Queensland Coast Research Articles

Studies in Australian Tettigoniidae: Three New Species of Agraeciini FromNorth-eastern Australia Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae; Conocephalinae; Agraeciini.

Three agraeciine species are described from the north-eastern tropics of coastal Queensland. Two species of Austrosalomona are described. A. destructor sp. nov. is common from the Daintree region to Cairns where it has been seen to destroy orchids and other garden flowers. A. poecila has been found on coastal islands as well as at a few localities on the mainland north of Cairns. It has not been implicated in any destructive activities. Salomona nori sp. nov. is known from Kutini-Payamu (Iron Range) where it has been found living in tree holes. It is a large and formidable species that attracts the attention of tourists. Karyotypes and acoustic information are presented for all three species.

Serum antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum in southeast Queensland dugongs

AbstractThe dugong (Dugong dugon) is an herbivorous marine mammal that inhabits tropical inshore waters and thus may be vulnerable to pollutants and terrestrial pathogens as a result of coastal runoff. In this study, serum samples collected from live, wild dugongs (n = 114) in an embayment located on the urbanized southeast Queensland coast of Australia during 2008–2014, were measured for IgG antibody levels specific to Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum. An ELISA used to measure T. gondii tachyzoite antibodies indicated a non‐Gaussian distribution of antibody level, with five dugongs identified as high outliers. Mean levels of antibodies specific for T. gondii in dugongs sampled in 2014 were significantly higher than in 2010 (p = .006) and 2011 (p = .009) with an elevation in mean antibody levels after a major 2011 flood event relative to antibody levels prior to the flood (p < .0001). A competitive ELISA to detect N. caninum antibody indicated a normal distribution of antibody with no high outliers. Mean antibody level for N. caninum was highest in 2012 and declined significantly in 2014 (p = .004). This is the first survey of antibodies directed against T. gondii and N. caninum in dugongs and suggests future health monitoring of this species.

Revisiting Mackay Online

Revisiting Mackay Online

Symposium report: Great Barrier Reef restoration symposium, 2018

Ecological Management & RestorationVolume 20, Issue 2 p. 175-178 Conference Report Symposium report: Great Barrier Reef restoration symposium, 2018 Damien W. Burrows, Damien W. BurrowsSearch for more papers by this authorJemma Purandare, Jemma PurandareSearch for more papers by this authorLine Bay, Line BaySearch for more papers by this authorNathan Cook, Nathan CookSearch for more papers by this authorDanielle Koopman, Danielle KoopmanSearch for more papers by this authorSuzanne Long, Suzanne LongSearch for more papers by this authorPetra Lundgren, Petra LundgrenSearch for more papers by this authorDavid Mead, David MeadSearch for more papers by this authorSheriden Morris, Sheriden MorrisSearch for more papers by this authorMaxine Newlands, Maxine NewlandsSearch for more papers by this authorChristian Roth, Christian RothSearch for more papers by this authorDavid Wachenfeld, David WachenfeldSearch for more papers by this authorAdam K. Smith, Adam K. SmithSearch for more papers by this authorIan M. McLeod, Ian M. McLeodSearch for more papers by this author Damien W. Burrows, Damien W. BurrowsSearch for more papers by this authorJemma Purandare, Jemma PurandareSearch for more papers by this authorLine Bay, Line BaySearch for more papers by this authorNathan Cook, Nathan CookSearch for more papers by this authorDanielle Koopman, Danielle KoopmanSearch for more papers by this authorSuzanne Long, Suzanne LongSearch for more papers by this authorPetra Lundgren, Petra LundgrenSearch for more papers by this authorDavid Mead, David MeadSearch for more papers by this authorSheriden Morris, Sheriden MorrisSearch for more papers by this authorMaxine Newlands, Maxine NewlandsSearch for more papers by this authorChristian Roth, Christian RothSearch for more papers by this authorDavid Wachenfeld, David WachenfeldSearch for more papers by this authorAdam K. Smith, Adam K. SmithSearch for more papers by this authorIan M. McLeod, Ian M. McLeodSearch for more papers by this author First published: 22 May 2019 https://doi.org/10.1111/emr.12368Citations: 1Read the full textAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditWechat Citing Literature Volume20, Issue2May 2019Pages 175-178 RelatedInformation

