Australian Origin Research Articles

Growth and Differential Frost-Resistance of Topoclinal Forms of Eucalyptus fastigata D.&M. Planted in South Africa

SUMMARY Three provenances of topoclinal forms of cut-tail (E. fastigata D.&M.) from 2,400 ft, 3,500 ft and 3,800 ft were tested in plantations in Natal and the Transvaal. Several trends in behaviour in South Africa in relation to Australian origin were disclosed. The higher-altitude provenances showed a relatively higher mortality in establishment than that from the lowest altitude. There was a disinctly slower rate of growth with increasing altitude of origin, and the highest altitude provenance showed generally more capacity to resist frost and cold winds. This last conclusion was based on results from the first winter, and was not repeated in the second. Presumably, this was because growth in the faster-growing provenances had taken the tender, frost-susceptible tips to a level above ground beyond which radiation frost in the second winter could damage them. The analysis of results was considerably complicated by position effects in the plots due to minor differences in topography and also to the nature of the surrounds, particularly as to whether there were stands of other species adjoining the test plots which could cause pools of cold air. In the trial, major volume differences were disclosed at a very early age among the different provenances, the largest, that from the lowest altitude, being 75 per cent higher than the smallest. While extensive testing from many more Australian sources, including different latitudinal provenances, would be necessary to evaluate the position thoroughly, the possible gains in growth in South Africa by the use of particular provenances for specific localities seem considerable.

Resistance of seedlings of Nicotiana species to Peronospora tabacina Adam

Seedlings of Nicotiana species of Australian and American origin were tested for resistance to an Australian strain of P. tabacina. American species were less resistant than Australian species and differences in 12 results of similar tests in both countries could have been due to differences in the pathogen or in the seed lines tested. The data suggest that the pathogen would have difficult in surviving on the highly resistant Australian species of Nicotiana in their natural arid habitat. Field observations have shown that survival occurs on the introduced susceptible species N. tabacum and N. glauca.

Notes and New Records of Exotic Ants Introduced Into New Zealand

Since the recent publication of W. L. Brown's Keview of the Ants of New (1958), three additional exotic formicids have been recorded from this country. These are: Ponera leap Fore1 (Taylor, 1960), Pheidole yarrensis Fore1 (Cumber, 1959) and Ir idomyrmex darwinianus (Forel) (Taylor, 1959) : all of Australian origin. The two former species are of special interest as their distributions appear to be restricted to the Bay of Islands area. Ponera leae is known only from the immediate vicinity of Paihia. where it has been collected in Berlese funnel samples of leaf mould. Pheidole yarrensis is present also at Paihia (Cumber, 1959) and has been taken at Haruru Falls (February 4, 1'959: R. 14'. Taylor) and Kerikeri (January 17. 1956; K. A. J. Wise) : Cumber recalled having seen this species at Kaikohe some years ago. These distribution patterns may indicate that the ants concerned have been derived from propagules introduced directly into the Bay of Islands district by man. Neither of these species is a regular associate of human settlements or commodities, and the highly cryptobiotic P. leae in particular would seem unlikely to be carried on normal cargoes. I t is probable that both forms were introduced in soil ballast during the early days of European settlement, when Bay of Islands ports were important trade termini. Further search in Northland could well expose other similar elements in the ant fauna. Ir idomyrmex darwinianus, on the other hand, represents one of the many ant species which have reached New Zealand on more recent cargoes, notably on Australian timber, or other stocks in trade (especially fruit and vegetables) from elsewhere. In the following paper a number of species are discussed, most of which are probably also recent introductions. Six of these ants are recorded from New Zealand for the first time. An attempt is made to assess the pest potential of these species, and in some cases their possible modes of entry into the country are discussed. The interception records cited in this respect have been gathered as part of an associated study based on the known records of apprehension of exotic ants at New Zealand ports; a summary of this work is in the final stages of preparation. A large part of the material discussed below was collected by the author. Many records have been derived from the collections of the Plant Diseases Division, Auckland : the N.Z. Plant Quarantine

Estimates of Cortical Differentiation in Normal and "Doggy" Merino Wools

Ahmad and Lang (1957) reported a comparison of ortho- and para cortical proportions in normal and "doggy" Merino wools. The doggy samples had been selected by wool appraisers in several Australian States as characteristic examples of wools regarded in their States as markedly doggy. The normal wools with which they were compared were well-crimped wools of Australian origin, not necessarily from the same source as the doggy wools.

On the carbon-13 abundance of limestones and coals

The carbon isotopic compositions of about one hundred specimens of limestones and coals of Australian origin have been determined. Various depoaitional, diagenetic, and post-depositional processes which may have produced the carbon isotopic composition of the specimens are discussed. It has been shown that the observed variations in isotopic composition are not due entirely to varying depositional environments in the case of the limestones, and possibly not due entirely to differing original plant biotopes in the case of the coals. Such anomalous variations can be attributed only to changes in the isotopic composition of the hydrosphere and atmosphere from one time to another. It is suggested that the fundamental causes for these variations are the periodic diastrophisms which change the balance of the carbon cycle in the lithosphere. This would imply a definite “age-affect.”

