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Australian Journal of Zoology Australian Journal of Zoology Society
Evolutionary, molecular and comparative zoology
Australian Journal of Zoology

Australian Journal of Zoology

Volume 63 Number 2 2015

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The parasite assemblage of Liasis fuscus Peters, 1873 comprises three species of cestode, six of nematode, one pentastome and one protozoan, with a cestode, Bothridium ornatum, being the most prevalent. The helminth assemblage was depauperate, with neither season nor sex of host affecting abundance, but differences between ages of hosts and seasonal diversity were significant.
Photo by Eridani Mulder.

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This study examined the population structure and genetic diversity of the two remaining metapopulations of Petrogale lateralis MacDonnell Ranges race in South Australia. The findings have implications for the management of in- and ex-situ populations of this race, and help advance our knowledge of rock-wallaby ecology.
Photo by Mick Post.

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A survey of long-nosed (or New Zealand) fur seals (Arctocephalus forsteri) in South Australia in early 2014 led to an estimate of 20431 pups, 3.6 times greater than in 1990. The increase is attributed to recovery from 19th century overharvesting. Most pups were on Kangaroo Island where the trend will likely continue.
Photo by David Sinclair.

ZO14092The first complete mitochondrial genome of Pygopodidae (Aprasia parapulchella Kluge)

Anna J. MacDonald, Theresa Knopp, Mitzy Pepper, J. Scott Keogh and Stephen D. Sarre
pp. 111-114
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The Pygopodidae comprise an enigmatic group of legless lizards endemic to the Australo-Papuan region. Here we present the first complete mitochondrial genome for a member of this family, Aprasia parapulchella, from Australia.
Photo by David Wong.

ZO14081Ceasefire: minimal aggression among Murray River crayfish feeding upon patches of allochthonous material

Danswell Starrs, Brendan C. Ebner and Christopher J. Fulton
pp. 115-121
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Freshwater crayfish are often considered to be ecosystem engineers. We reveal, with underwater video, aggregations of Murray River crayfish feeding gregariously on patches of allochthonous material in an upland stream. We highlight that future research should investigate the role Murray River crayfish play in nutrient cycling in streams.
Photo by Brendan Ebner.

ZO15011Characterisation of microsatellite markers for fig-pollinating wasps in the Pleistodontes imperialis species complex

Timothy L. Sutton, Caroline Reuter, Markus Riegler and James M. Cook
pp. 122-126
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We characterised nine microsatellite loci for Pleistodontes imperialis sp. 1, the pollinator wasp of Port Jackson fig (Ficus rubiginosa). We found potential spatial sub-structuring within and between two natural populations. We show that most of these loci could be utilised for studies in two closely-related fig wasp species.
Photo by Timothy L. Sutton.

ZO15002Range decline and conservation status of Westralunio carteri Iredale, 1934 (Bivalvia:Hyriidae) from south-western Australia

Michael W. Klunzinger, Stephen J. Beatty, David L. Morgan, Adrian M. Pinder and Alan J. Lymbery
pp. 127-135
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Freshwater mussels are among the most endangered groups of fauna worldwide. We modelled the distribution of Westralunio carteri and found salinity, perenniality and total nitrogen concentration as the most accurate predictor variables for the species’ presence. Salinisation led to a 49% reduction in extent of occurrence, qualifying the species as vulnerable.
Photo by David L. Morgan.


Describing the spatial requirements of animals is central to understanding their ecology. A total of 115 studies that describe the home ranges of Australian terrestrial vertebrates were reviewed. Many studies had various shortcomings, suggesting they had not fully described home ranges. Understanding what characterises best practice will improve future studies.

Committee on Publication Ethics

AJZ Award winner

Tyler Lepan has been awarded the AJZ Best Student Paper Award for 2022.

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