Australian Journal of Zoology
Volume 70
Number 6 2022
We produced a molecular phylogeny for the skink Tribe Eugongylini, with our analyses revealing three well-supported lineages of Australian Eugongylini, and resolving the phylogenetic relationships among several problematic Australian genera. We demonstrate that Emoia is not monophyletic, but that Cryptoblepharus is. We use our phylogenetic analyses to discuss the biogeography of the Eugongylini.
Up to date information on the distribution of invasive species is vital to biodiversity conservation but difficult to obtain. We use data from a national citizen science project, FrogID, to examine the distribution of the eastern dwarf tree frog (Litoria fallax) in Australia. These data reveal that the species has established populations far outside its native range and that these populations are spreading, highlighting the value of citizen science in detection and monitoring of invasive species. Photograph by Jodi Rowley.
Undisturbed, ‘dry’ green turtle nests on Raine Island and Heron Island have similar hatching success ~70%; however, most embryo mortality occurs early during incubation at Raine Island but late during incubation at Heron Island. A nest on Heron Island has been excavated to assess hatching success. Photograph by David Booth.