DOCSLIB.ORG

Chapter 1 – Background

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Chapter 1 – Background Biomedical Sciences An assessment of genetic diversity and inbreeding in the Noisy Scrub-bird (Atrichornis clamosus) using microsatellite and Major Histocompatibility Complex loci Saul Jesse Cowen This thesis is presented for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy of Curtin University November 2014 Declaration To the best of my knowledge and belief this thesis contains no material previously published by any other person except where due acknowledgment has been made. This thesis contains no material which has been accepted for the award of any other degree or diploma in any university. Signature: Date: 23/11/2014 Table of contents Acknowledgements ...................................................................................................... 1 Abstract ........................................................................................................................ 5 List of abbreviations ..................................................................................................... 9 Chapter 1 – Background............................................................................................. 11 1.1 Threats to global biodiversity ...................................................................... 11 1.2 Biodiversity conservation and genetics ....................................................... 13 1.2.1 Genetic diversity as biodiversity .......................................................... 13 1.2.2 Conserving genetic diversity in island bird species ............................. 21 1.3 Translocations and biodiversity conservation ............................................. 25 1.3.1 Translocations as conservation management strategy ......................... 25 1.3.2 Translocations and genetic diversity .................................................... 27 1.4 Study species ............................................................................................... 31 1.4.1 Noisy scrub-bird ................................................................................... 31 1.4.2 Barrow Island white-winged fairy-wren ............................................. 42 1.4.3 Spinifexbird .......................................................................................... 46 Chapter 2 – Materials and methods ............................................................................ 49 2.1 Population census ........................................................................................ 49 2.1.1 Aims of surveys for census .................................................................. 49 2.1.2 Survey locations ................................................................................... 50 2.2 Capture and tissue sampling ........................................................................ 51 2.2.1 Aims of tissue sampling ....................................................................... 51 2.2.2 Capture methodology ........................................................................... 52 2.2.3 Tissue sampling methodology ............................................................. 54 2.2.4 Summary of capture work .................................................................... 55 2.3 DNA extraction ........................................................................................... 55 2.3.1 DNA extraction methodology (blood) ................................................. 55 2.3.2 DNA extraction methodology (feathers) .............................................. 56 2.3.3 Gel extraction methodology ................................................................. 57 2.4 Polymerase chain reaction ........................................................................... 57 2.4.1 Polymerase chain reaction methodology ............................................. 57 2.5 Primer design ............................................................................................... 58 2.5.1 Microsatellite primer design methodology .......................................... 58 2.6 Capillary electrophoresis ............................................................................. 59 2.6.1 Capillary electrophoresis methodology ................................................ 59 2.7 Transformation of competent cells .............................................................. 60 2.7.1 Ligation of PCR product into plasmid vector ...................................... 60 2.7.2 Transformation of competent cells ....................................................... 60 2.7.3 Clone selection and plasmid extraction for sequencing ....................... 61 Chapter 3 – Microsatellite discovery and characterisation ........................................ 63 3.1 Introduction ................................................................................................. 63 3.2 Methodology ................................................................................................ 65 3.2.1 DNA extraction and preparation for 454 .............................................. 65 3.2.2 Construction of gDNA library using 454 shotgun pyrosequencing .... 65 3.2.3 Screening and interrogation of 454 data for microsatellite loci ........... 66 3.2.4 Primer design and detection of polymorphic microsatellite loci .......... 67 3.2.5 Fragment analysis of polymorphic microsatellites ............................... 67 3.3 Results ......................................................................................................... 67 3.3.1 DNA extraction and second-generation sequencing ............................ 67 3.3.2 Comparison of microsatellite motif abundances in different studies ... 