Thylogale Stigmatica Research Articles

Mammalian Diet and Broad Hunting Strategy of the Dingo (Canis familiaris dingo) in the Wet Tropical Rain Forests of Northeastern Australia1

ABSTRACTThe diet of dingoes (Canis familiaris dingo) in the Australian Wet Tropics was examined by analyzing 383 dingo scats collected throughout the region for the presence of mammal prey remains. The scats yielded 29 native and 4 introduced mammal prey species from 14 families. The most important species in terms of percentage occurrence in the scats were Melomys cervinipes (22.2%), hoodon macrourus (17.0%), Perameles nasuta (12.5%), and Thylogale stigmatica (12.5%). The most important families were Muridae (37.1%), Peramelidae (29.5%), and Macropodidae (25.8%). Examination of small‐scale habitat preferences revealed species that preferentially use the forest edge ranked significantly higher in the diet than those that do not, and species that are terrestrial ranked higher in the diet than those that are arboreal. Relative abundance was also a significant factor in the ranked dietary occurrence of each species, with abundant species ranked significantly higher than those that are less abundant. These results suggest that dingoes in the Australian Wet Tropics are opportunistic predators of a wide variety of mammal species, with abundant terrestrial and forest edge‐dwelling taxa the most susceptible to predation.

Mammalian Diet and Broad Hunting Strategy of the Dingo (Canis familiaris dingo) in the Wet Tropical Rain Forests of Northeastern Australia1

The diet of dingoes (Canis familiaris dingo) in the Australian Wet Tropics was examined by analyzing 383 dingo scats collected throughout the region for the presence of mammal prey remains. The scats yielded 29 native and 4 introduced mammal prey species from 14 families. The most important species in terms of percentage occurrence in the scats were Melomys cervinipes (22.2%), Isoodon macrourus (17.0%), Perameles nasuta (12.5%), and Thylogale stigmatica (12.5%). The most important families were Muridae (37.1%), Peramelidae (29.5%), and Macropodidae (25.8%). Examination of small-scale habitat preferences revealed species that preferentially use the forest edge ranked significantly higher in the diet than those that do not, and species that are terrestrial ranked higher in the diet than those that are arboreal. Relative abundance was also a significant factor in the ranked dietary occurrence of each species, with abundant species ranked significantly higher than those that are less abundant. These results suggest that dingoes in the Australian Wet Tropics are opportunistic predators of a wide variety of mammal species, with abundant terrestrial and forest edge-dwelling taxa the most susceptible to predation.

Helminth communities of pademelons, Thylogale stigmatica and T. thetis from eastern Australia and Papua New Guinea.

Gastrointestinal helminths were collected from pademelons of the genus Thylogale (Marsupialia: Macropodidae) in eastern Australia and Papua New Guinea. Examined were 12 Thylogale stigmatica stigmatica and 13 T. s. wilcoxi, the latter subdivided into eight specimens from the northern limit of their distribution and five from southern areas, all from eastern Queensland, Australia, one T. s. oriomo from Papua New Guinea and ten T. thetis from southeastern Queensland and northern New South Wales, Australia. Six species of cestodes and 40 species of nematodes were found. The helminth community of T. s. stigmatica was similar to that found in northern specimens of T. s. wilcoxi, while differences from the helminth community present in southern T. s. wilcoxi could be accounted for by parasites acquired from sympatric T. thetis. Thylogale thetis harboured a community of helminths distinct from but related to that in T. stigmatica. The evidence suggests that all subspecies of T. stigmatica examined share a common helminth community, but that in areas of sympatry, T. stigmatica and T. thetis share some of their parasites.

