind lowing the same route at ran­ greens. When tadpoles grow hen turtles lay their dom is very low, given their legs they also grow an are very vul­ access to the open ocean. In appetite for things that move, Weggs they r nerable, as are the young contrast another local turtle shifting f om an herbivorous hatchlings when they emerge. species.' the Olive Ridley to an insectivorous or some­ _ times carnivorous diet. Consequently, much conser- Turtle (Lepidochelys olwacea), follows diverse and wide­ When Inclraneil Das (now spread routes. at the Centre for Herpetology *Previously ANH NAT URE A US 13 TRALIA WINTER 1998 D ..

The only folivorous adult frog-Rana hexadactyla from India-just goes to show it's not easy eating greens (or flowers).

in Madras, India) investigat­ energy more quickly for egg species, extinct or surviving, Neanderthals were an entire­ ed the diet of Rana hexadacty­ production. the typical Neanderthals had, ly separate species, quite dis- l la, a large green frog from -G.T. it now seems, two triangular tinct from modern-day India, he found that the tad­ bony features protruding into humans and not, as it was ' poles consumed the tradition­ The the front of the nasal cavity. once thought, simply one of al tadpole fare of leaf frag­ Neanderthal's Neanderthals occurred in our primitive ancestral vari· ments, switching to a diet of Europe and western Asia ants. insects at metamorphosis. Nose from about 200,000 to 30,000 Confirmation of this ha However, the diet of the adult Those jutting brows, so years ago. since come from DNA tests > frogs consisted of around 80 I often exaggerated in Schwartz and Tattersall carried out by Matthias per cent plant material, movie cavemen, turn out not speculate that the unusual Krings (University of Munich) 1 including leaves, flowers and to have been the only bony nasal features helped these and colleagues on an extract five species of algae, making protuberances that are char­ early hominids tolerate the from a Neanderthal bone them the only adult frogs in acteristically Neanderthal. cold dry air of the time. The specimen. The sequence of ) the world to quite happily sit Neanderthal mitochondrial down to a meal that consists DNA was found to be signili· ) almost entirely of foliage. cantly different from tlrnt �f The frogs are well suited to Neanderthals were an entirely separate modern humans, and ind1- · their unusual diet, with coni­ cates that they last shared a cal teeth to tear off bite-sized species, quite distinct from common ancestor around pieces of vegetation and extra 600,000 years ago. larg� guts to deal with the big modern-day humans. -K.McG. helpings of low-nutrient food they eat. (All other members of the genus Rana have What's Good sharper teeth that curve Palaeoanthropologists Jef­ projections may have in­ about Garlic backwards, presumably to fr_ey Schwartz (University of creased the surface area Breath? stop live prey from escaping Pittsburgh) and Ian Tattersall upon which air could be arlic (Alliurn sativum)is from the mouth.) (American Museum of warmed and moi tened be­ man· But a frog cannot live on reputed to cure all Natural History) have identi­ fore it was inhaled into the G r cer �reens alone. Das found that, ner of ailments f om can fied what they describe as lungs, or they may have and the common cold to high Just before the breeding sea­ "extraordinary architecture · son, female Rana hexadactyla helped recapture moisture on blood pre sure and heart dis of the internalnasal area" in a exhalation. ease. The bad breath we get start to increase the amount series of Neanderthal skulls r of animal material in their . The nasal find adds to a sig­ f om eating garlic is not jus� that they studied. o1 diet, allowing them to harvest rnficant body of anatomical the price we have to pay f Unlike any other hominid evidence that indicates the benefits 14 alleged healtl1 8 - NATURE AUSTRALIA WINTER J99 The bad breath we get from eating garlic is a sign that garlic is good for us.

but proof that it actually works! Werner Lindinger and col­ leagues from Innsbruck University in Austria com­ pared the volatile compounds present in freshly cut garlic with those present in a con­ sumer's breath. Most of the sb·ong-smelling sulphides present in cut garlic peaked in concenb·ation in breath samples a few hours after consumption. Ally! methyl sulphide, dimethyl sulphide and acetone were exceptions. They peaked much later and were still evident on the breath after 30 hours. High concentrations of ace­ tone, the researchers believe, are particularly indicative of the medicinal effects of gar­ lic. Acetone is the product of the breakdown of many fatty compounds in the blood, including cholesterol. The amount of acetone given off by crushed garlic is far less than the peak levels found in

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Contact: Dr Pin Needham Whales and Wildlife Eco Tours 294 Greenhill Road, GLENSIDE 5065 SOUTH AUSTRALIA A USTRALIAN MUSEUM phone: (08) 837 90 203 or (08) 837 90 222 fax: (08) 837 90 229 Open 7 d"Y'· 6 College Streel Sydney Tel:(02) 9320 6202 F"x: 9320 6065 AC N No 007 867 521 email: [email protected] home page: hllp://www.aus1mus.gov.au Supported by the Australiun Museum Society and Hcwlctl Puckard Huddling helps Emperor Penguins to stick it out through the winter. ------1 the breath, even a day after metabolic study ever to be dling for which brooding male abandon brooding) as much1 eating the garlic. This obser­ conducted on free-living Emperor Penguins are as three weeks earlier than is vation may indicate the Emperor Penguins during renowned. needed. enhanced metabolism of fatty winter. Tests revealed that hud­ -K.McG. constituents in the blood­ In a breeding colony in dling made a significant dif­ ' stream and lead to a drop in Adelie Land, Andre Ancel ference to the way the birds unwanted cholesterol and, (from the National Centre for survived the winter. At the Poison Pairs pavlova of frog eggs therefore, the chance of a Scientific Research in France) end of the incubation period, > heart attack. and colleagues took measure­ free-ranging birds were seven Afloating in the local dam -P.R. ments of metabolic rates and per cent heavier than their is a familiar childhood memo-, weight and water loss of 36 caged counterparts and had ry. Frogs are cold-blooded. Why Emperors males during the incubation lost 25 per cent less water. perhaps even cold-hearteo1 Huddle period. After initial measure­ Metabolic rates of the free­ individuals that simply spawn. ments, 26 of these birds were ranging birds were found to and move on. Or are they!\ thal t must surely be one of the New research suggests > I most extraordinary acts of some frogs provide as m uch paternal devotion! Through­ care for their offspring a5> out the bitter Antarctic winter Throughout the bitter Antarctic winter, the birds and mammals. the Male Emperor Pengui� from the, (Aptenodytes forsten) Janalee Caldwell stands male Emperor Penguin stands University of Oklahoma spenJ resolutely upon the sea ice two months in a lowlan incubating, within an abdomi'. resolutely upon the sea ice, incubating Amazon rainforest studyi:, nal fold above his feet, a soli­ by the Sport parental care obalr\. t�ry egg left in his charge by Poison Frog (Dendr _ his partner before she shuf­ a solitary egg. vanzolinit) and reports pair­ fled off to pursue a feed in dis­ bonding in amphibians tortlf tant waters. Freezing winds la first time. These tiny b t i sleet and snow howl around r pattern him released back into the colony. be about 16 per cent lower f ogs have a unique t for weeks on end and he The other ten were split into lines, ma. go�s w_it�out food, th�n in the captive pen­ yellow spots and st \ steadfastly lwo groups and maintained in ing and pairs ea l mamtammg his vigil over his guins-partly attributable to individuals enclosures subjected to simi­ energy aving clue to hud­ ly recognisable. embryonic offspring until his t 11 ! partner returns. lar environmental conditions dling. Caldwell found tha tl 1 to thos� found at the colony. of r ooperat It is o� cl�a_r that The research team specu­ same pair f ogs c \ � a group The maJor difference between re for t lied mentahly is cntical to this sin­ lates that, without huddling, extensively to ca t�e caged and free-ranging ingl t dpole, keeping gle-minded approach to Emperor Penguins would � � 1f!d fatherhood, thanks birds was that the latter could experience the metabolic trig­ over 1t m a small water_-�i to the first participate in the mass hucl- phng or 16 ger to resume feeding (and cavity typically in a sa 98 NATURE AUSTRALIA WINTER I 9 11111

r the forest under­ f oglet, and the parents changes in diet Rana hexadacty/a vine in . may in Rothschild, B.M., Tanke, D. & Carpenter, . About every four r care for more than one tad­ (Anura: Ranidae). 1. loo/., Lond. 238: K., 1997. Tyrannosaurs storey _ � 785-794. suffered from .fi edays the male guides his pole at a time. gout. Nature 387: 357. to their tad�ole by Exactly how long the poison n:ate Hodgson, D.A. & Johnston, N.M., 1997 Schwartz, J.H. & Tattersall, means of a soft buzzmg c�ll. pairs remain together is . I., 1996. unknown. Inferring seal populations from lake sed­ Significance of some previously unrecog­ The pair enters the cavity But it does appear iments. Nature 387: that, in their 30-31. nized apomorphies in the nasal region of together, w�ere the): under: table rainforest Homo neanderthalensis. Proc. Natl Acad. environment, .0 courtship behav10ur _fo1 Spotted Poison Hodgson, D.A., Johnston, N.M., Caulkett, Sci. USA 93: 10852-10854. \out three hours, resulting Frogs have opted for a quali­ A.P.& Jones, V.J., 1998. Palaeolimnology �n the deposition of several ty, not quantity, approach to of Antarctic fur seal (Arctocephalus Taucher, J., Hansel, A., Jordan, A. & ed eggs for f:he ta?­ parenting. gaze/la) populations and implications for Lindinger, W., 1996. Analysis of com­ unfertilis . Antarctic to eat. The caV1ties 111 -A.T. management. Biol. Conserv. pounds in human breath after ingestion pole 83(2): 145-154. of garlic using proton-transfer-reaction which the tadpoles deyelop 1s no mass spectrometry. 1. Agric. Food Chem. are so tiny that there Kaitala, A., 1996. Oviposition on the 44: 3778-3782. other food present and they Further Reading back of conspecifics: an unusual repro­ would starve without the par­ ductive tactic in a coreid bug. Oikos 77: ents' ea.re. Agrawal, A.A. & Karban, R., 1997. 381-389. the tadpole is devel­ Domatia mediate plant-arthropod W11i!e Danielle Clode, Karina Holden, oping in the cavity, a.Il?�er mutualism. Nature 387: 562-563. Keeley, J.E. & Fotheringham, C.J., 1997. may be laid an� fer?h ed Trace gas emissions and smoke-induced egg � seed germination. Science 276: Karen McGhee, Philippa above the water lme 111s1de Alt, K.W., Jeunesse, C., Buitrago-Tellez, C.H., Wachter, R., Boes, E. & Pichler, 1248-1250. the same hole. When �e �ew Rowlands, Abbie Thomas and attai�s a certam size, S.L., 1997. Evidence for stone age cra­ tadpole r _ nial surgery. Nature 387: 360. Krings, M., Stone, A., Schmitz, R.W., the male poison f og piggy­ Kraintzki, H., Stoneking, M. & Paabo, 5., Geordie Torr are regular backs it to another suitable Ancel, A., Visser, H., Handrich, Y., 1997. Neandertal DNA sequences and cavity to avoid cannibalism Masman, D. & Le Maho, Y., 1997. the origin of modern humans. Cell 90: contributors to Nature Strips. by its sibling. After a few Energy saving in huddling penguins. 19-30. days the male guides ?is Nature 385: 304-305. new site, Morreale, S.J., Standora, E.A., Spotila, partner to the J.R. & Paladino, F.V., 1996. Migration where they court and deposit Baltz, A.P. & Clark, A.B., 1997. Extra­ pair courtship behaviour of male corridor for sea turtles. Nature 384: eggs as food for their latest 219-320. tadpole budgerigars and the effect of an audi­ addition. Each ence. Anim. Behav. 53: 1017-1024. QUICK QUIZ requires about two months to Noe, R. & Bshary, R., 1997. The forma­ 1. What is it that researchers tion of red colobus-diana monkey asso­ transform into a small Caldwell, J.P., 1997. Pair bonding in in Project Phoenix are spotted poison frogs. Nature 385: 211. ciations under predation pressure from Spotted Poison Frogs make good chimpanzees. Proc. R. Soc. Lond. B 264: looking for? parents. 253-259 Das, I., 1996. Folivory and seasonal 2. Which marsupial was depicted on the now­ defunct Australian one-cent coin? 3. How many claws did Tyrannosaurus rex have on each front foot? 4. What is the fifth planet away from the Sun? 5.Name the most southerly point on the Australian mainland. 6. Which chemical element is represented by the symbol Hg? 7. What colour are the Patas Monkey's testicles? 8. If fireflies aren't flies, what are they? 9. Which animal is being touted as a more appropriate Easter symbol for Australia? 10. What is the common name of Cacatua . - roseicapilla? (Answers in Q&A)

17 NATURE AUSTRALIA WINTER 1998 - honeyeater strong, _agr?, that always Jooke� like 1l d taken �oo long lig NATURALIST htin ' T -:,t.;H1E, i!

A Little Wattlebird sips on the nectar of a banksia. 18 - NATURE AUSTRALIA WINTER I 998 LITTLE WATTLEBIRD Anthochaera chrysoptera

Classification Family Meliphagidae (honeyeaters). Three endemic spp. of wattlebird: Little (A. chrysoptera), Red (A. carunculata) and Yellow (A. paradoxa). Some authors separate the eastern and western 'wattleless' forms into two distinct spp.: A. chrysoptera ('Brush Wattlebird' of the east) and A. lunulata ('Little Wattlebird' of the west).

Identification Mostly dark grey tinged with olive brown, feather shafts white giving flecked appearance. Wings and tail dark rey-brown, tail white-tipped. Beak black, legs dark grey, iris reddish brown ashed with grey. Length 31 cm, weight 5 g. Sexes similar but female slightly smaller and duller. Three subspp.: A. c. lunulata from WA with less crown streaking and redder iris; A. c. tasmanica from Tas. larger and darker than mainland forms; and eastern A. c. chrysoptera. tlebirds had been feeding on where A Little Wattlebird feeds its demanding Distribution Gould reached this conclusion, but more young. Mostly coastal heaths, woodlands and recent work by Mark Jurisevic and Ken gardens along eastern and southern Sanderson of Flinders University has thochaera paradoxa), which are lucky to Australia from Fraser Island to Vic. and shown wide variation in Little Wattlebird be around considering the numbers that west to near Adelaide and Kangaroo calls around the Australian coastline were shot and eaten by Tasmanians, Island; also in Tas. and in south-western particularly in respect of the dawn cho: have wattles to weep for. Even Captain WA from Moora to near Esperance. rus. According to them the birds from Cook waxed lyrical in their praise: 'The South Australia were actually far more wattlebird [is] so called because it has Food musical than those from northern New two wattles under its beak as large as Nectar, insects, other invertebrates, and South Wales! (No doubt a superannuat­ those of a small dunghill cock". But the plant exudates. ed Don Dunstan would lay modest claim Little Wattlebird is a Claytons. Many to achieving cultural refinement all the years ago Sydney-based birdwatcher Reproduction way down to the most diffident of South Harry Wolstenholme suggested that Breeds all months, but mostly Australian songsters!) 'Mock Wattlebird' might be a more July-December. Nest is a stiff affair of For a bird not blessed with sensation­ appropriate name, but even that is a cop­ woven twigs and grass, lined with soft al beauty or voice, the Little Wattlebird out. If I'd been born pre-1929 (the publi­ material, often banksia-cone down. While stands thrice denied, because it was not cation elate of the famous gumnut adven­ tures), I would have happily suggested the soft bottom rots out quickly after use, blessed with wattles either! This poor bird is celebrated for everything that it is one particular common name that the shell might remain in place for years strikes me as unique as well as descrip­ leaving a twig doughnut or a sublethal not. Or, at least, for that which it has not .. . wattles .. . colourful fleshy bits that tive. But alas, I was from one of the post­ prickly crown suitable for Sunday School Gibbs generations that flinch at the men­ Easter pageants. Only female incubates dangle from bigger fleshy (and general­ ly feathery) things. Turkey gobblers tion of certain unsavoury bushland asso­ 1-3 cream-pink brown-blotched eggs ciations that still lurk in the shadows (28 mm long) for 12 days. Young leave have a long retractable wattle called a snood, fancy fighting fowl known as Old from the tuck-me-up times of childhood. nest at 16 days old. Pairs capable of I just don't think I'd be able to revel in raising 3 clutches annually. English Game have scarlet wattles that are even nowadays snipped from their the squawking and shenanigans of the necks for judging, cassowaries have Little Wattlebird if its name suddenly across the coastal banksia flats. But great pendulous levers that no-one in changed to my secretly preferred when the tune was pitched in a more their right mind would tug, but Little 'Banksiabird' ... overnight!• subdued �;Y _to "go-careful, go-careful, Wattlebirds are always entirely wattle­ go-careful! with the 'go' more strongly less. Their two bigger cousins have the Further Reading accented, then it was prudent to bring appropriate fandangles and richly Hay, A., 1951. A tree-bird partnership. Wild Life 13(1): the washing in! deserve the title of 'wattlebird', not quite 82. Joh�

RARE & ENDANGERED r ck-rats refer inaccessible, rocky habitats that. � p The often on thzs znterestzng have probably discouraged research group of rodents. CARPENTARIAN ROCK-RAT BY COLIN TRAINOR