68 3.3.3 Characterisation of tetra-nucleotide microsatellite loci ....................... 74 3.4 Discussion .................................................................................................... 75 Chapter 4 – Microsatellite diversity in three genetic populations of noisy scrub-bird (Atrichornis clamosus) ............................................................................................... 80 4.1 Introduction ................................................................................................. 80 4.2 Methodology ................................................................................................ 86 4.2.1 Analysis of microsatellites by capillary electrophoresis ...................... 86 4.2.2 Statistical analysis of microsatellite data ............................................. 86 4.3 Results ......................................................................................................... 89 4.4 Discussion .................................................................................................. 100 4.4.1 Intra- and inter-population genetic diversity in MG, MP and BA ..... 100 4.4.2 Implications for conservation and management ................................. 106 Chapter 5 – Diversity of the Major Histocompatibility Complex Class II B gene in the noisy scrub-bird .................................................................................................. 109 5.1 Introduction ............................................................................................... 109 5.2 Methodology .............................................................................................. 113 5.2.1 Amplification and sequencing of MHC Class II B loci ..................... 113 5.2.2 Analysis of MHC sequence data ........................................................ 116 5.3 Results ....................................................................................................... 119 5.4 Discussion ................................................................................................. 137 5.4.1 Diversity in the MHC Class II B ....................................................... 137 5.4.2 Implications for conservation ............................................................. 140 Chapter 6 – Diversity in Major Histocompatibility Complex Class II B gene and pathogen prevalence in two island bird species ....................................................... 145 6.1 Introduction ............................................................................................... 145 6.2 Methodology ............................................................................................. 148 6.3 Results ....................................................................................................... 149 6.4 Discussion ................................................................................................. 153 Chapter 7 – Discussion ............................................................................................ 157 7.1 Microsatellite diversity and inbreeding in the noisy scrub-bird ................ 157 7.2 MHC Class II B diversity in the noisy scrub-bird ..................................... 159 7.3 MHC Class II B diversity in Barrow Island birds ..................................... 161 7.4 Implications for conservation management .............................................. 163 7.5 Future directions ........................................................................................ 166 Appendices ............................................................................................................... 169 Appendix i - List of noisy scrub-bird samples ..................................................... 169 Appendix ii - List of black-and-white fairy-wren & spinifexbird samples .......... 172 Appendix iv - Qiagen DNeasy Blood and Tissue Kit
Load more

Recommended publications
  • A 'Slow Pace of Life' in Australian Old-Endemic Passerine Birds Is Not Accompanied by Low Basal Metabolic Rates
    University of Wollongong Research Online Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health - Papers: part A Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health 1-1-2016 A 'slow pace of life' in Australian old-endemic passerine birds is not accompanied by low basal metabolic rates Claus Bech University of Wollongong Mark A. Chappell University of Wollongong, [email protected] Lee B. Astheimer University of Wollongong, [email protected] Gustavo A. Londoño Universidad Icesi William A. Buttemer University of Wollongong, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://ro.uow.edu.au/smhpapers Part of the Medicine and Health Sciences Commons, and the Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons Recommended Citation Bech, Claus; Chappell, Mark A.; Astheimer, Lee B.; Londoño, Gustavo A.; and Buttemer, William A., "A 'slow pace of life' in Australian old-endemic passerine birds is not accompanied by low basal metabolic rates" (2016). Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health - Papers: part A. 3841. https://ro.uow.edu.au/smhpapers/3841 Research Online is the open access institutional repository for the University of Wollongong. For further information contact the UOW Library: [email protected] A 'slow pace of life' in Australian old-endemic passerine birds is not accompanied by low basal metabolic rates Abstract Life history theory suggests that species experiencing high extrinsic mortality rates allocate more resources toward reproduction relative to self-maintenance and reach maturity earlier ('fast pace of life') than those having greater life expectancy and reproducing at a lower rate ('slow pace of life'). Among birds, many studies have shown that tropical species have a slower pace of life than temperate-breeding species.