Helminth communities of pademelons, Thylogale stigmatica and T. thetis from eastern Australia and Papua New Guinea

AbstractGastrointestinal helminths were collected from pademelons of the genus Thylogale (Marsupialia: Macropodidae) in eastern Australia and Papua New Guinea. Examined were 12 Thylogale stigmatica stigmatica and 13 T. s. wilcoxi, the latter subdivided into eight specimens from the northern limit of their distribution and five from southern areas, all from eastern Queensland, Australia, one T. s. oriomo from Papua New Guinea and ten T. thetis from southeastern Queensland and northern New South Wales, Australia. Six species of cestodes and 40 species of nematodes were found. The helminth community of T. s. stigmatica was similar to that found in northern specimens of T. s. wilcoxi, while differences from the helminth community present in southern T. s. wilcoxi could be accounted for by parasites acquired from sympatric T. thetis. Thylogale thetis harboured a community of helminths distinct from but related to that in T. stigmatica. The evidence suggests that all subspecies of T. stigmatica examined share a common helminth community, but that in areas of sympatry, T. stigmatica and T. thetis share some of their parasites.

Dispersal of Spores of Mycorrhizal Fungi in Scats of Native Mammals in Tropical Forests of Northeastern Australia

ABSTRACTOne hundred and thirty‐eight scat (faecal) samples from 17 mammal species native to forests of northeastern Queensland were examined for the presence of spores of both ectomycorrhizal and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. Spores of mycorrhizal fungi were found in 57 percent of scat samples representing 12 animal species (Aepyprymnus rufescens, Antechinus godmani, Bettongia tropica, Hypsiprymnodon moschatus, Isoodon macrourus, Melomys ceruinipes, Perameles nasuta, Rattus fuscipes, R. tunneyi, Thylogale stigmatica, Trichourur uulperula, Uromys caudimaculatus). Spores were absent in scats of Antechinus stuartii, Dasyurus hallucatus, Dendrolagus lumholtzi, Petaurus australis and Mesembriomys gouldii. Spores of ectomycorrhizal fungi occurred in 38 percent of scats, and all but one of these samples were from Eucalyptus‐dominated sclerophyll forests. Based on the frequency and abundance of spores in scats, five mammals were considered active consumers of hypogeous mycorrhizal sporocarps in sclerophyll forests (A. rufescens, B. tropica, I. macrourus, P. nasuta, and U. caudimaculatus). Individual scats of these animals generally contained a range of distinctive spore types. Spores of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi were found in low abundance in almost 40 percent of scat samples collected, from both sclerophyll forest and rainforest habitats. We suggest that the majoriry of these spores were acquired incidentally through ingestion of soil during foraging activities on the forest floor. Glasshouse inoculation experiments in which seedlings of Eucalyptus grandis and Sorghum bicolor were inoculated with scat material from several species of mammal demonstrated that the spores of ectomycorrhizal and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi retained some viability and colonized the roots of host‐plant seedlings. Insufficient information is known of the ecology of mycorrhizal fungi in Australia's tropical forests to speculate as to the implications of these findings for forest conservation and rehabilitation.

Role of Catalase in H2O2-induced oxidant stress in marsupial erythrocytes

We have examined the catalase activity and H2O2-induced oxidant stress on methaemoglobin formation and haemolysis in eight species of marsupials: the black striped wallaby (Macropus dorsalis), bridled nailtail wallaby (Onychogalea fraenata), proserpine rock wallaby (Petrogale persephone), red legged pademelon (Thylogale stigmatica), spectacled hare wallaby (Lagorchestes conspicillatus), whiptail wallaby (Macropus parryi), common brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula), and the koala (Phascolarctos cinereus). The results indicate a significant relationship between the activity of catalase and methaemoglobin formation by H2O2.

Home-range characteristics and movement patterns of the red-legged pademelon (Thylogale stigmatica) in a fragmented tropical rainforest

Home-range characteristics and movement patterns of five male and eight female red-legged pademelons (Thylogale stigmatica) were studied in north-eastem Queensland between September 1991 and June 1992 using radio-telemetry. In relation to mean body weight, the home range of T. stigmatica was small (mean = 2.26 ha, n = 9), individually variable (range 0.82-3.70 ha) and partitioned into spatially distinct diurnal and nocturnal components. The nocturnal range (mean = 1.00 ha,n = 6) incorporated forest edge and pasture habitat, and was somewhat smaller than the diurnal range (mean = 1.67 ha, n = l0), which was located entirely within the forest. Home-range shape was governed largely by the distance between the diurnal and nocturnal ranges, which in turn was related to physical features within the habitat. Pademelons moved slowly within and quickly between their diurnal and nocturnal ranges. Movement between these areas occurred just after dusk and just prior to dawn. The diurnal rate of movement (m min-1) was generally higher than the nocturnal rate, suggesting that pademelons moved extensively in the forest during the day, and were relatively sedentary whilst on pasture at night.

