DOCSLIB.ORG

Legislative Council Environment and Planning Committee Inquiry Into Ecosystem Decline in Victoria

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Legislative Council Environment and Planning Committee Inquiry Into Ecosystem Decline in Victoria LC EPC Inquiry into Ecosystem Decline in Victoria Submission 449 Legislative Council Environment and Planning Committee Inquiry into Ecosystem Decline in Victoria Submission from Assoc Professor Barbara Wilson, Deakin University. The extent of decline of Victoria’s biodiversity has been of great concern to Victorians over many decades, particularly with regards to significant declines due to historic vegetation clearing, pest animals and weed invasion, river and marine declines. Weeds continue to have impacts over large areas of natural ecosystems e.g. Coast wattle and Pine invasions causing decline in ecosystem health in Brown Stringybark in western Victoria and impacts on food availability for endangered Black Cockatoos. Climate change impacts in Victorian ecosystems have only recently become more obvious and pervasive. In this submission I have taken the opportunity to focus on the extent of decline of Victoria’s biodiversity in the heathy woodland ecosystems of the eastern Otway ranges, and indicate opportunities to restore the environment. Decline in Heathy woodlands - Anglesea Heath, eastern Otway Ranges, Victoria The Anglesea Heath is recognised for its biodiversity, and a Land Management Cooperative Agreement was established to protect those values (Land Conservation Council Victoria 1985; McMahon and Brighton 2002). The Anglesea Heath (7141 ha) was leased for brown coal extraction over an area of 400 ha (1961–2015) and has recently been incorporated into the Great Otway National Park. The vegetation communities comprise a diverse mosaic of predominantly eucalypt forests, woodlands and heathlands, interspersed with dense wet shrublands. The rich mammal assemblage in the area consists of 15 small to medium-sized mammal species. The mammals include threatened species listed federally (EPBCA 1999) and in Victorian (FFGA 1988): the New Holland mouse (Pseudomys novaehollandiae) – Vulnerable (EPBCA), Threatened (FFGA); the Southern Brown Bandicoot (Isoodon obesulus obesulus)- Endangered (EPBCA), Threatened (FFGA); the long-nosed potoroo (Potorous tridactylus) Vulnerable (EPBCA), Threatened (FFGA); the swamp antechinus (Antechinus minimus maritimus) – Vulnerable (EPBCA), Threatened (FFGA); the white-footed dunnart (Sminthopsis leucopus) – Threatened (FFGA). Long term (1975 -2020) research programs of the ecology and biodiversity of the heathy woodlands of the eastern Otways have been led by Dr Barbara Wilson (Deakin University). The work has concentrated on how species and ecosystems respond to threats such as fire, climate change, and fragmentation. The research on native mammals represents one of the longest mammal datasets in Australia. There have been major declines in biodiversity, particularly for native mammals and vegetation communities. Mammal declines occurred post wildfire (“Ash Wednesday” 1983), and due to fragmentation, vegetation degradation from Phytophthora cinnamomi infestation and declining rainfall. Mammal declines Research programs have assessed the distribution, habitat preferences, diet and population ecology of threatened species such as the New Holland Mouse Pseudomys novaehollandiae. The species decline at landscape and local levels has been studied across Victoria). We established a successful captive breeding colony and trial reintroductions in the eastrn Otways. The work has resulted in the listing of P. novaehollandiae as endangered species (FFG Act 1988, EPBC Act 1999) establishment of the New Holland Mouse Recovery Team and production of an Action Statement. Similar research has been undertaken on the marsupial Swamp antechinus Antechinus minimus including reproduction and ecology of the species and the impacts of fragmentation and fire. The work has resulted in the listing of A. minimus as an endangered species under the EPBC Act (TSSC 2013). The research has resulted in strong evidence of the impacts of climate change on these threatened species in the eastern Otways. Significant population declines of the Swamp antechinus have been recorded during periods of below-average rainfall and drought, especially during the ‘millennium drought’ (1996–2010) where much of the south-east of Australia experienced persistent drought (CSIRO and Australian Bureau of Meteorology 2015). Maximum population densities occurred following the highest