Demographic trends and reproductive patterns in the northern hairy-nosed wombat (Lasiorhinus krefftii) at Epping Forest National Park (Scientific), central Queensland
- Horsup, Alan, Austin, Jeremy, Fewster, Rachel, Hansen, Birgita, Harper, Dave, Molyneux, Jenny, White, Lauren, Taylor, Andrea
- Authors: Horsup, Alan , Austin, Jeremy , Fewster, Rachel , Hansen, Birgita , Harper, Dave , Molyneux, Jenny , White, Lauren , Taylor, Andrea
- Date: 2021
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Australian Mammalogy Vol. 43, no. 1 (2021), p. 72-84
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: The critically endangered northern hairy-nosed wombat (Lasiorhinus krefftii) currently exists at only two locations in Queensland. Management, research and monitoring of the species at the main Epping Forest National Park (Scientific) population has occurred over the last four decades using a variety of tools, with the most complete dataset being provided by burrow activity monitoring over that period. Following a series of trap-based surveys in the 1980s and 1990s, wombat monitoring has employed DNA profiling of hairs collected remotely on sticky tape set at burrow entrances (since 2000), and passive infrared (PIR) cameras (since 2011). These techniques have produced a wealth of new information on the species. Using this new information, we aim to: (1) summarise the available demographic data and present new estimates using novel techniques for L. krefftii at Epping Forest NP; and (2) characterise reproductive patterns and their relationship with environmental factors for L. krefftii at Epping Forest NP. We find an ongoing increase in the population size at Epping Forest National Park, supported by healthy levels of reproduction despite periods of poor environmental conditions, notwithstanding the finding that cumulative monthly rainfall six months prior to sampling influenced birth rates. This trend suggests that the population will likely reach carrying capacity in the near future. It is timely to harvest the population to provide founders to a new site to establish an additional population, which will also reduce the risk of extinction and help secure the future of the species. © 2021 Australian Mammal Society.
- Authors: Horsup, Alan , Austin, Jeremy , Fewster, Rachel , Hansen, Birgita , Harper, Dave , Molyneux, Jenny , White, Lauren , Taylor, Andrea
- Date: 2021
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Australian Mammalogy Vol. 43, no. 1 (2021), p. 72-84
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: The critically endangered northern hairy-nosed wombat (Lasiorhinus krefftii) currently exists at only two locations in Queensland. Management, research and monitoring of the species at the main Epping Forest National Park (Scientific) population has occurred over the last four decades using a variety of tools, with the most complete dataset being provided by burrow activity monitoring over that period. Following a series of trap-based surveys in the 1980s and 1990s, wombat monitoring has employed DNA profiling of hairs collected remotely on sticky tape set at burrow entrances (since 2000), and passive infrared (PIR) cameras (since 2011). These techniques have produced a wealth of new information on the species. Using this new information, we aim to: (1) summarise the available demographic data and present new estimates using novel techniques for L. krefftii at Epping Forest NP; and (2) characterise reproductive patterns and their relationship with environmental factors for L. krefftii at Epping Forest NP. We find an ongoing increase in the population size at Epping Forest National Park, supported by healthy levels of reproduction despite periods of poor environmental conditions, notwithstanding the finding that cumulative monthly rainfall six months prior to sampling influenced birth rates. This trend suggests that the population will likely reach carrying capacity in the near future. It is timely to harvest the population to provide founders to a new site to establish an additional population, which will also reduce the risk of extinction and help secure the future of the species. © 2021 Australian Mammal Society.
