Observations on the lidless trapdoor spider, Cantuaria huttoni (O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1879) (ARANEAE: IDIOPIDAE).

Understanding patterns of burrow-use behavior can provide insights into social structure and may have important implications for management of threatened or endangered species. Most kangaroo rat species are assumed to be solitary, but some populations of the endangered Stephens’ kangaroo rat (Dipodomys stephensi) exhibit aggregated burrow associations. Observation of burrow-use patterns over a period of 2 years allowed us to assess the extent of burrow sharing, providing insights into the degree of sociality in this species. Understanding burrow-use patterns also is critical for conservation because the most widely used technique for population estimation for this species relies on a linear relation between burrow density and population size. Although the density of burrow entrances is known to correlate positively with population density, very little is known about how robust this correlation is in the face of changing demographic and environmental variables. Over 14 threenight sessions, burrow entrance sharing occurred between 26% of individuals, with up to 4 individuals sharing a single burrow entrance. The predominant burrow sharing combination (42%) was adult males with adult females. The number of burrow entrances used varied by location and by age of inhabitant. The relationship between density of burrow entrances and that of D. stephensi varied significantly by location but not by date, and individuals in high-density populations used fewer burrow entrances than individuals in low-density populations. Consequently, variation in location, population density, and ratio of juveniles to adults should all be considered when using the method of counting burrow entrances to estimate population size. When these factors vary, the relationship of burrow entrance count to D. stephensi density may need to be recalibrated to predict density accurately. We recommend this method be employed cautiously and that results obtained be interpreted as conservative estimates of population size.

The spider infraorder Mygalomorphae includes the funnel-web spiders, tarantulas, trapdoor spiders and their kin. Because of their particular life history characteristics, systematic revisions of mygalomorph taxa are fundamentally informative and of broader biological interest, but also a matter of conservation priority. Mygalomorph spiders are relatively long-lived, usually with limited dispersal abilities, high habitat specificity, and a long historical presence in areas relative to landscape processes. These characteristics lead to high levels of speciation and local endemism in many mygalomorph lineages, and a build-up of genetic structure between and within species at fine spatial scales. From the perspective of a researcher, high levels of genetic structure and speciation make mygalomorph lineages ideal for investigating biogeographic history and speciation processes. From a conservation perspective, local endemism, habitat specificity and low dispersal ability mean that mygalomorph populations (and potentially species) are sensitive to habitat modification, and have little ability to disperse from, or recolonise, affected areas. In the context of a biodiversity crisis, and hindered by ‘impediments’ to systematics and taxonomy, systematists must allocate their time and efforts carefully. Given their inherent vulnerability and the value of research on mygalomorph taxa, revisions of poorly known elements of this fauna are both urgent and of evolutionary importance. Intergeneric relationships within the spiny trapdoor spiders of Australasia (Idiopidae: Arbanitinae) were recently stabilised. This provided a foundation for targeted work into genera within the subfamily, many of which had never received substantial systematic attention. Prior to my project, only seven species of golden trapdoor spider (tribe Euoplini, previously all in the genus Euoplos) had been described from eastern Australia, despite the genus spanning the length and breadth of the eastern mesic zone. The genus was seen as a conservation priority because it is highly diverse in south-eastern Queensland, Australia, a region where urban development (sub-coastal) and agricultural development (inland) threaten to encroach on the natural remnants where undescribed species occur. Furthermore, undocumented variability in morphology and burrow entrance structure in the genus presented a valuable opportunity to study morphology and behavioural evolution in mygalomorph spiders. In this thesis, I compare and integrate morphological data, behavioural data (burrow entrance type) and molecular data in order to: infer the first robust phylogeny of the genus Euoplos; investigate the phylogenetic signal of morphology and burrow entrance architecture to generate evolutionary hypotheses of broader relevance to mygalomorph systematics; and revise select lineages in the genus based on their conservation priority. In Chapter 2, I use morphological data to guide targeted sampling of Euoplos from eastern Australia, before generating the first comprehensive molecular phylogeny for the genus. Male morphology and burrow entrance architecture are then compared with the molecular phylogeny to reveal the existence of two widespread, sympatric lineages which differ in their burrow entrance structure and male morphology: the ‘wafer-door’ lineage and the ‘plug-door/palisade’ lineage. I also identify a taxonomic error in the literature, where males belonging to a wafer-door species were incorrectly linked with females belonging to a sympatric species in the plug-door/palisade lineage. In chapter 3, I present a systematic revision of a group of Euoplos which were recovered as a clade in Chapter 2, and which construct remarkable ‘palisade’ type burrow entrances. Revision of the group was seen as urgent because all species have very small natural ranges and occur in remnant rainforest habitats within heavily modified landscapes. This revision results in the description of four new species, and I was also able to identify species-specific differences in burrow entrance architecture, providing a means of non-intrusive species identification. In Chapter 4, all available data are integrated into a total-evidence phylogenetic analysis of the entire tribe Euoplini. Ancestral state reconstruction is used to demonstrate how morphological and behavioural (burrow entrance architecture) characters relate to topology. This chapter results in the reclassification of the tribe, with two new genera erected: Cryptoforis (wafer-door lineage) and Narellea (a single, divergent species). This chapter also highlights the utility of both male and female morphology for phylogenetic and taxonomic studies on mygalomorph spiders, and provides morphological characters and a phylogenetic framework for future integrative phylogenetics/taxonomy on the Idiopidae and other mygalomorph groups. Chapter 5 consists of a complete taxonomic synopsis of the newly-recognised genus Cryptoforis. Revision of this new genus was seen as a priority due to the cryptic nature of the wafer-door burrows they create, and due to the fact that they were previously undocumented from mainland Australia. Numerous species also appear to be short-range endemics, restricted to remnant or relictual habitats in eastern Australia. In total, 16 species are described in the genus. In summary, my project is a comprehensive systematic treatment of the golden trapdoor spiders (tribe Euoplini) of Australia, revealing a diverse assemblage of mygalomorph spiders in multiple evolutionary lineages. It presents new data on phylogenetic relationships, morphology, and behaviour in the tribe. Immediate practical outcomes include a new generic classification of the tribe which more accurately represents the diversity contained within it, a full revision of the new genus Cryptoforis, and a targeted revision of the short-range endemic palisade-building Euoplos from south-eastern Queensland. My thesis demonstrates the strength of a ‘holistic’ total-evidence systematic approach, whereby different data types are iteratively compared and integrated, and in particular, the utility of this approach to understanding the taxonomy and evolution of poorly known mygalomorph taxa.

