Graeme Finlayson

Ovarian follicular superstimulation and oocyte maturation in the anoestrous southern hairy-nosed wombat, Lasiorhinus latifrons

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 06-2007

DOI: 10.1016/J.ANIREPROSCI.2006.06.011

Abstract: This study investigates the effect of three exogenous gonadotrophin regimens on ovarian follicular development in southern hairy-nosed wombats during the non-breeding season. Females were given either porcine follicle stimulating hormone (pFSH total of 200 mg at 12 h intervals over 7 (Group 1), or 4 days (Group 2)), or pregnant mares' serum gonadotrophin (PMSG single dose of 150 I.U. (Group 3)). In all treatment groups 25 mg of porcine luteinising hormone (pLH) was used to trigger maturation Groups 1 and 2 received pLH 12 h after the final pFSH injection and Group 3 received pLH 72 h after PMSG. The results showed Group 1 produced significantly more follicles per ovary (5.91+/-1.28) than Group 2 (1.67+/-0.62), or Group 3 (2.17+/-1.16) at p<0.05. Control females received saline injections concurrently with the three treatment groups (n=6 2 control animals for each treatment group). No follicular development occurred in any control female. Analysis of oocyte nuclear status revealed that while oocytes from all three treatment groups had resumed meiosis, only those in Group 1 (7-day pFSH LH treatment) progressed to metaphase II. These results have implications for the development of assisted breeding strategies in this species.

Diving behaviour of wildlife impacted by an oil spill: A clean-up and rehabilitation success?

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 11-2015

DOI: 10.1016/J.MARPOLBUL.2015.09.019

Abstract: The value of rehabilitating oiled wildlife is an on-going global debate. On October 5, 2011, the cargo vessel C/V Rena grounded on Astrolabe Reef, New Zealand (NZ), spilling over 300 tonnes of heavy fuel oil. As part of the Rena oil spill response, 383 little blue penguins (LBP, Eudyptula minor) were captured, cleaned, rehabilitated and released back into a cleaned environment. This research investigates foraging behaviour changes due either to the oil spill or by the rehabilitation process by comparing the ing behaviour of rehabilitated (n=8) and non-rehabilitated (n=6) LBPs and with LBP populations throughout NZ. Stabile isotope analysis of feathers was also used to investigate diet. There were no foraging behaviour differences between rehabilitated and non-rehabilitated LBPs and the overall ing behaviour of these LBPs have similar, if not less energetic, foraging behaviour than other LBPs in NZ. This suggests the rehabilitation process and clean-up undertaken after the Rena appears effective and helps justify the rehabilitation of oiled wildlife across the world.

The diet of the re-introduced greater bilby Macrotis lagotis in the mallee woodlands of western New South Wales

Publisher: Royal Zoological Society of New South Wales

Date: 2009

DOI: 10.7882/AZ.2009.007

Kangaroo management in the South Australian rangelands: Impacts and challenges for conservation management

Publisher: Wiley

Date: 11-2021

DOI: 10.1111/EMR.12451

Abstract: Wildlife management on a landscape scale is often complex, particularly where different land use practices occur in the same region. This is particularly so for the management of overabundant grazing species (both domestic and native) in a modified landscape, where anthropogenic activities and climatic drivers can influence their distribution and abundance beyond sustainable levels. In Australia’s arid rangelands, macropods benefit from pastoral activities including improved pastures, artificial watering points and the removal of apex predators. This paper addresses some of the challenges associated with managing Red Kangaroo ( Osphranter rufus ) in a conservation context on the privately managed Boolcoomatta Station conservation reserve in the South Australian arid rangelands. We reflect on the history of the region and how anthropogenic activities, associated with an unpredictable climate, have made macropod management so complex. Ecological monitoring at Boolcoomatta Station suggests that, along with the influence of rainfall, grazing by overabundant Red Kangaroo had a negative impact on vegetation and resident avifauna of chenopod plains. Fenced exclosures further demonstrate the grazing impact of Red Kangaroo, with perennial grasses found only where grazing was excluded. The closure of waterpoints (dams) failed to reduce Red Kangaroo impacts on the reserve, despite some evidence that persistence of Red Kangaroo near fenced dams may be reduced in the long term. Results of monitoring and management outcomes at Boolcoomatta highlight the need for an improved framework to manage Red Kangaroo. This should include consideration of improved regional stock management practices in the face of climate change improving our understanding of the role of apex predators in agricultural landscapes developing and setting grazing impact thresholds to instigate macropod management improving and standardizing monitoring methods for assessing impacts and lastly, consideration of the mental health and social well‐being of land managers in these areas.

