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

Published online 18 November 2024

AM24026Platypus fyke-netting methods: a review of recommended field protocols and options for assessing population abundance

Melody Serena, Geoff A. Williams, Chris Bloink and Dana Dekkers

 

Fyke nets are commonly used for platypus survey or other research purposes in shallow water bodies. We discuss the wide range of factors influencing the frequency of platypus captures, identify issues affecting animal welfare in fyke nets and consider the options available for estimating platypus abundance from fyke-netting data. Photograph by G. Williams/APC.

This article belongs to the collection: Recent research on the platypus.

AM24026 Abstract  |  AM24026 Full Text  | AM24026PDF (2.5 MB)   Open Access Article

Published online 18 November 2024

AM24025How much time, effort and money is spent caring for wombats?

Julie M. Old, Isabella Lago, Jessica Wills and Hayley J. Stannard

 

Wombats commonly come into care due to collisions with vehicles, sarcoptic mange and attacks. Caring for wombats is time-consuming and expensive, particularly when raising wombat joeys, which were more likely to be successfully rehabilitated and released compared to adult wombats. This paper provides insights into the issues facing wombats, the people that care for wombats, and the wider carer sector.

AM24025 Abstract  | PDF (842 KB) - $35.00   | AM24025Supplementary Material (286 KB)

Published online 07 November 2024

AM24021Extended sperm storage recorded in red-tailed phascogale (Phascogale calura) during a trial translocation to Vulkathunha-Gammon Ranges National Park, South Australia

Tessa P. Manning , Talitha Moyle, David Peacock and Jeremy J. Austin

 

Sperm storage is common in dasyurid species and has been recorded for up to 8 days in red-tailed phascogales (Phascogale calura). We present a case where sperm storage has occurred for 15–27 days in a free-living translocated red-tailed phascogale. Our result is the longest sperm storage period recorded to-date in dasyurid species.

AM24021 Abstract  | PDF (900 KB) - $35.00 

Published online 07 November 2024

AM24020Age determination in the platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus) using spur sheath and spur developmental stages: a review

Tom Grant, Melody Serena, Geoff A. Williams and Peter Temple-Smith

 

Male platypuses have a permanent venomous spur on both rear ankles. Their structure changes with age, while females only develop a small rudimentary spur sheath that is lost after their first year of life. Spur or spur sheath changes are used to age males in their first 3 years of life. Females can only be aged in their first 2 years. This age determination is used to age dead or living platypuses in research, veterinary or rescue contexts. Photograph credit: Ian Montgomery

AM24020 Abstract  |  AM24020 Full Text  | AM24020PDF (3.5 MB)   Open Access Article

Published online 24 October 2024

AM24027Digging for answers: defining the external architecture of the southern hairy-nosed wombats’ (Lasiorhinus latifrons) subterranean excavations

R. Norris, G. Koertner, P. Meek and S. C. Cairns

 

The burrow excavated by the southern hairy-nosed wombat is initially located by an entrance into the ground, but entrances also lead to other structures, with these not previously defined. With counts of active burrows used as the primary feature in population estimations, accuracy in their identification is vital. Here, we provide definition of these structures to increase the accuracy of population estimations but also to increase knowledge of the southern hairy-nosed wombat’s digging activity, functional potential, warren system architecture, and possible adaptive ability. Image by R. Norris.

AM24027 Abstract  | PDF (2.8 MB) - $35.00   | AM24027Supplementary Material (2.8 MB)

Published online 22 October 2024

AM24004Gliding performance in the inland sugar glider in low-canopy forest

Ross L. Goldingay , Darren G. Quin and Karen J. Thomas

 

Understanding glide performance in gliding mammals provides useful knowledge. We investigated this in the inland sugar glider (Petaurus notatus) in central Victoria. From 40 glides, horizontal glide distance averaged 18.1 m (range 8–41 m), glide ratio (horizontal glide distance/height dropped) averaged 2.2 and glide angle averaged 26.4°. Photograph by William Terry

AM24004 Abstract  | PDF (1.5 MB) - $35.00 

Published online 30 September 2024

AM24003Survey techniques and impact mitigation for the Endangered northern quoll (Dasyurus hallucatus) in the semi-arid landscapes of the Pilbara

Judy Dunlop , Harry Amos Moore, Mitchell Alec Cowan and Natasha Harrison

 

The northern quoll is a small, endangered marsupial that inhabits the northern areas of Australia, including overlapping with areas targeted for mining in the Pilbara. Following more than 10 years of long-term data collection in the Pilbara, we present best practice survey techniques and options for reducing the impact of disturbance or improving northern quoll populations. These survey techniques are relevant to northern quoll research, conservation management, to detect their presence in areas previously unsurveyed, and for monitoring the outcomes of management activities.