Marine Heat Waves and the Influence of El Niño off Southeast Queensland, Australia

In this paper, we investigate the occurrence and spatial variability of marine heat waves (MHWs) off the southeast coast of Queensland, Australia. The focus is on identifying sea surface temperature (SST) variability in two key ecological hotspots located south of the Australian Great Barrier Reef. This coastal region is bordered in the east by the intensification zone of the East Australian Current (EAC). It includes Hervey Bay, which is part of a UNESCO declared marine biosphere and the Southeast Fraser Island Upwelling System. The analysis of remotely sensed SST for the period 1993 to 2016 identifies the largest number of MHW days for Hervey Bay with a mean length of 12 days. The maximum length of 64 days occurred during the austral summer 2005/2006. The years with the largest number of MHW days was found to occur following the El Nino events in 1998, 2010 and 2016. A cross-correlation and Empirical Orthogonal Function analysis identified a significant correlation with a time lag of seven months between SST anomalies in the Nino 3.4 region and the southeast Queensland coast. 78% of variance in SST anomalies is explained by the first mode of variability. The strength of the relationship with El Nino was spatially variable and the weakest in Hervey Bay. Due to its sheltered location and shallowness, it is argued that local weather patterns and air-sea fluxes influence this area more than the other two regions, where remotely forced changes in oceanic heat advection may have a stronger impact on generating MHWs. Biodiverse coastal shelf ecosystems are already under tremendous pressure due to human activities. This is likely to be compounded by continued climatic change and an increasing number of MHWs. Thus, similar studies are encouraged for other regional shelfs and smaller scale coastal systems.

Four recent ciguatera fish poisoning incidents in New South Wales, Australia linked to imported fish

Between 2015 and 2017, the NSW Food Authority investigated 4 ciguatera fish poisoning incidents linked to fish caught in tropical Australian and international waters and imported to New South Wales. Three of the implicated fish were caught near the Capel Bank Seamount, part of the Lord Howe Island Seamount Chain off the coast of Queensland. The fourth incident, in 2017, involved a fish caught between Cooktown and Lizard island, also off the Queensland coast. Thirteen individuals were affected. Early identification of potential Ciguatera fish poisoning (CFP) cases can facilitate a faster incident response, patient diagnosis and treatment. While different fish species were involved, and the severity and duration of symptoms varied between individuals, 3 of the 4 incidents were distinguished by those affected having consumed a fish meal prepared with the head of the fish. Affected individuals also described a sensation of hot/cold temperature reversal or a painful ‘sharpness’ when in contact with or drinking cold water. This paper outlines a series of incidents where a case’s symptoms, which can vary substantially in conjunction with their previous exposure history, the type of fish consumed and how the fish was cooked, can be used to identify potential CFP cases and hence CFP risks that may need to be addressed. Keywords: Ciguatera fish poisoning, ciguatoxins, seafood borne illness, New South Wales, Australia, Pacific ciguatoxin 1-B (P-CTX-1B).

The illustration of Retizafra intricata Hedley, 1912 (Gastropoda: Columbellidae) from the coastal central Queensland: Citizen Scientists and their role in systematic practice

Many Australian small molluscan taxa are often overlooked, falling by the wayside and therefore, and remaining relatively unknown to the wider collecting community. This paper redescribes and illustrates Retizafra intricata Hedley, 1912, a species that has not been illustrated within the literature for over a century. Many species are listed in databases, but they are often void of illustrative examples making positive identification problematic. Furthermore, this paper refines the syntypes and declares a lectotype to give greater taxonomic clarity. Within the discussion of this paper, the role of the citizen scientist is elucidated. Issues of how attitudinal change within some institutions can lead to the alienation of individuals, particularly those with life-long knowledge in their chosen field.

