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These articles are the latest published in the journal. Australian Journal of Zoology is published under a continuous publication model. More information is available on our Continuous Publication page.

Published online 16 September 2025

ZO25009Science meets the taipan: the discovery and description of an iconic venomous snake

Kevin Markwell and Richard Shine

 

Warning: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that this publication contains images of deceased persons, and discussion of historical events which may be deemed culturally sensitive.

We explore the history of the taipan’s ‘discovery’ by Western scientists, and early attempts to classify the species. Our analysis of historical documents reveals a much greater role for First Nations people in collection of the first taipans known to science; and identifies reasons why this giant snake remained poorly understood for many decades. Photographs by Rob Valentic and Ray Sumner.

ZO25009 Abstract  |  ZO25009 Full Text  | ZO25009PDF (7 MB)   Open Access Article

Published online 22 August 2025

ZO25030Island dwarfism in a tropical Australian python (Simalia amethistina)

Alastair Freeman , Ian Bell and Daniel J. D. Natusch

 

We report the first known case of island dwarfism in a tropical Australian python. Photograph by Alastair Freeman.

ZO25030 Abstract  |  ZO25030 Full Text  | ZO25030PDF (292 KB)   Open Access Article

Published online 11 August 2025

ZO24036Hospital admissions to a major wildlife hospital in south-east Queensland, Australia, over a 10-year period, 2012–2022

Kate J. Dutton-Regester

 

Wildlife hospitals play a vital role in caring for injured animals and revealing threats to local species. A study of 10 years of data from the RSPCA Wildlife Hospital in Brisbane found that orphaning, vehicle collisions, disease, and dog attacks were the main causes of admissions, with vehicle collisions having a major impact on koalas. These findings highlight the need for better conservation efforts to reduce these threats and protect wildlife in urban areas. Photograph by RSPCA Queensland Ltd.

ZO24036 Abstract  |  ZO24036 Full Text  | ZO24036PDF (2.4 MB)  | ZO24036Supplementary Material (170 KB)   Open Access Article

Published online 08 August 2025

ZO25015A new species of Phryssonotus (Diplopoda: Synxenidae) from north-eastern New South Wales, Australia

Cuong Huynh and Anneke A. Veenstra

 

Penicillate millipedes are tiny, soft-bodied arthropods under 5 mm long, lacking body calcification and covered in trichomes. Phryssonotus borealis is a newly discovered synxenid species from north-eastern New South Wales, Australia. It is distinguished taxonomically by having white tergal scale trichomes and by its unique genetic characteristics when compared to related species. Photograph by Cuong Huynh.

ZO25015 Abstract  |  ZO25015 Full Text  | ZO25015PDF (3.4 MB)   Open Access Article

Published online 25 July 2025

ZO24031Group structure in a social huntsman spider (Delena cancerides) reveals seasonal variation in group complexity

Vanessa Penna-Gonçalves

 

Spider social behaviour is a fascinating area of study that reveals how these often-misunderstood creatures interact. Research on the Australian huntsman spider (Delena cancerides) shows that its colonies can be quite diverse, especially in summer, with multiple adults and juveniles cohabiting and sharing prey. These findings challenge previous assumptions and suggest a more intricate social structure that could reshape our understanding of spider ecology and behaviour. Photographs by Vanessa Penna-Gonçalves

ZO24031 Abstract  |  ZO24031 Full Text  | ZO24031PDF (2.9 MB)   Open Access Article

Published online 07 July 2025

ZO24041Evaluation of parameters of health in Australian fur seal (Arctocephalus pusillus doriferus) pups during early and mid-lactation

Jessalyn J. Taylor , Rebecca R. McIntosh , Isabelle Charrier and Rachael B. Gray

 

This study assessed parameters of health in Australian fur seal pups at Seal Rocks (Victoria) in early (3–6 weeks) and mid-lactation (5–6 months). Results provide a baseline for health monitoring and highlight the increased vulnerability of younger pups during early lactation. This research informs understanding of pinniped health and management strategies. Photograph by Jessalyn Taylor.

