Australian Fauna Research Articles

Radiation of the microcaddisfly genus Orthotrichia (Trichoptera, Hydroptilidae) in Australia

Orthotrichia is the most species rich of the hydroptilid genera found in Australia, and is postulated to be a relatively recent arrival from the Oriental Region. The genus has an almost worldwide but patchy distribution, represented by close to 280 species among which the Australian fauna of 55 species represents around 20%. In an attempt to understand the radiation of the genus in Australia, this paper explores the morphology and biology of Australian species and discusses a number of contrasts with reports on the biology of congeners in the Northern Hemisphere. The possible significance of these differences in Australian representatives of the genus is suggested to have played a role in the ‘success’ of the genus in the region. The value of life history studies to our understanding of biodiversity and biogeography is emphasized.

Review]Iris Ralph, Packing Death in Australian Literature: Ecosides and Eco-Sides, Routledge, 2022, 174pp.

At first glance, a review of Iris Ralph’s Packing Death in Australian Literature (2020) does not fit neatly into an issue themed ‘Strange/Letters’, for, as Ralph’s acknowledgements page indicates, this book grew out of the inaugural 2005 conference of ASLEC-ANZ (then known as ASLE-ANZ). However, Ralph’s analysis, which ‘addresses plants and animals in Australia and its literature’ (1), is very much about strangeness if we consider that, until fairly recently, the contemplation of the nonhuman was an unfamiliar approach to Australian literary criticism.

Evolving Conceptions of Legal Personhood: What might Recent Legal Developments Herald for Non-human Animals in Australia?

Legal personhood has traditionally been associated with human persons and their representatives, for example, corporations. Recent years, however, have seen the binary conception of legal personhood challenged and reconceived, and the circle of legal persons expanded in numerous jurisdictions. In particular, the utter failure of environmental laws to protect the environment has led to the recognition of nature bodies as legal persons. Within this context, this article considers whether these developments might lead to recognition of animals as legal persons in Australia. The parallel deficiencies of environmental and animal laws, together with the willingness of some Australian legislatures to entertain legal personhood for nature, may suggest that the concept of legal personhood for animals in Australia is not completely far-fetched.

“Two Distinct Creators”: Comparing Darwin’s and Wallace’s Formative Travels, and How it Influenced their Theory of Evolution

Charles Darwin and Alfred Russel Wallace independently arrived at similar theories of evolution by natural selection as announced in 1858. Both men had undertaken transformative travels that provided data for their conclusions. This article compares and contrasts their published travel narratives and shows how it impacted their interpretations. While Darwin’s voyage aboard the H.M.S. Beagle (1831-1836) was largely in the southern hemisphere temperate zone, Wallace’s (1854-1862) island-hopping expedition was confined to the Malayan (Indonesian) Archipelago. Although very similar, there were slight differences in their resulting theories of natural selection. The debates that would divide them on this issue related especially to sexual dimorphism in birds and butterflies, with examples from their travels. Both men, however, perceived the profound differences between the Australian fauna and that of the rest of the world. Wallace was able to identify the exact boundary between these two different “creations,” later dubbed “Wallace’s Line.”

Taxonomic status and distribution of Australian caddisflies (Insecta: Trichoptera)

This review of the status of Australian caddisflies focuses on publications from 1982 to 2022. Information is provided on new species described in that period, new keys, new descriptions of both adults and larvae, and the distribution of families and genera from states/regions and the Northern Territory. Australia’s caddisfly fauna now totals 27 families, 111 genera and 868 species, with 97.9% of species endemic to Australia (only 19 of the 868 species are known from outside Australia, mainly from the nearby island of New Guinea – Papua New Guinea and Papua Province, Indonesia); some species also extend into New Zealand and South-East Asia. The biogeography of the Australian fauna is discussed briefly in terms of “northern” and “southern” faunal elements, faunal provinces, distributional barriers, areas of highest biodiversity and refuge areas. Northern and southern elements in the Australian Trichoptera fauna are indicated. The highest biodiversity is recorded in the following states/regions: New South Wales with 263 species, northern Queensland (N-Qld) with 248 species and Victoria with 247 species. The highest endemicity is in southern Western Australia (S-WA), with 73% endemic species, followed by N-Qld with 58% and Tasmania with 57%. The lowest numbers of species have been recorded from South Australia and S-WA, with 42 and 49 species respectively.