    [Show full text]
  • Disaggregation of Bird Families Listed on Cms Appendix Ii
    Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals 2nd Meeting of the Sessional Committee of the CMS Scientific Council (ScC-SC2) Bonn, Germany, 10 – 14 July 2017 UNEP/CMS/ScC-SC2/Inf.3 DISAGGREGATION OF BIRD FAMILIES LISTED ON CMS APPENDIX II (Prepared by the Appointed Councillors for Birds) Summary: The first meeting of the Sessional Committee of the Scientific Council identified the adoption of a new standard reference for avian taxonomy as an opportunity to disaggregate the higher-level taxa listed on Appendix II and to identify those that are considered to be migratory species and that have an unfavourable conservation status. The current paper presents an initial analysis of the higher-level disaggregation using the Handbook of the Birds of the World/BirdLife International Illustrated Checklist of the Birds of the World Volumes 1 and 2 taxonomy, and identifies the challenges in completing the analysis to identify all of the migratory species and the corresponding Range States. The document has been prepared by the COP Appointed Scientific Councilors for Birds. This is a supplementary paper to COP document UNEP/CMS/COP12/Doc.25.3 on Taxonomy and Nomenclature UNEP/CMS/ScC-Sc2/Inf.3 DISAGGREGATION OF BIRD FAMILIES LISTED ON CMS APPENDIX II 1. Through Resolution 11.19, the Conference of Parties adopted as the standard reference for bird taxonomy and nomenclature for Non-Passerine species the Handbook of the Birds of the World/BirdLife International Illustrated Checklist of the Birds of the World, Volume 1: Non-Passerines, by Josep del Hoyo and Nigel J. Collar (2014); 2.
    [Show full text]
  • Summary of Native Bat, Reptile, Amphibian and Terrestrial Invertebrate Translocations in New Zealand
    Summary of native bat, reptile, amphibian and terrestrial invertebrate translocations in New Zealand SCIENCE FOR CONSERVATION 303 Summary of native bat, reptile, amphibian and terrestrial invertebrate translocations in New Zealand G.H. Sherley, I.A.N. Stringer and G.R. Parrish SCIENCE FOR CONSERVATION 303 Published by Publishing Team Department of Conservation PO Box 10420, The Terrace Wellington 6143, New Zealand Cover: Male Mercury Islands tusked weta, Motuweta isolata. Originally found on Atiu or Middle Island in the Mercury Islands, these were translocated onto six other nearby islands after being bred in captivity. Photo: Ian Stringer. Science for Conservation is a scientific monograph series presenting research funded by New Zealand Department of Conservation (DOC). Manuscripts are internally and externally peer-reviewed; resulting publications are considered part of the formal international scientific literature. Individual copies are printed, and are also available from the departmental website in pdf form. Titles are listed in our catalogue on the website, refer www.doc.govt.nz under Publications, then Science & technical. © Copyright April 2010, New Zealand Department of Conservation ISSN 1173–2946 (hardcopy) ISSN 1177–9241 (PDF) ISBN 978–0–478–14771–1 (hardcopy) ISBN 978–0–478–14772–8 (PDF) This report was prepared for publication by the Publishing Team; editing by Amanda Todd and layout by Hannah Soult. Publication was approved by the General Manager, Research and Development Group, Department of Conservation, Wellington, New Zealand. In the interest of forest conservation, we support paperless electronic publishing. When printing, recycled paper is used wherever possible. CONTENTS Abstract 5 1. Introduction 6 2. Methods 7 3.
