The MHC is an important immune molecule impacting disease outcome in most species. We have identified 23 MHCII alleles and evidence of pathogen-driven selection in the koala. Our findings illustrate the relevance of further research of koala MHCII to disease management and conservation in this species.

Two novel genes of the lobster Jasus edwardsii that encode predicted receptor proteins (peJK2 and peJK3) are implicated in hormonal regulation of the moult cycle. Our gene expression analyses showed that one of them, peJK2, is coexpressed with a novel closely related gene in different tissues during inhibition of moult. This shows their possible roles in different signal transmissions.

Here we study the relationships among saltwater crocodiles from the Northern Territory using mitochondrial control region sequences of 61 individuals from nine river basins. Overall, our results indicate the presence of three haplotypes restricted to Australia and there is little to no genetic structure within and between populations from the Northern Territory.

Glochidia (obligate parasitic larvae) of a freshwater mussel are most common on native fishes in south-western Australia. Four native and one alien species produced metamorphosed juvenile Westralunio carteri. The inability of some alien fishes to produce juvenile W. carteri might reduce recruitment success where alien fishes are abundant.

We investigated evidence of hybridisation between the south-eastern Australian tree frogs Litoria ewingii and L. verreauxii at two localities where the species occur in sympatry. Morphological and acoustic analyses showed that several traits were divergent between parental species and that five individuals were intermediate, strongly suggestive of hybridisation.

Home range size of female Tasmanian echidnas was strongly influenced by the proportions of woodland and pasture in their habitat with an inverse relationship between the amount of woodland and home range size. Males had larger home ranges, the size of which was not dependent on habitat type.

Thermoregulation of Sminthopsis macroura and S. ooldea were measured. Sminthopsis macroura thermoregulated well, whereas S. ooldea was more thermolabile, which had implications for metabolism and water loss. Thermoregulation may adapt S. macroura to a broad climate, but thermolability may adapt S. ooldea to very low productivity conditions of central Australia.

We marked small mammals and reptiles subcutaneously with ultraviolet tattoo ink injected into the tail of mammals and ventrally for reptiles. This inexpensive method appeared suitable for most species and reduced mortality of sensitive rodents during marking, compared with ear notching.