Wildlife Commission of the Northern Territory conducted a series of biological surveys at sites throughout the Gulf region between 1985 and 1988. Al one particularly rugged sandstone gully (Banyan Gorge) on Wollogorang Station near the orthern Terri­ tory-Queensland border, they captured HE SANDSTO E RANGES OF THE several small (27-35 grams) odd­ monsoonal b·opics support a b·easure­ looking rock-rats on a boulder-strewn trove of intere ting, rare or resb·icted slope covered in dense thickets of birds, reptiles, mammals and plants. scraggly dry rainforest, above a large, While the rocky uplands of western scenic Syzygium rainforest. These were Arnhem Land and the Kimberley presumably Common Rock-rats a they region have been subject to con­ were within their weight range, but two siderable biological research, compar­ coy animals had light grey fur on the able work in the rugged hinterland of upper body (compared with the u ual the Gulf of Carpentaria has only re­ ginger brown colour of the Common cently been undertaken. Rock-rat) and very long hind feet. The often inaccessible, rocky habitats These characteristics intrigued bio­ that rock-rats (Zyzomys spp.) prefer logists Don Langford and Peter Latz, have probably discouraged research on who were now quite familiar with the this interesting group body colouration, of rodents. Much of thick, carrot-shaped what we know about tail, large eyes and rock-rats comes from energetic disposition two studies in the The biologists of the Common Rock­ 1980s, one in Kakadu rat. National Park and the watched with In addition lo the other on the Mitchell small rock-rats, rare ned immediately and, to the biologists' Plateau in the Kim­ or interesting occur­ relief, everal more rock-rats we re berley. The e studies foreboding as a hot rences of pecies captured, including one animal that was found that the large such as the Ghost Bat three times the size of a Common Rock· rock-rat species-the wildfire burnt through (Macroderma gigas), rat. This 'giant', along with the two Arnhem Land Rock­ Short-eared Rock- maini) small grey individuals, which turned rat (Z. and the area. wallaby (Petrogale out to be juvenile , was later described Kimberley Rock-rat brachyotis), woodwardi)- Rock a a new species-the Carpentarian (Z. Ringtail Possum (Pet­ Rock-rat (Z. palatalis). have more special- ropseudes dahli), Ruf­ Since then Carpentarian ised habitat needs three more o us Owl (Ninox rufa) Rock-rat population have been located. than the smaller Common Rock-rat (Z. and Chameleon Dragon (Chelosania All occur on argurus) · Larger rock-rats prefer the the known ites brun-nea) were recorded from the �ollogorang talion, ju l 10--70 most rugged elements of the rocky 1 ooks and crannies of the gorge cliff r r (one upla�ds, including scree slopes or � k1lomeb·e away f om each othe l111e , and in the rainforest, al Banyan of the most localised distributions for an crevices along the base of cliffs. These �orge . With_ such a smorgasbord of is . Australian mammal). Each site ar�as are rich in dry monsoon 111lerest111g species present in uch a one ra111forest plant species (providing food characterised by deep sandst small, semi arid oa i , the biologist' gorges or escarpments, relative!)' for rock-rats), are fire-resistant and _- w�tched with foreboding as a hot extensive dry monsoon rainforest on offer shelter from predators. nt Research officers from the Parks and wildfire burnt through the area in early scree or rocky slopes, and perma1�e 1987. A follow-up expedition was plan- water. This habitat is extremely limited 20 8 NATURE AUSTRALIA WINTER J99 in northern Australia. The Carpentarian rainforest on which the Carpentarian and a Recovery Plan has been drafted, Rock-rat is therefore thought to be a Rock-rat relies. In the short term, detailing a range of actions, including glacial relict (that is, a leftover from frequent, hot, late dry-season fires active fire management, needed to �ormer v.:etter times), tenaciously cling­ consume seeds and fruits that the improve the status of the Carpentarian ing_ to suitable habitat in gorge refuges, Carpentarian Rock-rat eats, and in the Rock-rat.• which provide a buffer against fires and longer term, rainforest and b·opical damage by cattle. broadleaf communities contract, re­ Further Reading Breeding appears to be year-round, ducing the habitat available for the rats. Churchill, S.K., 1996. Distribution, habitat and status of al�hough the reproductive rate is low The estimated suitable habitat at each of the Carpentarian Rock-rat, Zyzomys palatalis. Wild/. wit� captive and wild-caught individuals the sites is less than a few square Res. 23: 77-91. having a litter size of only one or two. kilometres, and the core monsoon The peak breeding season for the rainforest habitat at each ite is believed Woinarski, J.C.Z, Churchill, S. & Trainor, C., 1995. Carpentarian Rock-rat, Zyzomys pa/atalis. Pp. Carpentarian Rock-rat seems to be from to cover the equivalent area of jusl a few the midd 623-624 in Mammals of Australia, ed. by R. Strahan. _ le_ to the late dry season, football fields. The small population Reed Books: Sydney. Possibly timed to take advantage sizes (estimated at fewer than 500 a of the bun_ ?ant fruits and seeds available al individuals at two of the sites) and th Colin Trainor recently cornpleted a Master 1s time. limited habitat will continue lo place of Science degree at Northern Territory Threat� to ch this speci�s include recent wild populations of the Carpentarian University, on the habitat ttse and popula­ a��es m the fire regime. The loss of Rock-rat at risk of extinction. A captive tion dynarnics of the Carpentarian Rock-rat. tr. adi tional Aboriginal population is being maintained al l e He is now an ecologist with Birdlife IS burning regimes � known to. endanger the monsoon Territory Wildlife Park near Darw111, International Indonesia Prograrmne. NATURE AUSTRALIA WINTER 1998 21 ,

A number of names tell us how th I N G S were used. Names such e W I L D T H trees as Coachwood (Ceratopetalum apetaluin) Malletwood (Rhodamnia argentea)' eat products­ Handlewo?d (�treblus bruno '.1 trees even have woods that looli lille 1:l White n; Some Muttonwood anus) and Walk111g-st1ck Palm (Lino. Baconwood, and the greasy-looking nostachya) Beefwood, spadix mo speak for them. ( and Tallowwood. selves. Coachwood, a common rainforest 1 tree in New South Wal�s,. was co nsict. ered to be best for builclmg coaches although it was unsuitable for the bas� G NAMES as it rotted when clamp. Whit AN E ocl, also known as Axe e Handlewo -handle. 1 ST wood and Whalebone Tree, was ideal for DARK FORESTS handles because, according to forester 1 E.H.F. �wain writing in _1928, "It is tough I stnngy, does not Jar the and hands is , BYTIM LOW pleasant to touch, and gives long �er. vice". 1 Some trees and shrubs have name that capture the scent of the inner bark ( forest trees and you will be struck by the or broken stems when hewn. Remark­ sb·angely evocative names-Bulletwood, able vegetable smells issue forth from I (Polys�ias elegans), Tingletongue, Squeaker, Maiden's Celery Wood . Onion Blush, Possumwood. These names offer Cedar (Owenza cepiodora) and Turnip. curious insights into the thoughts and wood (Akanialucens-the bark of which 11 lives of the timbermen living in those has a radish-like taste). Other culinary dark forests. aromas come from Brush Pepperbush I AUSTRALIAN PIO 1EER HISTORY, Some names tell of the hardships they (Tasmannia insipida) and Mango Bark the timber-getters who worked deep in encountered. Were I a timberman today, (Canarium australasicum, which is also the rainforests hold a revered place. But I would steer clear of Axebreaker called Carrot Wood and Parsnipwoo d). , what were these men like? They did not (Geijera paniculata), Gap Axe (Arytera Doughwoocl (Melicope octandra), also leave for posterity grand autobiogra­ divaricata), Steelwood (Sarcopteryx sti­ called Soapwoocl, has a pronounced phies and thick sheaves of letters, for pata), Flintwood (Scolopia braunii), they were not educated men; but a lega­ Shatterwood (Backhousia sciadophora), A peppery aroma is released by the crushed cy in words they have left us nonethe­ and the various ironwoods. I would head leaves, stems and seeds of Brush Pepperbush, less, in the remarkable names of our instead towards the Corkwood a common rainforest shrub. Pioneers used the rainforest trees. (Caldcluvia paniculosa), and perhaps fruits of a related species as a pepper Browse through any book about rain- the Brittlewood (Claoxylon australe). substitute.

8 - NATURE AUSTRALIA WINTER 199 -

Silky Oak is not related to true oaks but has timber with similar broad medullary rays.

dough-like smell, while the bruised bark and wood of Rosewood (Dysoxylumfras­ erianum) smells like a bunch of roses. Tingletongue (Melicope erythrococca) has inner bark that, when tasted, causes the tongue and lips to tingle and saliva to r flow f eely. Yellow Sassafras (Doryphora sassafras) and Southern Sassafras (Ath­ erospenna moschatum) smell like the orth American Sassafras (Sassafras albidum), and the barks were similarly brewed by pioneers into tonics. Lastly, that lingering bush odour in rainforest gullies, often wrongly attributed to Lantana (Lantana camara), is produced instead by Green Kamala (Mallotus claoxyloides), dubbed by the early tim­ ber-getters as Smell-of-the-bed and Odour Bush. Its aroma can be smelt up to 100 metres away. A great many names depict the colour of the wood or bark when bared by the axe. There is Deep Yellowwood (Rhodo­ sphaera rhodanthema), Orange-bark (Maytenus bilocularis), Pinkheart (Medi­ cosma cunninghamit) and the delightful­ ly named Maiden's Blush (Sloanea aus­ tralis). Grey Possum wood ( Quintinia verdonii) has smooth pale bark that shows up the claw marks of possums while Python Tree (Austromyrtus bil willii) and Leopard Ash (Flindersia colli­ na) both have blotched patterns on the bark. Some trees even have woods that look like meat products-Beefwood (Stenocarpus salignus) Baconwood (Arc�idendron lovelliae), ;nd the greasy­ lookmg Muttonwood (Rapanea vari­ ab1lis) and Tallowwood (Eucalyptus mzcrocorys). Socketwoods (Daphnandra species) have branches that bear a ball at the base when snapped from the trunk, while Beetroot (Elattostachys ner­ vosa) has bright red new leaves. Other trees are named after the fruits which bear some resemblance to thos� eaten in Europe, for example Black Plum (Planchonella australis) and Native Pomegranate (Capparis arborea). The resemblance is often vague. Fruits of the Ka�garoo Apple (Solanum aviculare), for mstance, are egg-shaped, as small as grapes, and with soft watery flesh. Kangaroos do not eatthem. The least interesting monikers to me are th0se adopted from overseas timber tr�e Evidently they were men of some imagi­ s because the wood is similar. Our Ilea hilliana), Durobby (Syzygium moor­ r�mforests carry plenty of oaks ashes and only a few others. nation, and their legacy of words can b ' ' ei) only enrich our enjoyment of the rain­ 1rches, boxes, maples ' walnuts ' hazel- Last but not least are a swag of odd wood s, e Ims , beeches and mahoganies. names with meanings that so far elude forests that remain.• Arn ong the best known are the Silky me, although perhaps some counb·y 0 Further Reading ;� (Gre illea robusta) and Crow's Ash readers can help. What, for example, do ( � Black Floyd, A.G., 1989. Rainforest trees of mainland south­ itndersza australis). Bullelwood (another name for . suspect the loggers were a fairly Plum) and Squeaker and Humbug eastern Australia. lnkata Press: Melbourne. acist lot, or refer to? � perhaps they rarely encoun­ (names for Schizomeria ovata) Swain, E.H.F., 1928. The timbers and forest products of ered Aborigines in the scrubs there All of these names, like the trees them­ a ' for Queensland. Queensland Forest Service: Brisbane. re "s urp n· smgly · few names adapted from selves, are now part of Australian histo­ 1 n d i genous tongues. I cannot feel pleased about the d I can think of quan­ ry. While Tim. Low is a Brisbane-based environmental s that logging has wrought lo our (�? (Elaeocarpus species), booyongs damage consultant and nature writer with a deep rode species), coondoos rainforests I can certainly enjoy the /y ndron behind. love of history. (P anchonella species), Yiel Yiel (Grevi- names th� timbermen left NATUR E AUSTRALIA WINTER 1998 23

mn:o AROUND 11-IE AUSTRALIAN Island populations are far more prone Black-footed Rock-wallabies (Petrogale coast are thousands of to extinction than mainland populations. /ateralis) on Barrow Island are severely inbred islands that support many The majority of recorded extinctions of and have the lowest levels of genetic variation unique species of fauna and terrestrial vertebrates since 1600 have ever recorded. flora.D Of the 171 mammal species known been from islands, even though most r f om islands, 14 are found nowhere else, species are not found on islands. A recolonisatio�, even if other populations with most becoming extinct on mainland variety of factors make island popu­ survive. Ironically then, th� factors that Austnlia since European settlement. lations especially vulnerable to extinc­ have allowed many Australian mammals That 57 per cent of Australia's tion. These factors mostly relate to the to survive in the short tern: on islands threatened mammals have populations relatively small total size of island are the same factor� that in the long on islands highlights the significant role populations, with population size clearly term make th�se . island populations of islands in conservation. Indeed, many limited by the area of the island. vulnerable to extinction. Genetic variation is believed to be important to the long-term surviva l of pop�lations as its presence �llows pop­ ulations to adapt to environme ntal That 57 per cent of Australia's threatened mammals changes. Recent studies have shown that island populations tend to have less have populations on islands highlights the genetic variation than mainland pop­ ulations, primarily because of their small population size and isolation. Since it significant role of islands in conservation. would aid the long-term survival 0 newly established populations to have as much genetic variation as possible, the of these islands are being used as Another important, although self­ relatively low level of genetic variation sources of animals for captive breeding evident, factor is isolation. Small isola­ present in many island population programs, reintroductions and trans­ ted populations are vulnerable in the makes them less than ideal sources of locations. But are islands all they are long term to extinction because of animals for conservation programs. touted to be? Could the use of island chance events such as environmental Unfortunately though for many species populations in conservation spell the catastrophes and demographic distur­ island populations are all that remain. ultimate doom for the species they were bances. Once an island population is The adaptation of populations to an intended to save? extinct, isolation reduces the chances of island environment can also increa e

8 NATURE AUSTRALIA WINTER 199

NATURE AUSTRALIA WINTER 1998 Burrowing Bettongs (Bettongia lesueur) have been reintroduced to Boodie Island and are now being experimentally translocated to parts of their former range on the Australian mainland. their vulnerability to extinction. I land populations oflen become 'ecologically naive' (for example, lack of predator recognition), develop reduced di persal abilities and have lower reproductive rates. These factors can also limit the usefulness of island populations for reintroductions to sites on the mainland. De pite the importance of islands to the conservation of Au b·alia's mam­ mals, few studies have assessed the (J'enetic variation of island population . · Ii1 recent years my colleagues and I have begun to examine levels of vari­ ation in island and mainland population of the Black-footed Rock-wallaby (Petrogale lateralis) using highly variable (J'enetic markers called microsatellites. The results of this research usinrr nine Plans are currently being formulated to use Banded Hare-wallabies (Lagostrophus fasciatus) different microsatellite loci have been from Bernier and Dorre Islands to re-establish populations in areas on the Western Australian startling. A mainland population of mainland that have been cleared of Foxes and Cats. Black-footed Rock-wallabies at Exrnouth, We tern Australia, had a high level of amined 24 individuals from three mammal population and indicates that genetic variation, where no two in­ different sites and all had an identical Barrow Island Black-footed Rock-wal­ dividuals had the same genetic profile. genetic profile. This low level of genetic labies are severely inbred and have lost However, on Barrow Island we ex- variation is unprecedented for a wild most of their genetic variation since the

e Bramble Cay Sir Edward Pellew Grp j

Salutation Is.

Kangaroo Is. King Is. -tt Furneaux Grp V. These islands support populations of Tasman;a Australian mammals that have become extinct on the mainland. Bruny Is.,.

N 29 ATURE AUSTRALIA WINTER 1998 AUSTRALIAN MAMMALS FOUND ONLY ON ISLANDS

Eastern Quoll (Dasyurus viverrinus) Tasmania T

Tasmanian Devil (Sarcophilus harrisi1) Tasmania s

Carpentarian Pseudantechinus (Pseudantechinus mimulus) Sir Edward Pellew Group T

Kangaroo Island Dunnart (Sminthopsis aitken,) Kangaroo T

*Western Barred Bandicoot (Perameles bougainvi/le) Bernier, Dorre T

Tasmanian Bettong (Bettongia gaimard1) Tasmania, Bruny T

*Burrowing Bettong (Bettongia lesueu,) Barrow, Boodie#, Bernier, Dorre T

Banded Hare-wallaby (Lagostrophus fasciatus) Bernier, Dorre T Tasmanian Pademelon ( Thyloga/e billardieri,) Tasmania and nearby islands s *Rufous Hare-wallaby (Lagorchestes hirsutus) Bernier, Dorre T *Greater Stick-nest Rat (Lepori/lus conditor, Franklin, Reevesby#, Salutation#, T St Peters# Long-tailed Mouse (Pseudomys higgins,) Tasmania s *Shark Bay Mouse (Pseudomys field,) Bernier, Doole# T Bramble Cay Melomys (Melomys rubicola) Bramble Cay T

*Experimental release on mainland under way. #Reintroduced or translocated population. T = threatened; S = secure.