Untangling the web: dynamics of Australia's online terrestrial invertebrate trade

AbstractThe trade and keeping of exotic pets has serious implications for both biosecurity and biodiversity conservation. In Australia, the online trade of live invertebrates is an understudied and unregulated issue, with almost non‐existent monitoring. It is uncertain what species are being traded, whether they are being identified correctly, and how they are being sourced (i.e., captive bred or wild harvested, native, or alien). Consequently, potential invasion risks and conservation concerns remain unknown. Here, we explored the online trade of terrestrial invertebrates in Australia across a range of publicly available e‐commerce platforms. We detected 264 species of invertebrate traded, from 71 families and 168 genera over 12 months. The native Extatosoma tiaratum (giant prickly stick insect) was the most traded species, while the most popular families were Phasmatidae (stick insects), Formicidae (ants) and Theraphosidae (tarantulas). Three species are known to be invasive in Australia, while 87% of species traded were native. The conservation status of almost of the species (92%) listed in the invertebrate trade has not been evaluated. Exploring socio‐demographic relationships, we found that human population density was positively correlated with the location of invertebrate sellers. Further, we found the classifieds website had lower prices in contrast to traditional online pet‐stores (median of c. A$7 less). Finally, we did not observe a saturation in the number of species traded in our one‐year study, exemplifying the need for large scale monitoring and risk assessments for Australia's online terrestrial invertebrate trade. We recommend continued surveillance of live invertebrate trade on e‐commerce sites. Substantial changes to legislation and monitoring methods are required at a national level to control the vast number of invertebrates traded across the country, and to minimise the future risks of the invertebrate trade.

Highlighting the risk of environmental lead contamination for deer management in Australia

SummaryLead‐based bullets used to shoot deer typically fragment. These toxic fragments are a threat to wildlife scavengers and human consumers of venison. Awareness of this issue is widespread internationally but limited in Australia. The aim of this research was to characterise deer carcass contamination via bullet fragmentation associated with lead‐based and lead‐free ammunition in a deer culling program conducted in Australia. We used radiography (X‐rays) to study Hog Deer (Axis porcinus) shot in a professional ground‐based shooting program in Victoria, south‐eastern Australia. Our data captured 33 deer shot with frangible lead‐based bullets in 2021, and 21 deer shot with monolithic lead‐free (copper‐based) bullets from the same rifles in 2021–2022. For lead‐based bullets, the mean number of lead fragments per carcass ranged from seven to 629 (mean ± SD = 256 ± 169), mean fragment size was 1.2 mm2 (74% of fragments were <1.0 mm2) and the mean fragment coverage area (the smallest ellipse covering all fragments) was 325 cm2. Of these deer, 36% had metallic fragments in the ‘back strap’ (loin) muscles and 42% had metallic fragments in the shoulder muscles: meat cuts typically removed for human consumption. In contrast, for lead‐free bullets, the mean number of metallic fragments per carcass ranged from zero to four (0.5 ± 1.0), with only 29% of carcasses having any fragments, and no deer had metallic fragments in the loin or shoulder muscles. On the basis of these results, it is clear that lead‐based bullets used for shooting deer in Australia pose risks to wildlife scavengers, and to human consumers when used in hunting. Australian wildlife managers involved in mitigating deer impacts should strongly consider a timely transition to lead‐free bullets.

The impact of plant diseases on wildlife in Australia

ABSTRACT The majority of Australia’s unique flora has evolved in isolation separated from many of the world’s major plant pathogens. As these pathogens have made their way into Australia the impact on plant species, ecological communities and the fauna that depends on them has been dramatic. Two plant diseases, Phytophthora root rot and Myrtle Rust, are used as examples to illustrate the impact diseases can have on fauna. As animals are either explicitly or implicitly dependent on plants for their survival the deleterious impacts of plant diseases on flora inevitably flows onto animals either limiting food resources, habitat or shelter for reproduction. The consequences, particularly for fauna already under threat, are that plant diseases will not only push plants towards extinction, but also those animals dependent on them.