The diet of the red-legged pademelon Thylogale stigmatica (Gould) (Marsupialia : Macropodidae) in fragmented tropical rainforest, north Queensland, Australia

Article The diet of the red-legged pademelon Thylogale stigmatica (Gould) (Marsupialia : Macropodidae) in fragmented tropical rainforest, north Queensland, Australia was published on January 1, 1995 in the journal Mammalia (volume 59, issue 4).

Reproduction in the red-legged pademelon, Thylogale stigmatica Gould (Marsupialia : Macropodidae), and age estimation and development of pouch young

The reproduction of Thylogale stigmatica in captivity was studied and a predictive growth equation for age determination of the pouch young was developed. The general pattern of reproduction involved an oestrous cycle of 29-32 days, a gestation period of 28-30 days and a mean pouch life of 184 days. A post-partum oestrus and mating generally followed birth. Births were observed in all months in captivity, and from October to June in the wild. Mean age of weaning of young was 66 days following permanent pouch emergence, and the mean ages at maturity for females and males was 341 and 466 days, respectively.

Electrophoretic comparison of Rugopharynx longibursaris Kung and R. omega Beveridge (Nematoda: Strongyloidea), with the description of R. sigma n. sp. from pademelons, Thylogale spp. (Marsupialia: Macropodidae)

An electrophoretic comparison of the nematodes Rugopharynx longibursaris and R. omega, both from Macropus rufogriseus in south-eastern Australia, revealed fixed genetic differences at 4.5% of the 23 enzyme loci examined. The electrophoretic data do not therefore reject the null hypothesis that the two taxa are conspecific. R. longibursaris was found in Tasmania and in the western mainland population of M. rufogriseus, while R. omega occurred only in the eastern mainland population. Implications for the taxonomic status of the western host population are considered. Specimens formerly assigned to R. omega, from Thylogale stigmatica from Queensland, were found to differ at 45.0% of enzyme loci from specimens from M. rufogriseus. Morphological examination revealed differences in the shape of the buccal capsule, the position of the deirid, the morphology of the spicule tip and the presence of a gubernaculum. A new species, R. sigma, is erected for specimens from T. stigmatica, T. thetis and T. calabyi.

Levels of glycolytic enzymes and metabolites in the red blood cells of the red-legged pademelon, Thylogale stigmatica (macropodidae: marsupialia)

1. 1. Haematology, red cell enzymes and metabolites and the rates of lacate production by the red blood cells incubated with different substrates were measured in the blood from a small marsupial, the red-legged pademelon ( Thylogale stigmatica). 2. 2. In comparison with other marsupials of similar body weight, pademelon red cells have lower levels of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and a lower activity of glutathione S-transferase. 3. 3. Red cells incubated with inosine did not produce lactate, a finding which is not uncommon in marsupials.

Helminth parasite communities of macropodoid marsupials of the genera Hypsiprymnodon, Aepyprmnus, Thylogale, Onychogalea, Lagorchestes and Dendrolagus from Queensland

Helminth parasites were examined from 4 Hypsiprymnodon moschatus, 18 Aepyprymnus rufescens, 13 Thylogale stigmatica, 13 Onychogalea unguifera, 2 0. fraenata, 8 Lagorchestes conspicillatus and 7 Dendrolagus lumholtzi from north and central Queensland. In all, 63 species of nematodes, ten species of cestodes and a single species of trematode were encountered. Helminth communities in H. moschatus and A. rufescens were characterised by few, highly specific parasites; D. lumholtzi similarly harboured few parasites; those of Onychogalea spp. and L. conspicillatus were more diverse and included a number of taxa shared with other macropodine hosts. The helminth community of T. stigmatica was extremely diverse and was dominated by helminths specific to Thylogale spp. The helminth communities of the various host genera showed little similarity to one another, even in the case of host species that were broadly sympatric. This lack of similarity is probably due to a mixture of factors, some related to host phylogeny and others ecological, particularly habitat type and feeding behaviour. The data presented illustrate a wider range of types of helminth communities in macropodoids than reported to date, and little evidence of exchange of parasites with rock-wallabies, Petrogale spp., examined from the same regions of Queensland.