total annual rainfall (901 mm) recorded for two decades, and significant density declines were measured during periods of below-average rainfall and drought 1 LC EPC Inquiry into Ecosystem Decline in Victoria Submission 449 (2001–07). The impact of rainfall on the species is considered to result from bottom-up increases or declines in productivity of vegetation and associated dietary resources, particularly moth larvae and beetles. The New Holland mouse has also been found to be significantly influenced by rainfall, exhibiting a population irruption following six years of above-average rainfall and a precipitous decline to site extinction during subsequent drought. The decline was predominantly related to loss of adults before and during breeding seasons, together with an apparent decrease in juvenile survival. The response of this omnivore to high rainfall was mediated through increased productivity and rainfall decline resulted in resource depletion and population decline. Recent work led by Wilson (2013 to 2020) has revealed severe declines of threatened species in the eastern Otways (New Holland mouse, Swamp antechinus), together with significant declines of total small mammal communities across the landscape (Wilson et al. 2017, 2018, 2020). The New Holland mouse disappeared from all sampling sites since 2003 and may have been extirpated from this area and the Swamp antechinus was recorded in extremely low abundance and at few sites. The marked simultaneous decline of co-existing species was a most striking feature of recent results. In total, 67% of sites exhibited large to severe decreases in abundance and only 3% of sites had more than four species compared to 27% in earlier decades. Declines occurred following wildfire (“Ash Wednesday” 1983), and drought, with drivers likely to be multifactorial including fragmentation, vegetation degradation from Phytophthora cinnamomi infestation and declining rainfall during the Millenium drought. Comparison with mammal declines in other areas in Australia indicates that with current threats, conservation reserves in Australia/ Victoria may be failing to maintain elements of biodiversity; and mammal assemblages in Australia may be highly unstable (Wayne et al. 2017). While regional declines in the eastern Otways were substantial, a significant finding was that higher mammal abundance (two- to six-fold) and native species richness (including threatened species Swamp antechinus, Potoroo, Southern Brown bandicoot) were recorded at coastal dune sites, compared to inland sites. There is now evidence that species-rich small mammal communities are still abundant in specific areas such as sand dunes and gullies (Wilson et al. 2019, 2020). The contraction of mammals to these areas indicate that they represent significant refuges from disturbances, including drought, habitat fragmentation, fire regimes and introduced predators. More precise identification and better protection of these local refuges is crucial to maintain the mammal diversity of the region, particularly with respect to planned burning, wildfire management (strategic protection or post-fire response) and predator management. Vegetation and habitat decline Vegetation dieback caused by the plant pathogen Phytophthora cinnamomi is an EPBC Act Key Threatening Process, causing significant and permanent degradation to Australia’s biodiversity. The Phytophthora dieback National Threat Abatement Plan (NTAP) was produced as the framework to guide and coordinate limitations on the impact of the pathogen (Commonwealth of Australia 2018a). In Victoria the requirement for public land managers to address the threat of P. cinnamomi is also provided by State legislation and policy (infestation is listed twice under the FFGA 1988, and the state-wide management strategy - Department of Sustainability and Environment 2008). Three decades of work in the Otway region (Wilson, Cahill, Laidlaw, Garkaklis) has assessed the problem, and impacts on biodiversity. Diseased vegetation infected with P. cinnamomi was first observed in the eastern Otways in the 1970s and research on the impacts of the pathogen and its management have been undertaken since the 1980s. The impacts of the pathogen are severe and permanent. Heathy woodland monitored by our team from 1989 to 2015 found that the uninfested area had reduced by 83%. Significant declines in total number of plant species, susceptible species, cover abundance of grass trees; and an increase in disease resistant species has occurred. There were significant impacts on small mammals. The mean number of species and mammal captures were significantly lower in post-disease areas and captures of species were less frequent in diseased vegetation. Radiotracking of marsupials to grasstrees showed their significance for providing cover and nest sites and loss of grasstree cover due to Phytophthora dieback impacts severely on fauna that utilise them. The impact on Phytophthora dieback on mammal populations is a critical factor in developing a feasible approach to conserving mammals of the Otways Region. Further there have been major impacts on fungal diversity resulting in food availability of mycophaphagous 2 LC EPC Inquiry into Ecosystem Decline
