South Gippsland Research Articles

Survey of the Giant Gippsland Earthworm, Megascolides australis in areas potentially affected by a realignment of the South Gippsland Highway – Bena to Korumburra

Survey of the Giant Gippsland Earthworm, Megascolides australis in areas potentially affected by a realignment of the South Gippsland Highway – Bena to Korumburra

South Gippsland Glearnings

South Gippsland Glearnings

Conservation genetics of the koala (Phascolarctos cinereus): low mitochondrial DNA variation amongst southern Australian populations.

Koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) populations in southern Australia have a history of bottlenecks-earlier this century the species became extinct in South Australia, and almost so in Victoria. Subsequently large numbers of animals from island populations (founded from very few animals) have been translocated back to mainland sites and to other islands in the region. As part of a larger study of the genetic structure of koala populations in southern Australia, we have undertaken a survey of mitochondrial DNA restriction fragment length polymorphism (mtDNA-RFLP) variability. Genomic DNA from 91 koalas from five populations was examined using 23 restriction enzymes, and mtDNA fragments were detected using a domestic cat full-length mtDNA clone. Only one of the enzymes, TaqI, revealed polymorphism-a relatively low amount of variation compared with other mammals, although low mtDNA-RFLP variation has also been reported in Queensland koalas. French Island and populations established predominantly from French Island immigrant koalas, either directly or via other island populations, were indistinguishable by haplotype frequencies. The mtDNA data are thus consistent with the interpretation that the koala translocation programme has homogenized gene frequencies amongst those populations involved. South Gippsland is not recorded as having received translocated koalas directly, and has significantly different mtDNA-RFLP haplotype frequencies from all other populations examined. The fact that this distinction was not previously observed in nuclear gene frequencies may reflect predominantly male-mediated dispersal in koalas.

Nesting Requirements of the Yellow-Tailed Black-Cockatoo, Calyptorhynchus Funereus, in Eucalyptus Regnans Forest, and Implications for Forest Management.

The nesting requirements of the yellow-tailed black-cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus funereus) were studied at 68 sites in Eucalyptus regnans forest in the Strzelecki Ranges, South Gippsland, Victoria. Nest trees were located and their characteristics related to forest stand variables. Eighteen nest hollows were found. Nest trees had a mean diameter at breast height of 2.5 m, a mean estimated age of 221 years, a mean height of 58 m and for live nest trees a mean crown diameter of 22 m. The currently proposed rotation time for silvicultural systems of 80-150 years will reduce the number of hollow-bearing trees suitable for nesting yellow-tailed black-cockatoos. Adequate numbers of trees must be retained in logged areas and wildlife corridors and reserves, and protected to ensure a continual supply for yellow-tailed black-cockatoos and other hollow-dependent species. If agonistic behaviour is operating between female yellow-tailed black-cockatoos, nesting potential may be enhanced if trees retained on coupes are evenly distributed rather than clumped. Silvicultural systems that facilitate the protection of trees retained on coupes would benefit the conservation of the yellow-tailed black-cockatoo.

The biology and conservation of the giant gippsland earthworm MEGASCOLIDES AUSTRALIS mccoy, 1878

Megascolides australis McCoy, 1878 is one of the world's largest earthworms and is restricted to a small area in South Gippsland, Victoria, Australia. It is listed by the IUCN as “vulnerable”. Adult worms average ca 750 x 20 mm and weigh upto 381 g. Three developmental (presumably age) classes have been found in the field based on the structure of the clitellum; young worms (mean 33 g), subadults (mean 69 g) and adults (mean 210 g). Adults form the dominant age class of the population at all times of the year, having densities up to four times those of immatures. Reproductively active adults were recorded mainly from September to December. Egg cocoons occur singly at an average depth of 220 mm and a density of 1.6 m -3. Incubation period is at least 12 months. Egg cocoons are 40–70 mm x 10–15 mm in size with an average weight of 9g. Worm distribution is patchy. Systematic sampling in a 2 × (1 × 1) km grid revealed worms in only 6% of the quadrats sampled. Over 80% of the occupied quadrats were within 40 m of the banks of streams or among soaks on south facing slopes. Prospects for conservation of the worm are discussed within the known framework of the species biology.