Three new species of Progamotaenia (Cestoda: Anoplocephalidae) from Australasian marsupials

Three new species of Progamotaenia (Cestoda: Anoplocephalidae) are described from macropodid marsupials in Australasia. P. wallabiae n. sp. from Dorcopsis veterum in New Guinea is most similar to P. bancrofti (Johnston, 1912), P. johnsoni Beveridge, 1980, and P. aepyprymni Beveridge, 1976. It differs from P. aepyprymni in the occurrence of the testes in two lateral groups and the lateral position of the female genitalia, and differs from all three species in the number of testes and the lack of a pyriform apparatus. P. dorcopsis n. sp. also from D. veterum in New Guinea and P. queenslandensis n. sp. from Thylogale stigmatica in north-eastern Queensland are most closely related to P. lagorchestis (Lewis, 1914) and P. thylogale Beveridge & Thompson, 1979, differing in the number and distribution of the testes, the absence of proterogyny, the proglottis velum and pyriform apparatus. The number and distribution of testes are the main features distinguishing P. dorcopsis from P. queenslandensis. ac]19840112

SIX NEW AUSTRALIAN CHIGGERS (ACARI: TROMBICULIDAE)

Abstract Neotrombicula greenlyi sp.n. is described from a gecko, Phyllodactylus marmoratus (Gray) (Lacertilia: Gekkonidae), in South Australia. Guntheria shareli sp.n. is described from a pademelon, Thylogale stigmatica Gould (Marsupialia: Macropodidae), and a bush‐rat, Rattus fuscipes coracius (Thomas) (Rodentia: Muridae), in north Queensland; G. platalea sp.n. from R. f. fuscipes (Waterhouse) in south‐west Western Australia; and G. salmleni sp.n. from a dunnart, Sminthopsis murina (Waterhouse) (Marsupialia: Dasyuridae), in an unspecified locality. Schoutedenichia empusa and S. mimema spp.n. are described from a rock‐rat, Zyzomys woodwardi (Thomas) (Muridae), in the Kimberley, Western Australia.

Further Studies of Lung Parasites (Nematoda) From Australian Marsupials.

Seven new taxa in two families of metastrongyloid nematodes are described from the lungs of five host species belonging to the Dasyuridae, Phalangeridae and Macropodidae. Filaroides (Filaroides) athertonensis, sp. nov., (Filaroididae) is described from Thylogale stigmatica Gould in north Queensland. The following species of Marsupostrongylus Mackerras & Sandars, 1953, (Angiostrongylidae) are described as new: M. parallelus, sp. nov., from Satanellus hallucatus (Could) in the Northern Territory; M. pseudominesi, sp. nov., from Trichosurus vulpecula johnstonii (Ramsay) in north Queensland; M. vandiemeni, sp. nov., from macro pus rufogriseus rufogriseus (Desmarest) in Tasmania; and M. wallabiae, sp. nov., from Wallabia bicolor (Desmarest) and Macropus rufogriseus banksianus (Quoy & Gaimard) in New South Wales. To the formerly monotypic genus Filostrongylus Mackenas, 1955, (Angiostrongylidae) is added F. tridendriticus, sp. nov., described from Trichosurus vulpecula (Kerr) in Tasmania. The genus Cosmostrongylus (Angiostrongylidae) is described as new, with a single species C. conspectus, sp. nov., from Thylogale stigmatica Gould in north Queensland. Durikainema sp. (Muspiceoidea: Robertdollfusidae) is diagnosed in histological sections of the lungs of Phascolarctos cinereus (Goldfuss), Macropus agilis (Could) and M. giganteus Shaw. Keys to the genera of lung parasites and to all species of Filaroides, Marsupostrongylus and Filostrongylus known from Australian marsupials, new host and new geographic records of known taxa, and a host-parasite list of lung parasites of Australian marsupials, including those known only from histological sections of lung tissue, are provided.