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Size Relationship of the Tympanic Bullae and Pinnae in Bandicoots and Bilbies (Marsupialia: Peramelemorphia)
    Size Relationship of the Tympanic Bullae and Pinnae in Bandicoots and Bilbies (Marsupialia: Peramelemorphia) by Melissa Taylor BSc This thesis is presented for the degree of Bachelor of Science Honours, School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, of Murdoch University Perth, Western Australia, 2019 Author’s Declaration I declare that this thesis is my own account of my research and contains as its main content work which has not previously been submitted for a degree at any tertiary education institution. Melissa Taylor iii Abstract Hearing is an important factor allowing species to obtain information about their environment. Variation in tympanic bullae and external pinnae morphology has been linked with hearing sensitivity and sound localisation in different mammals. Bandicoots and bilbies (Order Peramelemorphia) typically occupy omnivorous niches across a range of habitats from open, arid deserts to dense, tropical forests in Australia and New Guinea. The morphology of tympanic bullae and pinnae varies between peramelemorphian taxa. Little is known about the relationship between these structures, or the extent to which they vary with respect to aspects of ecology, environment or behaviour. This thesis investigated the relationship between tympanic bulla and pinna size in 29 species of bandicoot and bilby. Measurements were taken from museum specimens to investigate this relationship using direct measuring methods and linear dimensions. It was hypothesised that an inverse relationship between bullae and pinnae may exist and that species residing in arid regions would have more extreme differences. Environmental variables were examined to determine the level of influence they had on bullae and pinnae. This study found that there was a phylogenetic correlation between the structures and that they were significantly influenced by temperature (max/average) and precipitation (average).
    [Show full text]
  • Calaby References
    Abbott, I.J. (1974). Natural history of Curtis Island, Bass Strait. 5. Birds, with some notes on mammal trapping. Papers and Proceedings of the Royal Society of Tasmania 107: 171–74. General; Rodents; Abbott, I. (1978). Seabird islands No. 56 Michaelmas Island, King George Sound, Western Australia. Corella 2: 26–27. (Records rabbit and Rattus fuscipes). General; Rodents; Lagomorphs; Abbott, I. (1981). Seabird Islands No. 106 Mondrain Island, Archipelago of the Recherche, Western Australia. Corella 5: 60–61. (Records bush-rat and rock-wallaby). General; Rodents; Abbott, I. and Watson, J.R. (1978). The soils, flora, vegetation and vertebrate fauna of Chatham Island, Western Australia. Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia 60: 65–70. (Only mammal is Rattus fuscipes). General; Rodents; Adams, D.B. (1980). Motivational systems of agonistic behaviour in muroid rodents: a comparative review and neural model. Aggressive Behavior 6: 295–346. Rodents; Ahern, L.D., Brown, P.R., Robertson, P. and Seebeck, J.H. (1985). Application of a taxon priority system to some Victorian vertebrate fauna. Fisheries and Wildlife Service, Victoria, Arthur Rylah Institute of Environmental Research Technical Report No. 32: 1–48. General; Marsupials; Bats; Rodents; Whales; Land Carnivores; Aitken, P. (1968). Observations on Notomys fuscus (Wood Jones) (Muridae-Pseudomyinae) with notes on a new synonym. South Australian Naturalist 43: 37–45. Rodents; Aitken, P.F. (1969). The mammals of the Flinders Ranges. Pp. 255–356 in Corbett, D.W.P. (ed.) The natural history of the Flinders Ranges. Libraries Board of South Australia : Adelaide. (Gives descriptions and notes on the echidna, marsupials, murids, and bats recorded for the Flinders Ranges; also deals with the introduced mammals, including the dingo).
