Early maturation in males, and maturation overall, compromises the growth and immunocompetency in brook trout. Exposure of fish to eight weeks advanced photoperiod reduces the number of the finally mature fish while continuous photoperiod failed to inhibit or reduce maturation in brook trout. It can be concluded that control of maturation in brook trout by photoperiod manipulation can affect maturation if further refined.
Photo by Ryan Wilkinson.

Feral and stray cats are a major threat for the unique wildlife on Christmas Island. Using genetic methods we found cats to move/breed freely across the island and that management efforts have successfully reduced the number of cats. Our results demonstrate that genetic monitoring helps ongoing feral cat management.
Photo by Michael Johnston.

Population monitoring is required to guide conservation programs. We conducted a mark–recapture study of a population of the vulnerable green and golden bell frog in a large coastal lagoon in north-east New South Wales. We estimate that this population contains 350–850 adult frogs.
Photo by D. Newell.

Fishing in deep-water regions of our oceans can result in the capture of rarely encountered fish species, many of which are under-studied. The ages of two Japanese rubyfish caught off the south coast of Western Australia, further south than previously documented, were estimated, from their otoliths (ear bones), to both be 8 years old. Documenting their capture as well as the biological information from these individuals will assist in future management.
Photo by Peter Coulson.

Historic degradation of forest and woodland areas may require remediation for the benefit of tree-hollow dependent wildlife. We investigated the frequency of use of nest boxes and nest logs over 10–30 years in a box–ironbark forest. These artificial hollows were used frequently, though differently, by mammals and birds.
Photo by Bruce Quin.