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

Australian Journal of Zoology

Australian Journal of Zoology is an international journal covering the evolutionary, molecular and comparative zoology of Australasian fauna. Read more about the journalMore

Editor-in-Chief: Paul Cooper

 

Current Issue

Australian Journal of Zoology

Volume 66 Number 3 2018

ZO18025Two new mitogenomes of Pellorneidae (Aves : Passeriformes) and a phylogeny of the superfamily Sylvioidea

Zuhao Huang 0000-0003-1450-0850, Feiyun Tu and Shan Tang
pp. 167-173
Graphical Abstract Image

Family-level phylogenetic relationships of the superfamily Sylvioidea have always been debated and the mitogenome data have a high probability of resolving intractable phylogenetic relationships. On the basis of mitogenome data, the family-level phylogenetic relationships ((((Pellorneidae, Leiothrichidae) Timaliidae) Zosteropidae) Sylviidae) among the superfamily Sylvioidea were strongly supported and Spizixos semitorques was nested within the genus Pycnonotus. We propose that the generic placement of Spizixos should be reconsidered.

ZO18025 Abstract  | PDF (1.4 MB) - $25.00   | ZO18025Supplementary Material (155 KB)

ZO18041Naïve rainforest frogs on Cape York, Australia, are at risk of the introduction of amphibian chytridiomycosis disease

Conrad J. Hoskin 0000-0001-8116-6085, Harry B. Hines, Rebecca J. Webb, Lee F. Skerratt and Lee Berger
pp. 174-178
Graphical Abstract Image

We tested a threatened frog at Cape Melville for chytrid infection and assessed other Cape York data. Our results suggest frogs on Cape York have been spared chytridiomycosis thus far. We discuss how the disease could spread there, what can be done to reduce risk, and an emergency procedure should it be introduced.
Photo by Conrad Hoskin.

ZO18041 Abstract  | PDF (783 KB) - $25.00 

ZO18028Characteristics of the den trees of the yellow-bellied glider in western Victoria

Ross L. Goldingay 0000-0002-6684-9299, Susan M. Carthew and Matthew Daniel
pp. 179-184
Graphical Abstract Image

Effective management of tree-hollow dependent wildlife is enhanced by detailed knowledge of the trees used for shelter and breeding. We describe the characteristics of 52 den trees and hollows (cavities) used by the yellow-bellied glider (Petaurus australis) in the south-west of its geographic range.
Photo by S. M. Carthew.

ZO18028 Abstract  | PDF (5.8 MB) - $25.00 

ZO18033Natural flow events influence the behaviour and movement patterns of eel-tailed catfish (Tandanus tandanus) in a subtropical Queensland river

Kate R. Burndred 0000-0002-6395-5571, Bernie J. Cockayne, James A. Donaldson and Brendan C. Ebner
pp. 185-194
Graphical Abstract Image

We investigated the behaviour and movement patterns of eel-tailed catfish, Tandanus tandanus, using acoustic telemetry in an unregulated subtropical river. Generally, fish undertook inter-pool movements under low flow conditions; however, the greatest movement response was detected during the first post-winter flow event. Results can assist conservation and management of endangered populations in south-eastern Australia.
Photo by Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries.

ZO18033 Abstract  | PDF (786 KB) - $25.00 

ZO18040Determination of the diet of the ghost bat (Macroderma gigas) in the Pilbara region of Western Australia from dried prey remains and DNA metabarcoding

Alba M. Arteaga Claramunt 0000-0001-5052-0467, Nicole E. White, Michael Bunce, Morgan O'Connell, Robert D. Bullen 0000-0002-1529-1942 and Peter R. Mawson
pp. 195-200
Graphical Abstract Image

Ghost bats (Macroderma gigas) are a rare, sparsely distributed species from northern Australia. Knowledge of their diet is limited to a few older studies and serendipitous observations from field monitoring of prey species. This study used analysis of dried food remains and DNA metabarcoding to identify 32 new prey species consumed by ghost bats in the Pilbara region of Western Australia, 19 of which had not previously been reported from any other part of Australia.
Photo by Perth Zoo.