    [Show full text]
  • MORNINGTON PENINSULA BIODIVERSITY: SURVEY and RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS Design and Editing: Linda Bester, Universal Ecology Services
    MORNINGTON PENINSULA BIODIVERSITY: SURVEY AND RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS Design and editing: Linda Bester, Universal Ecology Services. General review: Sarah Caulton. Project manager: Garrique Pergl, Mornington Peninsula Shire. Photographs: Matthew Dell, Linda Bester, Malcolm Legg, Arthur Rylah Institute (ARI), Mornington Peninsula Shire, Russell Mawson, Bruce Fuhrer, Save Tootgarook Swamp, and Celine Yap. Maps: Mornington Peninsula Shire, Arthur Rylah Institute (ARI), and Practical Ecology. Further acknowledgements: This report was produced with the assistance and input of a number of ecological consultants, state agencies and Mornington Peninsula Shire community groups. The Shire is grateful to the many people that participated in the consultations and surveys informing this report. Acknowledgement of Country: The Mornington Peninsula Shire acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders as the first Australians and recognises that they have a unique relationship with the land and water. The Shire also recognises the Mornington Peninsula is home to the Boonwurrung / Bunurong, members of the Kulin Nation, who have lived here for thousands of years and who have traditional connections and responsibilities to the land on which Council meets. Data sources - This booklet summarises the results of various biodiversity reports conducted for the Mornington Peninsula Shire: • Costen, A. and South, M. (2014) Tootgarook Wetland Ecological Character Description. Mornington Peninsula Shire. • Cook, D. (2013) Flora Survey and Weed Mapping at Tootgarook Swamp Bushland Reserve. Mornington Peninsula Shire. • Dell, M.D. and Bester L.R. (2006) Management and status of Leafy Greenhood (Pterostylis cucullata) populations within Mornington Peninsula Shire. Universal Ecology Services, Victoria. • Legg, M. (2014) Vertebrate fauna assessments of seven Mornington Peninsula Shire reserves located within Tootgarook Wetland.
    [Show full text]
  • Phylogenetic Relationships of Living and Recently Extinct Bandicoots Based on Nuclear and Mitochondrial DNA Sequences ⇑ M
    Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 62 (2012) 97–108 Contents lists available at SciVerse ScienceDirect Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/ympev Phylogenetic relationships of living and recently extinct bandicoots based on nuclear and mitochondrial DNA sequences ⇑ M. Westerman a, , B.P. Kear a,b, K. Aplin c, R.W. Meredith d, C. Emerling d, M.S. Springer d a Genetics Department, LaTrobe University, Bundoora, Victoria 3086, Australia b Palaeobiology Programme, Department of Earth Sciences, Uppsala University, Villavägen 16, SE-752 36 Uppsala, Sweden c Australian National Wildlife Collection, CSIRO Sustainable Ecosystems, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia d Department of Biology, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521, USA article info abstract Article history: Bandicoots (Peramelemorphia) are a major order of australidelphian marsupials, which despite a fossil Received 4 November 2010 record spanning at least the past 25 million years and a pandemic Australasian range, remain poorly Revised 6 September 2011 understood in terms of their evolutionary relationships. Many living peramelemorphians are critically Accepted 12 September 2011 endangered, making this group an important focus for biological and conservation research. To establish Available online 11 November 2011 a phylogenetic framework for the group, we compiled a concatenated alignment of nuclear and mito- chondrial DNA sequences, comprising representatives of most living and recently extinct species. Our Keywords: analysis confirmed the currently recognised deep split between Macrotis (Thylacomyidae), Chaeropus Marsupial (Chaeropodidae) and all other living bandicoots (Peramelidae). The mainly New Guinean rainforest per- Bandicoot Peramelemorphia amelids were returned as the sister clade of Australian dry-country species. The wholly New Guinean Per- Phylogeny oryctinae was sister to Echymiperinae.