    [Show full text]
  • Kingdom Class Family Scientific Name Common Name I Q a Records
    Kingdom Class Family Scientific Name Common Name I Q A Records plants monocots Poaceae Paspalidium rarum C 2/2 plants monocots Poaceae Aristida latifolia feathertop wiregrass C 3/3 plants monocots Poaceae Aristida lazaridis C 1/1 plants monocots Poaceae Astrebla pectinata barley mitchell grass C 1/1 plants monocots Poaceae Cenchrus setigerus Y 1/1 plants monocots Poaceae Echinochloa colona awnless barnyard grass Y 2/2 plants monocots Poaceae Aristida polyclados C 1/1 plants monocots Poaceae Cymbopogon ambiguus lemon grass C 1/1 plants monocots Poaceae Digitaria ctenantha C 1/1 plants monocots Poaceae Enteropogon ramosus C 1/1 plants monocots Poaceae Enneapogon avenaceus C 1/1 plants monocots Poaceae Eragrostis tenellula delicate lovegrass C 2/2 plants monocots Poaceae Urochloa praetervisa C 1/1 plants monocots Poaceae Heteropogon contortus black speargrass C 1/1 plants monocots Poaceae Iseilema membranaceum small flinders grass C 1/1 plants monocots Poaceae Bothriochloa ewartiana desert bluegrass C 2/2 plants monocots Poaceae Brachyachne convergens common native couch C 2/2 plants monocots Poaceae Enneapogon lindleyanus C 3/3 plants monocots Poaceae Enneapogon polyphyllus leafy nineawn C 1/1 plants monocots Poaceae Sporobolus actinocladus katoora grass C 1/1 plants monocots Poaceae Cenchrus pennisetiformis Y 1/1 plants monocots Poaceae Sporobolus australasicus C 1/1 plants monocots Poaceae Eriachne pulchella subsp. dominii C 1/1 plants monocots Poaceae Dichanthium sericeum subsp. humilius C 1/1 plants monocots Poaceae Digitaria divaricatissima var. divaricatissima C 1/1 plants monocots Poaceae Eriachne mucronata forma (Alpha C.E.Hubbard 7882) C 1/1 plants monocots Poaceae Sehima nervosum C 1/1 plants monocots Poaceae Eulalia aurea silky browntop C 2/2 plants monocots Poaceae Chloris virgata feathertop rhodes grass Y 1/1 CODES I - Y indicates that the taxon is introduced to Queensland and has naturalised.
    [Show full text]
  • Register of Heritage Places – Assessment Documentation
    REGISTER OF HERITAGE PLACES – ASSESSMENT DOCUMENTATION 11. ASSESSMENT OF CULTURAL HERITAGE SIGNIFICANCE The criteria adopted by the Heritage Council in November 1996 have been used to determine the cultural heritage significance of the place. PRINCIPAL AUSTRALIAN HISTORIC THEME(S) • 3.5 Developing primary production • 3.8 Moving goods and people • 3.8. 4 Making economic use of inland waterways • 3.11 .5 Establishing water supplies • 3.14 .1 Using Australian materials in construction • 8.10 .5 Advancing knowledge in science and technology HERITAGE COUNCIL OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA THEME(S) • 112 Technology and technological change • 201 River and sea transport • 203 Road transport • 302 Rural industry & market gardening • 304 Timber industry • 404 Community services & utilities • 405 Sport, recreation and entertainment 11.1 AESTHETIC VALUE* Lower Kalgan River Bridge (1958) is a utilitarian structure that exhibits the characteristics and construction techniques of substantial timber road bridges built between c.1900 and the 1950s that has been changed by the addition of a concrete road deck. (Criterion 1.1) * For consistency, all references to architectural style are taken from Apperly, R., Irving, R., Reynolds, P. A Pictorial Guide to Identifying Australian Architecture. Styles and Terms from 1788 to the Present, Angus and Robertson, North Ryde, 1989. For consistency, all references to garden and landscape types and styles are taken from Ramsay, J. Parks, Gardens and Special Trees: A Classification and Assessment Method for the Register of the National Estate, Australian Government Publishing Service, Canberra, 1991, with additional reference to Richards, O. Theoretical Framework for Designed Landscapes in WA, unpublished report, 1997. Register of Heritage Places – Assessment Documentation Lower Kalgan River Bridge & Jetty Group 23 May 2008 1 Lower Kalgan River Jetty is a utilitarian structure that exhibits the characteristics and construction techniques of timber jetties and small road and rail bridges built between c.1900 and the 1950s.