Context Many ectothermic animals survive winter by hibernating, either buried or in burrows. During their hibernation these animals are vulnerable to changes in soil structure and temperature caused by the activity of grazing mammals. This may be a particular risk to ectotherms living in native grassland, as this habitat is often used for livestock grazing. The endangered pygmy bluetongue lizard lives in burrows, in fragments of native grassland in South Australia, and these burrows are likely to be affected by sheep grazing during the lizards’ hibernation. Aims The current study aimed to determine the following effects on the persistence of burrows suitable to the pygmy bluetongue lizard: different levels of grazing, winter vegetation cover, burrow entrance size and whether a lizard was overwintering in the burrow. Methods During two winters, we applied different grazing treatments to six experimental paddocks and determined whether suitable lizard burrows located in autumn were still suitable to lizards in the following spring. For each burrow, we recorded whether a lizard was overwintering, the burrow entrance diameter and the vegetation cover around the burrow during the winter. Key results Increased grazing pressure led to decreased persistence of lizard burrows. We also found that burrows with an overwintering lizard had a greater chance of persisting, but found no direct effect of winter vegetation cover or entrance diameter. Conclusions The results show that although pygmy bluetongue lizards may be able to stabilise their own burrows, the more intense the grazing the lower the chance of lizard burrow persistence. Implications Management of sheep grazing is an important component in future conservation of the endangered pygmy bluetongue lizard. Grazing on grassland with a lizard population should be kept at a moderate level and hard grazing should be avoided.