    [Show full text]
  • Conservation Advice Isoodon Obesulus Obesulus Southern Brown
    THREATENED SPECIES SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE Established under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 The Minister approved this conservation advice on 5 May 2016; and confirmed this subspecies 4 Apr 2001 inclusion in the Endangered category. Conservation Advice Isoodon obesulus obesulus southern brown bandicoot (eastern) Note: The information contained in this Conservation Advice was primarily sourced from ‘The Action Plan for Australian Mammals 2012’ (Woinarski et al., 2014). Any substantive additions obtained during the consultation on the draft are cited within the advice. Readers may note that Conservation Advices resulting from the Action Plan for Australian Mammals show minor differences in formatting relative to other Conservation Advices. These reflect the desire to efficiently prepare a large number of advices by adopting the presentation approach of the Action Plan for Australian Mammals, and do not reflect any difference in the evidence used to develop the recommendation. Taxonomy Paull (2008) recognised three subspecies of southern brown bandicoot in the south-eastern states: I. o. obesulus (New South Wales (NSW), Victoria and South Australia), I. o. nauticus (Nuyts Archipelago, South Australia) and I. o. affinus (Tasmania). Following Pope et al. (2001), Zenger et al. (2005) and Westerman et al. (2012), Woinarski et al. (2014) included I. o. affinis and I. o. nauticus as part of I. o. obesulus. This taxonomic grouping was accepted by the Australian Faunal Directory, and contributed to the re-evaluation of the status of I. o. obesulus undertaken here. However, recent genetic analysis suggests that I. o. affinis is genetically distinct from the mainland populations (Cooper et al., unpublished).
    [Show full text]
  • Isoodon Obesulus) in South Australia
    Conservation genetics of the endangered southern brown bandicoot (Isoodon obesulus) in South Australia You Li Submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy School of Earth and Environmental Sciences The University of Adelaide August 2013 Table of Contents List of Figures ................................................................................................................................. VI List of Tables ................................................................................................................................. VII Abstract ........................................................................................................................................VIII Declaration ....................................................................................................................................... X Acknowledgements ......................................................................................................................... XI Chapter One: Introduction .............................................................................................................. 1 Species decline and extinction in Australia .................................................................................... 2 Habitat loss and fragmentation ....................................................................................................... 2 Dispersal and habitat fragmentation .................................................................................... 2 Matrix in fragmented habitat ..............................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Husbandry Manual for the New Holland Mouse
    HUSBANDRY MANUAL FOR THE NEW HOLLAND MOUSE Pseudomys novaehollandiae . Contributors: Sonya Prosser Melbourne Zoo Mandy Lock Deakin University Kate Bodley Melbourne Zoo Jean Groat ex Melbourne Zoo Peter Myronuik ex Melbourne Zoo Peter Courtney Melbourne Zoo May 2007 CONTENTS: 1. Taxonomy 4 2. Conservation Status 4 3. Natural History 4 3.1 General Description 4 3.2 Distinguishing Features 4 3.3 Morphometrics 5 3.4 Distribution 5 3.5 Habitat 6 3.6 Wild Diet and Feeding Habits 6 3.7 Threats 7 3.8 Population Dynamics 7 3.9 Longevity 7 4. Housing Requirements 8 4.1 Indoors 8 4.1.1 Substrate 9 4.1.2 Enclosure Furnishings 9 4.1.3 Lighting 9 4.1.4 Temperature 9 4.1.5 Spatial Requirements 10 4.2 Outdoors 10 5. Handling and Transport 11 5.1 Timing of Capture and Handling 11 5.2 Catching Equipment 11 5.3 Capture and Restraint Techniques 11 5.4 Outdoors 14 5.5 Weighing and Examination 14 5.6 Release 14 5.7 Transport Requirements 14 7. Animal Health and Veterinary Care 15 7.1 Quarantine 15 7.2 Physical examination 15 7.3 Veterinary examination/procedures 15 7.4 Health Problems 16 8. Behaviour 20 9. Feeding requirements 20 9.1 Captive Diet 20 9.2 Presentation of food 21 9.3 Supplements 21 2 10. Breeding 21 10.1 Litter Size 21 10.2 Gestation 21 10.3 Sexual maturity 21 10.4 Oestrus 21 10.5 Parturition 21 10.6 Post partum oestrus 21 10.7 Weaning 21 10.8 Age at first and last breeding 21 10.9 Litter Size as a percentage of total litters 22 10.10 Birth Seasonality 22 10.11 Identification of Breeding Cycles 23 10.12 Copulation 24 10.13 Pregnancy 24 10.14 Parturition 24 10.15 Abnormal pregnancy/parturition 24 11.