    [Show full text]
  • Aquatic Invertebrate Fauna of the Two Peoples Bay Area, Southwestern Australia
    Journal of the Royal Society of Westem Australia, 76: 25-32, 1993 Aquatic invertebrate fauna of the Two Peoples Bay area, southwestern Australia 14, 15 2R W Storey, A Halse & J Shiel lDePartment of Conservation and Land Managemen! Wildlife Research Centre, PO Box 51, Wanneroo WA 6065 2Murray-Darling Freshwater Research Centre, PO Box 921, Albury NSW 2640 Ma usctipt receioed luly 1992; accepted Decenbet 1992 Abstract The aquatic invertebrate fauna of four rivers and streams and three lakes in the Two Peoples Bay area, southwestern Australia, was sampled in June 1990 and February 1991. A total of 247 taxa were recbrded: ll0 in flowing waters, 170 in standing walers and 33 common to bolh habitats. lncreased sampling intensity in February 1991 revealed a diverse microinvertebrate fauna of 47 ta\a of Protozoa and Rotifera. The macroinvertebrate fauna was similar to that reDorted previouslv from aouatic eco\vstems in southwestern Austratia. fh irty-si^ species of m icroinvertebrates 1) Protozoi, 2 I Rotifdra, 10 Chdocera and 3 Copepodal were new records for southwestern Australia and, in many cdses, Austra[a. The number of new records reflects greater sampling and taxonomic effort than has been used previously in southwestern Australia, but also suggests southwestern Australia may have a distinctive miirofauna.' Introduction The Coodga system comprises the Goodgd River, Moates Lake and Cardner Lake and enters the setin Two Peoples Peoples Two Bay is an important area for wildlife Bav. The slow-flowing Goodga fuver arises approximaiely conservation. It is best known as the last refuge for the 20-km inland. ln its u[per reiches, the river fid.s thro,lgir Noisy Scrub-bird Atricholnis clamosus and a nature reserve cleared farmland before entering the reserve and dischary- was proclaimed in 7966 to protect this species.
    [Show full text]
  • Land Birds on Barrow Island: Status, Population Estimates, and Responses to an Oil-Field Development
    Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia, 87:101–108, 2004 Land Birds on Barrow Island: Status, Population Estimates, and Responses to an Oil-field Development S Pruett-Jones1 and E O’Donnell2 1 Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Chicago, 1101 East 57th Street, Chicago, Illinois 60637. USA. 2 Department of Evironmental Biology, Adelaide University, Adelaide, South Australia 5005. Australia. [email protected] (Manuscript received October 2003; accepted June 2004) Abstract A census of land birds on Barrow Island, Western Australia was carried out during September and October 2001. A total of 178 transects was conducted in six major vegetation zones, with 777 individuals of 16 species of birds recorded. The six most common species, in order of their abundance, were Spinifexbird (Eremiornis carteri), White-winged Fairy-wren (Malurus leucopterus), Singing Honeyeater (Lichenostomus virescens), White-breasted Woodswallow (Artamus leucorynchus), Zebra Finch (Taeniopygia guttata), and Welcome Swallow (Hirundo neoxena). Our total population estimates for these species were generally comparable to those of a survey of Barrow Island in 1976 (Sedgwick 1978), but some differences existed for these and other species. In an analysis of habitat preferences, more complex vegetation zones supported more species. The density of both Spinifexbirds and Singing Honeyeaters was significantly correlated with the number of emergent shrubs. Also, across vegetation zones, the number of different bird species was correlated with the maximum height of vegetation in a habitat. Species richness and numbers of individuals were compared between natural areas, areas surrounding oil pads, and along roadsides. There was no significant difference in species richness across these three areas, but there was a significant increase in number of individuals along road sides.