30 998 NATURE AUSTRALIA WINTER 1 During the last 8,000 years the Euros (Macropus robustus) isolated on Barrow Island have become highly inbred and considerably smaller than their mainland counterparts.

r island was separated f om the mainland 8 000-10,000 years ago. This drastically li�1its the usefulness of this population as a source of animals for conservation progran1s. Since this discovery we have started analysing Black-footed Rock-wallabies from five other islands, as well as the Barrow Island Euro (Macropus robustus isabellinus). Although our analysis is incomplete, the general pattern of extremely low levels of genetic variation compared with mainland populations is evident. How can this be explained? As well as the usual factors influencing genetic variation of island populations, it is possible that the

BY breeding together animals of the same species, but from different islands, a highly diverse population would be created.

frequent droughts to which much of !\ustralia is prone have significantly mc'.e�sed the amount of genetic van_ati?n lost in these populations by penod�cally causing severe population reductions. Regardless of its cause research is urgently required to asses� Experimental releases of Western Barred Bandicoots (Perameles bougainville) from Bernier and �he levels of genetic variation in other Dorre islands to predator-free areas of the Western Australian mainland are already under way. island populations, which include some of our most highly endangered diverse population would be created­ management, both our 'mainland' and mammals. The results of these studies one that would be extremely useful for offshore islands have the potential to have the potential to significantly alter reintroductions as it should contain preserve much of the unique fauna and manage�ent strategies. much of the original genetic diversity of flora of Australia.• One mteresting pattern to emerge the species. This gives hope that, with from our research Further Reading o concerns Black­ innovative management, the levels of f oted Rock-wallaby populations from genetic variation in some populations Frankam, R., 1996. Relationship between population several. different islands. Although the can be restored. However, in the size and genetic variation in wildlife. Conserv. Biol. 10: Population on each island has low levels absence of management, the long-term 1500-1508. ��fenetic variation, there are genetic survival of many island populations erences between Frankam, R., 1996. Do island populations have less b islands. This is to cannot be assured. Of equal concern is e ex�ected as the random genetic variation than mainland populations. Heredity op processes the fragmentation of mainland pop­ 78: 311-327. eratmg within each population would ulations, with protected areas rapidly b�sult in each isolated populatio becoming 'islands' in a sea of unsuitable Dr Mark Eldridge is a research scientist at 0 . n � f:1mg fixed for a different set of habitat. Populations trapped in these the School of Biological Sciences, Mac­ e etic mark quarie University, where he pursues a tong­ fo ers. Therefore by breeding 'mainland islands' are also likely to be gether animals of the same species highly vulnerable to extinction. standing interest in the biology and but fro conservation of marsupials. m different islands ' a highly However, with creative yet responsible NATURE AUSTRALI A WINTER 1998 31

A male Albert's Lyrebird may sing G BIRD THAT long tail (about 70 centimetres for the OR A POOR-FLY! continuously for up to an hour or mor day on �he Superb Lyrebird, 50 centimetres for e at a spends hours a time, but not all of it is with his tail in in loud song, the pnce Albert's), which are highly ornamental a ground display position. While singing he moves a of survival is eternal vigilance. and used in spectacular display. The tail vine on his display platform up and down W The famous English ornithologist John consi ts of a broad outer pair of feathers ith F his foot, causing screening foliage to shake. Gould wrote that, of all the birds he had 0yrales), a central narrow pair (medi­ ever studied in the field, the Superb ans) and six pairs with widely spaced Lyrebird (Menura novaehollandiae) was barbs (filamentaries). The name 'lyre­ the chick. Most nests are well camou. by far the most hy and difficult to stalk. bird' comes from the elongated 'S' shape flage_d, but a Superb Lyrebird nest in Equally shy is Albert's Lyrebird (M. of the male Superb's lyrales, although granite or sandstone country may b alberti). Try to approach a singing male the resemblance to that ancient musical conspicuous ... on a ledge of a rock ra/ of either pecies and he will silently dis­ instrument the lyre owes more Lo artis­ wh_ere no terrestrial predator can ge� appear before you get so much as a fleet­ tic imagination than live appearance. to 1t. ing glimpse of him-unless he is accus­ The male Albert's Lyrebird has relative­ With six Lo seven weeks incubation tomed to people, which only rarely hap- ly plain lyrates and, in the dim light of and a similar period t�nd!ng the chick in pens. the rainforest, he looks rather unre­ the nest, the mother 1s Lied to that spot Lyrebirds roost in tall trees at night markable-until he suddenly inverts for over three months. o wonder she but spend the day scratching for food in and spreads his tail. Then the previously chooses mostly to remain silent the leaf litter and top few centimetres of inconspicuous silvery underside of the alth?ugh she too _has a P?werful voice'. soil.They are fast runners and can leap filamentary feathers becomes the out­ J:?unng th� nest111g _ penod the male vertically two metres or more. If side of a dome of shimmering beauty s111gs and displays. His song is so loud it alarmed, they may jump up a tree, that completely encloses his head and may be h�ard a kilometre away and his branch to branch, until high enough to body, and a bright rufous patch under song sessions to!111 several hours a day. glide away, but mostly they simply run the tail is revealed-a spectacular sight, The court hip behaviour of the off. rarely seen, such is his extreme shy­ Superb Lyrebird is well known. The Lyrebirds are the size of a small ness. male clears all vegetation from an area domestic hen and weigh about one kilo­ In both species the female's tail, ab?ut a �etre in diameter and rakes the gram. They have acute eyesight and although plain, is also long (about 40 s01l up 111to a low mound on which he hearing, and large, strong feet with long centimeb·es) and, as the nest is a domed disp_lays bo�h visually and vocally. claws. Adult male lyrebirds have very structure with a side entrance, her tail Dunng the w111ter breeding season each develops a bend in it from fittinginto the male maintains a number of 'these The nest is a cosy fit for an Albert's Lyrebird nest. The female alone builds the nest mounds in an area from which he mother and chick. incubates the single egg, and cares fo; excludes other males, singing to pro-

-34

- tends . A S erb Lyrebird's tail in full display 1 l1is territory, offering vocal t1:ireat in contrast c1 am . to f��m a flat roof over the bird, , if another male mtrudes d an ' only 1f nee­ of an Al�ert s. . . te1· - to the rounded dome shape ssary attacking the mtrude1. These This is 'Timothy' 1953, a recognised t, in �itorie� are not spread all over the fore� individual in Victoria's Sherbrooke Forest that 31 e but are in groups such u,,at the males lived to an age of 25-26 years. able to hear one another� l?ucl calls a_nd can make a p�·ehmm_ary ho1c females -� � vines or sticks on the ground, based on singing a�il_1ty. This 31 , ange crossed , urrouncled by a leafy screen. f:,.s the ment i known as a d1_spersed lek . Th up _co�u� male steps on the vines they spnng Superb Lyrebird male is known to may his dis­ ai,'d clown under his we!ght, or he late with more tha!1 ?ne female and clown. to atb: acl any gra P a vine and move it up play apparently 31m111g in the s_creen to he can. Tl;is causes vegetation female . . may serve to cl1strac� a contrast, little is know!1 of the mat- move which By curious human_) stalkmg habits of Albert's Lyreb!rd. As far �s precla'tor (or ing 's song. However, it may also I am aware, there is no wnt�en eye-w1l­ the lyrebird their copulation. I h�ve, signal to the female. . . nes account of produces tape-recorded vocal b�hav10ur Sonagraphic analys1�, which however, of the �o�g, that I believe indicated copulation was a printed repre�e_ntation but more on that later. often shows aclcl1tional sounds co111c1?­ taking place; . rhythmic For more than 100 years after Albe1 t ' s ing perfectly with . certain leaves Lyrebird was clescrib�cl, the nature of notes and I have noticed that the the display arena remamecl unknown-a shak� in perfect time with thos_e r�yt)1- mic notes. I believe that the btr? 1s 111 tribute to the extreme shyness. of the . birds. It is not an earth mound hke �he effect lapping one dry stick o!· vme on Superb's but a sparse platform of cnss- another, the only case of which I am

LYREBIRDS Classification . Family Menuridae. Two living speci es, the _Superb Lyr�b1rd �Menura novae h � II an d ,ae· ) an d Albert's Lyrebird (M. alberti); one e arly Mi ocene foss il species (M. tyawano,des). Identification . , e o t t o o t e e o e e Larg birds (ab u 1 kg), wi h b dies ab ut h siz f a sm�II dom st1C h n. Albert s rufous brown· Superb more grey brown. L ong ornamental tails: about 70 cm for adult Superb male,' 50 cm for adult Albert's male, 40 cm for females and young birds of bo�h species. In rest position, a mature mal� Alb_ert's tail curves upwa_rds_; t_hat ?f a Superb 1s t t . s raigh but droops slightly at end. Plain-tailed immature males md1stmgu1shable from females. Distribution and Habitat e t ro t Alb r 's: f m M Mistake, southern Qld to Blackwall Range near Ballina, t o o t e o o nor hern NSW; a n rth-s u h rang f nly a li ttle over 100 km. Largely o o o t t t t t o c nfined t rainf res a higher al i udes, i s riginal lowland habitat having bee e e e e n clear d for d v lopment. aware of a wild bird accompanying its Sup rb: e or e t o t o e from n ar Stanth p , jus n r h of Qld/NSW b rd r to Vic. and introduce o t et to e e d int song with a musical instrument-if one Tas. Inhabi s mainly w , and a l sser xtent dry, o o e t o t e t o e t scler phyll f r s , als emp ra e may so regard rainf r s o t e t o o e t o rhythm ticks! and, in n r h rn NSW, sub r pical rainf r s . N where do t e o e coexist. h tw sp cies The males of both species have elabo­ rate visual and vocal di plays aimed at Reproduction attracting female . The complex_ song e e e to d Mal Sup rbs app e o o r o o consists of lyrebird sounds intenmng\e ar b p lygam us o pr miscu us. Mat t o e t unkno ot e e e ing habi s f Alb r 's wn. In b h sp ci s f male alone t e t te t e with mimicked sounds of other specie ee builds he n s , incuba s h e o t 6-7 w ks) e o ot e singl egg (ab u and, although there are similaritie and car s f r chick (an h r 6-7 weeks). e e o t t e e e In br eding s as n (about t Augus ) ma ur mal e t to e e e May o between the two specie , there are some s d f nd erri ri s in a disp rs d le t o e numbe o t o k situa i n. Each mal has a r of display c ur s f m which he e e te e o remarkable differences. One concerns e e o � giv s x nsiv v cal and visual e e ar capabl of s ng r t t e display. (F mal s the use of mimicry and mimic y, bu mos ly r e t e o t . o e e t t main sil n .) A Sup rb's c o m_ und of rak d ar ; he court o e ur is a l w i o � f an Alb rt's is a sparse platfo o t e o t ly ng n ground. i t e e o rm f hin vin s r s icks In d splay, h larg rname t t e e YREBIRDS ARE SUPERB MIMIC AN� to co e e n al ail is spr ad wid and brought . . v r h ad and body in a shimmering e to oo o forward copy any sound they hear. Right filam n us r f f great beauty. L s Behaviour Wrong! A male lyrebird's song includ� calls of other birds but I believe he is oost t t ees � in all r but e t e o o er ' itter sp nd h day n gr und. e o e te te copying other lyrebirds, not the o� � an_d to e e t t Fe d n inv r bra fauna e p f w c n ime res of soil. oo t in l af birds. Superb Ly inb·ocluced lll e t et e Fly p rly bu run rapidly e e o e rebirds, 1 _: ing v r ically 2 m r s or o e t e ee and ar capabl f l ap­ e o m r . Ou sid br ding e o e r Tasmania between 1934 and 1949, P .. forag t ge e e o s as n, mal s wande at large ther. F mal s and y ung o t and may vicle evidence ght birds wander ab u much more. of thi : they brou th�tl: Status own suite of mimicked sounds till Most remaining them and in the 196 song w5 Albert's e 0s their · Lyr bird habitat and n _ much Superb habitat inclu ast th e ies robab in permanent clecl recognisable calls of E ei � �y secure, th d ��:r��:· : � al ough small isolate s 0��am onne d populations such Whipbircls (Psophodes olivaceu ). a�r ountam and Blackwall Rang as the e must be regarded as being Pilotbi�cls (Pycnopti!-l!s floccosus) n i at risk. '. e rhe of which occurs 111 Tasma111a. . to souncls_ are pas cl on from generation_ generation, with all the birds in one 31 ea NATURE AUSTRALIA WINTER I 998 using the same 'borrowed' sounds. In normal circumstances, by hearing the other birds, they keep the mimicked sounds true to the models. However, today in Tasmania, away from the rein­ forcing 'role models', the Eastern Whipbird and Pilotbird calls are no longer recognisable. Albert's Lyrebirds provide proof of this cultural transmission of song. They have evolved a complex song about 50 seconds long consisting of the same sounds, mostly mimicry, always in the same order, which may be repeated over and over like a broken record. A col­ league, Vicki Powys, has dubbed this stereotyped song the 'albertcycle'. (By contrast, Superb Lyrebird song is not cyclic. The sounds come in random order.) This long repeated song appears unique in the avian world. I have found

'Spotty', shown here in June 1961, was per­ haps the most famous of several individually recognised Superb Lyrebirds of Sherbrooke Forest, Victoria. He was 21-22 years old When he disappeared, probably taken by a Fox. 37 NATURE AUSTRALIA WINTER 1998 - IA ii

under no reference in the lileralure lo anything (20 years or more), proclaiming his ler­ plcte alberlcycl�s circumstances similar. Furthermore, all lhe males I rilory wilh loud song. AJI males in a par­ thal clearly 111d1cale the alberlcycle 1· recorded in one localily used lhe same ticular area have the same lerrilorial aimed al allracting lhe female for ma� albertcycle-proof po ilive lhal lhey song bul different areas may have differ- ing. To undersland why this is r so co · learn their songs f om listening lo older nl songs or dialecls. Powys found 12 sider fir l Superb Lyrebird n{alinn. lyrebirds. Superb Lyrebird dialects within a 25- behaviour, as elucidaled by thal doye 1 n o Why do lyrebirds use 'mimicry'? How kilomelre radius of Sunny Corner, easl lyrebird experts, the late Norm'na did the albertcycle arise? How is it used? of Bathursl, New oulh Wales. When a Robinson. ma To attempt to answer these questions male hears a neighbour commencing his A lure male Superb Lyrebird is di requires consideration of the complex lerrilorial song, he will slop singing lo playing and singing on a moun Another d. communication system thal is lyrebird lislen and then respond wilh his own ler­ lyrebird approaches. The mal doesn'l · song. ritorial song. Thus lhey conlinually yet know lhe int:uc�er's sex, an� A malure male lyrebird is trongly ler­ check on one another lo confirm each makes some loud qu est1on111g calls that ritorial, and may occupy lhe same area remains within his own lerrilory. s?u�d like 'plik pli�' or 'clonk clonk'­ each breeding season for his whole life An Albert's Lyrebird, after pausing lo h1s shorl plik song . If . . . satisfied that h.I S proclaim his territory, may conlinue his v1s1lor 1s £ema le, h e adds a r series f At various times during a song session, a alberlcycle f om where he lefl off, slart repeated notes to o r form a 'long plik song' lyrebird may hold his tail in the normal rest again f om the beginning, or Oess often) �hese are followed by more of his position, or inverted over his back, as in this usuai take up in anolher part of the cycle. But d�splay �ong. If she comes to his mound photograph of a Superb Lyrebird. occasionally he continues for many corn- _ his m1m1cry becomes quieter, visual dis'.

98 NATURE AUSTRALIA WINTER 19 -

There is no spare room in a lyrebird nest and the female's tail has to bend around while she is in the nest. After some weeks the feathers become permanently curved, as can be seen in the tail of this female Superb Lyrebird.

play intensifies and, if copulation take place, he precedes it with a series of 'clicking' sounds. o Albert's Lyrebirds have become ufficiently accu lomed to people to allow similar detailed observations of their courting behaviour, but vocal behaviour apparently analogous to Superb' is recognisable. The albertcy­ cle may be interrupted with loud 'gronk gronk' ounds. ometimes these are fol­ lowed by soft rhythmic notes and both repeated several times. This behaviour appears equivalent to the Superb's

'short' and 'long plik songs'. ture'.again shows they learn to sing by I once recorded all the song of a male copymg other lyrebirds. It is these soft Albert's Lyrebird from when he first rhythmic notes that are sometimes came down from his roost until he accompanied by 'rhythm sticks' which stopped singing to feed.He sang at three is consistent with the shaking' of the different display platforms for 33, 4 and leaves being a signal to the female. 65 minutes respectively, with 32, 5 and 84 complete albertcycles, and only eight, O WHY DO LYREBIRDS HAVE THIS one and seven territorial songs. He complex vocal communication cul­ ignored his neighbour's territorial turailyS transmitted from generation to songs, which normally would have stim­ generation? Why do they use mimicked ulated a response. I could not watch him sounds so extensively? How did they

No Albert's Lyrebirds have become sufficiently accustomed to people to allow similar detailed observations of their courting behaviour.

(to have tried would have terminated the acquire the sounds in the first place? performance) but I knew a female was in Some lyrebird must originally have the immediate vicinity ... and the per­ added each mimicked sound. formance ended with 'clicking'! It seems I have encountered only one example reasonable to conclude that mating took of deliberate mimicry. A Satin Bower­ place, and that the albertcycle is there­ bird (Ptilonorhynchus violaceus) gave his fore aimed at the female. advertising call and the Albert's In the 'gronking song', two distinct Lyrebird immediately interrupted his sounds forming the rhythmic notes are albertcycle, gave a perfect imitation of repeated in regular groups or 'bars'. the call-just once-then continued his Recordings of males from one area had albertcycle. That bowerbird call two 'beats to the bar', those from anoth­ occurred in a different place to the regu­ er area all had three 'beats to the bar', lar one in the albertcycle, so clearly it and so on, up to six.That all male in any was deliberate mimicry. one locality have the same 'time signa- Do lyrebirds in the wild mimic NA TURE AU STRALIA WINTER 1998 39 .,

op n, but communication � needs a great of sounds if mon t ny _ b variety _ � ? 1s t? e avoided. Innovative 1�d1v1�uals bor. rowed' from other species, with the new sound taken up by the other males. Lyrebirds once ranged. over 1:1ost of eastern Australia-a f?ssd species has been described from Riversle1gh, north. west of Mt Isa. At some sta�e the popu. 1 lation split into two, with Albert's Lyrebirds in the north and Superbs in the south. Alec Chishol�, in �is book , The romance of the lyrebird, pointed out that the tail of an immature male Superb Lyrebird shows a r�sembla�ce to the tail of a mature Albert s Lyrebird, suggest­ ing that perhaps Albert's Lyrebi�d is the ancient form from which he more . t I Superb Lyrebird evolved. Alternatively both may have evolved from a common I

A female Albert's Lyrebird attends her chick in the nest. been querie? on the mechanical sounds as is claimed?_ In one the story has sam flute-like songs sense they do: in their breedmg-se�s?n grounds that the � song, both species have included m1m1c­ occur in an area 100 kilometres away. If ry of a beak being tapped on a branch, anyone can confirm the �tory and. put and of beating wings, but not axe-blows me in touch with the family who raised or other human-generated sounds. the chick, I'd be most grateful. Outside the Sound leaves no breeding season fossils, so we can they may do so. never know how For many years a ancestral lyrebirds male Albert's ound leaves no fossils, sang, but we can Lyrebird moved speculate as to how into my parents' so we can never know how their complex vocal property on behaviour arose. In Tamborine Moun­ the distant past tain (Queens­ ancestral lyrebirds sang, much of Au tralia land) after the end was covered in of each breeding but we can speculate as forests dominated season. My moth­ by Antarctic Beech er told me that on to how their complex (Nothofagus bras­ one occasion he sii), probably simi­ gave a perfect imi­ vocal behaviour lar to the beech tation of the forests of New starter motor of a arose. Zealand today, tractor. But only which have rela- once. With Euro- tively little ground pean settlement, cover under the for­ some lyrebirds may have imitated axe­ est canopy. With such good visibility, blows or saw-strokes but, finding the ance tral lyrebirds evolved lek sounds behav­ unsuitable, did not incorporate iour based on visual display, and them into the their permanent repertoire. highly ornamental tail resulted. When There is a story of a male Superb beech forests gave way to forests with Lyrebird chick taken from a nest and dense undergrowth, raised visual display away from other lyrebirds. He became ineffective learnt to except at close sing what he heard-a flute. range. Vocal· display supp W11en later released, lanted visual his 'flute' sounds display as the basis of initial were suitable and became female part of the selection, leading to ever more complex local repertoire. I've listened to these song. Continuous song for long periods birds and it does sound plausible, but has the advantage of keeping the lines of 40 998 NATURE AUSTRALIA WINTE R 1 - ancestor with an underdeveloped tail Wbile we can deduce much about the songs of the Superb Lyrebird in the Central Tablelands and onlv the uperb sub equently vocal behaviour of Albert' Lyrebirds of New South Wales. Emu 95: 280-289. · the f�cy bit . Lyrebird have om our knowledge of uperb , their acquired r !=r been lo t t om everywhe�-e north of mten e hyne ha precluded exten ive Reilly, P., 1988. The lyrebird. New South Wales now University Press: Sydney. Biisbane. and the two pec1e almo t observation. There i a olution, though: e,". outh Wale a video camera at each display platform, meet in northern . Robinson, F.N. & Curtis, H.S., 1996. The vocal displays "ith Albert's Lyrebird one can 1mag­ linked to a monitoring station. About a Emu . of the lyrebirds (Menuridae). 96: 258-275. ll1e an initially hort song gradually dozen cameras hould do the trick. If ret' a.me d as a any re earcher can come up with such being extended but b'emg Smith, L.H., 1988. The life of the lyrebird. Heinemann: ong in tereotype� order-the albert­ re ource , I'll gladly how them how to Melbourne. s r m re find the di play platforms.• cvcle. uperb Ly ebll"d borrowed ? r pec1es. · lls and f om a greater range of Sydney Curtis grew up on Tamborine ��t did not retrun the fixed order. Further Reading Mountain, an Albert's Lyrebird area. As a Chisholm, A.H., 1960. The romance of the lyrebird. National Parks Officer in the Queensland In display a male Albert's Lyrebird inverts his Angus and Robertson: Sydney. Department of Forestr y, he commenced tail over his back. It may be partly spread, as research on Albert's Lyrebirds in 1968, and in this photograph, or fully spread to enclose Curtis, H.S., 1972. The Albert Lyrebird in display. Emu has continued this in a private capacity his head and body in a dome of feathers. The 72: 81-84. since 1975. He gratefully acknowledges the bright rufous tuft of feathers at the �ase of encouragement, guidance and advice of the the tail is not found in Superb Lyreb1rds. Powys, V., 1995. Regional variation in the territorial late Norman Robinson.