100 years flashback

100 years flashback

Major Emerging Fungal Diseases of Reptiles and Amphibians

Emerging infectious diseases (EIDs) are caused by pathogens that have undergone recent changes in terms of geographic spread, increasing incidence, or expanding host range. In this narrative review, we describe three important fungal EIDs with keratin trophism that are relevant to reptile and amphibian conservation and veterinary practice. Nannizziopsis spp. have been mainly described in saurians; infection results in thickened, discolored skin crusting, with eventual progression to deep tissues. Previously only reported in captive populations, it was first described in wild animals in Australia in 2020. Ophidiomyces ophidiicola (formely O. ophiodiicola) is only known to infect snakes; clinical signs include ulcerating lesions in the cranial, ventral, and pericloacal regions. It has been associated with mortality events in wild populations in North America. Batrachochytrium spp. cause ulceration, hyperkeratosis, and erythema in amphibians. They are a major cause of catastrophic amphibian declines worldwide. In general, infection and clinical course are determined by host-related characteristics (e.g., nutritional, metabolic, and immune status), pathogens (e.g., virulence and environmental survival), and environment (e.g., temperature, hygrometry, and water quality). The animal trade is thought to be an important cause of worldwide spread, with global modifications in temperature, hygrometry, and water quality further affecting fungal pathogenicity and host immune response.

‘Brave Enough’: A Qualitative Study of Veterinary Decisions to Withhold or Delay Antimicrobial Treatment in Pets

Veterinarians sometimes prescribe antimicrobials even when they know or suspect that they are unnecessary. The drivers of this behaviour must be understood to design effective antimicrobial stewardship interventions. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 22 veterinarians who treated companion animals in Australia. The Theory of Planned Behaviour was used to organise interview themes, focusing on a decision to withhold antimicrobial therapy in the absence of a clear indication. Many background factors influenced antimicrobial-withholding decisions, including the veterinarian's communication skills, general attitudes towards antimicrobial resistance (AMR), habits and energy levels. Client awareness of AMR and the veterinarian-client relationship were also important. Beliefs about the consequences of withholding antimicrobials (behavioural beliefs) were dominated by fears of the animal's condition deteriorating and of failing to meet client expectations. These fears, weighed against the seemingly distant consequences of AMR, were major barriers to withholding antimicrobials. Normative beliefs were primarily focused on the expected approval (or disapproval) of the client and of other veterinarians. Control beliefs about the difficulty of withholding antimicrobials centred around client factors, most importantly, their capacity to adequately monitor their animal, to pay for further investigations, or to undertake non-antimicrobial management, such as wound care, at home. The use of antimicrobials by companion animal veterinarians in the absence of a clear indication is often powerfully driven by behavioural beliefs, chiefly, fears of clinical deterioration and of failing to meet client expectations.

Studies in Australian Mantodea: New synonyms, notes on distributions, and an updated checklist

Despite recent advances in Mantodean systematics that have resolved many historical problems within the order, the Australian fauna still contains many erroneously recorded or incorrectly placed species. An investigation of these problematic species and related taxa necessitated a number of taxonomic changes: Exparoxypilus Beier is a new synonym of Paraoxypilus Saussure, Paraoxypilus verrauxii Wood-Mason and Exparoxypilus africanus Beier are new synonyms of Paraoxypilus verreauxii Saussure, Pthersigena Hinton is a new synonym of Phthersigena Stål, Austromantis alboterminata Sjöstedt is a new synonym of Austromantis albomarginata Sjöstedt, Deiphobe australiana Giglio-Tos is a new synonym of Coenomantis kraussiana Saussure, Notomantis Tindale is a new synonym of Pseudomantis Saussure, Hierodula dimorpha Werner is a new synonym of Pseudomantis albofimbriata (Stål), Notomantis chlorophana Tindale is a new synonym of Pseudomantis hartmeyeri Werner, Pseudomantis papua (Werner) comb. nov. is transferred from Hierodula, Orthodera marginata (Saussure) is reinstated as a valid species, and Ciulfina liturgusa Giglio-Tos and Orthodera gunnii Le Guillou are considered nomina dubia. In addition, notes are provided on the nomenclature, systematics, distribution, and ecology of several other Australian taxa, and a synonymic checklist of Australian Mantodea is provided. Finally, the origins and diversification of the Australian fauna are discussed in light of these and other recent changes.