    [Show full text]
  • Distribution of Westralunio Carteri Iredale 1934 (Bivalvia: Unionoida: Hyriidae) on the South Coast of Southwestern Australia, Including New Records of the Species
    Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia, 95: 77–81, 2012 Distribution of Westralunio carteri Iredale 1934 (Bivalvia: Unionoida: Hyriidae) on the south coast of southwestern Australia, including new records of the species M W KLUNZINGER 1*, S J BEATTY 1, D L MORGAN 1, A J LYMBERY 1, A M PINDER 2 & D J CALE 2 1 Freshwater Fish Group & Fish Health Unit, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia. 2 Science Division, Department of Environment and Conservation, Woodvale, WA 6026, Australia. * Corresponding author ! [email protected] Westralunio carteri Iredale 1934 is the only hyriid in southwestern Australia. The species was listed as ‘Vulnerable’ by the IUCN, due to population decline from dryland salinity, although the listing was recently changed to ‘Least Concern’. The Department of Environment and Conservation lists the species as ‘Priority 4’, yet it lacks special protection under federal or state legislation. Accuracy in species accounts is an important driver in determining conservation status of threatened species. In this regard, discrepancies in locality names and vagary in museum records necessitated the eastern distributional bounds of W. carteri to be clarified. Here we present an updated account of the species’ distribution and describe two previously unknown populations of W. carteri in the Moates Lake catchment and Waychinicup River, resulting in an eastern range extension of 96–118 km from the Kent River, formerly the easternmost river where W. carteri was known. For mussel identification, samples (n = 31) were collected and transported live to the laboratory for examination and internal shell morphology confirmed that the species was W.
    [Show full text]
  • Download Complete Work
    © The Authors, 2016. Journal compilation © Australian Museum, Sydney, 2016 Records of the Australian Museum (2016) Vol. 68, issue number 5, pp. 201–230. ISSN 0067-1975 (print), ISSN 2201-4349 (online) http://dx.doi.org/10.3853/j.2201-4349.68.2016.1668 The Late Cenozoic Passerine Avifauna from Rackham’s Roost Site, Riversleigh, Australia JACQUELINE M.T. NGUYEN,1,2* SUZANNE J. HAND,2 MICHAEL ARCHER2 1 Australian Museum Research Institute, Australian Museum, 1 William Street, Sydney New South Wales 2010, Australia 2 PANGEA Research Centre, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia [email protected] · [email protected] · [email protected] ABstRACT. The Riversleigh World Heritage Area, north-western Queensland, is one of the richest Cenozoic deposits in Australia for passerine fossils. Most of the Riversleigh passerine remains derive from the late Cenozoic Rackham’s Roost Site. Here we describe 38 fossils from this site, which represent eight extant families of passerine birds. These fossils include the oldest records of Maluridae (fairywrens and allies), Acanthizidae (acanthizid warblers), Pomatostomidae (Australo-Papuan babblers), Petroicidae (Australasian robins), Estrildidae (estrildid finches), Locustellidae (songlarks and grassbirds) and Acrocephalidae (reed warblers) in Australia, and the oldest records globally of Maluridae, Acanthizidae, Pomatostomidae, Petroicidae and Estrildidae. The fossils also include the oldest known representatives of the major radiation Passerida sensu stricto in the Australian fossil record, indicating that the second dispersal event of this group had already occurred in this region at least by the early Pleistocene. In describing the Rackham’s Roost fossils, we have identified suites of postcranial characters that we consider diagnostic for several Australian passerine families.