- iii 441 --,

A tornado in Port Headland, Western Australia. •RTH, WESTEI AUSTRALLA, 15 uly 1996, 9pm: Rod Paterson drove the four-wheel drive the crowd of victims and shaken neigh­ rom kerb to kerb, slowly bours: tornado. windingP his way along the four-lane highway. He and his team of State USTRALLA IS OFTE CONSIDERED TO BE Emergency Services (SES) volunteers Aa safe place to live. Not many earth­ had passed through the police road quakes, the occasional cyclone, a few block and were still a kilometre and a dangerous animals and insects. But tor­ half from the disaster area. Through the nadoes? Do we really gel them? The heavy rain Lhe car's headlights picked answer is yes, and in larger numbers out the debris of people's lives that lit­ than you might think. Tornadoes can tered the road: chairs, clothes, personal strike at many places around Australia, papers, children's toys. Here and there including Sydney (a tornado swept scattered across the asphalt were roof through the suburb of Chatswoocl in tiles and other building materials.At one ovember 1994 causing an estimated site not far away, a steel girder had $20 million damage), Adelaide Qanuary impaled a concrete driveway. Oh, and 1991, $75 million damage) ... and Perth. there were trees, lots of trees, plucked They can also be just as violent as they from the soil and thrown in all appeared in films like ''Twister". On 13 directions. January 1976, an elderly couple were Arriving at the site, Paterson stopped killed in central Victoria when a tornado the truck and stepped out into the dark picked up the car they were travelling in and frightened night. White-faced vic­ and hurled it 100 metres into a ditch on tims wandered around, staring incredu­ the side of the road. lously at the wreckage that was once Tornadoes are the most violent of a their homes: one house had lost its roof; family of phenomena involving twisting the hou e next door was simply gone. A columns of air. At the other encl of the few doors away the petals on the roses spectrum are wind devils, gentle vor­ were still intact.When Paterson saw how tices often seen in school playgrounds. the damage was focused along a narrow These playful phenomena usually appear path through the residential suburb of on warm, sunny days when hot air rising South Perth he knew that what had from baking playgrounds and car parks passed through here was no ordinary interacts with breezes to form a rising storm. Squalls and thunderstorms swirl of dust and leaves. At most they sweep entire cities with their violence. might lift a beach umbrella and carry it This blind selectiveness, which cheerfully downwind, or perhaps destroyed a home and spared its neigh­ become strong enough to lift the occa­ bour, could only be caused by one thing. sional roof tile. A similar but terrifying �s Paterson and his team began their ini­ phenomenon can form over large fires tial reconnaissance, sorting out those where the abundance of rising hot air who needed help first, he heard the can create a fire devil (also known as a word over and over again coming from 'fire whirlwind'). The potential devasta- tion of fire devils is hard to imagine: fol· lowing the earthquake that shook Tokyo in 1923, a fire devil claimed the lives of 60,000 people. Fortunately such events are rare. Tornadoes on the other hand are usu· ally associated with foul weather. Tornadoes start their lives as a column of rising and pinning air within thun· derclouds. Although the air within the tornado i rising, the lower end of the tornado descends from the cloud as it grows. It' only when the tornado reach- es the ground that damage i done. , The tornado itself i as invisible as tl1e wind. What makes tornadoes o spe ctac· ular-at least before they start picking up cars, hou e and people-is the dark funnel in their cenb·e. As a torna�o 1 devel?p funnel is s, it looks as if the r ; reachmg down toward the Earth f0111 the base of the thundercloud almost as d down 0 if the host cloud i being su�ke 0 into the tornado. But the fonnel is simply � e � the condensation of moisture inside th z 0 r, the 0 tornado: as the tornado pins faste "' e "0 pressu�·e in the centre falls, allowing t� formation of a conical or tubular 'cloud· e Despite decades of study, no-on knows_ for sure why tornadoes torni­ What _is known is that popular tornado breedmg grounds are thunderstorms. 8 - NATURE AUSTRALIA WINTER 199 ------·-

Thunderstorms are created when warm air heated by the Sun rises. As it rises, CLASSIFYING TORNADOES: the air cools andthe moisture it contains THE FUJITA SCALE condenses to form those tall, pillowy clouds meteorologists call cumulonim­ Because tornadoes are difficult to measure directly, the Fujita scale was developed in bus*. As the moisture cools and con­ 1971 to help researchers estimate the strength of tornadoes from the damage they denses, it releases the heat energy that caused. Even though the classification levels are a little 'fuzzy' around the edges, the kept it as a vapour. This heat drives the scale remains a useful one. The South Perth tornado, in July 1996, is estimated to have rising air to even greater heights. been an Fl. Although the upward-moving air tends to_ hold the rain aloft, eventually gravity F0: weak tornado, wind speed 64-116 kph wms and the rain falls. Damage to chimneys and windows; shallow-rooted trees pushed over. . Another way thunderstorms develop 1s when a 'cold front' moves in. A cold FI: moderate tornado, wind speed 117-180 kph fro�t is simply a large mass of cool air. Moving cars pushed off road; caravans overturned; trees broken. Being cool, it tends to hug the Earth's surface, forcing air masses in its path strong tornado, wind speed 181-253 kph F2: trees snapped or uprooted. upward and creating a thunderstorm. Roofs torn from frame houses; cars blown from roads; large But thunderstorms, violent as they can be, do not always create tornadoes. An tornado, wind speed 254-332 kph F3: severe cars lifted off ground; most extra ingredient is often needed. Walls torn from frame houses; trains derailed and overturned; According to Andrew Treloar Senior trees uprooted. Meteorologist at the Severe Weather Section of the New South Wales Bureau tornado, wind speeds 333-419 kph . F4: devastating trams and uprooted trees thrown of Meteorology, the one thing you need Frame houses destroyed; bark stripped from trees; cars, to get an intense tornado out of a thun­ or rolled considerable distances. derstorm is windshear. Windshear o curs between two or more air currents tornado, wind speed 420-512 kph . h F5: incredible thrown through the air; asphalt torn �are moving at different speeds. If Whole frame houses tossed from foundations; cars *Th.e word cumulonimbus comes from the from roads. Latn words meaning heaped, a d 01. cumulo n m b us meaning rain-bearing. NAT 45 URE AUSTRALIA WINTER 1998 - --, one current is moving faster than anoth. past ea�h _ other er, they 'ru �· , creating wind's version o_f f1�1ct1on. 1he wind needs to be changm� 111 speed and direc. _height, wh�ch sets tion wi�h up turning t and tw1st111g forces 111 the atmosphere these Within a thunderstorm forces ea� 1 turn into a tornado. 1 To picture _how windshe_ar can create a 11 tornado, th111k of rubbing plasticine I between your hands. If your hands rep. resent two layers of air travelling at dif. ferent speeds above the ground, you can imagine that the air b�t:_weenthem -rep. resented by the plast1c111e-experiences opposing forces on either side. Like the plasticine between your palms, the air between the two layers starts to roll elongating into a horizontal column of rotating air. The rotating column of air gets caught in the updraught of the thunderstorm and transfers its rotating motion to the updraught. The now vertical rotating col ­ umn is called a 'mesocyclone'. Ranging r f om 10 to 20 kilometres across and extending from a kilometre above the ground to 15 kilometres in height, the mesocyclone can produce a 'wall cloud', a shallow cylindrical-shaped cloud (pic­ ture a giant cake tin) extending beneath the thundercloud. The winds below the mesocyclone are fast-up to 120 kilome­ tres an hour. Further concentration of a core in the cenb·e of the mesocyclone­ with winds reaching anything up to 500 kilometres an hour-is the tornado. Tornadoes houldn't be confused with cyclones, which are large (typically 500 to 1,000 kilometres in diameter), rotat­ ing, low air-pressure systems. Cyclones, like tornadoes, u ually rotate anticlock­ wise in the northern hemisphere and clockwise in the south. They are fre­ quently encountered in the tropics, espe­ cially around the north of Australia. However, tornadoe can form within the incliviclual thunderstorms of a cyclone. In fact, as Treloar explained, ometimes a lot of the extreme wind damage clone in a tropical cyclone i actually caused by an embedded tornado! Treloar remains cautious, however , for much of what we know about tornadoes is still theory. It's very hard to observe what goes on inside tornadoes, or even thunderstorms for that matter. Not that scientists haven't tried. In the United lated States, where the den ely popuseem rural areas have made tornadoes downright common, scientists are con· ducting experiments to find out what makes tornadoes twi t. One is cal\e d Origins VORTEX, or Verification of the 1 of Rotation in Tornadoe Experi111e( t. VORTEXconsi t of a nurnberof mobile weather radar system capable of s�ns· ing both rainfall and wind directiond These radar sy terns are hauled aroun the countryside in earch of tornadoes. m At the peak of its intensity this tornado fro Pampa, Texas shows a dark mass of debris gathered at the base and revolving upward· 98 NATURE AUSTRALIA WINTER 19 Twin waterspouts over the warm waters of the Gulf of Carpentaria. A waterspout is caused by cool unstable air masses passing over warmer waters. This results in the formation of vigorous updraughts that can tighten up into a spinning column. They can be dangerous for boaters and shoreline locations. Similar research in Australia is diffi­ tive explanation for why they occur. The ing houses of their roofs, especially flat­ cult. Not only is Australia a large country best meteorologists can do at the roofed houses. As explained by with a relatively sm·all population, the moment is issue warnings that a particu­ Associate Professor Geoffrey Boughton fact is, compared with most meteorolog- lar thunderstorm might produce a torna­ from Curtin University's Department of

1 ical phenomena, tornadoes are tiny. do. Civil Engineering, it all has to do with They canrange in size from 100 metres Tornado warnings are rare, but impor­ aerodynamics. The wind tearing across across up to perhaps a kilometre at most, tant because few phenomena produce the ground hits a house and has to go and satellites and standard weather the devastation tornadoes are capable of. somewhere. Some of the air goes around radar don't have the resolution to see So just how does a tornado do all the the house, but most goes up and over the them. In fact, the best way to spot a tor­ damage? The rotating air current in a top. By the time the wind gets to the top nado is by eye, but with Australia's tornado can reach speeds up to 500 kilo- of the wall it's moving upwards quite sparsely populated outback that's a big job. It's hard to know about the frequen­ cy of tornadoes in Australia but to improve things the Bur�au of The best way to spot a tornado is by eye, Meteorology is recruiting a network of 'storm spotters', volunteers spread around the countryside who report but with Australia's sparsely populated outback severe storms such as tornadoes. So far about 3,000 storm spotters have been that's a big job. recruited across Australia and Treloar says t�e network really helps to fillin the gaps m our knowledge of where, and metres an hour. Compare this with max­ quickly. The wind over hoots the top of when, Australian tornadoes occur. imum wind gusts in a hurricane of 360 the house creating suction above the The information collected about torna­ kilometres an hour (although sustained house. It's this suction that raises the does is fed into computers to try and speeds of 160 kilomeb·es an hour are roof. work out what's going on. Treloar more common) and you begin to appre­ It's sometimes difficult to tell whether explained that, over the last 10 to 15 ciate the destructive force behind a storm damage in Ausb·alia is the result years, there have been some pretty good twister. But it's not just wind speed that of the twisting force of a tornado or computer models designed to mimic gives a tornado its savage fury. When a something less exotic like the single­ what happens in thunderstorms. These tornado strikes a wall, for example, the direction winds in a quail. Tony �??els allow meteorologists to alter the wall experiences opposing wind forcesat Banni ter, a meteorologist with the 1n1tial conditions of 'virtual thunder­ either encl. It is the rotation of the torna- Western Ausb·alian Bureau of Meteor­ storms' to ' do that literally twists things apart. ology, explained that the reason it's see which ones produce tor­ sometimes hard to tell the difference �adoes. But at the end of the day, torna- The severe horizontal wind within a oes remain_ a mystery, with no defini- tornado are particularly good at reliev- between squall and tornado damage is NATU RE AUSTRALIA WINTER 1998 47 - ""

overshooting tops

anvil plume

sideview of super cell looking southwest

g 0 0 t;:; :a: "-- 0

"'=> a:, tii SE NW �=> 8 thunderstorms and, potentially, tornadoes. This illustration displays the features of a severe weather system that produces

because of the speed of Australian tor­ be 160 kilometres an hour and on the ing. The resulting debris pattern­ nadoes. A tornado travelling at 50 or 60 other it's only 40 or 50 kilometres an blown mainly in one direction-mimics kilometres an hour may also be spinning hour. Most of the debris will be blown that left by a squall. This makes it dif fi. at 100 kilomeb·es an hour. So, on one by the 160-kilometre-an-hour wind, in cult to determine whether wind damage side of the tornado the wind speed will the same direction the tornado is mov- is the result of a tornado or a squall. In comparison, tornadoes in the United States tend to spin faster, but move slow­ ly across the land. The result is debris thrown in all directions, a pattern that isn't easy to duplicate any other way. As Bannister put it, the best thing is either a witness to the event or a clear debris pattern that shows the path of a tornado. It just happens that in suburban Perth on the night of 15 July 1996 both were available.

I:"ARLIER THAT DAY THE WESTERN l:..Australian Bureau of Meteorology forecast that a strong winter cold front would move through Perth after lunch. Winter cold fronts are common to the south-west coast of Western Australia, but Bannister recalls this was quite a strong one. The front crossed the coast at about 4pm and a warning was put out for possible severe squalls and thunder­ storms that evening and night. It wasn't long before reports of minor damage done by wind gusts up to 100 kilomeb·es an hour began to come in to 1 the Western Ausb·alian SES Headquar­ ters. Rod Paterson, then a volunteer but n w a received ? full-time SES employee, r his first call as soon as he got home f om work. The call was to a few houses that had been damaged by fallen trees. By the time Paterson and his col­ leagues were back at the base, the , storm was raging. ''We thought there '> wasn't much point in going home, so we ordered a pizza and waited forth e phone , to ring e pizza again. But before th .., arrived we were gone", Paterson recalled. At about 8.40 that evening, a a This tornado from Northam Western Aust rali is made visible by all the d�st that has been sucked up into its funnel. 8 - NATURE AUSTRALIA WINTER 199 II moved through the Perth metro­ . The tornado then destroyed a house: was injured. s accompanied by a severe its :flat roof was torn r Q��fa1 n area off and the f ont This isn't the first lime a tornado No-one knew that a tor­ windows were blown in, but has l:in derstorm. the walls struck at a densely populated area and t had formed within that thunder­ were left standing. The shattered it's unlikely na do remains were lo be the last. Nor was it the torm. . all that was left of the most severe. Tornadoes s f·orm!ng over home of an elderly are classified The tornado began woman. She had lost according to the Fujita scale 20 lolomet1:es everything, and (see box) Rot nest Island, about never moved back. The with F0 being at the bottom t eastward with block of land remains encl and F5 st of Perth. Heading vacant. al the top. The South Perth tornado we ly touched ?O"":n It passed through has ,e storm, it eventual_ the backyard of a been rated as an Fl, a moderate tornado. t Gairdner Hospital 111 nearby property, but only touched OUJ tSI ' de Sir Charles. . the However there are records of al least w here the onI Y house. The strange F3 Shenton park. TI11 s 1s thing was that the tornadoes in Australia. As Australia's the tor�ado took expected debris fr reported sighting of om this house was population spreads, the chance twister move nowhere to be of 1 e: a nurse saw the dark seen. Paterson recalled encountering tornadoes becomes well-lit car park. The torn�­ that there was some debris left behind ���ugh the r greater. Since tornadoes are so hard to to the hosp1- bits f om the garden do did some minor damage like broken branch� predict, we may encl up finding out about doW11 a few trees and block­ es and a garden shed, but not what was their ta 1 bringing r frequency and intensity in _ g ilie ambulance entrance before mov­ missing f om the house. Unaccounted Australia the hard way.• g off into the night in search of other debris was found over a kilometre away. l� "Either that's the debris fr pre y. om the house Further Reading eastward ac1. oss Kings pai · I< or it's still up there", said Paterson. Seargent, It moved r D.A.J., 1991. Willy willies and cockeyed where it tore branches f om some trees The tornado continued along Mill bobs-tornadoes in Australia. Karagi Publications: The and uprooted others, flinging debr�s in Point Road before dissipating over the Entrance, New South Wales. its path. It crossed the Swan River, neighbouring suburb of Kensington. d over the Kwinana Freeway, and The tornado had carved a seven-kilo­ Nash, J.M., 1996. Unraveling the mysteries of twisters. passe Time 20 May 1996, No. 21: 64-69. entered ilie densely populated suburb of metre-long path of destruction only 40 Souili Perth. metres wide. Travelling at at least 80 kilometres an hour, the tornado had Bureau of Meteorology, 1995. The storm spotters' As ilie tornado travelled along Mill handbook. Australian Government Publishing Service: Point Road, it tore the roof_from a block twisted the night away in a mere five Canberra. of flats, hurling the d_ebns up to 300 minutes. metres away. A steel girder later found In the darkness that followed, 90 SES Bureau of Meteorology, 1996. Wonders of the weather. sticking out of the concrete driveway volunteers were called out to help peo­ Australian Government Publishing Service: Canberra. could not be budged by the SES team ple through the night. A total of 22 peo­ a ple were evacuated, 33 sets of traffic Geoff McNamara is a freelance science iliat found it. "It would take more than writer and a regular contributor to later lights damaged, and 30 houses severely ature five-story fall to do that", Paterson Australia as well as to several other science commented. "It would have gone up damaged. Powerlines had come down, and technology magazines in Australia, before it came down." Elsewhere it some of the power poles snapped off. Asia and England. He would like to thank raised a charity clothing bin into the air Fences and brick walls were left lying in Tony Bannister, Geoffrey Boughton, Rod and scattered its contents for 200 metres pieces. The total repair bill was estimat­ Paterson and Andrew Treloar for their help do wn ilie road. ed at $20 million. Miraculously no-one in preparing this story.