Within the spiny trapdoor spider genus Euoplos Rainbow exists a group of species from south-eastern Queensland that create unusual ‘palisade’ burrow entrances. Despite their intriguing burrows, the group was only recently circumscribed, and all species within it were undescribed. In this study, by undertaking a molecular phylogenetic analysis of two mitochondrial markers and seven nuclear markers, we confirm that the palisade trapdoor spiders, here formally named the ‘turrificus-group’, are monophyletic. We further recognise four species based on morphological, molecular and behavioural characters: E. crenatus, sp. nov., E. goomboorian, sp. nov., E. thynnearum, sp. nov. and E. turrificus, sp. nov. Morphological taxonomic data for each species are presented alongside information on their distribution, habitat preferences and burrow architecture. A key to species within the turrificus-group is also provided. The unusual burrow entrances of these spiders, which project out from the surrounding substrate, are found to exhibit structural autapomorphies, which allow species-level identification. Consequently, we include features of burrow architecture in our key and species diagnoses. This provides a non-intrusive method for distinguishing species in the field. Finally, we conclude that all species within the turrificus-group are likely to represent short-range endemic taxa. http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:F2E042DC-DA14-4751-A48B-A367ABC272D9

A new tracking system for the measurement of diel locomotor rhythms in the Norway lobster, Nephrops norvegicus (L.)

Hydrological effects of forest plantation clear-cut on water availability: Consequences for downstream water users

Dispersal is an important component in the demography of animal populations. Many animals show seasonal changes in their tendency to disperse, reflecting changes in resource availability, mating opportunities, or in population age structure at the time when new offspring enter the population. Understanding when and why dispersal occurs can be important for the management of endangered species. The pygmy bluetongue lizard is an endangered Australian species that occupies and defends single burrow refuges for extended periods of time, rarely moving far from the burrow entrance. However, previous pitfall trapping data have suggested movement of adult males in spring and of juveniles in autumn of each year. In the current study we compared behaviours of adult lizards each month, over the spring-summer activity period over two consecutive field seasons, to provide deeper understanding of the seasonal dispersal pattern. We released adult pygmy bluetongue lizards into a central area, provided with artificial burrows, within large enclosures, and monitored the behaviour and movements of the released lizards over a four day period. There was a consistent decline in time spent basking, amount of movement around burrow entrances, and rates of dispersal from the central release area from early spring to late summer. Results could be relevant to understanding and managing natural populations and for any translocation attempts of this endangered lizard species.

An experimental test of the multi-scalar impacts of digging mammal reintroductions on invertebrate burrows

The arbanitine spiny trapdoor spiders of the genus Cryptoforis Wilson, Rix & Raven, 2020 are revised, and 15 new species are described from eastern Australia: C. absona sp. nov., C. arenaria sp. nov., C. cairncross sp. nov., C. cassisi sp. nov., C. celata sp. nov., C. cooloola sp. nov, C. fallax sp. nov., C. grayi sp. nov., C. hickmani sp. nov., C. mainae sp. nov., C. montana sp. nov., C. monteithi sp. nov., C. woondum sp. nov., C. xenophila sp. nov., and C. zophera sp. nov. The type species, C. hughesae Wilson, Rix & Raven, 2020, and two other previously described species, C. tasmanica (Hickman, 1928) and C. victoriensis (Main, 1995), are re-described and re-diagnosed, and a key to all species in the genus is provided. Species of Cryptoforis are characterized by ‘wafer-door' burrow entrances; the cryptic nature of these burrows in the natural environment likely contributed to the relatively recent recognition of their widespread occurrence in mainland eastern Australia. One species, however, is an exception: C. fallax sp. nov. constructs a ‘palisade’ type burrow remarkably similar to those created by the turrificus-group in the sister-genus EuoplosRainbow, 1914. The subtropical region around the McPherson–Macleay overlap appears to be the center of diversity for Cryptoforis; however, given the cryptic nature of burrows, and the confinement of some known species to cool, high elevation habitats (which can be difficult to access and sample), we suggest that additional species likely remain undiscovered in parts of New South Wales and tropical northern Queensland.

The critically endangered northern hairy-nosed wombat (Lasiorhinus krefftii) currently exists at only two locations in Queensland. Management, research and monitoring of the species at the main Epping Forest National Park (Scientific) population has occurred over the last four decades using a variety of tools, with the most complete dataset being provided by burrow activity monitoring over that period. Following a series of trap-based surveys in the 1980s and 1990s, wombat monitoring has employed DNA profiling of hairs collected remotely on sticky tape set at burrow entrances (since 2000), and passive infrared (PIR) cameras (since 2011). These techniques have produced a wealth of new information on the species. Using this new information, we aim to: (1) summarise the available demographic data and present new estimates using novel techniques for L. krefftii at Epping Forest NP; and (2) characterise reproductive patterns and their relationship with environmental factors for L. krefftii at Epping Forest NP. We find an ongoing increase in the population size at Epping Forest National Park, supported by healthy levels of reproduction despite periods of poor environmental conditions, notwithstanding the finding that cumulative monthly rainfall six months prior to sampling influenced birth rates. This trend suggests that the population will likely reach carrying capacity in the near future. It is timely to harvest the population to provide founders to a new site to establish an additional population, which will also reduce the risk of extinction and help secure the future of the species.