AM24003 Abstract  | PDF (10.2 MB) - $35.00 

Published online 25 September 2024

AM24011Eastern pygmy possum (Cercartetus nanus) populations persist in Central Coast forests after the Black Summer bushfires

Dylan J. I. Chew, Brad Law, Viyanna Leo, Darren M. Southwell, Jennifer R. Anson and Matt W. Hayward

 

The Black Summer bushfires were catastrophic, impacting some of Australia’s most iconic species. This study used pre- and post-fire data to determine how the bushfires affected eastern pygmy possum populations on the NSW Central Coast, finding that some populations were able to persist. This study helps improve our understanding of the susceptibility of native species to such events, which becomes increasingly important as wildfires are predicted to increase in frequency and intensity in response to climate change. Left photograph by Dylan Chew; right photograph by Brad Leue, AWC.

AM24011 Abstract  | PDF (4.4 MB) - $35.00 

Published online 27 August 2024

AM24016Going it alone: observations of solitary roosting in two Australian flying-foxes (Pteropus alecto and P. poliocephalus)

Matthew Mo

 

Roosting ecology in Australia’s flying-fox species is characteristically colonial, though a small amount of scientific literature refers to solitary roosting individuals or singletons. This note reports five accounts of black and grey-headed flying-foxes roosting as singletons outside of periods of food shortages, including one instance of solitary roosting occurring over multiple days. Photograph by Matthew Mo.

AM24016 Abstract  | PDF (1.2 MB) - $35.00 

Published online 23 August 2024

AM24005Environmental temperature influences detectability of a nocturnal marsupial

Gillian N. Kowalick, Alexandra K. Ross and Helen A. Crisp

 

Animals modify their behaviour to avoid poor conditions like temperature extremes, which affects the success of observation studies. We surveyed greater bilbies (Macrotis lagotis) at least once a year between 2015 and 2023 and found that as average environmental temperature decreased, the number of bilby observations also decreased within a spotlight survey session. Wildlife managers should include environmental temperature as a factor in survey timing and analysis.

AM24005 Abstract  | PDF (836 KB) - $35.00   | AM24005Supplementary Material (196 KB)

Published online 29 July 2024

AM24007The golden-backed tree-rat (Mesembriomys macrurus) (Peters 1876): reproduction, growth, development and behaviour in captivity

J. Anne Kerle and Michael R. Fleming

 

The golden-backed tree-rat, a large native rodent from tropical Western Australia and Northern Territory, was once abundant and widespread, but numbers have declined greatly. Its conservation depends on knowing its ecology and breeding biology, and in this study we provide the first details of the breeding biology of this tree-rat. This information is essential for developing conservation strategies to ensure the survival of this unique Australian species. Photograph by Euan Ritchie.

AM24007 Abstract  | PDF (2.3 MB) - $35.00 

Published online 26 July 2024

AM24010Habitat preferences of arboreal mammals in box-ironbark forest during maternal and non-maternal periods

Ross L. Goldingay , Darren G. Quin and Karen J. Thomas

 

Artificial tree cavities may be installed to restore habitat quality for tree-cavity-dependent wildlife. We used detections of the brush-tailed phascogale (Phascogale tapoatafa) and the inland sugar glider (Petaurus notatus) in nest boxes over a 6-year period to investigate the influence of the surrounding forest on nest box use. Image: R. Goldingay

AM24010 Abstract  | PDF (2.1 MB) - $35.00 

Published online 18 July 2024

AM23051Persistence of social structuring in an arid zone mammal following reintroduction

Alexander James Cooke, Cheryl Lohr , W. Jason Kennington and Kym Ottewell

 

Boodies (burrowing bettongs, Bettongia lesueur) have a maternal social structure in their remnant natural population on Barrow Island. We have successfully recreated a similar social structure in Matuwa Kurrara Kurrara National Park, despite translocation and hybridisation. Given that many attempts to translocate boodies to the unfenced landscape have failed, possibly because the translocated animals showed no site fidelity or group cohesion, our research is the first to recommend that pre-existing social groups be translocated together, rather than random individuals.