on like a small tornado but only occur � Will y . . columns of whirling dust look fl willy or dust devil on a dry plane in the Northern Territory. These ne day are usually harm 1ess. s. They are the result of an updraught from the hot sur f ac d e an 49 �AT URE AUSTRALIA WINTER 1998

N QUIET PO OS AND FARM DAMS I aspects of their outward appearance, the the forest and paddock on male's call is an unprepossessing 'cluck', Au tralia's east coast lurks a repeated a few Limes each minute. bizarr creature armed with a pair A Tusked Frogs are the only mem­ ofI fearsome curved tu ks. Guarding a ber of their family (Myobatrachiclae) to nest made of froth, this creature is noth­ possess these 'dental' protuberances ino- to fear. Unlikely as it may sound, it is normally associated with elephants and a frog. walruses, they have been placed in a The Tu keel Frog (Adelotus brevis) genus all of their own. Being so unusual takes its name from two sharp tusks makes them especially interesting to found at the front of its lower jaw that fit biologists who study evolution, because into sp cial pits in evolutionary biolo- the roof of the gy is one place mouth. The tusks where a tabloid fixa- are not 'real' teeth, t is the study of the bizarre, tion with the weird but bony exten­ I and wonderful actu- sions of the lower ally serves a pur­ jaw. From above, the outliers, the freaks, pose beyond these frog aren't momentary titilla­ much to look at, that gives us some of our tion. It i the study the rough, dark of the bizarre, the brown, mottled clearest insights into the outliers, the freaks, skin on their back that gives us some looking remark­ hows and whys of our clearest ably like the moist insights into the dirt, mud and of evolution. hows and whys of leaves in which evolution. If a they live. But flip a species is ju t like Tusked Frog over and it's a frog of a its close relatives, then the majority of its wholly different complexion. Like their characteristics will simply be evolution­ tusks, these frogs keep their more out­ ary baggage left to it by its distant ances­ rageous sartorial excursions hidden. tors. This makes it difficultto determine Their bellies are a striking mosaic of how those characteristics first evolved. black and white, and they have brilliant By studying the weirder species, in red patches in the groin and on their which a trait has evolved more recently, back legs-thought to act as a distrac­ it is possible to gain a much better tion to predators as the frogs make their understanding of how such a trait escape. In keeping with the more sedate evolved.

ANY ANIMAL SPECIES SHOW MI\I0R M differences between males and females, ranging from a simple size dif· ference to the pos ession of ornaments such as the b·ain of a Peacock or the mane of a Lion. This is known as sexual dimorphism, and was first explained by Charles Darwin who proposed that a process called exual selection wa responsible. Sexual election can act through two different mechanisms. The first is male-male competition, where males fight each other for access to females (see Nature Aust. Winter 1996). This tend to lead to larger ize in mal�s and tool useful for fighting such as big horns or chest shields. The second mechanism i female choice, where female exert their powers as con­ sumers and choo e their mate based on certain criteria of attractiveness (see You wouldn't want to meet h _ !m in a dark swamp. The formidable tusks that Nature Aust. * 9 . their name give these fro gs ummer 1994- 5) are much longer in the male than in the female. F�1:nale choice is often behind the bnght, showy colours e males 52 of som 8 NATURE AUSTRALIA WINTER 199 and can explain the presence of appar­ males than females. Males also have On casual inspection the male Tusked Frog ently useless ornaments. It can also be larger heads and longer tusks. Despite looks much like any other brown frog but his responsible for differences in body size if this anomaly and its being one of the teeth are unique among Australian species. females choose their mates on the basis morer bizarre members of the Australian of this criterion. f og fauna, no-one had ever b·ied to elu­ about what they got up to when they But it isn't always necessary to resort cidate why male and female Tusked were alive. to sexual selection in order to explain Frogs were so different, nor why they Painstaking measurements of all the sexual dimorphism. atural selection possessed such a fearsome pair of available museum specimens revealed can also lead to differences in the sexes weapons on their lower jaws. ot until that the males were about 25 per cent by acting through some form of ecologi­ Kaliope (Poppy) Katsikaros who, as a longer than the females and also had cal_ divergence. For example, male mos­ Master's student at the University of larger heads, legs and tusks, even after quitoes lack piercing mouthparts as only Sydney, spent many a cold night knee taking into account their larger overall the females suck blood. deep in Campbell's Dam in Ourimbah body size. Female tusks were often no In most frog species the female is the State Forest, about 80 kilometres north bigger than tiny (less than .5 millimetre) iarger sex, the result of natural selection of Sydney, light rain falling around her, bumps in the lower jaw, whereas male or greater egg production-the larger a ears aching as she sought a quiet 'cluck'. tusks were well-defined, often curved �emale is, the more eggs she can pro- However, before getting out among sb·uctures around two millimeb·es long uce In some species the male is larger the living, hopping, clucking frog , she but up to four millimetres in the largest 1: :d s oft�n _found brawling with other had to make a pilgrimage to the inner individuals. If these differences were the es � , �n indication tha� sexual selection city resting place of some of their result of natural rather than sexual selec­ is oostmg the male's size. deceased brethren. Museum collections tion, then the first evidence would be a Tusked Frogs, aren't just dusty old accumulations of difference in diet. So, with her head still ot �nlike almost all the r her members of its family,_ have larger dead animals; they are an invaluable spinning f om the alcohol fumes, Poppy cut the specimens open and inspected 'Previously source of information-those dead ani­ ANH mals can tell some interesting tales their last meals, di covering just the clif- NATUR - E AUSTRALIA WINTER 1998 53 ",

Frogs lay their The female natural selection wa already looking a Tusked eggs in a floati ference he was looking for. �m nest. The �est are r by arthropods little shaky, so it wa time to investigate fo relatively con� f og 'diet wa dominated sp1cuous, the white bubbles and cricket�, w�ile the po sibility of exual election ... and standing on such as gras hoppers against the dark water and t apparently had a predtlect1on time to hop into the pond. vegetati u the males The mal� st�ys with �he nest mollu c . The males also had a for a f�n. for AND A days unbl his offspring w diet, even going so far as to con- SUITABLE STUDY SITE LOCATED hatch and broader could often be found by 0 other frogs, including those of head torch donned, Poppy set searchi ume A r The around an� unde:neath the g their own pecies. about trying to catch some f ogs. nests. Thi with also made 1t pos 1ble to locate Unfortunately the discovery that the males adverti ed their presence males 0s her to home nights when they weren't in � diets of the two sexes were different did­ their quiet clucks, allowing the mo 0 the quick for calling. n't provide _The females and neat an wer that it proved co s1de abl n. might have.The differ­ r y more dif ficult locate, howe to ences didn't really band around the waist ver. The lure She secured a wide rubber of a clucking male explain why the males drew had such large tusks some out of hiding, and a of a male frog, attached it to some fishing line few and big heads. It's a lit­ female were found clutched tle hard to imagine the in the tigh to �mbrace t male frogs having to and swung him over to land next of a male (a join­ employ their sharp ing known a a_mplexus). tusks in life and death a calling male. But eventually 1t became battles with VICIOUS clear that the only option pond snails! It's far was to resort to the more plausible that the unpleasant and di tinctly differences in diet arose because the two in on them, a painstaking process where messy job of in tailing a network of sexes were living in different habitat every movement, sound or stray torch buckets in the muddy ground and con­ due to their different reproductive roles. beam scares the frog into silence. necting them with a plastic fence The males spend most of their time However, patience and an ability to stop designed to capture any frog leaving or around ponds and other water bodie , breathing for minutes at a time are entering the pond. This also allowed for calling for females, and so would usually rewarded with success. Once the posi­ the capture of any 'wandering males' that dine on the available pond life. The tion of the ca1Jing site had been nar­ didn't have calling sites of their own. females, on the other hand, are more rowed down, it was often pos ible to Faced with the problem of individually often away in the forest where arthro­ locate the male by looking for the results marking her charges, Poppy used the pods are more common. The ea e for of his reproductive efforts. Female marbled undersides of the frogs to iden-

The male Tusked Frog dwarfs the female in size. 54 1998 - NATURE AUSTRALIA WINTER . them sketching the distinctive pat­ tifY O at she could recognise them in tern s tl{ future. . J e uestion here was tlTI crucial q 1 differences between e;�er or not the 1 ales-the big bodies, w a es and fem m ids and tusks-gave males an _advan­ hea competed for matmgs. If ta e when they g it would be strong_ evidenc� that se?<- 501 election was playmg a maJor role 111 ua differences between e !rating the g 1es and females. Three years of rainy 11�! feet later and the answer 1110 hts and cold 0 that question emerged from the - ve mass of data thatPoppy had ui np1 essi . ' . built up. First, t h e ' wa� denn g p1�- trapped males were small�1 tha� the te1 - ritorial calling males, 1mply111r g that 11aller males are prevented f om rset­ ti�a up territories and excluded f om calling, and hence hav� a significantly reduced chance of mating. Second, the measurements of males in amplexus and revealed that the larger cruarding nests �iales were mating more often. And final­ ly there was a correlation between t�e body sizes of males and females 111 amplexus, indicating that larger males tend to mate with larger females and hence produce more offspring. So larger males were most certainly more suc­ cessfulin the nightly struggle for mates than were their smaller rivals. But what about the tusks? There was plenty of circumstantial evidence that Just as no two zebras' the males were fighting. They excluded stripes are the same, neither are the black-and-white marbling patterns r on a Tusked Frog's belly. each other f om calling sites and used the same sites repeatedly. These sites were regularly spaced around the ters resulted in a calling male leaping out TUSKED FROG perimeter of the pond, suggesting that and savagely biting the smaller, har­ Adelotus brevis males were actively defending a defined nessed male around the throat. Given Classification ar ea. And, if calling males were exposed this predilection for sorting out their dif­ Family Myobatrachidae (southern frogs) to playbacks of other males calling, they ferences in a rather violent manner, it's changed their clucking advertisement pretty clear that male-male combat is Identification call to a 'territorial' call (a series of short behind the oversized tusks of the male Dorsal colour dark grey to brown. trills) and would sometimes emerge frogs and is probably also responsible Underside mottled black and white. Red from their burrows, presumably in for their larger overall size and big in groin and behind back legs. A pair of search of the intruder. Males were also heads, although female choice may have sharp tusks on the lower jaw, about 2 observed giving territorial calls when played some role there. mm in males, 0.3 mm in females. Males other males were close by, and one male And so the mystery was solved. Those larger than females (female snout-vent was seen to leap at an intruder. tusks certainly aren't for battling malev­ length up to 40 mm, males up to 50 �owever, proof that the tusks were olent pond snails. Like most things in mm). b em� used as ' weapons was going to this world, it all comes back to sex.• requir� first-hand experience Distribution and Habitat ales of the Further Reading r m action. Because natural interac­ Found in rainforest, wet sclerophyll _ions 1984. An observation of a display of were so rare and just sitting around Giddings, S., forest and in open grazing areas along 111 th · · aggressive behaviour between two male tusked frogs e cold waitmg for them the east coast from central eastern Qld was so . _ to happen (Adelotus brevis). Herpetofauna 15: 50. d . mmd-numbmgl.y tedious Popp to southern NSW. ec1dedtO · ' y O engmeer a few border incur- 1997. Sexual dimorphism in sio f her Katsikaros, K. & Shine, R., own. She secured a wide the tusked frog, Adelotus brevis (Anura: Behaviour ru:er b and lays around 250 eggs in a around the waist of a male Myobatrachidae): the roles of natural and sexual selec­ Female fr��� a ched floating foam nest. Eggs hatch in a few s � it to some fishing line and tion. Biol. J. Linn. Soc. 60: 39-51. 1111 over days and tadpoles take about 70 days to m to land next to a calling ° ale\ put selection and sexual dimor­ at 20 C. Male call is a Pr the fighters in the mood she Shine, R., 1979. Sexual metamorphose ovide� a phism in the Amphibia. Copeia 1979: 297-306. quiet 'cluck', repeated a few times each call soundtrack of an unfamilia in _ale. r minute. Food consists of mainly the ; � Then she sat back to watch of c n ic t e Shine, R., 1989. Ecological causes for the evolution invertebrates, especially arthro�ods and scalate. Q. Rev. And here agam· sexual dimorphism: a review of the evidence. molluscs, but other frogs occastonally Tusked came evidence that Biol. 64: 419-461. Fro gs ?re eaten. ll1ost frog a little unusual. In the species the males Geordie Torr is a graduate student in the ir d'f1 f 111 sort out 111a er.e sn ce · a of Zoology (!,t James Cook Status nner g relatively harmless Department _ evidence of i m a ches University. His research inter�sts include Uncertain. Anecdotal Pos10 tion.� t-to-chest wrestling ecolo­ ur such sportsman-like evolutionary biology an� _behavioural declines. here · O behav­ and amphibians. � ne of the provoked gy of reptiles 55 ATuR E AUST R encoun- ALIA WINTER 1998

- The Common Blossom-bat does not consurn LIVI G FOR A MALL during parts of lhe clay or night when al HE OSTS OF pollen directly from flowers but by gro rni e rest, particularly when food is sca!·ce. . o ng blos om-bal are huge. If the fur and wings a f ter a bout of nectar expressed as energy used per Then, using internal heal proclucl1on, feeding. gram of body mass, these they warm themselves up just before mouseT-sized bals expend more than ten their next activity period. This torpor. With the help of that of a human, just lo slay alive. physiological slate of reduced body Gerha d times Kortner, a posldocloral (ellow � During flight or other sb·enuous activity temperature and metabolic rate is called in daily torpor, during which body laboratory, the fi_rst bats for the p o 6 energy expenditure (or metabolic ° r je their were nelled dunng autumn rate) can increa e another tenfold. To temperature may fall Lo around 20 C near lluk on the northern �oast �£ sustain such energy demands, many and metabolic rate is reduced by about New South 60-80 per cent of resting levels. It Wales. �hey were 1mmed1ately small mammals and birds must r _ taken to the University of New consume large amounts of food each differs f om hibernation, which is a England i Armidale and kept day, often the same or even more than more extreme form of torpor and in a large holdin; branche their body mass. Think aboul typically occurs during winter. Hiber­ room with _ for roosting and plenty of space for flight. We swaggering to a counter at your local nating animals let their body° temp­ gave them fa t food outlet and ordering several eratures fall to around 5 C and an artificial 'nectar' diet of blended hundred hamburger ! metabolic rates can be as low as one per banana, apple jui�e, ug�r, and lnfasoy Most blo som-bats, as their name cent that of active animals. This strategy baby food (as their prote111 source). The implie , eat only the nectar and pollen allows the animal to go for months bats loved the e 'banana smoot r hies' f om flowering plants. But how do they, without eating, often surviving entirely with each of the five bats helping with their high energy costs, survive on on stored fat. themsel�es to about 22 grams of the such a limited and specialised diet? I Many people believe that daily torpor food. Given that e�ch bat weighed around 18 gr�ms, discussed this with Brad Law, who had and hibernation are processesr that this meant they ate occur only in mammals f om temperate more than their recently obtained a PhD on the biology r body mass each day! and ecology of the Common Blossom­ regions and the A ctic, nol Australia's Once the animals had acclimati ed to (Syconycteris australis). bat In particular, warm eastern coast. Moreover, until their new home, we attempted to induce we wondered whether blossom-bats were recently, it was thought that, of the bats, torpor b� �ithholding food overnight homeothermic like humans (in other only some insectivorous members of and subJect111g them to a range of word , did they continuously regulate the suborder Microchiroptera were constant temperatures. During this time their body temperature at a constant capable of entering torpor. All 'mega­ we meas_ured th�ir rate of oxygen high level, regardless of the environ­ bats' in the suborder Megachiroptera, consumption to estimate their metabolic mental temperature?), or whether they including the blossom-bats, were be­ rate and daily energy needs. The bats employed some physiological or be­ lieved to be strictly homeothermic. remained active for most of the night havioural tricks to help them get by. and sustained high metabolic rates. It is well known that, as an energy­ RAD AND l THEREFORE DE IDED TO However, ° even at temperatures as high saving sb·ategy, many small mammals Bstudy the use of energy by the as 26 C, as soon as lights came on in allow their body temperature and Common Blossom-bat and determine the morning the bats' metabolic rates metabolic rate to fall to very low levels whether or not the species could enter began to fall, dropping to less than 30

At about the size of a mouse blossom-bats ' like this Common Blossom-bat, are the smallest 58 members of their family. 8 NATURE AUSTRALIA WINTER 199

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A Common Blossom-bat feeds at a banana per cent that of active animals th d flower. Its long snout tongue within roo_m. temperature_ dropped b_elow \ and help it reach about o the nectar. half an hour. This rapid fall in their internal heating mecham�m w td metabolic rate seemed to indicate kick in to stabilise their bo Y torpor, but to actually prove it we had to temperature at thi minimum level. show that their body temperature that toi or had We could now establish � simultaneously declined. �!ways comme!1ced imme�iately after b�� Initially we attempted to measure the lights went on 111 the morning (remem_ body e temperature of torpid bats by bats are nocturnal and for them dayti�1�: using a fine rectal probe. The bats is rest time) and lasted several h u disliked � this intrusion so much that During this time they reduced 1 they quickly changed their daily ou;% activity metabolic rate to a minimum of a? that pattern. and began to rest all night, per cent that of resting bats, meaning expending so little energy that there up to 85 per cent of the energy theY was apparently no need for s d ; them to would have used to stay warm _wa saf:11 enter torpor the following morning. cally We At the end of a torpor bout, typi a e therefore decided to implant tiny hours went o t, th temperat before the lights u h 11re-sensitive radio-b·ansmitters temperature ts increased �t : :. which allowed of the ba ° t us to measure body amazing rate of up to 1.5 C per min�nn temperature remotely without ever This mean were abl° e to w having to touch thatr they their the animals. Sure themsel 18 C° to enough, the did ves f om a low of in bats lower° their body normal 35 C wi·t11 temperature, body temperature of to about 18 C. However, if about 30 minutes. 60 I 998 NATURE AUSTRALIA WINTE R p

They were able to warm themselves from a low of 18° C to their normal body temperature of 35° C within about 30 minutes.