内蒙古典型草原区狭颅田鼠集群数量与被捕食风险的关系

Armadillo burrows are important structures for shelter and reproduction, and may be used as a source of information in ecological studies. In regions where several species coexist, it is necessary to know if the burrow measures are useful for species identification. We investigated whether burrow entrance morphometry is useful for differentiating four armadillo species in the central Amazon and evaluated whether entrance size was related to site topography. We registered entrance height and width, and entrance tunnel angle for each burrow encountered in 61 plots. We estimated the elevation and mean declination of the terrain at each burrow site. We measured the entrances of 188 armadillo burrows. Mean entrance height was 19.15 ± 5.04 cm and mean width 22.76 ± 5.85 cm. These variables were positively correlated and therefore not useful to distinguish individual species. Burrow size was not related to site topography. Burrows with similar dimensions may be built by species of similar size or by ind...

The Ediacaran to Cambrian transition of the Digermul Peninsula consists of an ichnologically rich, thick, conformable, shallow marine siliciclastic succession that crosses the Neoproterozoic–Cambrian boundary. The Tanafjord section has been independently dated by published palynological and new body fossil discoveries. As is also observed at the current Global Stratotype Section and Point (GSSP) for the Ediacaran–Cambrian boundary at Fortune Head in Newfoundland, Canada, there is a marked increase in burrow size and inferred behavioural diversity around the inferred boundary level at a surface without a significant hiatus. The diversity of this trace fossil assemblage presents an opportunity to compare the ichnological first appearance datums between the GSSP and another sedimentologically similar, but palaeogeographically remote, succession. We found that the first appearance datums of taxa in Finnmark broadly support the definition and stratigraphic extents of the Harlaniella podolica , Treptichnus pedum, Rusophycus avalonensis and Cruziana tenella zones. Our work shows that there is a marked increase in ichnodiversity in the lowermost Fortunian, mostly in the form of shallow tier traces. The main post-Fortunian ichnological innovation is the evolution of bulk sediment deposit feeding that is first evidenced by spreiten burrows at around the base of Cambrian Stage 2 in both the GSSP and in the Tanafjord section. Supplementary material: Additional images of trace fossils from the studied section are available at https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.c.3462561

Early Middle Triassic trace fossils from the Luoping Biota, southwestern China: Evidence of recovery from mass extinction

The study was carried out in West Matogoro Catchment Area (WMCA) of Songea, Tanzania, to establish whether for the period between intercensal periods 1978-1988 and 1988-2002, and between 2002 and 2005 characteristics of human population of the area had changed in terms of size, age structure and sex composition. In case it did, then the study had to establish whether such changes may be used to explain the observed forest cover change that occurred in the area. Establishing whether the observed changes were proportionate was important in linking the relationship among factors at hand. The study partly tested the thesis by Liu and others which linked human population changes and their implications to the panda habitat [1]. The findings indicated existence of changes in human population characteristics for the period under review. Variations in terms of population size, age structure and sex composition were realized. While growth was measured by the total population and size of age group of the environmentally active population as identified by the study by Haule, sex composition was determined by sex ratios [2]. The environmentally active age group included males aged 20 to 44 and females aged 10 to 44, i.e. the key actors in felling trees for farm expansion and for firewood respectively. Geographic Information System (GIS) evidence indicated progressive forest cover deterioration. When compared, the changes in human population characteristics and those of the forest cover were noted to be un-proportional. Variations were in terms of increase in human population size and expansion of age group of the “actors” thus attributed to the augmenting deforestation. A positive relationship was demonstrated between population growth, expansion of age segment of the key actors and expanded deforestation. We reiterate that any sustainable measures to address the environmental issues should take into account changes in demographic characteristics of the in Situ population which forms the locus of the interface between population and environment. These factors signify the intensity and duration of the involved forces that characterize forest cover quality.