ZO18040 Abstract  | PDF (1.5 MB) - $25.00 

ZO18076Growth rates of, and milk feeding schedules for, juvenile spectacled flying-foxes (Pteropus conspicillatus) reared for release at a rehabilitation centre in north Queensland, Australia

Jennefer Mclean, Ashleigh Johnson, Delaine Woods, Reinhold Muller, David Blair and Petra G. Buettner 0000-0002-5418-922X
pp. 201-213
Graphical Abstract Image

This study was based in a wildlife care facility and was designed to estimate post-natal growth rates in, and develop a milk feeding chart for, infant spectacled flying-foxes, a species regarded as vulnerable. Forearm length increased by 0.55 mm and body mass by 1.5 g per day; growth rates varied by year. The study highlights that data collected by wildlife carers can be a source of otherwise hard-to-obtain information.
Photo by Tolga Bat Rescue and Research Inc.

ZO18076 Abstract  | PDF (499 KB) - $25.00   | ZO18076Supplementary Material (42 KB)

ZO18054Small marsupial, big dispersal? Broad- and fine-scale genetic structure of an endangered marsupial from the Australian arid zone

Amanda L. McLean 0000-0002-1121-8190, Steven J. B. Cooper, Melanie L. Lancaster, Glen Gaikhorst, Cathy Lambert, Katherine Moseby, John Read, Matthew Ward and Susan M. Carthew
pp. 214-227
Graphical Abstract Image

The endangered sandhill dunnart is known from three populations in southern Australia. Genetic connectivity and genetic diversity were investigated across the species distribution and at a fine-scale within one population. Analyses revealed limited phylogeographic structure within the species and no genetic structure or sex-biased dispersal within one study site. The findings highlight the high mobility of Australian arid small mammals and the importance of landscape connectivity to enable animals to track resource pulses and maintain genetic diversity.
Photo by Amanda L. McLean.

ZO18054 Abstract  | PDF (796 KB) - $25.00   | ZO18054Supplementary Material (308 KB)

ZO18034Trophic traits of Grammostola vachoni, a tarantula (Araneae : Theraphosidae) from Argentina

Leonela Schwerdt 0000-0002-2512-0725, Gabriel Pompozzi, Ana Elena de Villalobos and Fernando Pérez-Miles
pp. 228-234
Graphical Abstract Image

We studied the feeding parameters of Grammostola vachoni, a threatened Theraphosidae spider, endemic to the mountain systems of central Argentina. The knowledge of trophic traits is important for understanding animal ecology, and the contribution to the ecosystem that G. vachoni has as a predator, combined with potential threats of habitat make it necessary to obtain biological information to support its conservation. Therefore, this study contributes to the basic knowledge of the ecology of this tarantula.

ZO18034 Abstract  | PDF (422 KB) - $25.00 

Online Early

The peer-reviewed and edited version of record published online before inclusion in an issue

Published online 22 February 2019

ZO18049Time budget of the squirrel glider (Petaurus norfolcensis) in subtropical Australia

David J. Sharpe and Ross L. Goldingay 0000-0002-6684-9299
 
Graphical Abstract Image

We examined the time budget of 5–6 male and 5–6 female squirrel gliders during 6–8 nights in each of three seasons that were stratified by moon phase. Feeding dominated the time budget, accounting for 78% of observation time, or 85% of time when combined with behaviours associated with foraging.
Photo by R. Goldingay.

ZO18049 Abstract  | PDF (402 KB) - $25.00 
Published online 21 February 2019

ZO18014Thermal biology of the spotted snow skink, Niveoscincus ocellatus, along an altitudinal gradient

Luh P. E. K. Yuni, Susan M. Jones and Erik Wapstra 0000-0002-2050-8026
 
Graphical Abstract Image

This study investigated the body temperatures of spotted snow skinks living along an altitudinal gradient over a full activity period of this species. The environmental variation across sites and seasons affected their body temperatures, and they achieved their thermal preference with the exception at high altitude. Thermoregulatory behaviour acts as a potential buffer to overcome changes in environmental conditions.
Photo by Erik Wapstra.

ZO18014 Abstract  | PDF (908 KB) - $25.00   | ZO18014Supplementary Material (296 KB)
Published online 11 February 2019

ZO18060Confirmation of little eagle (Hieraaetus morphnoides) migration by satellite telemetry

Renée Brawata 0000-0002-5548-7560, Stuart Rae, Bernd Gruber, Sam Reid and David Roberts
 
Graphical Abstract Image

The little eagle (Hieraaetus morphnoides) is listed as Vulnerable in the Australian Capital Territory, but the movements and ranges of birds breeding in the ACT are unknown. An adult male bird was tracked by GPS-satellite transmitter between the ACT and the Northern Territory. This paper gives the first confirmation that little eagles can migrate between southern and northern Australia and conservation of the species needs to be of nation-wide consideration.
Photo by Stuart Rae.

ZO18060 Abstract  | PDF (1.9 MB) - $25.00 

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