The severe impact of two fires, six years apart, on a population of honey possums (Tarsipes rostratus) was monitored over a 29-year period in the south-west of Western Australia. Full recovery to pre-fire densities and catchability was estimated to take 25.6 years after the second fire.
Photo by Don Bradshaw.

We investigated the early life-history traits and described the larvae of a wild population of eel-tailed catfish, Tandanus tandanus, in an unregulated Queensland stream. Larvae remained in nests until ~16 days old, and daily otolith increments were validated. Results can assist conservation and management of endangered populations in south-eastern Australia.
Photo by Kate Burndred.

Identifying species’ habitat affiliations is important for their conservation; therefore, we aimed to identify habitat affiliations for all reptiles detected during surveys. Exploratory analyses provided guidance for further research and informed habitat management for all species, but maintaining habitat heterogeneity and complexity will likely conserve the greatest number of species.
Photo by Maggie Triska.

We examined fine-scale genetic structure in eastern grey kangaroos from the Blue Mountains, New South Wales, and compared this with existing studies. Our results suggest limited differences between male and female genetic structure and that variation across studies may be related to differences in the environmental and demographic conditions at each site.
Photo by Linda E. Neaves.

Salivary secretion by parotid and mandibular glands was measured in conscious red kangaroos during saliva spreading induced by heat stress. At onset of saliva spreading, mandibular secretion rose rapidly whereas parotid secretion increased more slowly, reaching secretion rates similar to mandibular gland after 40 min of saliva spreading. Salivary ion concentrations were similar to those reported for cholinergic stimulation.

Expression patterns of cytoplasmic carbonic anhydrase Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase and V-type H⁺-ATPase were examined in gills of freshwater crayfish, Cherax quadricarinatus, at three pH levels: 6.2, 7.2 (control) and 8.2 over 24 hours. Expression levels of all the genes were significantly increased at low pH and decreased at high pH.
Photo by Kenny Chua.

The vulnerable rodent, Pseudomys novaehollandiae, exhibited a population irruption following six years of high rainfall, and a precipitous decline to extinction in drought. Abundance was positively correlated with rainfall. While impacts of rainfall decline will continue, management, including optimal burning regimes, protection of refugia and predator control, may increase resilience.
Photo by M. Lock.