Australian Mammalogy

Latest

These articles are the latest published in the journal. Australian Mammalogy has moved to a continuous publication model. More information is available on our Continuous Publication page.

Published online 25 March 2024

AM23054Megafires and koala occurrence: a comparative analysis of field data and satellite imagery

Cristian Gabriel Orlando , Rebecca Montague-Drake, John Turbill and Mathew S. Crowther

 

In the current context of climate change, megafires pose a severe threat to koala populations. Accurately assessing the impact of fire on a large scale is essential to provide an effective response to aid koala conservation. We found that satellite images were as effective as on-the-ground data in predicting post-fire koala occurrence in Mid North Coast NSW. Our results support the use of satellite-derived variables to efficiently monitor the fire impact on koala populations in the region.

AM23054 Abstract  | PDF (1.4 MB) - $35.00 

Published online 12 March 2024

AM23026A pilot study to encode calls from the northern yellow-bellied glider

Sigrid Heise-Pavlov, Colby Prokop and Louisa Goss

 

In Far North Queensland, passive acoustic monitoring has been used to study the yellow-bellied glider, a species threatened by habitat loss and fragmentation. However, because this species is very vocal, it is likely that more information – related to gender, season or individual-specific parameters – can be extracted from its calls. We present an attempt to analyse acoustic parameters and their variability in components of full calls of this species as a basis for more meaningful acoustic monitoring.

AM23026 Abstract  | PDF (2.8 MB) - $35.00 

Published online 12 March 2024

AM23029Comparatively poorer body condition of south-east Indian Ocean pygmy blue whales on their southern migration

Grace Russell, Capri Jolliffe, Brodie Elsdon, Fredrik Christiansen, Andrew Colefax and Daniele Cagnazzi

 

Body condition is important for successful migration, reproductive success and survival. Knowledge surrounding nutritional health of south-east Indian Ocean (SEIO) pygmy blue whales is currently lacking. We aimed to quantify and compare the body condition of SEIO pygmy blue whales at two points during northbound and southbound migration between south-west Australia and Indonesian waters. Results indicate the poorer condition of southbound migrating individuals and highlight the need to learn more about the nutritional health of this endangered species. Photograph by Grace Russell.

AM23029 Abstract  | PDF (2.4 MB) - $35.00   | AM23029Supplementary Material (671 KB)

Published online 12 March 2024

AM23050Whose scat is that? Determining recognition of predator scat by Australian mammals

M. C. Edwards , J. M. Hoy , S. I. FitzGibbon and P. J. Murray

 

Some Australian mammals may exhibit prey naivety and not react to introduced predators. Using camera traps, we assessed how native mammals reacted to predator faeces placed in front of the traps. Presence of predator faeces did not influence trap or camera captures. Photograph by Meg Edwards.

AM23050 Abstract  | PDF (767 KB) - $35.00 

Published online 27 February 2024

AM23023Spot the difference: optimising camera trap use to detect and identify individuals of a medium-sized carnivorous marsupial

Melissa C. Taylor , Adrian F. Wayne , Nicola J. Armstrong , Michael C. Calver and Kate A. Bryant

 

Many wildlife studies using camera traps require a high probability of animal detection and, depending on study aim, the ability to identify individuals. For a cryptic species this can be difficult, but testing different setups for camera traps improves both detection and individual identification. In the case of the chuditch, a medium-sized marsupial carnivore, paired cameras at 30 cm height had the best Detection and Identification probability. This setup can be used in a variety of chuditch studies to gather more useable data and would increase the reliability of results such as population density estimates. Photograph by Melissa Taylor.

AM23023 Abstract  | PDF (2.4 MB) - $35.00 

Published online 13 February 2024

AM23048Platypus longevity: a new record in the wild and information on captive life span

Melody Serena, Gemma Snowball, Jessica L. Thomas, Geoff A. Williams and Al Danger

 

A new platypus longevity record in the wild (nearly 24 years) has been confirmed for a male living in a creek in Melbourne's southeastern suburbs. In captivity, a female platypus recently reached the age of 30 years at Healesville Sanctuary. Photograph by Barry Baker.

AM23048 Abstract  |  AM23048 Full Text  | AM23048PDF (1 MB)   Open Access Article

Published online 09 February 2024

AM23046Scat contents of a spotted-tailed quoll (Dasyurus maculatus) reveal evidence of broad-toothed rat (Mastacomys fuscus) within a fragmented habitat in the Hunter Valley, New South Wales

T. Henderson and C. Nest

 

A spotted-tailed quoll (Dasyurus maculatus) scat collected in a fragmented habitat in the Hunter Valley, NSW contained evidence of a broad-toothed rat (Mastacomys fuscus). Given the nearest population of broad-toothed rat is located 50 km away in the Barrington Tops, this is a potentially important discovery for the conservation of this threatened species.

