Distribution and characteristics of the platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus) in the Murrumbidgee catchment
Joanne H. Connolly A B E , Tom Claridge B C , Sarah M. Cordell B , Sharon Nielsen D and Geoff J. Dutton B
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation (an alliance between Charles Sturt University and NSW Department of Primary Industries), Pugsley Place, Wagga Wagga, NSW 2650, Australia.
B School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Locked Bag 588, Wagga Wagga, NSW 2678, Australia.
C School of Environmental Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Locked Bag 588, Wagga Wagga, NSW 2678, Australia.
D Charles Sturt University, Locked Bag 588, Wagga Wagga, NSW 2678, Australia.
E Corresponding author. Email: jconnolly@csu.edu.au
Australian Mammalogy 38(1) 58-67 https://doi.org/10.1071/AM14039
Submitted: 6 December 2014 Accepted: 25 September 2015 Published: 22 December 2015
Abstract
Little is known of the current status of platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus) populations in the Murrumbidgee catchment and other west-flowing rivers in the Murray–Darling Basin. Platypus distribution in the Murrumbidgee catchment was determined from sightings, reports by government departments, the literature and a capture–release study. The platypus was found to be widespread in the catchment, including all subcatchment and elevation categories, but most reports were from the middle and upper subcatchments. Sixty-five captures of 55 individual platypuses were made during 61 trap-nights to 31 study sites in the Murrumbidgee catchment during 2009–10. Only three juveniles (all females) were captured and recapture rates were low, with only nine platypuses captured more than once. Adult males had body weights of 980–2180 g and body lengths of 42–60 cm (n = 32). Adult females weighed 795–1480 g and were 38–52 cm long (n = 20). Tail fat index was significantly affected by season and platypus age, while in comparison, season, platypus length and weight had a significant effect on tail volume index. This study established a baseline that provides a starting point from which the impacts of environmental disturbances or diseases occurring over time can be measured and investigated.
Additional keywords: capture, condition score, morphometrics, Murray–Darling basin, population.
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