Favourable inland wetland conditions increase apparent survival of migratory shorebirds in Australia
- Clemens, Robert, Rogers, Danny, Minton, Clive, Rogers, Ken, Hansen, Birgita
- Authors: Clemens, Robert , Rogers, Danny , Minton, Clive , Rogers, Ken , Hansen, Birgita
- Date: 2021
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Emu Vol. 121, no. 3 (2021), p. 211-222
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Many migratory shorebird species using the East Asian–Australasian Flyway are declining rapidly. While the loss of staging habitats in East Asia is considered the primary cause, stressors to fitness often occur throughout the geographic range of declining species, and threats in the non-breeding grounds have been comparatively poorly studied. Three species of migratory shorebird, Curlew Sandpiper (Calidris ferruginea), Sharp-tailed Sandpiper (C. acuminata) and Red-necked Stint (C. ruficollis), use Australia’s dynamic temporary wetland systems opportunistically, yet these large wetland systems have become increasingly degraded, with reduced frequency and extent of flooding. Here, we test whether variables related to wetland availability in Australia’s interior can explain annual variation in apparent survival, abundance or immature to adult ratios at three well-monitored coastal shorebird areas in southern Australia (total area > 1315 km2). We show that coastal annual bird abundance and ratios of immatures at the coast were higher when inland Australia was relatively hot and dry. Also, a small but significant amount of variation in annual apparent survival can be explained by annual variation in inland conditions, with higher survival rates in years when inland conditions were relatively wet and cool. For the endangered Curlew Sandpiper, the impacts of Australian environmental conditions may be exacerbating the impacts of conditions experienced in other parts of its range on fitness and survival. While the effects we document here are relatively weak, they do suggest that management of inland wetlands for these shorebirds may positively affect survival rates of these sharply declining species. © 2021 BirdLife Australia. **Please note that there are multiple authors for this article therefore only the name of the first 5 including Federation University Australia affiliate “Birgita Hansen" is provided in this record**
Favourable inland wetland conditions increase apparent survival of migratory shorebirds in Australia
- Authors: Clemens, Robert , Rogers, Danny , Minton, Clive , Rogers, Ken , Hansen, Birgita
- Date: 2021
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Emu Vol. 121, no. 3 (2021), p. 211-222
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Many migratory shorebird species using the East Asian–Australasian Flyway are declining rapidly. While the loss of staging habitats in East Asia is considered the primary cause, stressors to fitness often occur throughout the geographic range of declining species, and threats in the non-breeding grounds have been comparatively poorly studied. Three species of migratory shorebird, Curlew Sandpiper (Calidris ferruginea), Sharp-tailed Sandpiper (C. acuminata) and Red-necked Stint (C. ruficollis), use Australia’s dynamic temporary wetland systems opportunistically, yet these large wetland systems have become increasingly degraded, with reduced frequency and extent of flooding. Here, we test whether variables related to wetland availability in Australia’s interior can explain annual variation in apparent survival, abundance or immature to adult ratios at three well-monitored coastal shorebird areas in southern Australia (total area > 1315 km2). We show that coastal annual bird abundance and ratios of immatures at the coast were higher when inland Australia was relatively hot and dry. Also, a small but significant amount of variation in annual apparent survival can be explained by annual variation in inland conditions, with higher survival rates in years when inland conditions were relatively wet and cool. For the endangered Curlew Sandpiper, the impacts of Australian environmental conditions may be exacerbating the impacts of conditions experienced in other parts of its range on fitness and survival. While the effects we document here are relatively weak, they do suggest that management of inland wetlands for these shorebirds may positively affect survival rates of these sharply declining species. © 2021 BirdLife Australia. **Please note that there are multiple authors for this article therefore only the name of the first 5 including Federation University Australia affiliate “Birgita Hansen" is provided in this record**
A DNA toolbox for non-invasive genetic studies of sambar deer (Rusa unicolor)
- Davies, Chris, Wright, Wendy, Wedrowicz, Faye, Hogan, Fiona
- Authors: Davies, Chris , Wright, Wendy , Wedrowicz, Faye , Hogan, Fiona
- Date: 2020
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Australian Mammalogy Vol. 42, no. 1 (2020), p. 58-66
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Invasive sambar deer (Rusa unicolor) are having significant detrimental impacts on natural environments in south-eastern Australia. Little, however, is known about their ecology, limiting evidence-based management strategies directed at reducing deer impacts. Genetic data, generated from DNA isolated from deer scats, can be used to fill ecological knowledge gaps. This study outlines a non-invasive genetic sampling strategy by which good-quality DNA from a single deer scat can be used to determine (1) species of origin, (2) sex and (3) a unique DNA profile. DNA from deer tissue and sambar deer scat samples were used to develop and optimise molecular methods to collect reliable genetic information. A DNA toolbox is presented that describes how to find, collect and store scat samples, isolate DNA and use molecular markers to generate informative genetic data. Generating genetic data using this approach will support studies aimed at acquiring ecological knowledge about sambar deer. Such knowledge will be critical for developing evidence-based recommendations to improve on-ground management decisions for sambar deer.