AM23046 Abstract  | PDF (1.6 MB) - $35.00 

Published online 02 February 2024

AM23020The influence of bait and camera type on detection of a spectrum of medium-sized Australian mammals

Ross L. Goldingay

 

Camera-trapping programs need to be informed by decisions made around bait and camera type, as well as camera deployment and service intervals. This study investigated these factors in relation to the detection of eight medium-sized mammal species, including three threatened species: the spotted-tailed quoll; long-nosed potoroo; and Parma wallaby. Photograph by R. Goldingay.

AM23020 Abstract  | PDF (2.8 MB) - $35.00 

Published online 23 January 2024

AM23031Movements of platypuses around and through instream structures and natural barriers in the Jenolan Karst Conservation Reserve, New South Wales

Anne Musser , Tom Grant and Eren Turak

 

Because of their cryptic nature and being active predominately at night, movement of wild platypuses is poorly documented. Our studies of their movements in the upper Jenolan River showed them moving around and through natural and artificial instream structures, including across weirs, through culverts, around waterfalls and entering caves. This research is important to the management and conservation of the species in relation to human activities in rivers. Photograph by Anne Musser.

AM23031 Abstract  | PDF (13.8 MB) - $35.00   | AM23031Supplementary Material (604 MB)

Published online 19 January 2024

AM23013Nutritional composition of plants and preliminary assessment of nutrition in free-ranging bare-nosed wombats (Vombatus ursinus)

Fiona F. Casey, Blaire T. Vallin, Jack Wolfenden, Julie M. Old and Hayley J. Stannard

 

Nutritional value of plants available as food for bare-nosed wombats was assessed at sites within NSW. Significant seasonal and site differences were determined. Wombats are affected by sarcoptic mange, which affects their metabolic rate and nutrient needs; therefore, supporting nutrition and health of wombats is important for conservation of this species.

AM23013 Abstract  | PDF (856 KB) - $35.00   | AM23013Supplementary Material (453 KB)

Published online 19 January 2024

AM23035Death of a wombat^†

Matt Gaughwin

 

Wombats are interested in their dead. We found that Southern hairy-nosed wombats of a warren often inspected the body of a wombat that died there. Such interest may help wombats understand death as something different from life.

AM23035 Abstract  | PDF (1.3 MB) - $35.00 

Published online 19 January 2024

AM23045Use of consolidated time-lapse camera imagery to detect and monitor platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus) activity

Simon Roberts and Melody Serena

 

We investigated how equipment-related differences and sources of spatial and temporal variation affected how often platypus activity was recorded by time-lapse camera models along a southern Tasmanian creek. The results confirm that time-lapse cameras can be a useful tool for platypus detection and monitoring. Photograph by Simon Roberts.

AM23045 Abstract  |  AM23045 Full Text  | AM23045PDF (1.5 MB)  | AM23045Supplementary Material (885 KB)   Open Access Article

Published online 18 January 2024

AM23042Cannibalism in the mainland dusky antechinus (Antechinus mimetes mimetes) during the breeding period

Andrew M. Baker , Elliot Bowerman and Ian C. Gynther

 

The carnivorous marsupial genus Antechinus is well known for exhibiting suicidal reproduction – every year, all males die after the 1–3 week breeding period. The death of males presents an opportunity for cheap energy gain via cannibalism for still-living male and female antechinuses. Here, we report cannibalism in the mainland dusky antechinus (Antechinus mimetes mimetes) – an individual was observed eating a dead member of its own species during the breeding period. This is rare field-based evidence of opportunistic cannibalism in a mammal.

AM23042 Abstract  | PDF (1.7 MB) - $35.00   | AM23042Supplementary Material (24.1 MB)

Published online 09 January 2024

AM23038Not so fussy after all: Shark Bay mouse (Pseudomys gouldii) recorded using a range of habitat types on Faure Island

Bryony Joan Palmer , Saul Jesse Cowen and Amanda Ruth Bourne

 

Most translocations of Shark Bay mice have failed, and a lack of understanding about what habitat types are important may be a contributing factor. We assessed habitat associations of Shark Bay mice on Faure Island and found, contrary to previous research, no clear or consistent association with coastal spinifex. Our study shows that relying on limited information from the remaining island population of this once-widespread species may have led to incorrect conclusions about what habitat features are important.

AM23038 Abstract  | PDF (1.4 MB) - $35.00 

Published online 14 December 2023

AM23043Estimating age of wild eastern grey kangaroos through molar progression

Wendy J. King and Graeme Coulson

 

The age of an animal affects every aspect of its biology. Almost 60 years ago, a researcher devised a way to estimate the age of captive kangaroos from their teeth, but the results have never been confirmed. We followed wild kangaroos through their whole lives and found that the estimates closely matched their true ages, so this method can now be used with confidence in kangaroo field studies. Photograph by Wendy J. King.

AM23043 Abstract  | PDF (806 KB) - $35.00 

More content

Just Accepted

These articles have been peer reviewed and accepted for publication. They are still in production and have not been edited, so may differ from the final published form.