AM23051 Abstract  | PDF (1.7 MB) - $35.00   | AM23051Supplementary Material (318 KB)

Published online 09 July 2024

AM24014Patterns of breeding in the long-nosed potoroo revealed by camera trapping in northern New South Wales

Ross L. Goldingay

 

Camera trapping was used to describe aspects of the breeding pattern in the long-nosed potoroo in the north of its range. Cameras operated continuously at eight sites over a 17-month period. Females produced two to four young per site equating to 2.1 per year. Image by R. Goldingay.

AM24014 Abstract  | PDF (2.5 MB) - $35.00 

Published online 27 June 2024

AM23055A long-distance flight of the Pilbara diamond-faced bat (Rhinonicteris aurantia) recorded via an automated VHF radio telemetry system

Christopher George Knuckey, Thomas Rasmussen, Tabitha Rudin and Scott Reiffer

 

Understanding movement patterns of threatened bats is critical, though sometimes difficult, to conserving their habitats. This study was undertaken to understand movement patterns for the threatened Pilbara diamond-faced bat, resulting in the recordings of two large, 40-km, flights undertaken over single nights. This study will be used to conserve habitat for the species and demonstrates the capability of new and emerging tracking technology. Photograph by Christopher Knuckey.

AM23055 Abstract  | PDF (1.2 MB) - $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.

AM24001, Accepted 11 November 2024

What can echolocation recordings reveal about the species composition, habitat specificity and structure of mangrove bat communities in the Northern Territory?

N. McKenzie , Robert Bullen and Damian Milne

 

AM24001Abstract

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

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3. Feral cat predation of the threatened Pilbara leaf-nosed bat – a key threatening process

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   Jessie Moyses , Craig Grabham, Kyle N. Armstrong, Chris G. Knuckey, Brighton D’Rozario

4. The mechanical properties of bettong and potoroo foods

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   D. Rex Mitchell , Justin A. Ledogar , Damien Andrew , Ian Mathewson, Vera Weisbecker , Karl Vernes

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

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   Anne Musser , Tom Grant , Eren Turak

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

   Australian Mammalogy 46 (3)

   Amy S. Northover , Martin A. Dziminski , Fiona M. Carpenter, Harry A. Moore, Kym Ottewell, Russell Palmer, Lesley A. Gibson

7. Survey techniques and impact mitigation for the Endangered northern quoll (Dasyurus hallucatus) in the semi-arid landscapes of the Pilbara

   Australian Mammalogy 46 (3)

   Judy Dunlop , Harry Amos Moore, Mitchell Alec Cowan , Natasha Harrison

8. Age determination in the platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus) using spur sheath and spur developmental stages: a review

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   Tom Grant, Melody Serena, Geoff A. Williams, Peter Temple-Smith

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

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10. Eastern pygmy possum (Cercartetus nanus) populations persist in Central Coast forests after the Black Summer bushfires

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    Dylan J. I. Chew, Brad Law, Viyanna Leo, Darren M. Southwell, Jennifer R. Anson, Matt W. Hayward

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12. Cannibalism in the mainland dusky antechinus (Antechinus mimetes mimetes) during the breeding period

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13. Remote camera monitoring and arboreal trapping methods used to evaluate the outcomes of a reintroduction of red-tailed phascogales (Phascogale calura) in Western Australia

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14. Platypus fyke-netting methods: a review of recommended field protocols and options for assessing population abundance

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

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

16. The golden-backed tree-rat (Mesembriomys macrurus) (Peters 1876): reproduction, growth, development and behaviour in captivity

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    J. Anne Kerle, Michael R. Fleming

17. Persistence of social structuring in an arid zone mammal following reintroduction

    Australian Mammalogy 46 (3)

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18. Extended sperm storage recorded in red-tailed phascogale (Phascogale calura) during a trial translocation to Vulkathunha-Gammon Ranges National Park, South Australia

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    Tessa P. Manning , Talitha Moyle, David Peacock, Jeremy J. Austin

19. Gliding performance in the inland sugar glider in low-canopy forest

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    Ross L. Goldingay , Darren G. Quin, Karen J. Thomas

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

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