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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

Editors-in-Chief: Christofer Clemente and Laura Wilson

Publishing Model: Hybrid. Open Access options available.

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Latest

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

Published online 01 May 2025

ZO24034Population structure, growth and reproduction in two species of Tympanocryptis (Agamidae)

Lyn Nelson and Paul D. Cooper 0000-0002-1433-5309
 

Growth (measured as the increase of snout–vent length) of two species of Tympanocryptis lizards over three years.

Growth of two species of the endangered lizard in the genus Tympanocryptis (T. lineata and T. osbornei) from around the Canberra, ACT, and Cooma, NSW, respectively, is similar over three years, as is the population age structure. Individuals of each species are also able to survive over multiple years. Colour changes with reproduction in females is most obvious for both species in spring and autumn during the year for both species. Image Paul Cooper.

ZO24034 Abstract  |  ZO24034 Full Text  | ZO24034PDF (1.5 MB)  | ZO24034Supplementary Material (513 KB)   Open Access Article

Published online 28 March 2025

ZO24027Determination of population age structure from the survivorship of individuals of unknown ages in unicorns and platypuses

J. W. Macgregor 0009-0007-0519-2549, P. A. Fleming 0000-0002-0626-3851, O. Wade, R. Donaldson and K. S. Warren
 

A platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus).

Knowing the ages of animals in wild populations is important for conservation modelling. But for many species it is not possible to determine an adult individual’s age. By looking at how long individuals of unknown ages live, this report uses a hypothetical population of unicorns to illustrate a method of working out the proportion of animals in a population that are any particular age, and then applies the same method to a population of wild platypuses. Photograph by Joanne Connolly.

ZO24027 Abstract  |  ZO24027 Full Text  | ZO24027PDF (567 KB)   Open Access Article

Published online 17 March 2025

ZO24033A northernmost occurrence record of Shepherd’s beaked whale (Tasmacetus shepherdi) – a molecular identification from Exmouth, Western Australia

Melissa A. Millar 0000-0002-9427-2255, Kelly A. Waples, Holly C. Raudino and Kym Ottewell 0000-0002-4273-3224
 

ZO24033_toc.jpg

We conducted molecular identification of the highly depredated remains of a cetacean specimen found on a beach in the Jurabi Coastal Park, Western Australia. The specimen was identified as Shepherd’s beaked whale (Tasmacetus shepherdi). This represents the most northern occurrence record for this poorly known beaked whale species. Photograph by Michael Cox, Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.

ZO24033 Abstract  |  ZO24033 Full Text  | ZO24033PDF (3.2 MB)   Open Access Article

Published online 14 March 2025

ZO24025GPS tracking informs nest reserve design for an endangered raptor, the grey goshawk (Tachyspiza novaehollandiae), in hostile anthropogenic landscapes

David A. Young 0000-0001-7491-5180 and James B. Kirkpatrick
 

Map comparing home-ranges of a male and female grey goshawk during the breeding and non-breeding season in Tasmania.

The grey goshawk (Tachyspiza novaehollandiae) is an endangered raptor whose spatial ecology is poorly known. We estimated home range size of 15 GPS tracked goshawks in Tasmania to assist with conservation management of the species. Home range size of male goshawks (160.50 km2) was eight times larger than that of females (19.03 km2). Image by David A. Young.

ZO24025 Abstract  |  ZO24025 Full Text  | ZO24025PDF (12.7 MB)   Open Access Article

Published online 07 March 2025

ZO24037Population differentiation in the white-fronted chat (Epthianura albifrons) at a continental scale: implications for dispersal, biogeography and conservation

Richard E. Major 0000-0002-1334-9864, Georgina M. Schlub, Rebecca N. Johnson 0000-0003-3035-2827, Andrew G. King and Gretel S. Major 0000-0002-4275-4199
 

Output from program Structure showing population genetic structure of 264 white-fronted chats grouped into 15 locations.

Fragmentation of populations is a major concern for many threatened species. Population genetics can be used to identify barriers to dispersal and, in this study, revealed that small extents of ocean and urbanised land resulted in isolation of populations of the white-fronted chat. Conservation efforts for this species, listed as Vulnerable in NSW, must recognise that despite the powers of flight and a tendency towards nomadism, this species is not as dispersive as was previously believed. Image by R.E. Major.