New Macrofossils of the Australian Cycad Bowenia and Their Significance in Reconstructing the Past Morphological Range of the Genus

Premise of research. This study describes a new fossil species of Bowenia and reconsiders known fossil species and their evolutionary significance.Methodology. The fossils we describe here were collected for this study or were available from previous collections made over several decades. The fossils were identified by direct comparisons with extant and fossil species.Pivotal results. A reexamination of known and newly discovered Bowenia macrofossils confirms the presence of at least three fossil species in Australia. A new species, Bowenia johnsonii, is described from the southernmost location, the Early Eocene Lowana Road site in southwest Tasmania. When compared with the two extant species, the three fossil species demonstrate two distinct pinnule morphologies: relatively small with distinct serrations in Bowenia eocenica and Bowenia papillosa and larger pinnules with minute serrations in B. johnsonii. When considered together, the stomata of the extant species are denser and larger than those of the fossil taxa.Conclusions. The cycad genus Bowenia has a restricted extant distribution along the east coast of Queensland but is known more widely within Australia from fossils. The fossil record of Bowenia is important in documenting the past distribution of this genus, and aspects of its pinnule morphology provide insights into its environmental interactions. The possible relationship of the fossil Bowenia species with the Aptian Argentinian genus Eobowenia is considered, along with some fragmentary Australian fossils of probable Bowenia.

Black Falcons Falco subniger breeding near Mackay in coastal Queensland

The breeding of 1–2 pairs of Black Falcons Falco subniger in central-coastal Queensland was observed in 2015 and more extensively in 2017. After disturbance to one site in late 2015 resulting in the Falcons leaving that area, two pairs nested 700 m apart at another site in 2017, one pair raising four fledglings and the other raising three. One female was strongly defensive of nestlings and fledglings, swooping and calling at observers on the ground below. Both adult males had a pale forehead and face, and one juvenile from each brood also had pale ear-coverts. Some aspects of breeding biology and behaviour are described. From pellets and pellet fragments ( n = 51, including 46 whole pellets) and orts ( n = 8 prey animals), collectively representing at least 19 prey animals, the Falcons’ breeding diet consisted of mammals (63% by number, mainly rodents) and birds (37%), with mammals contributing perhaps two-thirds of prey biomass. One pair reoccupied and copulated at one of the 2017 nest-sites in July 2018, but the other pair was not detected near its 2017 nest, and no further breeding activity at either nest was observed up to September 2018.

Nest-site selection by Eastern Osprey Pandion haliaetus cristatus in coastal south-eastern Queensland

Ospreys Pandion sp. are found worldwide, and are well known for nesting on anthropogenic structures, especially in highly developed urban coastal areas. In Australia, Eastern Ospreys P. haliaetus cristatus often nest on a variety of artificial structures, although little study has yet been conducted on this behaviour, particularly in rapidly urbanising areas such as south-eastern Queensland. We investigated the characteristics of Eastern Osprey nest-sites while surveying ~200 km of coastline by boat. Two areas with contrasting urbanisation levels were inspected: the highly urbanised coastline fringing the Moreton Bay Marine Park (MBMP), and the less-developed coastal area within the Great Sandy Marine Park (GSMP). Nests in both areas had similar levels of exposure and aspect. In MBMP, significantly more nests were found on artificial structures, such as communications towers and navigation beacons, than in GSMP. The selection of these artificial structures potentially increases the risk of harm to the birds and may affect the functioning of the devices, with possible implications for human safety. With increasing human populations in south-eastern Queensland, the provision of alternative nesting options, such as strategically placed platforms, needs to be considered to ensure the continued breeding success of Ospreys in the region and to minimise conflict with humans.

From carrion to Christmas beetles: the broad dietary niche of the red fox in a hybrid coastal ecosystem in south-eastern Queensland

The diet of the European red fox (Vulpes vulpes) was investigated through analysis of 1185 scats collected between 2010 and 2014 from coastal south-east Queensland, Australia. By both frequency of occurrence and volume, its diet was dominated by terrestrial arthropods, marine arthropods, vegetation and birds, although the remains of the short-tailed shearwater (Ardenna tenuirostris) consumed as carrion dominated the latter. Terrestrial arthropods, primarily insects of the order Coleoptera, were eaten all year (61% frequency of occurrence, FO) but varied seasonally (35–67%FO), mostly due to the consumption of large numbers of Christmas beetles (Anoplognathus spp.) in the summer months. Marine arthropods consisted almost entirely of ghost crabs (Ocypode spp.) and seasonal variation in consumption was evident (33–72%FO) and likely correlated with ghost crab abundance. Fruit and berries were an important food item for foxes all year but also varied seasonally (30–65%FO). The opportunistic diet of this fox population is discussed in the context of dietary differences, but common opportunism, reported in other Australian and overseas studies.