    [Show full text]
  • NEW HOLLAND MOUSE Pseudomys Novaehollandiae Endangered/Vulnerable
    Zoos Victoria’s Fighting Extinction Species NEW HOLLAND MOUSE Pseudomys novaehollandiae Endangered/Vulnerable Photo: David Paul New Holland Mouse (NHM) populations of the endangered NHM are declining are declining rapidly in all states, with a 99% and are highly unstable due to habitat reduction in mice in Tasmania, and seven out destruction, inappropriate fire regimes and of 12 known Victorian populations now extinct. introduced predators, like cats and foxes. However, new populations of this shy native By boosting NHM numbers and the number rodent have been found in the past few years, of populations, and inspiring people to learn highlighting how little we know about the species and care about them, we can secure a bright and its range. Sadly, remaining populations future for this sweet and tiny mouse. Zoos Victoria Photo: Phoebe Burns is committed to Fighting Extinction We are focused on working with partners to secure the survival of our priority species before it is too late. With its large eyes, big rounded ears and bi-coloured pink and dusky brown tail, the New Holland Mouse is a beautiful rodent native to small areas of the heathlands, woodlands and vegetated sand dunes of south eastern Australia. Sadly, numbers of this precious mouse have declined rapidly and many populations are now extinct. Zoos Victoria is working with partners and PhD students to find the remaining populations and protect them for the future. KEY PROGRAM OBJECTIVES mammal research increased, the range of the Raise awareness and facilitate use of boot cleaning stations for $20,000 • Determine the status and population trends NHM expanded to include Victoria, south-east mitigation of Cinnamon Fungus.
    [Show full text]
  • Regional Recovery Plan for the Southern Brown Bandicoot in the Mount Lofty Ranges
    Recovery Plan for the Southern Brown Bandicoot in the Mount Lofty Ranges, South Australia, 2004 to 2009 Prepared by Nerissa Haby and Kirstin Long JANUARY 2005 TABLE OF CONTENTS SUMMARY..................................................................................................................................................................I INTRODUCTION............................................................................................................................................................... I STATUS........................................................................................................................................................................... I THREATS AND THREATENING PROCESSES ....................................................................................................................... I RECOVERY PLAN OBJECTIVE........................................................................................................................................... I PRIMARY RECOVERY ACTIONS ....................................................................................................................................... I ESTIMATED COSTS OVER 5 YEAR PERIOD (IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS)........................................................................ II CONSERVATION STATUS..................................................................................................................................... 1 STAKEHOLDERS....................................................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Bandicoot Fact Sheet
    Southern Brown Bandicoot Common Name: Southern Brown Bandicoot F a c Scientific Name: Isoodon obesulus t S Description: The Southern Brown Bandicoot has brown fur h e with distinct golden streaks that cover most of its body. The fur e underneath is often dull white or cream colour. The bandicoot t is a small and quick marsupial that varies in size and weight. The adult males can grow up to 45 centimeters and adult females 41 centimeters. The average weight for males is around 850 grams and females are around 700 grams. Males Southern Brown Bandicoot Photo courtesy of N. Haby are almost always bigger and heavier than the females. Breeding: The availability of food, the temperature, rainfall and even the length of sunlight in a day can influence the number of young bandicoots a mother has each year. On average the female bandicoot will have around three young in each litter and between two and five litters per year. Unfortunately less than half of these young babies will make it to adult life. The most common time of year for breeding is between June and December. Bandicoot nest Photo courtesy of M. Turner Young bandicoot Photo courtesy of N. Haby Habitat: The bandicoot prefers areas that have a dense ground and shrub environment including the under-story in forests, wood- lands, scrub and heathlands and grasslands. The vegetation cover provides the bandicoot with protection from predators and ideal nesting sites. Nests are made into distinct mounds from the sur- rounding leaf litter and soil. Some nests have even been lo- cated in rabbit warrens.