ZO24037 Abstract  |  ZO24037 Full Text  | ZO24037PDF (866 KB)  | ZO24037Supplementary Material (249 KB)   Open Access Article

Published online 03 March 2025

ZO24030Rocky landform specialists of the Mount Isa Inlier: camera trapping reveals seasonal occupancy and habitat associations of a unique faunal assemblage in an ancient landscape

Jarrad C. Barnes 0000-0001-7555-1227, Elizabeth A. Brunton, Mark G. Sanders and Christofer J. Clemente 0000-0001-8174-3890
 

Photograph of a camera trap deployed on a typical rocky landform in the Mount Isa Inlier.

We conducted a 13-month camera trap study investigating when and how a diverse fauna utilises the ancient and complex rocky landforms of the Mount Isa Inlier. We found a unique rocky landform specialist community that utilised the landscape at different rates throughout the year, and favoured certain slope aspects, landform types, and lithologies. Our results highlight the best times of year and the environmental characteristics of sites in which to focus future management and conservation initiatives for this unique community. Photograph by Jarrad Barnes.

ZO24030 Abstract  |  ZO24030 Full Text  | ZO24030PDF (2.6 MB)  | ZO24030Supplementary Material (7.3 MB)   Open Access Article

Published online 21 February 2025

ZO24018The reliability of latex weak links on radio collars used to track eastern grey kangaroos (Macropus giganteus)

Tian Chen 0000-0002-9276-7481, Naomi Davis, Pam Whiteley, Lee F. Skerratt, Charles El-Hage and Jasmin Hufschmid
 

Photograph of eastern grey kangaroo with radio collar and identification tags.

Weak links installed on radio collars are devices designed to protect animals from entanglement during animal studies and allow remote retrieval of the collar after study. We tested a latex weak link on collars used to track eastern grey kangaroos and found that it was able to successfully achieve both functions on all animals. Future researchers can use weak links of similar design to provide good welfare for animals involved in research. Photograph by Tian Chen.

ZO24018 Abstract  |  ZO24018 Full Text  | ZO24018PDF (713 KB)   Open Access Article

Published online 11 December 2024

ZO24023Spatial mosaics of small animal communities across habitat and vegetation cover in semiarid Australia

Shirley S. Chia, Keith Leggett and Lisa E. Schwanz 0000-0001-5864-7112
 

Spatial variation in soil and vegetation within a semi-arid habitat.

Successful management of animal communities depends on understanding what features of the environment allow populations to persist. We examined spatial mosaics of animal communities in semiarid Australia and found that spiders and lizards were more abundant where cover of woody vegetation was relatively high, but other taxa were not linked to vegetation cover. Thus, preserving woody vegetation is important for conserving some taxa. Environmental features important for other taxa need to be identified for management consideration. Photograph by L. Schwanz.

ZO24023 Abstract  |  ZO24023 Full Text  | ZO24023PDF (1.4 MB)  | ZO24023Supplementary Material (490 KB)   Open Access Article

Published online 22 November 2024

ZO24020Spatiotemporal distribution of humpback whales off north-west Australia quantifying the Exmouth Gulf nursery area

Kate R. Sprogis 0000-0002-9050-3028, Alicia L. Sutton, Micheline-Nicole M. Jenner and K. Curt S. Jenner
 

Aerial photograph of a humpback whale mother-calf pair resting on the water surface in Exmouth Gulf, Western Australia

The aim of this study was to examine the distribution of humpback whales across north-west Australia (North West Cape, Pilbara and Exmouth Gulf). The highest density and encounter rates of humpback whales was in Exmouth Gulf. The comparison among the three locations quantifies Exmouth Gulf as an important nursery area for humpback whale mother–calf pairs. Photograph by Kate Sprogis.

ZO24020 Abstract  |  ZO24020 Full Text  | ZO24020PDF (3.6 MB)  | ZO24020Supplementary Material (1.4 MB)   Open Access Article

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AJZ Award winner

Murraya Lane has been awarded the AJZ Best Student Paper Award for 2024.

Expressions of Interest

Australian Journal of Zoology is seeking Associate Editors to join the Editorial Board. Read more information here

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