- Authors: Davies, Chris , Wright, Wendy , Wedrowicz, Faye , Hogan, Fiona
- Date: 2020
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Australian Mammalogy Vol. 42, no. 1 (2020), p. 58-66
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Invasive sambar deer (Rusa unicolor) are having significant detrimental impacts on natural environments in south-eastern Australia. Little, however, is known about their ecology, limiting evidence-based management strategies directed at reducing deer impacts. Genetic data, generated from DNA isolated from deer scats, can be used to fill ecological knowledge gaps. This study outlines a non-invasive genetic sampling strategy by which good-quality DNA from a single deer scat can be used to determine (1) species of origin, (2) sex and (3) a unique DNA profile. DNA from deer tissue and sambar deer scat samples were used to develop and optimise molecular methods to collect reliable genetic information. A DNA toolbox is presented that describes how to find, collect and store scat samples, isolate DNA and use molecular markers to generate informative genetic data. Generating genetic data using this approach will support studies aimed at acquiring ecological knowledge about sambar deer. Such knowledge will be critical for developing evidence-based recommendations to improve on-ground management decisions for sambar deer.
Wild Australian birds and drug-resistant bacteria : Characterisation of antibiotic-resistant Escherichia coli and Enterococcus spp
- Smith, Hannah, Clarke, Rohan, Larkins, Jo-Ann, Bean, David, Greenhill, Andrew
- Authors: Smith, Hannah , Clarke, Rohan , Larkins, Jo-Ann , Bean, David , Greenhill, Andrew
- Date: 2019
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Emu-Austral Ornithology Vol. 119, no. 4 (2019), p. 384-390
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Birds can spread microorganisms through their movement; however, it is still not fully understood how wild birds acquire and disperse antimicrobial-resistant (AMR) bacteria. We sampled wild Australian birds from three geographically distinct locations for the presence of AMR strains of two clinically important species of bacteria, Escherichia coli and Enterococcus spp. A total of 121 birds were sampled, representing 15 different species. Thirty E. coli and 54 Enterococcus isolates were tested for resistance to 12 and 8 different antibiotics, respectively. Resistance to at least one antibiotic was common, being detected in 96% of Enterococcus and 60% of E. coli isolates. The vancomycin-resistance genes vanA and vanD were detected in 22% of enterococci (13% vanA, 9% vanD), while 9% displayed phenotypic resistance with no associated gene. Wild birds are a carrier of AMR bacteria in Australia, and are capable of harbouring a more diverse range of vancomycin-resistance genes than is typically seen among Australian clinical isolates.
- Authors: Smith, Hannah , Clarke, Rohan , Larkins, Jo-Ann , Bean, David , Greenhill, Andrew
- Date: 2019
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Emu-Austral Ornithology Vol. 119, no. 4 (2019), p. 384-390
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Birds can spread microorganisms through their movement; however, it is still not fully understood how wild birds acquire and disperse antimicrobial-resistant (AMR) bacteria. We sampled wild Australian birds from three geographically distinct locations for the presence of AMR strains of two clinically important species of bacteria, Escherichia coli and Enterococcus spp. A total of 121 birds were sampled, representing 15 different species. Thirty E. coli and 54 Enterococcus isolates were tested for resistance to 12 and 8 different antibiotics, respectively. Resistance to at least one antibiotic was common, being detected in 96% of Enterococcus and 60% of E. coli isolates. The vancomycin-resistance genes vanA and vanD were detected in 22% of enterococci (13% vanA, 9% vanD), while 9% displayed phenotypic resistance with no associated gene. Wild birds are a carrier of AMR bacteria in Australia, and are capable of harbouring a more diverse range of vancomycin-resistance genes than is typically seen among Australian clinical isolates.