Three new genera of nematodes (Strongyloidea: Cloacininae) from the redlegged pademelon, Thylogale stigmatica Gould (Marsupialia: Macropodidae) from eastern Australia

Cassunema exigua n.g., n.sp., Monilonema lacunosa n.g., n.sp. and Foliostoma macropodis n.g., n.sp. are described from the stomach of the redlegged pademelon, Thylogale stigmatica Gould, 1860 (Marsupialia: Macropodidae), from north Queensland, Australia. All three genera belong to the subfamily Cloacininae Stossich, 1899 and to the tribe Macropostrongylinea Lichtenfels, 1980. The genus Cassunema is characterized by a poorly sclerotized buccal capsule with longitudinal ridges formed by the lining of the anterior part of the capsule. The genus Monilonema is characterized by a leaf-crown like flange at the mouth opening, a bulbous cervical collar, and paired dorsal and ventral tubular structures running internally and posteriorly from the collar. The genus Foliostoma is characterized by a leaf crown of tiny elements at the mouth opening, and oesophagus with short narrow anterior part, wide posterior part, bulb narrower than corpus and a heavily sclerotized ring between buccal capsule and oesophagus. A revised definition of the tribe Macropostrongylinea is given together with a key to the genera. ac]19810101

Thylonema gen. n. (Nematoda: Strongyloidea) from the Pademelon Thylogale stigmatica (Marsupialia) in Australia, with Three New Species

Thylonema gen. n. (Strongyloidea: Cloacininae) is described from the stomach of the pade- melon, Thylogale stigmatica Gould (Marsupialia: Macropodidae) from Queensland, Australia. The new genus is placed in the tribe Macropostrongylinea Lichtenfels 1980, and differs from all known genera by its laterally elongated mouth opening and bilobed cephalic papillae. Three new species are described, T. thylonema sp. n. (type species), T. arundeli sp. n., and T. barkeri sp. n., all from Thylogale stigmatica. The three species are distinguished from one another by the shape of the buccal capsules, length of the spicules, and the shape of the dorsal ray.

Trigonostonema gen. n. (Nematoda: Strongyloidea) from the Pademelon, Thylogale stigmatica (Marsupialia) in Australia, with Two New Species, T. trigonostoma sp. n. and T. longibursata sp. n.

Trigonostonema gen. n. (Strongyloidea: Cloacininae) is described from the stomach of the pademelon Thylogale stigmatica Gould (Marsupialia: Macropodidae) from Queensland, Australia. The new genus is placed in the tribe Macropostrongylinea Lichtenfels 1980, and differs from other genera in the tribe by the shape of its buccal capsule which is triangular in transverse section, with an annular thickening at the base or in the midregion. Two new species are described, T. trigonostoma sp. n. (type species) and T. longibursata sp. n. The two species are distinguished from one another by the shape of the buccal capsule, the position of the annular thickening around the buccal capsule, and the length of the dorsal ray and dorsal lobe of the bursa, both of which are relatively longer in T. longibursata. Information on the parasites of pademelons of the macropodid genus Thylogale Gray 1837 is scanty (Mackerras, 1958), and lists of their parasites that do exist are based on collections from a very limited number of animals. Dur- ing 1978 and 1979, I had the opportunity to collect several specimens of the red-legged pademelon, Thylogale stigmatica Gould 1860, from rain forest areas in northern

Early European Description of an Australian Mammal

IN the account of an early description of an Australian mammal given by Dr. Wilma George1 several suggestions were made as to the possible identity of this animal. No definite conclusion was reached and Thylogale stigmatica, Hypsiprymnodon moschatus and Uromys caudimaculatus were all offered as possible species which might satisfy the original description.