Dionne Coburn, an Honours student at could establish that torpor patterns the University of New England, and I differed between summer and winter netted blossom-bats near Iluka in both bats, but in a way that was exactly the summer and winter. Bats from both opposite to what had been observed in groups were again returned to Annidale species from cold climates. where they were held under conditions In summer, bouts of torpor were simulating the natural day length they longer, lasting an average of 7.3 hours, experienced at the time of capture. while in winter they were only 5.5 Somewhat surprisingly, the bats caught hours. Since body temperatures and in both winter and summer exhibited metabolic rates during torpor were daily torpor. However, when we lower in summer than in winter, the examined our data in more detail, we overall daily energy expenditure of bats

AUSTRALIAN BLOSSOM-BATS

Classification Order Chiroptera (bats), suborder M egachiroptera (megabats), family Pteropodidae (flying-foxes, fruit-bats, blossom-bats), subfamily M acroglossinae (blossom-bats): two Australian g enera, each with one species: Common Blossom-bat (5yconycterts australis) and Northern Blossom-bat (Macrog/ossus minimus).

Identification . . a ta al M. mm,mus a Very similar in appearance. Both lack n obvious il ( though has l e t e t at t lap nectar, rudimentary palpable one), have a l ong brush- ik ongu h is used o a l te e eat ea l��gth about 6 cm, and have soft reddish fur on b ck, igh r und rn h._ H_ d-body M. mm,mus. M. mm,m s has� flap­ a about 18 g for 5. australis, 16 g for � body m ss t lac a a ea e a t in 5. austra/Js, but 1 ks like interfemoral membrane ('pyj m ') on ch l g, bsen e 5. australis. the obvious upper incisors pres nt in

Distribution . · e a t t , nd N Gv: · a n australis: ea t c a t of Australi nor h of Boot1-Boo 1: NS 5. s o s � �� e\ l a t a a n �e 1 anes1a. �o M. minimus: northern, tropical Austra i , Sou h-East Asi species overlap in north-eastern Qld.

l t) l ta l a ts (es�eciall ��:����a/is roosts so i ri y !n r infores \;���ir :� :�t �:: a la i ��; r h h ll t t also ana p t n sclerophy fores s, bu m � ; ,; ����!u al small t e s roosts individu ly or in ee t t from roos ing s1 s. f ding, no oo far all buildings. a e a rainforests and occasion y Since the blossom-bats did so well in groups in palms, bamboos, m ngrov s nd captivity, we decided to go one step further to determine if there were any Food . e e all e a e ee and bush s, esp ci y seasonal changes in the way they used l e e of fl ow n tiv tr s Nectar and po l n from a numb r n;� e e \ us a e ainforest species. Wh re th torpor. Many mammals from the north­ B k t al M laleuca ucaly n om r an sia bu so e , E pt e a l ators a a e speci s re major pol in ern hemisphere enter torpor more e al t nd e I v s. Both e , e ' 1 er ap th yy ma . so ea fruits e e sp ci s ov l a t ed disp rs rs for e a e robab y signific n se frequently, and allow their body a a ety of native sp cies, nd ar P temper levels, of v ri ature to fall to lower some plant species. during the winter. However, no-one had ever conducted a detailed study on ea l. sea Breeding , eeding appears non-s sona 1 sonal changes rns in t e al a a nd N w Guinea br of torpor patte 5 a ustralis in nor h rn Austr i e ·' For ; a tween F b and Apr. Young man:imals from the tropics or sub- in Oct.(�ov. an seconl be 1, \n NSW, one young is born a l b�eeding patterns, tropics. Animal M. mm,mus appears to h ve simi ar s like blossom-bats are c le 3 months. face su k d for up to e d with entirely different changes in l a part of rang . becoming aseasona in f r northern �mperature and food availability u g :m the year than are temperate all l a Status . . alt it is form y isted as nimals. In _ t at occurs hough comparison to temperate s s c where h m1 d habit ea S. au trali ommon Conservation Act 1995; fu s, the seasonal climatic changes in e h T�rea t e ned Specie� e 'Vulnerable' in NSW, und r t e . . sub-tropi e a range. 18 cs are moderate and food M. minimus common ov r wide available all rn year round although it fluctuate. 10 conduct the seasonal study, NATUR 61 • E AUSTRALIA WINTER 1998 -

The Northern Blossom-bat, although similar in appearance to the Common Blossom-bat, is distinguished by a flap-like membrane on each leg.

caught in summer was reduced by almost 20 per cent relative to winter­ caught bats. Initially we were .baffled by this rather unexpected findmg. How­ ever, after reading how the ne.ctar of Banksia flowers, one of the ma111 food so urces of the Common Blossom-bat, is produced in much greater volumes in winter than in summer, it became obvious that these 'cool' bats adjust their thermal biology and energetics to food availability. In summer, not only is overall nectar availability patchy and unpredictable, but the bats also have Jess time to forage because of the shorter nights and have to wait throughout long days before the next feeding period arrives. We believe that, at this time of the year, torpor is particularly important.

HE COMMO BLOSSOM-BAT IS 1OT THE Tonly small Australian megabat. A slightly smaller species is the Northern Blossom-bat (Macroglossus minimus), which weighs only about 16 grams. While the two blossom-bats look almost the same, and their general biology and habits appear to be quite similar, the Northern Blossom-bat is only found in tropical areas. Its range does not extend into the subtropical areas of northern New South Wales. How can this difference by explained? Is it possible that the orthern Blossom-bat is incapable of using torpor and is therefore restricted to the tropics where Although blossom-bats, like this Common Blossom-bat, live in it is easier to keep its energy budget a warm climate, they enter a balanced? period of torpor to help them balance their energy budgets. To answer this question, Brad's expertise was again required. He netted the tropics. of New England Press: Armidale. some Northern Blossom-bats among So, through the joint effort of a lot of flowering mangroves (Sonneratia sp.) people, we have revealed that yet Geiser, F., Coburn, D.K., Kiirtner,G. & Law, 8.5., 1996. near Cairns, in northern Queensland. another group of mammals, the mega­ Thermoregulation, energy metabolism, and torpor in The bats were flown, all-expenses blossom-bats, Syconycteris australis (Megachiroptera). -paid bats, previously thought to be homeo­ 1. loo/., 239: 583-590. by Qantas, to Armidale where they were thermic, also use torpor. What makes Land. housed just like the Common Blossom­ this even more surprising is that the bats Law, 8.5., 1993. Roosting and foraging ecology of the and subjected to the same experi­ entire group is resb·icted to warm Queensland blossom-bat (Syconycteris australis) in mental treatments, under the watchful climates, emphasising that even in mild north-eastern New South Wales: flexibility in response eye of Wendy Bartels, a Masters stu­ climates torpor can be important for to seasonal variation. Wild/. Res. 20: 419--431. dent at the University of New England. balancing the energy budgets of Our prediction that Northern mam­ Law, 8.5., 1994. Climatic limitation of the southern dis­ Blossom­ mammals. Since the majority of tribution of the common blossom-bat ba�s may not enter torpor small and therefore could Syconycteris aus­ at all was mals are tralis in New South Wales. Aust. 1. £col. 19: 366-374. quickly shattered, because they even benefit by entering torpor, the question ente red torpor in the holding room arises whether strict homeothermy still McKean, J.L., McCoy, M. & Spencer, H.J., 1995. whe � food was freely available. A as a general mammalian char­ Northern blossom-bat, Pp. deta qualifies Macroglossus minimus. iled examination of as presented in most text­ 421--422 in The mammals of Australia, ed. by R. how the data, acteristic ever, revealed that the minimum books. It is possible that, as our Strahan. Australian Museum/Reed Books: Sy dney. temperature the animals allowed their understanding of the use of torpor ody to fall to was ° find out that hom�o­ ° about 23 C improves, we will Associate Professor Fritz Geiser lectures in 00 mpared to 18 C is the exception BI for the Common thermy in mammals the Department of Zoology at the University . ossom-bat. The metabolic rates and not the rule.• ll1g dur- of New England in Armidale, New South } torpor of the Northern Blossom-bat Wales. His main interest lies in working out e also � ;r . higher. So it appears that even Further Reading the functional adaptations that allow ani­ s tropical mals to survive the demanding and often i species uses torpor but Coburn, D.K. & Geiser, F., 1996. Daily torpor and ener: � Perhaps as one would unrelenting conditions in their natural habi­ � not expect torp' or is gy savings in a subtropical blossom-bat, Syconrctens focus is on hibernation and . as Pronounced Pp. 39-45 in to tat. His main � th and deep as that of austra/is (Megachiroptera). Adaptations torpor and he has worked on this topic since ,. w ore south Symposwm, :iT b �rl)'. :elativ�s and �ould the cold. Tenth International Hibernation 1979. e a factor hm1t111g this species to ed. by F. Geiser, A.J. Hulbert and S.C. Nicol. University NAT UR 63 E AUSTRALIA WINTER 1998 ·------",

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69 ��'URE AUSTRALIA WINTER 1998 it's hard to imagine that any g thin a a from an earthquake could shake m/ rt VIEWS FROM THE FOURTH DIMENSION 0 1 of my cosy nest. Yet years of research niversity of g 6Y Bob Young (U Wollon o g swin ing fr m the his colleagues have sugg certainly wait until the seaweed is g_ � and ested th t) We'll almost climate the coast of ew �outh Wal�s has b a i before we recognise that an extremely serious een Hill's Hoist struck by at least six tsunamis within th last 10,000 years. One of the , b u� change is on its way. se a o 1 9,00� years ago, apparentl� slammed r debns above a 100-metre-high cliff of 1 ) Jervis Bay south Sydney. A wave th�s r would tower more high than 20 met r�8 THE ONE-IN-600- above my office window. More intrigui�g, considering the corn- 1 YEAR WAVE mon p.resump_lton tha,t l�unamis are unpredictable, 1s Young s. discovery that no \ess than five l unam1s have arrived BY MICHAEL ARCHER dunng the last 3,000 years-an av erage 1 of one coa t-busler per 600 years Because the youngest (based on ra di� 1 metric and thermoluminescence dating waves', or tsunamis-waves that can of its flood debris) rolled in about 250 tower above the surface of the ocean, years ago, it would be tempting to before smashing to smithereens every­ assume that we could walk the streets of thing in their path. ormally we think of Sydney without carrying shark repellent 1 the e horrors as relatively freakish, for at least another 350 years. However unpredictable events. But what if, like because the cause of these waves is not ordinary little waves, some tsunamis adequately understood, a rogue one were periodic, predictable events? If we could take us out at anyr time. RDII ARY WAVES THAT could discover what that periodicity was, What could cause f equent tsunamis of regurgitate seaweed we could ensure we were roasting wean­ this kind? Tsunamis are normally as oci­ 0 ers in the mountains well before White ated with earthquakes, landslides or vol­ and surfers onto the beach are among the world's most predictable events; Pointers began dropping into the inner canoes. However, catastrophic events after a few wipe-outs even a retarded rat city suburbs for dinner. like this are relatively uncommon in and could learn within minutes not to turn As I write in my high and dry office on around Australia. An alternativeexplana­ its back on the sea. But not all waves the fifth floor of the University of New tion, suggested by Young and his col- come in such user-friendly sizes or are South Wales' Biological Science Build­ as easy to predict. Consider 'tidal ing, a giddy 77 metres above sea level, Surf's up!

- NATURE AUSTRALIA WINTER I 998 -

could raise sea levels (never mind the effects of tsunamis on top of this) anoth­ It would be tempting to er ?5 m�tres? No, we'll almost certainly wait �n�tl th� seaweed is swinging from assume that we could walk the streets of Sydney the Hill s Hoist before we recognise that an �x�remely serious climate change, carrying shark repellent for at least another prec1p1t�t��l or_at least enhanced by our without own act1v1t1es, 1s on its way. However, because the cause of _In the final scene of ''The Last Wave", 350 years. these Richard Chamberlain stands on a Sydney be�ch at night, having already waves is not adequately understood, a rogue one could en?ured rams of toads, mud and giant �a1lstones out of clear blue skies. Now, take us out at any time. 111 the darkness, he listens to the suck­ ing sounds of the ocean as it pulls back from t�e shore-way back, heralding the arnval of a monster tsunami. There miaht be a violent underwater erated by 100-metre waves, will we sell the movie ends, leaving us to imagine Iea gu es , "' 11- of billions of tonnes of unconso - the house and buy another with a view the horror of the cataclysm about to slide the high on the flanks of the Blue d sediment that accum�lates on sweep Sydney off the map. Silly science date shelf. Mountains? It might be wise but envi­ fiction.• inclined slopes of the contine1�tal _ time these masses of sedu�1ent $'et ronmental threats with long lead times . Each almost always fail to incite us to action. If Further Reading big to stay put, another mass1v� sl,cle too . The someone takes a swing at us, we don't occurs, b·iggering another tsunami Young, R.W., Bryant, E.A., Price, D.M., Dilek, S.Y., would then ?epend o_n �he rate need to be told to cluck. But if we are Wheeler, D.J., 1997. Chronology of Holocene tsunamis frequency told that global warming is worsening on the southeastern coast of Australia. Trans. lap. sediment accumulation. If this 1s more of occur each decade, most of us don't get moti­ Geomorphol. Union 18: 1-19. or less constant, the slides would nably similar intervals. vated enough to do anything about it at reaso even though the long-term conse­ Hecht, J., 1997. A bigger splash. New Sci. 156(2106): we could reliably predict the date of 11. If far more serious than a next tsunami, where i� Sydney wo�lcl quences will be the r eye. What city council, let alone we be safe f om a mounta111 of rampag111g black Professor Michael Archer lectures in biology planting gum trees in the real estate agent, has a topographic map and geology at the University of New South wa ter? After non-teaching hours are rd of our house high on a hill in showing land anticipated to be inundat­ Wales. Most of his backya start to melt with devoted to the study of the fossil faunas of Maroubra I no longer think of this place ed if the polar ice caps which theoretically Riversleigh, north-western Queensland. as the i�pregnable fortress it once global warming, seemed to be. A metre below the surface I found unexpected curiosities-shells of familiar marine molluscs like cowries scattered as rare items through what appears to be a half metre of beach sand. This is nota midden deposit, nor does it look like windblown sand because of the large shells that it contains. How did this 'beach' get into our backyard, which is far above sea level and out of sight of the shore? Perhaps a few thousand years ago, Aborigines camping on this hill heard the mother of all roars and looked up just in time to see a mountain of water crash down to destroy their coastal home. As the billions of tonnes of water raced back to the ocean or sunk deep into the scarred land it could have left behind, as a calling c;rd of the catastro­ phe,_this displaced beach ripped up from its distant source. _These Australian tsunamis may seem big, but far bigger ones have lunged out of the world's oceans. Ranier Gersonde trips are limited! (Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and These three dry � M_arine Research) reports evidence for We offer only _ � WALl(,14'. s mid-oceanic waves season light-pack tnp south of Chile that _ � ��'··-...s� �ere four kilometres high following in Kakadu, two in the � rP 1f!1Pact 2.2 million years ago by an aster­ Kimberley and two else­ �id one kilometre in diameter. By the where in the Top End. me these waves reached the shore they Don't miss out. o � uld have been one kilometre high ten Ask for our new brochure. irnes the size of the one that belted the t��res near Sydney 9,000 years ago. sonde suggests N that Australia and ew Zealand were w v also struck by giant n a es produced by this same cosmic "v ent. F aced wit· h the prospect of being oblit­ �ATuRE AUSTRALIA WINTER 1998 , REVIEWS ' (