Developing impact-based thresholds for coastal inundation from tide gauge observations

This study presents the first assessment of the observed frequency of the impacts of high sea levels at locations along Australia’s northern coastline. We used a new methodology to systematically define impact-based thresholds for coastal tide gauges, utilising reports of coastal inundation from diverse sources. This method permitted a holistic consideration of impact-producing relative sea-level extremes without attributing physical causes. Impact-based thresholds may also provide a basis for the development of meaningful coastal flood warnings, forecasts and monitoring in the future. These services will become increasingly important as sea-level rise continues.The frequency of high sea-level events leading to coastal flooding increased at all 21 locations where impact-based thresholds were defined. Although we did not undertake a formal attribution, this increase was consistent with the well-documented rise in global sea levels. Notably, tide gauges from the south coast of Queensland showed that frequent coastal inundation was already occurring. At Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast, impact-based thresholds were being exceeded on average 21.6 and 24.3 h per year respectively. In the case of Brisbane, the number of hours of inundation annually has increased fourfold since 1977.

To pupate or not to pupate: a case study of an obligate pollination mutualism in Glochidion ferdinandi (Phyllanthaceae) and Epicephala colymbetella (Gracillariidae)

Obligate pollination mutualisms have recently been recorded in the Glochidion genus with Epicephala moth associates (leaf-flower and leaf-flower moths). There is limited literature on Australian Glochidion species and their pollinators. Glochidion ferdinandi occurs predominantly across the east coast of Queensland, Australia and has an obligate pollination association with Epicephala colymbetella. Early descriptions of G. ferdinandi describe the encapsulation of the adult moth within the fruit. In the present study, observations and fruit dissections were recorded to analyse the role of symbionts within this mutualism, pollinator life history and the flowering phenology of the host. Our study confirmed this rare behaviour in which E. colymbetella pupated within G. ferdinandi fruit in which adult moths were retained until fruit dehiscence. Fruit dissections identified two other species alongside E. colymbetella, a seed consuming Spilomelinae moth and parasitoid Bracon wasp. Although both moth species were found to reduce the number of surviving ovules in the fruit, E. colymbetella also provided a pollination benefit to G. ferdinandi. Furthermore, the life histories of E. colymbetella and phenology of G. ferdinandi were observed to be highly synchronous, with larvae developing concurrently with ovules after flower fertilisation. Retention of the adult moth in fruit has only previously been recorded in one other Epicephala (lanceolaria).

Australia's unconventional future: where next?

Eastern Australia is now reliant on coal-seam gas (CSG) for its domestic gas supply; in 2018, it accounted for two-thirds of total eastern coast gas production. Australia has seen a rapid transition from relying on ‘conventional’ resources to relying on ‘unconventional’ gas supply. As legacy conventional supply sources mature and decline, exploration has been insufficient to keep up with market demand. This has created the opportunity for Australia’s vast CSG resources to fill the gap. But the development of CSG has been neither easy nor straightforward. And the costly requirement to drill hundreds, if not thousands, of wells in every single development has driven up the cost of supply. Most CSG reserves will be produced for the Pacific Basin LNG market via the three LNG projects on the east coast of Queensland. However, it is the resources beyond these LNG projects that will need to be developed, so as to ensure future supply to the east coast gas market. It is these other resources, both CSG and shale, that we evaluated to gain a picture of future gas supplies and costs. Our indicative economics showed that alternative CSG resources and Beetaloo shale both have high well-head break-even costs. In addition, the infrastructure required to get them to market will be expensive. The high costs, coupled with the demand from the LNG plants of Gladstone leads us to conclude that eastern-coast gas prices are likely to remain closely linked to global LNG prices for the foreseeable future.