Coastal Archaeology in South Gippsland

Over the past decade staff and students of the Department of Archaeology, La Trobe University, have undertaken a number of archaeological projects in Western Port and adjacent sections of the south Gippsland coast. Some of these have been set up as teaching exercises, some for cultural resource management and others primarily for basic research. In this paper we report on one part of this programme, within the broader context of Victorian coastal archaeology. Â

Effects of inter-planted wattles on the establishment of eucalypts planted on forest sites affected byPhytophthora cinnamomi

Summary The feasibility of using wattles as a nurse crop to reduce the impacts of Phytophthora cinnamomi on planted eucalypts was examined in two field experiments established on forest sites in South and East Gippsland severely affected by ‘dieback’. In the Mullungdung State Forest, South Gippsland, E. sieberi, a disease-sensitive species, was planted alone and in a mixture with each of four Acacia species. On a similar site in the Waygara State Forest, East Gippsland, E. sieberi and two tolerant species of eucalypt (E. botryoides and E. sideroxylon) were inter-planted with and without A. longifolia. Within three years of planting, about 50 and 60 per cent of the E sieberi at Mullungdung and Waygara respectively were dead, with most losses being recorded within the first six months. At Waygara, subsequent mortality was associated with periods of heavy rain during spring and summer. Losses among the disease-tolerant species were low. For each eucalypt species at each site, mean height growth was significantly greater when inter-planted with wattles. This response was also reflected in diameter growth at Mullungdung. Spot measurements of soil moisture after heavy rain at the Mullungdung site showed that the soils were considerably drier under the wattle canopy. At Waygara, a delay in the wetting cycle of the soil was also recorded in plots containing wattle. Defoliation of A botryoides due to psyllid infestation on the Waygara site was found to be significantly less when grown in association with A. longifolia. The nurse crops of wattles were unable to protect Phytophthora-susceplible eucalypts on disease-prone sites due to high early mortality. However, on the basis of the observed growth responses, inter-planting of wattles when establishing eucalypts on infertile sites is worthy of further examination.

Weed control techniques for the establishment of Eucalyptus regnans plantations on pasture sites

Summary Nine different herbicidal chemicals were applied in 36 different combinations of rate, time and application technique for the control of herbaceous weeds where Eucalyptus regnans (mountain ash) was being planted in South Gippsland. Knock-down and pre-emergence herbicides were applied alone and in mixture, pre—and post-planting, using strip spraying (controlled droplet application) and spot treatment (spotgun and rope-wick wiping) techniques. Twenty-one months after planting, several treatments gave significantly greater height growth than the manually weeded or untreated controls without substantially increased tree mortality. The cheapest, effective pre-planting treatments included amitrole+simazine (2+3 kg ha−1), amitrole+dalapon (2+5 kg ha−1) and glyphosate+simazine (1+3 kg ha−1). Two of the better post-planting treatments were propazine (6 kg ha−1), and propazine+propyzamide (1.5+1.5 kg ha−1), applied to predominantly bare soil. For pre—planting weed control, the study demonstrated the benefit...

Liver lesions in the common wombat associated with migrating Taenia hydatigena larvae

Four mature female wombats ( Vombatus ursinus) were experimentally infected per os with 10,000 viable eggs of Taenia hydatigena. One wombat was killed and examined on each of days 7, 14, 28 and 56 post-inoculation (PI). Subcapsular haemorrhagic and healing tracks were found in the livers on each day, and on day 56 PI a granuloma, probably a reaction to a degenerating larvae, was evident. There were no signs of further development in the peritoneal cavity and it was concluded that the wombat is probably an aberrant host for this cestode. Similar lesions in the livers of three of seven wombats examined in South Gippsland, Victoria suggested strongly that these had been caused by migrating T. hydatigena larvae.

Vertebrat fauna of South Gippsland, Victoria

Vertebrat fauna of South Gippsland, Victoria

A Hair Sampling Tube for the Detection of Small Mammals in Trees

Small baited tubes of pvc piping lined with a double-sided adhesive tape and attached to trees have been used successfully to detect the small mammals Antechinus stuartii and Petaurus breviceps in eucalypt forests of south Gippsland, Vic. The hair sampling technique has generally been more successful than trapping for the detection of A. stuartii and about as successful as spotlighting for the detection of P. breviceps. The suitability of the technique for detecting shy species such as Acrobates pygmaeus and Cercartetus nanus is at this stage uncertain.

Studies on the Mycorrhizae of Eucalyptus regnans F.muell

Eucalyptus regnans mycorrhizae vary from simple to coralloid forms, and their surfaces are commonly smooth or conspicuously enmeshed with external mycelium. At least 18 different basidiomycetes may be intimately associated with dense weft-type mycorrhizae; six agarics have been induced to form simple or diffuse mycorrhizae under sterile conditions. Individual mycorrhizae vary in form and colour with both age and the nature of the symbiont. In the field, mycorrhizae are longer-lived than uninfected lateral roots. The earliest stages of infection of new roots appear to occur via root hairs, and intracellular hyphae are produced. This is rapidly followed by the development of either ectendotrophic, ectotrophic or superficial mycorrhizae. Mycorrhizal development is enhanced by high light intensity, diminished by high levels of nitrogenous fertilizer, but apparently unaffected by high levels of phosphate. Experiments suggest that a transfer of carbon-14 takes place from the leaves to the mycorrhizal mantle. Inoculation of E. regnans by Mesophellia arenaria in relatively rich loams of south Gippsland improved the growth of E. regnans seedlings in both field and the glasshouse. The sterilization by gamma-rays of krasnozem topsoil from the forest improved the growth of E. regnans seedlings. Growth of seedlings was further enhanced by the inoculation of such soil with a mycorrhizal fungus (probably inocybe olivaceofulvus).