Continental-scale decreases in shorebird populations in Australia
- Clemens, Robert, Rogers, Danny, Hansen, Birgita, Gosbell, Ken, Minton, Clive, Straw, Phil, Bamford, Mike, Woehler, Eric, Milton, David, Weston, Michael, Venables, Bill, Weller, Dan, Hassell, Chris, Rutherford, Bill, Onton, Kimberly, Herrod, Ashley, Studds, Colin, Choi, Chi-Yeung, Dhanjal-Adams, Kiran, Murray, Nicholas, Skilleter, Gregory, Fuller, Richard
- Authors: Clemens, Robert , Rogers, Danny , Hansen, Birgita , Gosbell, Ken , Minton, Clive , Straw, Phil , Bamford, Mike , Woehler, Eric , Milton, David , Weston, Michael , Venables, Bill , Weller, Dan , Hassell, Chris , Rutherford, Bill , Onton, Kimberly , Herrod, Ashley , Studds, Colin , Choi, Chi-Yeung , Dhanjal-Adams, Kiran , Murray, Nicholas , Skilleter, Gregory , Fuller, Richard
- Date: 2016
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Emu Vol. 116, no. 2 (2016), p. 119-135
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Decreases in shorebird populations are increasingly evident worldwide, especially in the East Asian-Australasian Flyway (EAAF). To arrest these declines, it is important to understand the scale of both the problem and the solutions. We analysed an expansive Australian citizen-science dataset, spanning the period 1973 to 2014, to explore factors related to differences in trends among shorebird populations in wetlands throughout Australia. Of seven resident Australian shorebird species, the four inland species exhibited continental decreases, whereas the three coastal species did not. Decreases in inland resident shorebirds were related to changes in availability of water at non-tidal wetlands, suggesting that degradation of wetlands in Australia's interior is playing a role in these declines. For migratory shorebirds, the analyses revealed continental decreases in abundance in 12 of 19 species, and decreases in 17 of 19 in the southern half of Australia over the past 15 years. Many trends were strongly associated with continental gradients in latitude or longitude, suggesting some large-scale patterns in the decreases, with steeper declines often evident in southern Australia. After accounting for this effect, local variables did not explain variation in migratory shorebird trends between sites. Our results are consistent with other studies indicating that decreases in migratory shorebird populations in the EAAF are most likely being driven primarily by factors outside Australia. This reinforces the need for urgent overseas conservation actions. However, substantially heterogeneous trends within Australia, combined with declines of inland resident shorebirds indicate effective management of Australian shorebird habitat remains important. © BirdLife Australia 2016.
- Authors: Clemens, Robert , Rogers, Danny , Hansen, Birgita , Gosbell, Ken , Minton, Clive , Straw, Phil , Bamford, Mike , Woehler, Eric , Milton, David , Weston, Michael , Venables, Bill , Weller, Dan , Hassell, Chris , Rutherford, Bill , Onton, Kimberly , Herrod, Ashley , Studds, Colin , Choi, Chi-Yeung , Dhanjal-Adams, Kiran , Murray, Nicholas , Skilleter, Gregory , Fuller, Richard
- Date: 2016
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Emu Vol. 116, no. 2 (2016), p. 119-135
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Decreases in shorebird populations are increasingly evident worldwide, especially in the East Asian-Australasian Flyway (EAAF). To arrest these declines, it is important to understand the scale of both the problem and the solutions. We analysed an expansive Australian citizen-science dataset, spanning the period 1973 to 2014, to explore factors related to differences in trends among shorebird populations in wetlands throughout Australia. Of seven resident Australian shorebird species, the four inland species exhibited continental decreases, whereas the three coastal species did not. Decreases in inland resident shorebirds were related to changes in availability of water at non-tidal wetlands, suggesting that degradation of wetlands in Australia's interior is playing a role in these declines. For migratory shorebirds, the analyses revealed continental decreases in abundance in 12 of 19 species, and decreases in 17 of 19 in the southern half of Australia over the past 15 years. Many trends were strongly associated with continental gradients in latitude or longitude, suggesting some large-scale patterns in the decreases, with steeper declines often evident in southern Australia. After accounting for this effect, local variables did not explain variation in migratory shorebird trends between sites. Our results are consistent with other studies indicating that decreases in migratory shorebird populations in the EAAF are most likely being driven primarily by factors outside Australia. This reinforces the need for urgent overseas conservation actions. However, substantially heterogeneous trends within Australia, combined with declines of inland resident shorebirds indicate effective management of Australian shorebird habitat remains important. © BirdLife Australia 2016.
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