Observations on the geochemistry of indium

Spectrographic observations are recorded on the occurrence of indium in sulphide minerals, largely of Australian origin, with a view to determining 1. (a) how traces of indium have been partitioned between primary sulphides; 2. (b) the influence of temperature etc. in partition equilibria; 3. (c) the subsequent behaviour of indium in unmixing processes and secondary mineral formation. Comparison of minerals from the same sources shows indium to be absent or low in primary iron sulphides, chalcopyrites etc., but preferentially incorporated in blende and, in lesser degree, galena. In minerals of thio-salt type, indium may be highly enriched in enargite and stannite, but virtually absent from tetrahedrite. In any one mineral field, indium is present in higher concentration in blendes or galenas deposited at higher temperatures. Except for galena, minerals preferentially incorporating indium as sulphides are based on tetrahedral coordination. The selectivity exhibited, and the fate of indium in ex-solution processes, are considered in the light of the structure of indium sulphide and the constitution of quasi-metallic sulphides. The association of indium with tin in cassiterites from Tasmania and New South Wales is considered. Recorded concentrations give some evidence of geochemical zoning.

Catalogue of the Cerambycidae (Coleoptera) of Australia

The accompanying Catalogue of the Cerambycidae is the first, dealing solely with Australian genera and species, to be published since that of Pascoe in 1867. Masters' Catalogue of the Described Coleoptera of Australia, 1885–1887, included the Cerambycidae, and was based on the work of Gemminger and Harold. A new catalogue has been badly needed owing to the large number of new species described in recent years, and the changes in the already complicated synonymy. The Junk catalogue, covering the Coleoptera of the world, is defective in many respects, as well as being too unwieldy, and too costly for the average Australian worker. Many of the references in the Junk catalogue are inaccurate, synonymy misleading, and the genera under which the species were originally described omitted, and type localities are not quoted. In this catalogue every care has been taken to ensure accuracy, and the fact that it has been used, in slip form, over a number of years as a working list has been invaluable in detecting and correcting errors. Several features not previously to be found in any catalogue have been included. The genotype has been determined in each instance, recorded localities have been included, as well as the range of the genera, and the genera under which the species were originally described. Other references not hitherto included are those referring to geographical distribution of species, and on economic questions, as also are the recorded food-plants. In view of the economic importance of the Cerambycidae in forestry, the value of the latter cannot be too strongly stressed. Species doubtfully of Australian origin, or of which the validity is questionable, have been retained in the list, and are enclosed in square brackets, for the convenience of workers. I am indebted to the late Dr. Walther Horn for considerable advice and assistance regarding the location of types—another feature not hitherto included in a catalogue.

Australian Origin of Red Rain in New Zealand

WE have recently had two striking examples of the manner in which the influence of a continent may extend, in ways which might easily be overlooked, to enormous distances round about it. It is well known that in dry years large quantities of smoke from bush fires in Australia are carried by the south-east monsoon over the East Indian Archipelago. On Oct. 25 and 26, 1929, however, dense haze, which can have had none other than an Australian origin, was seen at the Island of Niue in lat. 19° S., long. 170° W., 2300 miles distant from Australia. The meteorological observer, Mr. J. P. McMahon-Box, reports that “A strange smoky haze enveloped the whole Island on the 25th and 26th. It came up about midnight on the 24th to 25th, apparently from the south-west, in which direction it was densest. Visibility was very poor indeed.… It disappeared during the night of the 26th to 27th.… We experienced a couple of thunderstorms during the period of the haze.”

Australian Origin of Red Rain in New Zealand

THE sample of red rain dust collected at Ben Lomond, near Queenstown in southern New Zealand, by Dr. Kidson, which the Editor has kindly sent me for inspection, agrees in its microscopic characters with falls previously described. It contains some coarse quartz grains, doubtless of local origin, but the bulk is a fine clay and silt such as is common on the dry lake beds of the interior of Australia; it contains some diatoms and shreds of algae, which look like those that grow in the pools in such localities.

Monograph of the Sea Snadles (Hydrophiidœ)

THIS work in its scope and arrangement follows the lines of the British Museum Catalogues; the greater part of the text is purely systematic in nature, but the author's views on the relationships of the group and some notes on habits are included in the introduction. The list of references under each specific heading is not supposed to be exhaustive, but an attempt has been made to include all those of any importance from which the student may obtain any additional information he may require. The book will be welcomed by all systematic herpetologists as the first complete account of the Sea-snakes since the publication of Boulenger's “Catalogue of Snakes” (1896); based on the largest collection of these animals that has yet been brought together, the author's views carry weight and conviction. The most important proposed change is the recognition of two sub-families, the Laticaudinse of Australian origin aild the Hydrophiinæ of Lido-Malayan seas; these two sub-families are established chiefly on osteological features of the skull and are regarded as two separate evolutionary lines. The author's conception of the genera agrees closely with that of Boulenger, but he finds that many of the species recognised by the latter are untenable; the names used are for the first time brought into line with the International Rules of Zoological Nomenclature.

Receiving Houses

The use of Receiving Houses, that is to say, houses established specially for the observation of doubtful cases of mental disorder, is almost entirely of Australian origin, although something analogous exists, and has existed for many years in England and Scotland, in the Lunacy Wards attached to the Workhouses, Infirmaries, and Poor Houses. The latter, however, do not fulfil all the uses that the Receiving House can be put to; neither are they independent institutions, nor do the terms for which patients can be received correspond.