Changes in extractable sulpher and potassium levels in soil due to oven drying and storage

Appreciable increases in 'available' sulphur were noted for six soils from South Gippsland after oven drying at 40�C. Oven dried soils stored at room temperature or 3�C for periods of up to 12 months showed significant increases in sulphur extractable with calcium phosphate but not in sulphur levels extractable with charcoal plus calcium phosphate. Application of toluene as a bacteriostatic agent failed to stop increases in levels of sulphur extractable with calcium phosphate, although the magnitude of the increases was reduced. No significant increase of 'available' potassium due to oven drying was noted, and the period of storage had no noticeable effects on 'available' potassium levels. Therefore soil samples may be stored for periods of at least 12 months prior to analysis.

Potassium‐argon ages on the Cainozoic Volcanic rocks of Eastern Victoria, Australia

Abstract The Cainozoic volcanic rocks of eastern Victoria comprise most of the Older Volcanic Series. K‐Ar ages of volcanic rocks in South Gippsland range from middle Palaeocene to middle Eocene; the older ages are to the east. In the Eastern Highlands the majority of lavas are of late Eocene to middle Oligocene age, with some lavas of late Oligocene to Pliocene age. The Cainozoic volcanic activity in Victoria is thought to have been almost continuous since it started in the early Palaeocene, with peaks of activity from Palaeocene to Eocene and from Pliocene to Pleistocene. The uplift of the Eastern Highlands is thought to have taken place in three sub‐equal stages, starting in the middle Mesozoic. The last uplift is inferred to have begun some time after the Oligocene, and to have resulted in less than 300 m of uplift in the central and southern parts of the highlands, and negligible uplift in the northern. In the Oligocene the highlands had a relief of over 1000 m, and a drainage system similar to that ...

Damming the Flow: Cultural Barriers to Perceived ‘Procedural Justice’ in Wonthaggi, Victoria

Drier conditions in Australia have compelled governments to implement projects such as the desalination plant in the South Gippsland town of Wonthaggi. The desalination plant is still under construction, but South Gippsland is already host to wind turbines and marine protected areas, reflecting public pressure to develop renewable energy sources and conserve resources. However, all projects have been met with vocal opposition. Using the desalination project as a case study, this paper will address public concerns about a perceived lack of procedural justice in implementing such projects. Drawing on data from a pilot survey of 320 residents, we argue that procedural shortcomings of the project include inattention to past political disputes in the region and to the culturally entrenched sense of division between city and country. Attention to political and cultural histories is vital to the successful and ethical implementation of projects in regional areas.

The chemical composition of leucoxene in Cainozoic bauxite from Boolarra, Victoria

During a petrological examination of samples of bauxite from Boolarra, in south Gippsland, Victoria, it was noted that some specimens of the bauxite, which is largely derived from Tertiary olivine-basalt, contained numerous grains of yellow-brown to amber-yellow leucoxene. The leucoxene is clearly pseudo-morphous after ilmenite, residual particles of ilmenite being enclosed in many of the leucoxene grains. Most of the leucoxene grains are opaque, but occasional grains are translucent to transparent, though isotropic. Some of them show parallel markings suggestive of cleavage, but probably a residual structure from the replaced ilmenite. In view of the highly aluminous nature of the enclosing rock, there seemed some possibility that this mineral might be the little-known aluminium titanate, xanthitane. It was thought, therefore, that if a pure sample of the mineral could be prepared, a chemical analysis would establish its identity.

Dairying and Other Rural Industries

Fig. XI shows the present geographical distribution of the industry.1 In Queensland the farthest limit is on the Daintree River in Latitude 16? S., and its chief development is in the coastal districts near Brisbane and on the plateaus of the Darling Downs and the Atherton tableland. In New South Wales the most progressive district has been that of the Northern rivers, i.e., on the eastern slopes of the Dividing Range and in the northern half of the state, where numerous rivers have developed fairly level fertile valleys. Here again the summer is the season of greatest rainfall. Other areas of considerable importance are scattered along the south coast and in the neighbourhood of Sydney, and in these, rainfall is more evenly distributed through the year. In Victoria the two chief dairying districts are also between the mountains and the sea; the eastern one is South Gippsland whilst the basalt plain of the western district is a strong rival.

Notes on the Lyre-bird at Poowong, South Gippsland.

Notes on the Lyre-bird at Poowong, South Gippsland.

Notes on the birds seen around Inglenook, Merriman's Creek, South Gippsland

Notes on the birds seen around Inglenook, Merriman's Creek, South Gippsland