AM24002, Accepted 14 April 2024

Informing conservation management of the bilby (Macrotis lagotis) in the Pilbara: a review of research and future directions

Amy Northover , Martin Dziminski , Fiona Carpenter, Harry Moore, Kym Ottewell, Russell Palmer and Lesley Gibson

 

AM24002Abstract

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1. Platypus longevity: a new record in the wild and information on captive life span

   Australian Mammalogy 46 (2)

   Melody Serena, Gemma Snowball, Jessica L. Thomas, Geoff A. Williams, Al Danger

2. Australian terrestrial mammals: how many modern extinctions?

   Australian Mammalogy 46 (1)

   Andrew A. Burbidge

3. Use of consolidated time-lapse camera imagery to detect and monitor platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus) activity

   Australian Mammalogy 46 (2)

   Simon Roberts, Melody Serena

4. Database records of koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) in northern Sydney

   Australian Mammalogy 45 (3)

   Matthew Mo , Enhua Lee, Ian Radosavljevic, Nancy Auerbach

5. A leucistic platypus observed on the New England Tablelands of New South Wales

   Australian Mammalogy 46 (1)

   Louise M. Streeting , Richard Daugherty, Sarah Burrows, Deborah S. Bower, Sandy Watson, Neve Daugherty, Martin L. Dillon

6. Spot the difference: optimising camera trap use to detect and identify individuals of a medium-sized carnivorous marsupial

   Australian Mammalogy 46 (2)

   Melissa C. Taylor , Adrian F. Wayne , Nicola J. Armstrong , Michael C. Calver , Kate A. Bryant

7. Movements of platypuses around and through instream structures and natural barriers in the Jenolan Karst Conservation Reserve, New South Wales

   Australian Mammalogy 46 (2)

   Anne Musser , Tom Grant , Eren Turak

8. The influence of bait and camera type on detection of a spectrum of medium-sized Australian mammals

   Australian Mammalogy 46 (2)

   Ross L. Goldingay

9. Estimating age of wild eastern grey kangaroos through molar progression

   Australian Mammalogy 46 (1)

   Wendy J. King , Graeme Coulson

10. Scat contents of a spotted-tailed quoll (Dasyurus maculatus) reveal evidence of broad-toothed rat (Mastacomys fuscus) within a fragmented habitat in the Hunter Valley, New South Wales

    Australian Mammalogy 46 (2)

    T. Henderson, C. Nest

11. Records of leopard seals Hydrurga leptonyx ashore in South Australia, 2017–2022

    Australian Mammalogy 46 (1)

    Peter D. Shaughnessy, Ikuko Tomo, Susan E. Gibbs, Catherine M. Kemper, David Stemmer

12. BatMap – authoritative distribution maps for Australian bats

    Australian Mammalogy 45 (3)

    Damian J. Milne, Terry B. Reardon, Greg Ford

13. 2022 update shows Western Australia’s mammals continue to decline

    Australian Mammalogy 46 (1)

    N. L. McKenzie , A. A. Burbidge, A. Baynes, L. A. Gibson, K. J. Travouillon, R. D. Bullen, J. M. Turpin

14. Continuing decline of the common brushtail possum in central Australia

    Australian Mammalogy 45 (3)

    Peter J. McDonald, Dean J. Portelli, Andrew T. Schubert, Alistair J. Stewart, Anthony D. Griffiths

15. An observation of mating in free-living spotted-tailed quolls (Dasyurus maculatus gracilis)

    Australian Mammalogy 46 (1)

    S. E. Burnett

16. Variation in sap feeding and tree testing by yellow-bellied gliders and the potential for population monitoring

    Australian Mammalogy 46 (1)

    Ross L. Goldingay

17. Improving radio transmitter attachment methods for small mammals through captive trials and field studies

    Australian Mammalogy 46 (1)

    Freya Robinson , Nikki Van de Weyer , Steve Henry , Lyn A. Hinds , Peter R. Brown , Wendy A. Ruscoe

18. Whose scat is that? Determining recognition of predator scat by Australian mammals

    Australian Mammalogy 46 (2)

    M. C. Edwards , J. M. Hoy , S. I. FitzGibbon, P. J. Murray

19. Megafires and koala occurrence: a comparative analysis of field data and satellite imagery

    Australian Mammalogy 46 (2)

    Cristian Gabriel Orlando , Rebecca Montague-Drake, John Turbill, Mathew S. Crowther

20. What’s in a name? Selection of common names among new and revised species of Australian mammals, and the case of the sugar glider^†

    Australian Mammalogy 46 (1)

    Ross L. Goldingay , Stephen M. Jackson , John W. Winter, Dan K. P. Harley , Rohan J. Bilney , Darren G. Quin, Geoffrey C. Smith, Brendan D. Taylor, Rodney P. Kavanagh