calls in th the sound _library the pr ctice Included are � for those BIRD FAMILIES 01 THE WOR 0 especially � f�1 interested 111 -----...rir.---- breed111_g, t-1�! normal hearing range the noises of cooperative plus a few ultrasornc natural history. fairy-wrens and their_ rela­ humans, slowed down so we can -Martyn R rens and tives have been the subJect of calls obinson F airv-W them. The tracks bl�nd Australian many studies. These chap­ hear Museum ;rass\vrens v.:hat_ is quietly into one another with­ ters b1fog togeth�r or fam1)y, 111clud­ out obvious breaks, beeps known of this so taxonomy; envtronm�nt, human announcements, ing a pleasant, biogeography and ev_olut10n; the CD creates loc?motion a�d relaxing ambience. At the morphology, can be feeding behav10ur; social same time the tracks organisation and v�cal com­ easily diiferenti�ted ?o t�ey munication; cooperative breed­ can be used for ident1£ication ing; and life histories and con­ purposes if required: servation. An audio field guide, how­ The authors were well cho­ ever, it is not. The space and sen for the volume. Ian scope of subject matter cov­ Fairy-wrens and Rowley and Eleanor_ Russell ered would need a much larg­ Grasswrens are a husband-and-wife te�m er CD and booklet to be com­ By Ian Rowley and E/eano: Russell. who have been study111g plete. This should b_e reg�rd­ OxfordUniversity Press, V,c., 1997, fairy-wrens for many ye�rs ed as more of an enhghtenmg 274pp. $85.00rrp. and whose work has provid­ eye-opener than a means of ed much of our understand- identiiying all the sounds :r:ou might hear in the Australian Several publishers are cll!­ ing of these bir�s. . rently producing series on dif­ Like the prev10us books m bush. ferent groups of bird?. the series, Fairy-wrens and As the blurb on the back of Windows on Standing out among these 1s grasswrens is attractively pro­ the box suggests, the soun�s Meteorology: the 'Bird Families of the duced and should appeal to included cover both the famil­ Australian World' series by Oxford more than just people with a iar and expected, plus the Perspective University Press. It is the particular interest in this fam­ bizarre and unexpected like Edited by EricK. Webb. CS/RO depth of treatment of the sub­ ily of birds. This ha_s my the moth, spider and crab Publishing, Vic., 1997, 342pp. jects and the expertise of the heartiest recommendations. recordings-eye-openers $49.95rrp. authors that set these books -Walter E. Boles indeed. apart from their competitors. Australian Museum The booklet is certainly This is a unique 'weather' This, the fifth volume in the detailed and contains a lot of book providing an inte1:esting series to appear, maintains information from the scien­ and unu ual perspective o� the standard established to tists who actually work with cli­ date. Austi·alian weather and the animals concerned. It i mate, and on the develop­ The subject is the family illustrated with line drawings, ment of meteorology in th15 Maluridae, a family endemic and electi·on microscope pho­ to Australia and New country. Guinea. tos of some of the animals' feature- This comprises 25 colourful, It comprises 30 sound producing organs. It b . active species, the most famil­ lengt� articles wri�ten ; also has information on how prom111ent expe1_ ts 111 the i iar representative for many the recordings people were made. fields, grouped into the fo1­ being the Superb The selection _ Fairy-wren (Malurus cyan­ of colour pho­ lowing categories: the Aboi· eus). tos of the animals was a little igines and meteorology; �3\1· Many of the members disappointing are less in some cases, nal and AuStraha_s well known and much being evolution more elusive. too small or unclear to climate history; atiiiosphen As well as the Nature Sounds be of much � 12 species of fairy-wrens, of value. In other system and phenomena; an this Australia cases the common . family includes the dainty By David Rentz.Sound Heritage names technical development� foi emu-wrens, used were inconsistant (Lim­ ations. the secretive Association, Vic., 1997. $24.95rrp. nodynastes tasmaniensis research and applic . grasswrens and some poorly is They cover topics as dive rse referred to as Spotted known forms restricted to This work Marsh as Aboriginal seasonal caled New comprises a CD Frog in plate 21 but Southern an Guinea. The species and a 116-page booklet dars, burrowing frogs accounts are boxed Grass Frog in plate 22) or extensive and together. The disc contain satellite meteorology. up to date, and are nicely aug­ uninspired (Brown Frog for e cl by 90 tracks of animal sound L. Peronii The text . is illusti·at mented by eight full-colour covering and Australian map , diagrams,_ ho· plates mammals, birds, Burrowing Frog Heleio­ a by Peter Marsack. crickets, katydids, porus for tograph and satellite dat. ' The meat cicadas australiacus . . ite, of the book, how­ and, a bit of a surprise, as there mamly 111 bi ac,I an cl wh ever, is the first half crabs! are dozens of species that o]our consist­ There are actually more than however 16 pages of c ing of chapters on the evolu­ could qualify for these en d 90 species represented as names!). plate are grouped at the tion, biology and conserva­ some But these are fairly tion of the tracks contain a minor matters of the book. . of these birds. Because succession overall. articles are of their intriguing of three or more All said and everal of the l behaviour, species. clone, a very oo and techn. a intere ting item to L specialised tut 72 include in for the general reader, - NATURE AUSTRALIA WINTE R I 998 prove a use­ management practice e book should and remain to be discovered and th for students and responsible con ervation of our fuI I·efe rence interpretation of th� evi­ o be a valuable addition soil crusts. The bibliography dence changes constant Id is thoroughly researched and _ ly, : �he library of any_ weather but, piece by piece the read­ ssional or the main referenc works . husiast, profe are er is introduced lo� multidis­ \ �nt highlighted in bold. My only amateur. -Bob Crowder ciplinary Earth science in complaint is that two or three Meteorologist which continual blocks move of th moss photos are slight­ seas come and go, climate� ly out of LA FEMME J\ L'ARAIGNim focus. Also, I would change, and all life forms (SPIDER T-SIIIRT. have preferred WOMAN) Campylopus introfl,exusa photo of �nust adapt, migrate or per­ Exclusive to the in its ish. Australia11 Mllseum Shop. dry stale, which is the way it Forley has a nice way with SPECIAL PRICE OF $14.95 is u ually found. anecdotes and analogies, and a11d comes i11 a range of siz,es. I enjoyed this very readable keeps technical jargon to a and practical book and intend minimum, without loss of to take it with me next time I accuracy or integrity. The am in western New South reader need not know much Wales. I highly recommend­ about geology or palaeontol­ ed it to residents of the semi­ ogy lo understand and appre­ arid parts of Australia, stu­ ciate Fortey's story, because dents and natural historians. -Peter Jobson it is our story too. At strategic Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney points elements of his own life story are woven into this 'unauthorised biography'. He RICHAR D FO RTEY describes how he became fas­ DINO CRUSHERS WJTJi cinated by fossils and hooked JAW CR Sl·IJ G ACTION. Beware, it chews on trilobites, his speciality, any1hi11g in sight! Collect them all. and how this has taken him For ages 3 years and lip. $19.95. A Practical Guide all over the world-experi­ to Soil Lichens ence put to good use in the Bryophytes of and book, drawing on first-handLife: an Australia's Dry -----� observation. Fortey's Country LIFE: AN UNAUTHORISED unauthorised biography E. BIOGRAPHY is By David Eldridge and Merrin leavened with a sense of Tozer.De partment of Land and humour and is a thoroughly Water Conservation, NSW, 1997, enjoyable read. I strongly rec­ 80pp. $14.95rrp. ommend it, especially for every school and public Soil crusts, compo ed of library. -Alex Ritchie lichens and bryophytes Australian Museum TAPA CLOTH COVERED (mo ses and liverworts), form A NATUll.,\L IIISTOIH OF TIii:. HR.Sl PHOTO ALilUM 4,1100,00U.OUO \'L\RS OF I JFF ON F.\Rl II an integral part of the biota of Maisil1 people , r Ha11d-crafted by the a id and semi-arid Australia. of Papua New Guinea. paper These crusts, when undis­ Life: An 100% recycled from $19.95. turbeer d, effectively reduce soil o ion, enhance moisture Unauthorised Biography. A retention, improve the fertili­ Natural History of ty of the soil, and can be used the First as indicators for the presence of pecific soil 4,000,000,000 con tituents of Life such as calcium carbonate Years on Earth and gypsum. For the first time, By Richard Fortey. HarperCollins, this handbook intro­ NSW, 1997, 398pp. $45.OOrrp. du_ces the general public to this e fascinating element of th arid flora. To relate life's history on The Cows . r book has an illustrated Earth over four billion years CA, NIBALS, int oduction explaining the in 398 pages would appear an & THE CJD CATA TROPJ·IE str ucture of lichens and the impossible task; and it is. Wisdom from the Traci11g the shocki11g legacy of a 20th �orph Je1111ifer Cooke. er ology of mosse and Having said that, Richard Earth: The Living ce11wrv disease bv liv worts. The attempt comes as of the "The e1;ide111ic ha; 011ly just beg1111... " most com­ Fortey's Legacy $24.95. on lic�ens and bryophytes close as any I have yet �un Aboriginal d_ In soil crusts are encountered. He does not try Dreamtime d sc n NevillDrury. o� e bed and a colour photo to detail the minutiae of the By Anna Voigt and Th a 1997, Get them all from: er ch one is presented. fossil record, or the innumer­ Simon & Schuster, NSW, er e _ar� simple have evolv­ $39.95rrp. f e keys to dif- able species that 192pp. ntiatrng lichens from ed and become extinct on b p AUSTRALIAN th�o hy�es, and keys to all Earth since its formation. been_an sp Recently, there has M EU�l SHOP e ecies (or groups) Fortey conc�ntrates . dis­ Instead, need for books like LEGE STlNE\' NSW is �ept 1 might ancfi e to a minimum What in other hands, bo�h at home ancl 2000 h re is is people _ f,'AX; (02) 9320 6066 sar an excellent glos- have been a dry treatise desire lo learn rno1 e t the b mys­ abroad Pu: (02) 9320 6150 1'h� � a�k of the book. presented as a thrilling the Indigenous people ast section y. Many clues about WEBSITE: discusses tery stor WWW.AUST!\IUS.GOV.A ttAlURE AUSTRALIA WINTER 1998 D - --, rfully readable seen in. the authors of this lion arc woncl Australia and Lheir culture. Yes, say . By compari­ Accompanying of which deals with and informative the s� I found Lhis book an easy new book, on Australia Liful work of art beau. for gravity waves. son the scclion ar e read and wrillen in a way thaL the search from an over­ inf?nnative text !t' cesor e waves Lravel across almost suffers o�t allow a reader, of any back­ The with large arllsl's experien 1 the al Lhe speed of load of information ce t ground, Lo grasp a greaLer Lhe universe and sci­ bird or other : h the They are believed lo be blocks of quotations nipp a awareness of key issue , light. However, the �hem Lhal wouldn' �s bout ( by dramatic evenLs, cnLific details. Ill t e fo n such as spirilualiLy, language triggered of information is fasci­ field guides u d t uch as the explosion of stars wealth and lore. One way in which and of great value lo The book is ·160 pa and the merging of black nating ges l_ong the auLhors have achieved ornithologists and historians and i cliviclecl into holes. UnforLunaLely, clelecling 11. . section this is throuo·h publishing alike. ma 1 1Y accorcl111g t s t pro­ them on Earth is extremely o ha ·1 ; unedi ed conversalions, of this large volume is or oLher groupin b lal Lo difficult and has noL yel been Half gs h viding the Aboriginal voice lo the catalogue of birds of woodland �J�c as _ and achieved. devoted a orest, explain relationships John Gould's Australian cor­ desert birds, birds 0 between land The book gives an insider's f Pr y respon ibiliLies re pondence held in the etc. e The issues acl­ view of the late l develop­ and family. alural History Museum, It has a hard . juxtaposed with ments and techniques in this cover a clre sec! are The letters are um­ nicely sized for di n of colourfol, well­ field. Il i wrillen with a light London. playin �he examples marised and presented in artworks al 34 X known Indigenous arL works, Louch and aims lo be intelligi­ 25 ce f t alphabetical order by corres­ tr s. An excellent as well as magnificent pho os, ble lo non-scientists. I would bo�'�i; t the amateur . celebrate both he have liked lo see more dia­ pondent. An invaluable part . . ornithol og1st which of is the bio­ nat ur� 11st, ar diversity of Indigenous cul­ grams, but al uch a low price the catalogue tist, or just thos� , detail included for who like to ture and the beauty of the one cannot complain too graphical look at beauf, fu 1 Ausb·alian landscape. much. It is definitely worth each correspondent. We feel art. -Barrina South reading. that this catalogue was a -Martyn Robinson Australian Museum -Nick Lomb labour of love and that the Australian Museum Sydney Observatory/ book should be in every nat­ Powerhouse Museum ural historian's library. Finding Birds -Leone Lemmer & Carol Cantrell in Australia's Australian Museum Northern Territory By D. Donato, P. Wilkins, G. Smith Oolin 9outA and L. Alford. CS/RO Publishing IN AUSTRAL_!A Vic., 1997, 192pp_ $19,95rrp.' I , d d•,111 This book is a useful addi· tion to the guides used for locating birds in different parts of Australia. It is arranged in four sectio ns, starting with "Habitats", which presents the major vegetation types and land­ forms that bird observer will encounter. The major portion of the book i the following section on "Areas". It corn· prise 13 chapters devoted to t sites in Ripples on a John Gould in the most importan tory for Cosmic Sea Australia: Letters the orthern Terri By David Blair and Geoff and Drawings finding birds. These are Australian Birds: the McNamara. Allen & Unwin NSW By Ann Datta. Melbourne arranged from Darwin in ' A Collection of the 1997, 184pp. $17.95rrp. ' University Press, Vic., 1997 north to the border in ' Paintings and ng ac· 502pp. $80.00rrp. Drawings south. After discussi accommodation Over the last few decades By Peter Slater. ce to and Steve Parish in the area, each technological innovations have This book Publishing, Qld, and camping opened is a treat for 1997, 160pp. several prime a number of new win­ Gould lovers, t $29.95rrp. chapter aives dows ornithologi s t the local· on the universe. ow and natural history birding spo s within t enthusi­ by a well· we_ can m�ke observa ions ity, accompanied 1 asts. �n Datta has produced Th'is thern_ not o�l_y wit� ordinary light 1 .1 b ook contains more set-out map. The or a clefin l ve history of Joi than er of but with radio waves, infra­ qoulcl' 100 paintings and Territory has a numb life and a comprehe�� sketch_e t e the red rays, X-ray and gamma s,�e of Peter Sla er's pecialily birds that mak catalogue of the Natural favou_\·,te 1 t tch­ rays. �,story Museum's _A� stralian birds. area attractive o birdwa collec­ 1 t he In each of these windows 1 Sla_te, s pamt1 1gs in his Field ers. The third sec ion of t t on of l�lters, drawings and guide Australian birds ere astronomer have made un­ manuscripts t� _ are book provides hints on wh expecte� relating to J o h n all familiar to und: The discoveries. To­ Gould's involvement Ill most people, these may best be fo f gether vi.:1th ordinary light ?ul they are portrait paint- is a l(st � the Au lralia. 11 concluding section 1 new wmdows cover the 1�s lo illustrate those fea­ of the Ternt0 Y whole B�aut!fully illustrated, this all the birds each �amul of the electro­ pubhcat,on t�u es lh�l help in identifica­ occurrence at magnetic ' howcases both L,?n, !h and their de'. spectrum from John 1s portfolio ha the of the birding areas. Bi1: ·: very short Gould drawings and b1r�l 01) to very long th� published . ,_n a variety of poses and to the or them Ternt. waves. Do we now works of act1v1l1es' giving t1vely h ave Elizabeth Gould, . . the read er hould find this attrac 1 ever ytl1m · g covered? ls Edward �1ore of an ,n ighl valuab e there ar, rH.C. Richter and into their presented book a an way_ left lo gel another � J.M h es, the speci t � olf. fhe chapters � s' charac er part of their gear. . Boles pe, spect,ve on the universe? . on the ori� o the over_all -Walter E gm of natural magic of som� useum hi tory publica- o� Australian M 74 lh seltmg they can be 1998 - NATURE AUSTRALIA WINTER O C l E T E involved! Across Australia there is a network of active societies, large and small local �_ Get V��P���G� ����� and �-�� nat' 1 w h' 1 e ist to further Whether your special interest is conservation, birds, science, national pa; ' � � the cause of the subject that you hold ks bushwalki��nir a pa icu ar group dear. ' of animals, there's a society for you.