Fatal Animal Related Incidents on Australian Farms - a 20-Year Review

ABSTRACT Objectives To assess demographic and causal factors of fatal farm incidents involving animals in Australia. Methods Descriptive study of the National Coronial Information System for persons fatally injured by an animal on an Australian farm over the 2001–20 period. Data were analysed in relation to age, sex, state where incident occurred, work-relatedness and causal agents. Results There has been little change in the mean number of animal-related injury deaths across Australia in the 2001–20 period (mean 6.5), however this is a 35% reduction on an earlier 1989–92 assessment (mean 10). The majority of incidents (81%) involved horses (n = 75) and cattle (n = 31). Males were involved in 86 (66%) cases, with 54 female cases. People aged 60 years and over accounted for 46% of the cases, with more than half occurring during work. Of the decedents, 85% fell from or were struck by an animal at the time of the incident, with 40% resulting in a head injury. Conclusion While annualized case numbers have decreased slightly, the leading agents remain consistent with previous studies. The lack of genuine progress in addressing fatalities related to horses and cattle, along with the representation of older persons in the cohort, require attention drawing on the Hierarchy of Controls.

Non-Lethal Dose-Response Models Replace Lethal Bioassays for Predicting the Hazard of Para-Aminopropiophenone to Australian Wildlife.

Para-aminopropiophenone (PAPP) is a potent methaemoglobin (MetHb) forming agent used for the lethal control of exotic carnivores and mustelids. To assess the sensitivity of Australian wildlife to PAPP we developed an in vivo assay that did not use death as an endpoint. Sub-lethal dose-response data were modelled to predict PAPP doses required to achieve an endpoint set at 80% MetHb (MetHb80). The comparative sensitivity of non-target mammals referenced to this endpoint was found to be highly variable, with southern brown bandicoots (Isoodon obesulus) the most sensitive species (MetHb80 = 6.3 mg kg-1) and bush rats (Rattus fuscipes) the most tolerant (MetHb80 = 1035 mg kg-1). Published LD50 estimates were highly correlated with PAPP doses modelled to achieve the MetHb80 endpoint (r2 = 0.99, p < 0.001). Most dose-response data for native mammals were collected in the field or in semi-natural enclosures, permitting PAPP and placebo dosed animals to be fitted with tracking transmitters and transponders and released at their point of capture. A protracted morbidity and mortality was observed only in Australian ravens (Corvus coronoides). The combination of sub-lethal dose-response assay and survival data collected in the field provided more relevant information about the actual hazard of pest control agents to non-target wildlife species than laboratory-based lethal-dose bioassays. We discuss the need to replace lethal-dose data with biologically meaningful insights able to define a continuum of toxicological hazards that better serve the needs of conservation and veterinary scientists and wildlife managers.

Inclusion of animals in allied health practice in Australia: a beginning exploration

ABSTRACT Working with domesticated animals in allied health fields continues to evolve in Australia. We sought to gain an understanding of practitioners’ knowledge, skills, and actions when working with domestic animals in Australia. Adapting methods and measurements from a study performed in Aotearoa New Zealand, the current study surveyed 28 allied health practitioners analyzing the extent animals have been incorporated into practice in Australia, and the practice considerations made to domestic animal welfare and ethics. This research showed a continuing lack of clear workplace policies, support or professional training, and a call for ethical guidelines when working in partnership with animals.

Unravelling the Diversity of Microorganisms in Ticks from Australian Wildlife.