ZO24041 Abstract  |  ZO24041 Full Text  | ZO24041PDF (3.5 MB)  | ZO24041Supplementary Material (442 KB)   Open Access Article

Published online 26 June 2025

ZO25006Molecular and morphological analysis confirms two additional species of python (Antaresia) on Cape York Peninsula, Queensland

D. J. D. Natusch , L. McIntyre, B. J. Muller and D. Esquerré

 

We examined molecular and morphological information from Antaresia pythons in northern Cape York Peninsula, Australia. We confirm the presence of two additional species from Cape York (Antaresia childreni and A. papuensis), making this region Australia’s hotspot for python diversity. Photographs by Daniel Natusch.

ZO25006 Abstract  |  ZO25006 Full Text  | ZO25006PDF (1.8 MB)  | ZO25006Supplementary Material (4.4 MB)   Open Access Article

Published online 22 May 2025

ZO25002The influence of season, habitat and diet on the faecal microbiome of the yellow-footed rock-wallaby (Petrogale xanthopus xanthopus)

Lauren Elizabeth Werner , Shannon Leilani Kleemann , Stacey Kathleen Dix, Korjent van Dijk, Edward Biffin, Michelle Waycott, Raphael Eisenhofer and David Augustine Taggart

 

The characterisation of Australian marsupials’ faecal microbiome is largely uncharted, but has previously been identified as an important component of conservation programs. This project examined the interaction between diet and faecal microbiome of yellow-footed rock-wallabies in South Australia, found that there are similarities with other Australia marsupials and that diet likely affects faecal microbial composition. Continuing to characterise the faecal microbiome of Australian marsupials will provide a valuable tool for their conservation as climate change worsens. Photograph by Stacey Dix.

ZO25002 Abstract  |  ZO25002 Full Text  | ZO25002PDF (3.8 MB)  | ZO25002Supplementary Material (590 KB)   Open Access Article

Published online 01 May 2025

ZO24034Population structure, growth and reproduction in two species of Tympanocryptis (Agamidae)

Lyn Nelson and Paul D. Cooper

 

Growth of two species of the endangered lizard in the genus Tympanocryptis (T. lineata and T. osbornei) from around the Canberra, ACT, and Cooma, NSW, respectively, is similar over three years, as is the population age structure. Individuals of each species are also able to survive over multiple years. Colour changes with reproduction in females is most obvious for both species in spring and autumn during the year for both species. Image Paul Cooper.

ZO24034 Abstract  |  ZO24034 Full Text  | ZO24034PDF (1.5 MB)  | ZO24034Supplementary Material (513 KB)   Open Access Article

Published online 28 March 2025

ZO24027Determination of population age structure from the survivorship of individuals of unknown ages in unicorns and platypuses

J. W. Macgregor , P. A. Fleming , O. Wade, R. Donaldson and K. S. Warren

 

Knowing the ages of animals in wild populations is important for conservation modelling. But for many species it is not possible to determine an adult individual’s age. By looking at how long individuals of unknown ages live, this report uses a hypothetical population of unicorns to illustrate a method of working out the proportion of animals in a population that are any particular age, and then applies the same method to a population of wild platypuses. Photograph by Joanne Connolly.

ZO24027 Abstract  |  ZO24027 Full Text  | ZO24027PDF (567 KB)   Open Access Article

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.

ZO25023, Accepted 08 September 2025

Helox suggests advective ventilation of the insect tracheal system during discontinuous gas exchange

Waseem Abbas , Philip Withers and Theodore Evans

 

ZO25023Abstract

ZO25024, Accepted 25 August 2025

The Southern Angle-headed Dragon, Lophosaurus spinipes: a systematic review of the literature

Bradley John Traynor , Heike Schutze , Darryl Houston , Harold Heatwole and Eric Nordberg

 

ZO25024Abstract

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1. Hospital admissions to a major wildlife hospital in south-east Queensland, Australia, over a 10-year period, 2012–2022

   Australian Journal of Zoology 73 (4)

   Kate J. Dutton-Regester

2. Molecular and morphological analysis confirms two additional species of python (Antaresia) on Cape York Peninsula, Queensland