    [Show full text]
  • Southern Brown Bandicoots Can Be Successfully Returned to the Wild After Physiological Experiments
    Southern brown bandicoots can be successfully returned to the wild after physiological experiments. Christine E. Cooper Environment and Agriculture, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia. Running head: successful release of bandicoots *Corresponding Author: Dr. Christine Cooper, Environment & Agriculture, Curtin University, PO Box U1987 Perth Western Australia 6845 Phone: (08) 9266 7965 Fax: (08) 9266 2495 e-mail: [email protected] Keywords bandicoot, marsupial, movement, release, respirometry, survivorship 1 Abstract Context The poor survivorship of many animals released into the wild for translocation, re- introduction or rehabilitation may be cited as a reason not to release experimental animals, but there is only limited information available on the fate of ex-research animals returned to the wild. Aims This study tested the hypothesis that there was no difference in the recapture of bandicoots used for physiological experiments and control bandicoots. Methods Six adult male bandicoots were trapped and maintained in captivity for three weeks for physiological experiments, then released at the capture site. Sixteen other bandicoots were captured and released immediately. Seven weeks after the release of the bandicoots used for physiological studies, follow-up trapping was carried out, and the survival, body mass and distance moved of recaptured bandicoots was recorded. Key results Survivorship did not differ statistically for bandicoots used for physiological experiments and control bandicoots, with five of six experimental bandicoots (83 %) and 11 of 16 control bandicoots (69%) recaptured. Bandicoots used for physiological experiments lost a significantly greater proportion of body mass than control animals, but this occurred in captivity, not after release. The distance between recaptures for both groups (0-224m) was consistent with previously published observations.
    [Show full text]
  • Australian Rodents Reveal Conserved Cranial Evolutionary Allometry Across 10
    Manuscript Copyright The University of Chicago 2020. Preprint (not copyedited or formatted). Please use DOI when citing or quoting. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1086/711398 Australian rodents reveal conserved Cranial Evolutionary Allometry across 10 million years of murid evolution Ariel E. Marcy1*, Thomas Guillerme2, Emma Sherratt3, Kevin C. Rowe4,5, Matthew J. Phillips6, and Vera Weisbecker1,7 1University of Queensland, School of Biological Sciences; University of Sheffield, Department of Animal and Plant Sciences; 3University of Adelaide, School of Biological Sciences, 4Museums Victoria, Sciences Department; 5University of Melbourne, School of BioSciences; 6Queensland University of Technology, School of Biology & Environmental Science; 7Flinders University, College of Science and Engineering; *[email protected] Keywords: allometric facilitation, CREA, geometric morphometrics, molecular phylogeny, Murinae, stabilizing selection 1 Copyright The University of Chicago 2020. Preprint (not copyedited or formatted). Please use DOI when citing or quoting. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1086/711398 ABSTRACT Among vertebrates, placental mammals are particularly variable in the covariance between cranial shape and body size (allometry), with rodents a major exception. Australian murid rodents allow an assessment of the cause of this anomaly because they radiated on an ecologically diverse continent notably lacking other terrestrial placentals. Here we use 3D geometric morphometrics to quantify species-level and evolutionary allometries in 38 species (317 crania) from all Australian murid genera. We ask if ecological opportunity resulted in greater allometric diversity compared to other rodents, or if conserved allometry suggests intrinsic constraints and/or stabilizing selection. We also assess whether cranial shape variation follows the proposed “rule of craniofacial evolutionary allometry” (CREA), whereby larger species have relatively longer snouts and smaller braincases.
    [Show full text]