E ANIMAL WELFAR Contact: Rob Gibbons Ph: (02) 6276 6643 NZFAS (also /111ow11 as •• Contact: Lynn Pulford •• ••• A Membership fee: $40.00 metro- als Australia 'J Membership fee: $18.00 'Anim politan; $30.00 concession­ O'Connell St, Mernbershi/J fee: $25.00 37 $30.00 country; $15.00 ju�ior 1 orth Melbourne, Vic. 3051 NSW Field Ornithologists 9329 6333 Club Inc. Ph: (03) Launceston Field Naturalists Contact: Glenys Oogjes PO Box Q277, ENVIRONMENTAL QVB Post Shop, Club The Society for Growing PO Box 1072, $20.00 SW 1230 Membership fee: $30.00; Australian Plants (NSW) Ud Launceston, Tas. 7250 Ph: (02) 9698 7263 concession PO Box 744, Ph & Fax: (03) 6344 1076 Contact: Penny Drake­ Blacktown, NSW 2148 Contact: Dr A. Pegler, Hon. SA Brockman Fauna Rescue of Ph: (02) 9621 3437 Secretary 38 Allchurch Ave, •• • Contact: Maeve McCarthy Membership fee: $35.00 • • • Redwood Park, SA 5097 •• ••• Membershipfee: $15.00 single; Ph: (08) 8263 0563 Membership fee: $36.00 joint; $20. 00 family Contact: Mrs Trish Snook Queensland Ornithological $32.00 ordinary; $26.00 conces­ • • Society Inc. sion Linnean Society of NSW Membership fee: $30.00 family; PO Box 97, PO Box 457, $20.00 si11gle; $10.00 pe11sio11- St Lucia, Qld 4067 Milsons Point, SW 2061 er/st11de11t Ph: (07) 3870 8076 MICROSCOPY Ph: (02) 9929 0253 Contact: Dawn Muir, President The Postal Microscopical Contact: Mrs B.J. Stoddard FAWNA • • • Club • • PO Box 216, Membership fee: $35.00 city; PO Box Al0l 7, Membership fee: $50.00 Wauchope, W 2446 $30.00 country; $40.00 family Sydney South PO, NSW 1235 Ph: (02) 6553 9658 Ph: (02) 4758 7128 Contact: ue Emerton Contact: Michael Dingley PALAEONTOLOGY • CONSERV ATION •• Dinosaur Club Vic. Membership fee: $20.00 single; Australian Trust for Membership fee: various cate- Monash Science Centre, $25.00 double; $30.00 family Conservation Volunteers gories Monash University, Box 423, Clayton, Vic. 3168 Ballarat, Vic. 3353 Ph: (03) 9905 1370 BIRDS Ph: (03) 5333 1483 or freecall MUSEUM Contact: Prof. P. Vickers-Rich 1800 032 501 TAMS, The Australian Birds Australia (formerly •• Contact: Madeline Townsend Museum Society Membershipfee: $12.00 or RAOU) 6 College St, $20.00 415 Riversdale Rd, ••• Sydney, SW 2000 Hawthor n East, Vic. 3123 Membership fee: $30.00 Ph: (02) 9320 6225 Ph: (03) 9882 2622 Coast and Wetlands Society Contact: Sandra Harrison REPTILES Contact: Donald Coventry, Chief PO Box A225, SA Herpetology Group Executive Officer ••••• Sydney South, NSW 1235 Membership fee: $55. 00 single; c/- SA Museum, ••••• Ph: (02) 9385 2076 $70.00 household; $40.00 stu­ North Terrace, Meinbershipfee: $49.00 Contact: Dr Paul Adam dent/pensioner Adelaide, A 5000 Ph: (08) 8201 2805 Cumberland Bird Observers ••• Contact: Tim Milne Club lnc. Membership fee: $25.00; $10.00 NATURAL HISTORY PO Box 550 students •• ••• Field Naturalist Association Membership fee: $25.00 adult; Baulkham Hills, SW 2153 $30.00 Jamily; $20. 00 National Parks Association of of Canberra Ph: (02) 9634 1674 student/j1111 ior Qld Inc. GPO Box 249, PO Box 1040, Canberra, ACT 2601 Milton Centre, Qld 4064 Ph: (06) 240 8152 Newsletter/Journal Are you a Club Ph: (07) 3367 0878 Contact: Joyce Weeks • Monthly meeting Secretar y? Conlacl: George Haddock •• • Bi-monthly meeting NATURE AUS MembershiP fee: $20. 00 Annual meeting/conference TRAL/A's Associate • • • Society single/family; $12.00 concession • Weekly meeting Scheme is designed to Membership fee: $35.00 single; (pensioners & full-time students) • Quarterly meeting help you $50. 00 joint r club or society with • Field outings/Tours free publicity, funds and Field Naturalists Club of • Conservation/Working programs membe • Discounted Goods r benefits. Call us EDUC ATION Victoria on Locked Bag 3, Magazine (02) 9320 6119 CSIRO's Double Helix Blackburn, Vic. 3130 • Social/Education Activities for more Science Club • Nature Australia magazine details. Ph & Fax: (03) 9877 9860 PO Box 225, • Seminars Dickson, ACT 2602 Contact: Geoffrey Paterson NATURE 75 • AUSTRALIA WINTER 1998 EDUCATIONAL TOURS YOU CAN with expert naturalists 9 MAKE A Great Victoria Desert 8-19June Eyre Peninsula and DIFFERENCE Nu/larbor Whale-watch 17 -24 August Wildflowers of WA. If you're not content North: 14 -20 September just wondering Southwest: 23 Sept -1 Oct about the future, Victoria's Little Desert October how about doing Flinders Island, Bass Strait something to change November Macquarie Island and the it? Earthwatch Sub-Antarctic Islands of N.Z. membership is your 22 Nov-9 Dec Antarctic Peninsula chance to help make 23 Nov -11 Dec our world better for Ross sea region, Antarctica tomorrow. Choose 6Jan -3 Feb 1999 from over 140 9 For details contact Bronwen expeditions from all Phone f03J 9670 6988 parts of the globe. Fax f03J 9670 6185 For two weeks your BRO NZ DISCOVERY TOURS life could change as • 2ND FLOOR, 118 QUEEN ST MELBOURNE VIC. 3000 you assist scientists Travel agent licence no. 32134 who are studying life on earth. You need no special skills or training as you will Visit World Heritage be taught everything LORD HOWE ISLAND on site. The challenges are limitless: marine mammals, rainforests of Kalimantan, lemurs of Madagascar, Mayan origins, the Komodo Dragon, fossils and Staying at Somerset you are archaeology. centrally loca1ed to all facilitie and a shorl walk to 1he lagoon. snorkelling. eabird colonies. rainfore t and Call Earthwatch walking tracks lO scenic lookouts and Australia remote rocky coves. Somersets 25 self catering uni is. suit independent Headquarters for travellers and groups (tour leader Ian a free info pack Huuon available by arrangement). 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77 replying to advertisements Australia when Readers please mention Nature a I ' A male bird-of-paradise fly displays his 'tail'. striata) may sometimes b flushed with a pale fawn-p· e but this is found on the bi:�,k Q ches�. You1: bird is not hybrid, nor 1s the ! colour no r ma! in the species group. - Peacef ul Dov�s are gro & feeders that und pick up loo seeds. Obtaining s e the colou from nowering plants m/ therefore be dismissed. p I e:. A sonally have not heard of thi colour situation in other pigeons. It will be interesting to watch Bird-of-paradise ?evelopments; that Flies is, to see 1f the colour wear photographed this off naturally, _or Department of is lost during Q : /unusual f/yi g insect in highly sexually dimorphic window, at the moult. Moultmg � in Cairns. Its mate should occur Brisbane Waters National Park. It and the adult female is much Environment, shortly Peaceful after their young gain looked like a tiny bird with a larger and a completely dif­ is a perfectly normal has a independence. beautiful white feathery tail. What shape to the male. Dove but this bird not only ferent Reasons for these colour kind of insect could it be? males and females red head but a red back as well. Adult aberrations are many and -Cate McGahey in autumn and Although less visible in the photo, emerge include colour-marking for Gosford, NSW diately mate, after this is quite striking when the bird imme scientific tudy, or playful which the females attach to is feeding on the ground. It also enterprises has no tail. The pair's eggs have by local resi­ This in�ect is lrno�n aerial vegetation and form a dents. . hatched and, at the time of writ­ My armchair Sherloc • as a b1rd-of-parad1se cavity in the rear of their Holmes k A ing, two healthy (grey) chicks are idea is that the bird fly. The name, however, is bodies in which their eggs has found a supply mi leading because it is not a being raised in the nest. A letter of grain develop. ewly hatched inside a dampened fly at all but a bug or scale to the local newspaper, request­ red cloth nymphs leave the pouch of or paper bag insect (genus Callipappus) ing information, has elicited no and, while gath­ the moribund female and ering the eed, the that only occurs in Australia. enter the soil for nymphal useful responses. If the bird has bird's head has been dyed The males are called bird-of­ development, which takes been painted, or dyed, the perpet­ red. This paradise flies because of their place within a waxy cyst. rator of the joke has been skilful could later have been tran. red to purplish bodies and ymphs feed while attached in avoiding colouring the eye ring ferred onto the back (to a their long glassy white 'tails' to the roots of heathland, and beak. The red colouration has lesser extent) by preening. formed by waxy filaments woodland and mallee plants persisted for about a month at -Wayne Longmore r Museum extruded f om ducts at the including Banksia species. least and did not wash off in Australian base of the abdomen. It is not -Kate Lowe recent rain. Has such a bird ever actually known why the male Australian Museum been reported before? has Wattle Tick Scale these 'tail' filaments, but -Stella Martin perhap it helps stabilise My husband and I found Red Heads Cairns, Qld . them in flight (females don't Can you explain the red­ • some strange eg g-like fly) or it might . thingsQ on an acacia bush just act as a decoy, • headed Peaceful Dove Your photograph breaking or . is beside road on George Booth tearing off when shownQ in the photo below? This • interesting the predators bite it. A and appears (the Wal/send turn off the bird was considerate enough to to show an unnatural Drive Bird-of-paradise flies coloura­ F3 They are about the are build a nest just outside my office tion. Peaceful Doves (Geopelia freeway). size of a lentil, but round, and for or appeared to be cared _ attended by these unusual stnped ants. The ants were not attempt­ ing to eat them. In fact, when we returned a few weeks later, the ants were still fussing over the 'sacs'. There did not appear to b: any others on the bush or eve e nearby bushes. Some had go; slightly brown after a few wee 5 n but had not opened or eve reduced in size. Could these b �h type of insect larva, or maybe ! eggs of the striped ants? h -Toni Mars W Newcastle, NS

The white wax-cov· • cts A • el·ed scale 1115· e oto. are depicted in the ph 5 Cryptes bacc0111 adult female lY ( C idae), comn on How or why family occ f k did this Peaceful Dove go red? Wattle ic known a the allY 78 Scale. Adult females lYP ic 1998 NATURE AUSTRALIA WINTE R male Wattle Tick Scales AdU It fe er on an acacia pack e d togeth branch. ur on acacia stems in ���ely packed aggregations between 20 and . 1�0. of life Towards the end of �heir ycle these aggregations can c on he often resemble corn � ob the females be111g �acl�ed so close together. When they first set�le, the females are flat, ov01d and ge brown. They. quickly cha1'. colour to a lio-ht grey-white, and as they grow thro�gh autumn, winter and spnng they graduallr become spher­ ical like a tick q-ience �he common name), mcreas111g their volume by up to 20-fol?. volume 1s case of the Wattle Tick Most of this extra Scale ment, most males are sitting which is rich in things are a ° carbohy­ taken up by the large num­ bit easier as the at an angle of 15-30 off the drates and sugars male crawler settle but low in bers of egg they produce in aggre­ stem, with the operculum nitrogen and other nutrients. (about 4,000). gations on stems adjacent to pointing upwards to allow To get enough nitrogen a the and The eggs are laid into parental aggregation so easy emergence. other nutrients, scale insects ch amber beneath the female. the association between It is not known what hap­ have to process large vol­ As eggs are laid the female males and females is much pens to the immature females umes of phloem. This results gradually contracts her easier to determine. during male development. in a waste problem for the abdomen increasing the size The males go through five They are thought to disperse insects. The solution is to of the chamber until, when developmental stages or away from the parental employ sanitary engineers. the last eggs are laid, the instars. Towards the second aggregation as crawlers, and In the insect world that female dies leaving the eggs of these instars the male it is only in mid to late means ants. Many species of co mpletely enclosed within begins secretion of a cottony January, when adult males ants actively remove the hon­ the now drying and brown white sack or test around start to emerge from their eydew from scale insects husk of the female. himself. At the tail end of the test, that they are again easily (and other sucking insects Depending on the weather, test, a glassy hinged covering found as they aggregate and like aphids and leaf hoppers). eggs hatch one to three (an operculum) is formed. As begin to settle near the In return for this free food weeks after being laid. The male development continues, males. Once adult females source, the ants will often newly hatched scale insects crowding again occurs within settle, mating occurs. The defend the scale insects from (called crawlers) may stay the aggregations. This time, males are very fragile and natural enemies. In some within the husk of thefemale instead of the corn-on-the­ only short lived (24-48 cases ants are thought to for several days before ven­ cob effect seen in the adult hours). The large male sex tend scale insects. They turing out onto the plant. females, males tile their bias may be a way to offset move the scale into their nest Most of the crawlers are aggregations. Males orien­ the fragility of the males. for protection during non­ male. Scale insects are highly tate themselves head to tail The ant associated with the feeding periods (usually at sexually dimorphic. So much along the long axis of the Wattle Tick Scales are actual­ night), then at other times so that in some cases males stem and, as they grow, the ly feeding off the honeydew move them around the plant and females of the same tail end of the male slips up produced as a by-product of as they feed. species have been described and over the male(s) behind the scale's feeding. Scale -Grant Farrell as different species. In the it. By the end of develop- insects feed on plant phloem, CSIRO Division of Entomology

p C T E A E R Answers to Quiz in s Nature Strips (page 17) Do you recognise this? If you 1. Signals for think you know what it is extraterrestrial then send your answer to Pi� intelligence Teaser, Nature Australi a 2. Feathertail Glider Magazine. Please don't forget 3. Two to include your name and 4. Jupiter address. The first correct 5. Wilson's Promontory entry will win a Funnel-web Spider towel from the 6. No Australian Museum Shop. 7. Blue Autumn's Pie Teaser was a 8. Beetles clo seup of bird feathers 9. Bilby (Scarlet-breasted Sunbird, 10. Galah Nec tarinia senegalensis).

NA 79 TURE A USTRALIA WINTER 1998 D cc; \ bribery is common. Internation · al ct 1. s not ]�eking, but co_rruption, com�� THE LAST WORD ised as op�ral1onal_ over disgu heads , ti sipates any mlernal1onal fu ct· s­ n n 1 ervation and non-go . ont the Cons vernmeintg drums of cyanide are emptie4 � nisations, concerned with al r Sometimes whole 250-litre orga this r as the chemical kills gressive degradation of the n � 0- reef, turning areas into aquatic g_raveyards . . i anne fish. e�v1_ronmenl, h ave mvested and don invertebrates along with the targeted c ated corals and m1l11on_s of loll�rs lo_w�rd� researchin eclucatmg and retra111111g fisher men t' use other methods of fishing. Howeve� loo few successes are and far between'. RAPING THE REEFS many retrain_ed fishermen �nd up goin' ?ack �o cyarncle and dy�am1te because IT THE 1s ea�1.er, mo!·e productive, and they feel AND REAPING that 1t s unfair for them to have to mak e sacrifices when others don't. As long as there are poverty-stricken PROFITS people who are sustained by the sea and as long as there is demand by th� weal�hy fo: luxur ' fish, 1 BY MICHAEL AW and an improvised hood if they're lucky. ' y dynamite and will contmue Local participation in these mass cyamde to reduce coral onslaughts is understandable; they earn reefs to irreversible states of degrada­ up to $US400 per month-ten times as tion. much as a conventional fisherman. For Meanwhile, the recreational diving each Napoleon Wrasse (Cheilinus undu­ industry in these regions is booming. latus), for example, the collectors get Resorts, live-aboard vessels, hotels and paid about $USS, although the same fish airlines are reaping huge profits. Marine may fetch $US800 in an exclusive scientists also scavenge the reefs for Chinese restaurant. The exorbitant their ecological studies and medical price tag is no threat to demand: many research. All scream blue murder at REEF FlSHES FOR THE Asians consider consuming such fish as destructive :fishing practices, condemn­ aquariumT trade,,cAL as well as live, plate­ a status symbol-a sign of their wealth ing the :fishermen f or destroying both sized groupers and wrasses for discern­ and prosperity. their playground and the environment. ing Asian diners, are products of coral While the traders prosper and the rich All promote environmental friendliness: reef devastation in the Indo-Pacific grow fat, the locals get only the crumbs, "Don't touch the reef, don't take any­ region. Destructive fishing methods, a so to speak ... and often a good close of thing". Despite the good intentions, the contentious issue for the last 15 years, cyanide poisoning and sometimes crux of the matter has not been now threaten to wipe out many of the decompression sickness too! Mean- addressed. Reams of research docu­ world's remaining coral reefs by the ments, unlimited marine park zonations year 2020. and the best of education won't save the In Indone ia and the Philippines, fish­ coral reefs. Criticism won't either. The es for aquariums, restaurants and for the problem is that those people who make villagers' daily needs are caught using The problem is obvious: money from the reefs, as well as those s?dium cyanide. The poison, squirted who enjoy the coral reef environment, directly at the fish, paralyses them and too many mouths to are not paying for the privilege. allows them to be easily caught. There are simply too many people that Sometimes whole 250-litre drums of feed and insufficient food are sustained by the sea, and these peo­ cyanide are emptied onto the reef turn­ ple need to eat to live. If conservation ing areas into aquatic graveyards �s the efforts were directed to benefitthe local chemical to feed them. kills corals and invertebrates people, like feeding them, or providing along with the targeted fish. Of those them with the re ources and jobs neces­ aquarium fishes collected, many don't sary to from ma1-ine tourism, tl1e even survive to reach benefit the market places whi_le the reefs continue to be raped. reef will save Resort operators of Hong Kong or Singapore. itself. �1shermen all over the region are also adopting live-aboard vess els Big-dollar returns encourage un­ villages; usmg dynamite, literally blasting fish patronising the b·ades of local villages; scrupulous businessmen to finance ?ut of the wa�e_r ufac· these to feed their ever-grow- airlines, hotels and equipment man �perations, decimating the fish 111g commumties. ental populations Nothing is wasted; turers contributing to environm on every reef within their even ornamental fishes ple­ rang�-- It is estimated that such as clown­ agencies that help the local peo in 1995 nearly fishes are collected s that two-thirds of for food. However these are just some of the measure the _ fish sold in the city the explosions cause massive fish­ r�staurants of Taiwan, fracture� would help to eradicate destructive Hong Kong and to_ the superstructure of the reefs.I S111gapore, worth over $US200 million reef, which ing and ultimately save our coral will eventually collapse, resulting in the were captu:ed using sodium cyanide'. d �eports los� of fish habitats and the death of an Michael Aw is a marine photographer r 111?1cate that over 6,000 cyanide entire 1�: divers squirt ecosystem. Photo-journalist based in Sydt!ey. He. �n estimated 200,000 kilo­ The e r gram_s ?f the problem is �bvious: too many authored six boo/ls on the marine nvi. o dissolved poison onto some mouths of Ocea1l N: 33 million coral to feed and msufficient food to ment and is the Chairman e i heads annually. feed th_em. Environment, a non-profit company d d l Entrepreneur� of these About 70 per cent of aht ro 'fishy' busi­ Indo1�es1a's_ 190 mi!lion cate� to preserve the quality of the n ness�s are easily recognised by their population are environment. bulg111g pove1 ty stncken, with little or no back 1�ockets, Rolex watches support. social and BMWs, while The Philippines and Indonesia their hired 'killers'­ hav excellent environmental The Last Word is an opinion piece usually boys from laws but views local villages-wear po�1� _enforcement a and does not necessarily reflect the cheap rubber masks, record. Resources for the Australian M11se11t11. torn sweatshirts pohcmg are of 80 near lo non-existent, and R J 998 NATURE AUSTRALIA WJNTE """ ,,..,. .... LE VAILLANT'S PARROTS MIN,lr,nl'°""'t MM .., MMM 23/7 23/8 23/9 23/10 24/1 24/2

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25/4 25/5 25/6 25/7 25/8 25/9 SUPPLEMENT SPECIAL OFFER Nature Australia's Library box holds twelve issues of the magazine. Finished in y durable, dark green PVC, it will ensure your copies remain in mint condition. 25/11 S2 25/12 Trac/1s through Time

T 0 s i t e 0 0 r d e r u s e t h e f 0 r ,n 0 p p Every month we receive orders for our popular Nature Australia posters.

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