   Australian Journal of Zoology 73 (4)

   D. J. D. Natusch , L. McIntyre, B. J. Muller, D. Esquerré

3. The influence of season, habitat and diet on the faecal microbiome of the yellow-footed rock-wallaby (Petrogale xanthopus xanthopus)

   Australian Journal of Zoology 73 (4)

   Lauren Elizabeth Werner , Shannon Leilani Kleemann , Stacey Kathleen Dix, Korjent van Dijk, Edward Biffin, Michelle Waycott, Raphael Eisenhofer, David Augustine Taggart

4. GPS tracking informs nest reserve design for an endangered raptor, the grey goshawk (Tachyspiza novaehollandiae), in hostile anthropogenic landscapes

   Australian Journal of Zoology 73 (2)

   David A. Young , James B. Kirkpatrick

5. Group structure in a social huntsman spider (Delena cancerides) reveals seasonal variation in group complexity

   Australian Journal of Zoology 73 (4)

   Vanessa Penna-Gonçalves

6. Determination of population age structure from the survivorship of individuals of unknown ages in unicorns and platypuses

   Australian Journal of Zoology 73 (3)

   J. W. Macgregor , P. A. Fleming , O. Wade, R. Donaldson, K. S. Warren

7. A new species of Phryssonotus (Diplopoda: Synxenidae) from north-eastern New South Wales, Australia

   Australian Journal of Zoology 73 (4)

   Cuong Huynh , Anneke A. Veenstra

8. Evaluation of parameters of health in Australian fur seal (Arctocephalus pusillus doriferus) pups during early and mid-lactation

   Australian Journal of Zoology 73 (4)

   Jessalyn J. Taylor , Rebecca R. McIntosh , Isabelle Charrier, Rachael B. Gray

9. Spatiotemporal distribution of humpback whales off north-west Australia quantifying the Exmouth Gulf nursery area

   Australian Journal of Zoology 72 (5)

   Kate R. Sprogis , Alicia L. Sutton, Micheline-Nicole M. Jenner, K. Curt S. Jenner

10. Population structure, growth and reproduction in two species of Tympanocryptis (Agamidae)

    Australian Journal of Zoology 73 (3)

    Lyn Nelson, Paul D. Cooper

11. Island dwarfism in a tropical Australian python (Simalia amethistina)

    Australian Journal of Zoology 73 (5)

    Alastair Freeman , Ian Bell, Daniel J. D. Natusch

12. Population differentiation in the white-fronted chat (Epthianura albifrons) at a continental scale: implications for dispersal, biogeography and conservation

    Australian Journal of Zoology 73 (2)

    Richard E. Major , Georgina M. Schlub, Rebecca N. Johnson , Andrew G. King, Gretel S. Major

13. Rocky landform specialists of the Mount Isa Inlier: camera trapping reveals seasonal occupancy and habitat associations of a unique faunal assemblage in an ancient landscape

    Australian Journal of Zoology 73 (2)

    Jarrad C. Barnes , Elizabeth A. Brunton, Mark G. Sanders, Christofer J. Clemente

14. The reliability of latex weak links on radio collars used to track eastern grey kangaroos (Macropus giganteus)

    Australian Journal of Zoology 73 (1)

    Tian Chen , Naomi Davis, Pam Whiteley, Lee F. Skerratt, Charles El-Hage, Jasmin Hufschmid

15. Spatial mosaics of small animal communities across habitat and vegetation cover in semiarid Australia

    Australian Journal of Zoology 72 (6)

    Shirley S. Chia, Keith Leggett, Lisa E. Schwanz

16. A northernmost occurrence record of Shepherd’s beaked whale (Tasmacetus shepherdi) – a molecular identification from Exmouth, Western Australia

    Australian Journal of Zoology 73 (3)

    Melissa A. Millar , Kelly A. Waples, Holly C. Raudino, Kym Ottewell

17. Science meets the taipan: the discovery and description of an iconic venomous snake

    Australian Journal of Zoology 73 (5)

    Kevin Markwell , Richard Shine

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