PCDD/F and PCB levels in different tissues from dugongs (Dugong dugon) inhabiting the Queensland coastline

Previous studies on PCDD/Fs and PCBs in dugong (Dugong dugon) blubber reported unexpectedly elevated TEQ levels. This study analysed archived blubber, muscle, liver and faeces obtained from dugongs from two areas along the Queensland coast. All samples showed detectable levels of PCDDs and PCBs, while PCDFs were consistently near or below LOQ. PCDD levels in dugongs contributed to a large proportion (<95%) of sum TEQ levels in all tissues (blubber: 6.7–38 pg g−1 lw, muscle: 5.7–96 pg g−1 lw, liver: 3.3–42 pg g−1 lw, faeces: 203 pg g−1 lw). Liver/blubber tissue ratios show that PCDDs are preferentially accumulated in the liver with higher degree of chlorination. The same trend was not so obvious with PCBs, which occasionally showed higher hepatic sequestration of lower chlorinated PCBs such as PCBs 28 and 77. PCDD congeners were dominated by OCDD which is similar to the profiles from the dugongs' food source, namely sediment and seagrass.

A Social-Psychological Process of “Fear of Crime” for Men and Women: Revisiting Gender Differences from a New Perspective

ABSTRACTPrior research has identified gender as a significant predictor of crime fear. Specifically, women are typically more fearful of crime than men, despite being relatively less likely to be victimized. The current study examines different ways men and women may think about crime and victimization within their neighborhoods, using contemporary social-psychological models of victimization worry. Data were collected from a sample of community residents (N = 713) living on the Gold Coast of Queensland, Australia. Results suggest that men’s and women’s fear of crime and perceptions of victimization threat are dependent on crime type and can be represented by a number of relationships among different social-psychological dimensions of victimization worry. The study concludes with practical implications for researchers seeking to examine the complex associations between gender and fear of crime.

Integrated chemical exposure assessment of coastal green turtle foraging grounds on the Great Barrier Reef

The Great Barrier Reef receives run-off from 424,000 km2 catchment area across coastal Queensland, incorporating diffuse agricultural run-off, and run-off point sources of land-based chemical pollutants from urban and industrial development. Marine biota, such as green turtles (Chelonia mydas), are exposed to these diverse chemical mixtures in their natural environments, and the long term effects on turtle and ecosystem health remain unknown. This study was part of a larger multi-disciplinary project characterising anthropogenic chemical exposures from the marine environment and turtle health. The aim of this study was to screen for a wide range of anthropogenic chemical pollutants present in the external and internal environment of green turtles, using a combination of traditional targeted chemical analyses, non-target suspect screening, and effect-based bioassay methods, while employing a case-control study design. A combination of passive (water) and grab (water, sediment) samples were investigated. Three known green turtle foraging sites were selected for sampling: two coastal ‘case’ sites influenced primarily by urban/industrial and agricultural activities, respectively; and a remote, offshore ‘control’ site. Water and sediment samples from each of the three sampling locations showed differences in chemical pollutant profiles that reflected the dominant land uses in the adjacent catchment. Targeted mass spectrometric analysis for a range of pesticides, industrial chemicals, pharmaceuticals and personal care products found the greatest detection frequency and highest concentrations in coastal samples, compared to the control. Non-target screening analysis of water showed clear differentiation in chemical profile of the urban/industrial site. In-vitro assays of sediment samples from the control site had lowest induction, compared to coastal locations, as expected. Here we present evidence that turtles foraging in coastal areas are exposed to a range of anthropogenic pollutants derived from the adjacent coastal catchment areas.

Extreme water levels, waves and coastal impacts during a severe tropical cyclone in northeastern Australia: a case study for cross-sector data sharing

Abstract. Severe tropical cyclone (TC) Debbie made landfall on the northern Queensland coast of Australia on 27 March 2017 after crossing the Great Barrier Reef as a slow-moving Category 4 system. Groups from industry, government and academia collected coastal hazard and impact data before, during and after the event and shared these data to produce a holistic picture of TC Debbie at the coast. Results showed the still water level exceeded the highest astronomical tide by almost a metre. Waves added a further 16 % to water levels along the open coast, and were probably unprecedented for this area since monitoring began. In most places, coastal barriers were not breached and as a result there was net offshore sand transport. If landfall had occurred 2 h earlier with the high tide, widespread inundation and overwash would have ensued. This paper provides a case study of effective cross-sector data sharing in a natural hazard context. It advocates for a shared information platform for coastal extremes in Australia to help improve the understanding and prediction of TC-related coastal hazards in the future.