    [Show full text]
  • Albany Coast Draft Management Plan 2016
    Albany coast draft management plan 2016 Albany coast draft management plan 2016 Conservation Commission of Western Australia Department of Parks and Wildlife Department of Parks and Wildlife 17 Dick Perry Avenue KENSINGTON WA 6151 Phone: (08) 9219 9000 Fax: (08) 9334 0498 www.dpaw.wa.gov.au © State of Western Australia 2016 May 2016 This work is copyright. You may download, display, print and reproduce this material in unaltered form (retaining this notice) for your personal, non-commercial use or use within your organisation. Apart from any use as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, all other rights are reserved. Requests and enquiries concerning reproduction and rights should be addressed to the Department of Parks and Wildlife. ISBN 978-1-921703-67-6 (print) ISBN 978-1-921703-68-3 (online) This management plan was prepared by the Conservation Commission of Western Australia through the agency of the Department of Parks and Wildlife. Questions regarding this management plan should be directed to: Planning Branch Department of Parks and Wildlife Locked Bag 104 Bentley Delivery Centre WA 6983 Phone: (08) 9219 9000 The recommended reference for this publication is: Department of Parks and Wildlife (2016) Albany coast draft management plan 2016. Department of Parks and Wildlife, Perth. This document is available in alternative formats on request. Please note: URLs in this document which conclude a sentence are followed by a full point. If copying the URL please do not include the full point. Front cover photos Main The new recreation facilities at The Gap in Torndirrup National Park. Photo – Parks and Wildlife Top left Gilbert’s potoroo or ngilgyte (Potorous gilberti).
    [Show full text]
  • The Importance of Western Australia's Waterways
    The Importance of Western Australia's Waterways There are 208 major waterways in Western Australia with a combined length of more than 25000 km. Forty-eight have been identified as 'wild rivers' due to their near pristine condition. Waterways and their fringing vegetation have important ecological, economic and cultural values. They provide habitat for birds, frogs, reptiles, native fish and macroinvertebrates and form important wildlife corridors between patches of remnant bush. Estuaries, where river and ocean waters mix, connect the land to the sea and have their own unique array of aquatic and terrestrial flora and fauna. Waterways, and water, have important spiritual and cultural significance for Aboriginal people. Many waterbodies such as rivers, soaks, springs, rock holes and billabongs have Aboriginal sites associated with them. Waterways became a focal point for explorers and settlers with many of the State’s towns located near them. Waterways supply us with food and drinking water, irrigation for agriculture and water for aquaculture and horticulture. They are valuable assets for tourism and An impacted south-west river section - salinisation and erosion on the upper Frankland River. Photo are prized recreational areas. S. Neville ECOTONES. Many are internationally recognised and protected for their ecological values, such as breeding grounds and migration stopovers for birds. WA has several Ramsar sites including lakes Gore and Warden on the south coast, the Ord River floodplain in the Kimberley and the Peel Harvey Estuarine system, which is the largest Ramsar site in the south west of WA. Some waterways are protected within national parks for their ecosystem values and beauty.
    [Show full text]
  • A Phylogeny and Revised Classification of Squamata, Including 4161 Species of Lizards and Snakes
    BMC Evolutionary Biology This Provisional PDF corresponds to the article as it appeared upon acceptance. Fully formatted PDF and full text (HTML) versions will be made available soon. A phylogeny and revised classification of Squamata, including 4161 species of lizards and snakes BMC Evolutionary Biology 2013, 13:93 doi:10.1186/1471-2148-13-93 Robert Alexander Pyron ([email protected]) Frank T Burbrink ([email protected]) John J Wiens ([email protected]) ISSN 1471-2148 Article type Research article Submission date 30 January 2013 Acceptance date 19 March 2013 Publication date 29 April 2013 Article URL http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2148/13/93 Like all articles in BMC journals, this peer-reviewed article can be downloaded, printed and distributed freely for any purposes (see copyright notice below). Articles in BMC journals are listed in PubMed and archived at PubMed Central. For information about publishing your research in BMC journals or any BioMed Central journal, go to http://www.biomedcentral.com/info/authors/ © 2013 Pyron et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. A phylogeny and revised classification of Squamata, including 4161 species of lizards and snakes Robert Alexander Pyron 1* * Corresponding author Email: [email protected] Frank T Burbrink 2,3 Email: [email protected] John J Wiens 4 Email: [email protected] 1 Department of Biological Sciences, The George Washington University, 2023 G St.
    [Show full text]