Ticks and tick-borne pathogens pose a significant threat to the health and welfare of humans and animals. Our knowledge about pathogens carried by ticks of Australian wildlife is limited. This study aimed to characterise ticks and tick-borne microorganisms from a range of wildlife species across six sites in Victoria, Australia. Following morphological and molecular characterisation (targeting 16S rRNA and cytochrome c oxidase I), tick DNA extracts (n = 140) were subjected to microfluidic real-time PCR-based screening for the detection of microorganisms and Rickettsia-specific real-time qPCRs. Five species of ixodid ticks were identified, including Aponomma auruginans, Ixodes (I.) antechini, I. kohlsi, I. tasmani and I. trichosuri. Phylogenetic analyses of 16S rRNA sequences of I. tasmani revealed two subclades, indicating a potential cryptic species. The microfluidic real-time PCR detected seven different microorganisms as a single (in 13/45 ticks) or multiple infections (27/45). The most common microorganisms detected were Apicomplexa (84.4%, 38/45) followed by Rickettsia sp. (55.6%, 25/45), Theileria sp. (22.2% 10/45), Bartonella sp. (17.8%, 8/45), Coxiella-like sp. (6.7%, 3/45), Hepatozoon sp. (2.2%, 1/45), and Ehrlichia sp. (2.2%, 1/45). Phylogenetic analyses of four Rickettsia loci showed that the Rickettsia isolates detected herein potentially belonged to a novel species of Rickettsia. This study demonstrated that ticks of Australian wildlife carry a diverse array of microorganisms. Given the direct and indirect human-wildlife-livestock interactions, there is a need to adopt a One Health approach for continuous surveillance of tick-associated pathogens/microorganisms to minimise the associated threats to animal and human health.

Developing a database of Australian grasshopper occurrences from historic field survey notebooks spanning 54 years (Orthoptera: Acrididae, Morabidae, Pyrgomorphidae, Tetrigidae)

AbstractThe baseline distribution data for all species of a given group in a region can provide fundamental insights into biogeographic questions about historic patterns of species richness, population trends and extinction. Grasshoppers are one major group of insects for which a continent‐wide perspective on their geographic distribution can be obtained. This is because they were extensively surveyed in Australia for 54 years (1936–1989) as part of Commonwealth expeditions to obtain specimens for the Australian National Insect Collection (ANIC). Field notebooks recorded from those surveys, under the direction of ANIC curator and director K. H. L. Key, form the principal source of historic distribution records for grasshoppers in Australia. We digitised all the 223 notebooks (2486 pages) and transcribed all the field trips conducted in Western Australia (WA) and Tasmania (47 notebooks, 590 pages). We then carefully geocoded all sampling sites of the transcribed notebooks, following the odometer readings and descriptions of routes from a suitable reference point using historic topographic maps and Google Earth. In total, we extracted 8975 geographic coordinates for 477 species having a confirmed or putative taxonomic name at genus or species level (only 170 of these species have been formally described). We found that species richness varied spatially, with highest richness in arid interior and north of WA. Historic grasshopper surveys were non‐randomly distributed across both WA and Tasmania with the highest survey intensity around coastal regions. Variation was observed among surveyors in terms of the number of species detected per site, between‐site distance and the season of survey being conducted. Overall, however, the dataset is among the most comprehensive continent‐wide surveys of Australian invertebrates and will greatly facilitate future work on their ecology, biogeography, conservation and responses to environmental change.

Predator escape behaviour in threatened marsupials

AbstractEscaping from predators is fundamental for the survival of any prey species. Australian fauna within the ‘critical weight range’ (CWR; 35 g–5.5 kg) are vulnerable to introduced eutherian predators. The absence of co‐evolution between native marsupials and these novel predators may suggest that their antipredator behaviour towards the hunting strategies of these predators is inappropriate or ineffective. We quantified the escape behaviour of eight CWR marsupial taxa (three quadrupedal bandicoots and five bipedal macropods) to determine if differences in how they escape from predators indicate their ability to respond appropriately and effectively to introduced predators. Animals were filmed escaping through a runway and 20 measures relating to their gait, speed and path characteristics were recorded. These were reduced to four dimensions using multidimensional scaling (MDS): MDS1 linear speed versus agility, MDS2 acceleration style, MDS3 reactivity and MDS4 gait characteristics. We found a strong link between the phylogenetic relatedness of species and their use of linear speed or agility when fleeing (phylogenetic heritability, h2 = 0.96). Bipedal macropod species used straight‐line, fast escapes, which may be suited to escape pursuit predators. The quadrupedal bandicoots had an overall slower escape but were more likely to use sudden changes of direction, which can be successful if pursued by a larger, less mobile predator or where there is sufficient vegetation cover to obstruct pursuit. Repeated exposure increased linear speed (MDS1) and hastened the timing of acceleration (MDS2). The phylogenetic signal for escape speed/straightness suggests specific escape tactics may be constrained by morphology, although animals increased the intensity of their response after repeated exposure, suggesting training could enhance effective antipredator responses.