Reduced growth performance of Black Tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon) infected with infectious hypodermal and hematopoietic necrosis virus

In Australia, Infectious hypodermal and hematopoietic necrosis virus (IHHNV) occurs endemically in Black tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon) and has been detected at high prevalence in farmed shrimp. Here we examined the role of high IHHNV infection prevalence and loads in reduced growth and survival in P. monodon reared under commercial conditions in 0.16 ha research ponds. TaqMan real-time quantitative (q)PCR testing of wild broodstock from the East Coast of Queensland identified lower and higher IHHNV infection loads among females used to generate 2 cohorts of progeny. Tracking of IHHNV loads in eggs and juveniles sampled progressively over grow-out identified these to be substantially higher and to increase more rapidly in 2 ponds stocked with a batch of postlarvae (PL) pooled from 3 females with high-level IHHNV infection at the time they spawned compared to 2 neighbouring ponds stocked with PL pooled from 4 females, of which only 1 possessed IHHNV at a relatively high load. From 120 days of culture (DOC) onwards, the growth performance in the IHHNV-high ponds began to progressively reduce compared to that in the IHHNV-low ponds. When harvested over 2 weeks starting at 155 DOC, the averaged harvest yield of the 2 IHHNV-high ponds was the equivalent of 3.72 t/ha lower than the 2 IHHNV-low ponds, and estimated survival was also markedly lower (79.5–84.5% compared to 95.9–99.8%). As real-time qPCR testing identified no involvement of either Gill-associated virus (GAV) or Yellow head virus genotype 7 (YHV7), other viruses known to cause such production losses in Australia, the data support a sustained high IHHNV infection burden as the primary contributor to the reduced growth and survival. Using a basic extrapolation of yield, stocking low-level IHHNV PL has resulted in an increase of farm gate value of $67,000 per hectare compared to stocking high-level IHHNV PL. Among other problems such as severe shell deformities that acute IHHNV infection has recently been identified to cause in locally-farmed P. monodon, the potential impacts on growth and survival identified here reinforce the value in screening-based selection of IHHNV-free/low broodstock for use in hatcheries and in breeding programs employing specific pathogen-free stocks, and strategies to select for IHHNV resistance/tolerance.

Two species of Neometadena Hafeezullah & Siddiqi, 1970 (Digenea: Cryptogonimidae) from Moreton Bay, Australia, including the description of Neometadena paucispina n. sp. from Australian Lutjanidae.

A survey of the trematode fauna of lutjanid fishes off the east coast of Queensland (QLD), Australia revealed the presence of two species of Neometadena Hafeezullah & Siddiqi, 1970 (Digenea: Cryptogonimidae). Neometadena paucispina n. sp. is described from the intestine and pyloric caeca of Lutjanus fulviflamma (Forsskål) and L. russellii (Bleeker) from Moreton Bay, in southeast QLD. Specimens of the type- and only other species, N. ovata (Yamaguti, 1952) Miller & Cribb, 2008, were recovered from L. carponotatus (Richardson), L. fulviflamma, L. fulvus (Forster), L. russellii, and L. vitta (Quoy & Gaimard) off Lizard Island, on the northern Great Barrier Reef (GBR). Neometadena paucispina is distinguished from N. ovata in having fewer oral spines (55-65 vs 67-80). Alignment of novel molecular data for these two taxa revealed that they differ consistently by 13 nucleotides (1.5%) over the partial large subunit (LSU), 34 nucleotides (6.6%) over the internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1), 0 nucleotides over the 5.8S, and 21 nucleotides (7.3%) over the ITS2 rDNA regions. Despite relatively large samples of L. carponotatus, L. fulviflamma and L. russellii from three distinct locations along the east coast of QLD (i.e. Moreton Bay in the south, Heron Island in central QLD and Lizard Island in northern QLD), these two species have been found at only one site each with neither species at Heron Island. These distributions are discussed in the context of the wide distribution of other cryptogonomid species in the same hosts elsewhere in the Indo-West Pacific.