Factors associated with Q fever vaccination in Australian wildlife rehabilitators

Australian wildlife rehabilitators (AWR) are at risk of contracting Q fever, a serious zoonotic disease caused by Coxiella burnetii. Despite Australian government recommendations for AWR to receive Q fever vaccination (QFV), and the availability of a safe and effective vaccine in Australia, shortfalls in vaccine uptake have been observed in AWR. This study aimed to determine factors associated with QFV status and describe AWR attitudes and potential barriers towards QFV. Data were obtained from a nationwide, online, cross-sectional survey of AWR undertaken in 2018. Approximately-three quarters (200/265; 75.5 %) of those that had heard of Q fever were also aware of the Q fever vaccine, and of those, 25.5 % (51/200) were vaccinated. Barriers to QFV, among unvaccinated respondents who had also heard of Q fever and the vaccine (149/200; 74.5 %), included concerns regarding the safety, efficacy, and importance of the Q fever vaccine. Complacency toward vaccination, convenience of vaccination, and a lack of Q fever knowledge were also notable barriers. Only 27.7 % (41/148) of respondents reported having had vaccination recommended to them. Multivariable logistic regression identified that vaccinated AWR were more likely to be aged ≤ 50 years (OR 4.51, 95 % CI: 2.14–10.11), have had a university level education (OR 2.78, 95 % CI: 1.39–5.73), have resided in New South Wales/Australian Capital Territory and Queensland than in other Australian jurisdictions (OR 2.9, 95 % CI: 1.10–8.83 and OR 4.82, 95 % CI: 1.64–16.00 respectively) and have attended an animal birth (OR 2.14, 95 % CI: 1.02–4.73). Knowledge gaps regarding Q fever and QFV in AWR demonstrated the need for interventions to raise the awareness of the potential health consequences of C. burnetii exposure and Q fever prevention. Education programs to allow AWR to develop an informed perspective of Q fever and QFV, coupled with improvements in vaccine affordability and the implementation of programs to enhance accessibility, may also increase vaccine uptake.

Attitudes towards Use of High-Importance Antimicrobials-A Cross-Sectional Study of Australian Veterinarians.

The timely implementation of antimicrobial stewardship interventions could delay or prevent the development of higher levels of antimicrobial resistance in the future. In food-producing animals in Australia, high-importance antimicrobials, as rated by the Australian Strategic and Technical Advisory Group (ASTAG), include virginiamycin and third-generation cephalosporins (in individual pigs or cattle). The use of high-importance antimicrobials in companion animals is more widespread and less regulated. There is no national antimicrobial use surveillance system for animals in Australia. Consequently, there is a gap in the knowledge about reasonable use across all sectors of veterinary practice. This study explored attitudes towards the use in veterinary medicine of antimicrobials with high importance to human health, and determined levels of agreement about the introduction of restrictions or other conditions on this use. An online survey was distributed via social media and email from June to December 2020 to veterinarians working in Australia. Of the 278 respondents working in clinical practice, 49% had heard of the ASTAG rating system, and 22% used a traffic light system for antimicrobial importance in their practice. Overall, 61% of participants disagreed that veterinarians should be able to prescribe high-importance antimicrobials without restrictions. If there were to be restrictions, there was most agreement amongst all respondents for only restricting high-importance antimicrobials (73%). There is a need for education, guidance, and practical support for veterinarians for prescribing high-importance antimicrobials alongside any restrictions.