Oestrous cycle of captive southern hairy-nosed wombats (Lasiorhinus latifrons) in South Australia, Australia

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 10-2006

DOI: 10.1016/J.ANIREPROSCI.2005.10.001

Abstract: There is limited information available on the oestrous cycle of female southern hairy-nosed wombats (Lasiorhinus latifrons). This is mainly due to an extremely poor breeding success in captivity and the difficulty in routine recapturing of these cryptic, semi-fossorial animals in the wild. The aim of this study was to characterise the oestrous cycle of this species by monitoring peripheral plasma concentrations of progesterone and oestradiol, assessing changes in vaginal cytology, pouch condition and the urogenital sinus. Eight adult female wombats were monitored during the breeding season (July-December) over 2 years (2002-2003). S les were collected up to three times a week. Vaginal smears contained several cell types, categorised by morphology, as either superficial epithelial cells or parabasal-intermediate cells. Leucocytes were also counted. Plasma progesterone profiles showed a mean oestrous cycle length of 36.33+/-0.67 days with a peak progesterone concentration of 139.53+/-10.62nmol/L. Levels of oestradiol peaked at a mean level of 467.33+/-44.32pmol/L on average 5 days before a rise in plasma progesterone values. The proportion of epithelial cells in vaginal smears varied throughout the cycle, with a high percentage of superficial epithelial cells observed during the follicular phase. During periods when progesterone concentrations were high, a greater percentage of parabasal-intermediate cells was observed. In conclusion, this study has characterised the oestrous cycle of the southern hairy-nosed wombat and confirmed that changes in vaginal smears together with pouch and urogenital sinus details could be used to determine signs of oestrus in this species.

Multi-scale patterns of habitat use by re-introduced mammals: A case study using medium-sized marsupials

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 2008

DOI: 10.1016/J.BIOCON.2007.10.008

Activity patterns of the southern hairy-nosed wombat (Lasiorhinus latifrons) (Marsupialia : VVVVombatidae) in the South Australian Murraylands

Publisher: CSIRO Publishing

Date: 2010

DOI: 10.1071/AM09024

Abstract: The southern hairy-nosed wombat (Lasiorhinus latifrons) is a large, semifossorial, herbivorous marsupial, adapted to a harsh and unpredictable environment in semi-arid Australia. Limited information is available on the biology and general behaviour of the species. The present study examines monthly variability in ‘nocturnal’ activity patterns. Data-loggers were used to investigate the effect of climate on 57 months of activity patterns of 18 wombats between 1999 and 2004. The average period of activity across the study was 6.27 ± 0.24 h in duration across the study. Multiple excursions above ground were more common in September and significantly correlated with both available water and median temperature. Periods of activity were strongly correlated with temperature across the entire study.

The effects of habitat fragmentation on the social kin structure and mating system of the agile antechinus, Antechinus agilis

Publisher: Wiley

Date: 18-04-2005

DOI: 10.1111/J.1365-294X.2005.02535.X

The effects of habitat fragmentation due to forestry plantation establishment on the demography and genetic variation of a marsupial carnivore, Antechinus agilis

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 04-2005

DOI: 10.1016/J.BIOCON.2004.09.013

First reported observation of phoresy of pseudoscorpions on an endemic New Zealand mammal, the lesser short-tailed bat, Mystacina tuberculata

Publisher: Informa UK Limited

Date: 25-09-2015

DOI: 10.1080/03014223.2015.1063517

Is the way an oil spill response is reported in the media important for the final perception of the clean-up?

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 03-2016

DOI: 10.1016/J.MARPOLBUL.2016.01.013

Abstract: This research investigates the media coverage during the C/V Rena grounding in New Zealand (NZ), in 2011, to analyze if information reported in printed media is important for the final perception of the overall oil spill response. We took all articles available from NZ's largest circulated newspaper and the regional newspaper closest to the incident and analyzed the themes within each article the article's tone (positive, neutral or negative) the time of the report relative to incident events and any differences between the regional and national papers. This analysis indicates that oil spills are reported and perceived as inherently negative incidents. However, along with coordinating an effective spill response, fast, factual and frequent media releases and increased effect in media liaison in areas of response with high public intrinsic value such as oiled wildlife response can significantly influence tone of media coverage and likely overall public perception.

Estimating western ringtail possum (Pseudocheirus occidentalis) density using distance sampling

Publisher: CSIRO Publishing

Date: 2010

DOI: 10.1071/AM09037

Abstract: A reliable estimate of population size is of paramount importance for making management decisions on species of conservation significance that may be impacted during development. The western ringtail possum (Pseudocheirus occidentalis) is regularly encountered during urban development and is the subject of numerous surveys to estimate its abundance. A variety of techniques have been used for this species with mixed results. This paper reports on a case study using distance s ling to estimate density of P. occidentalis in a small habitat remnant near Busselton, Western Australia. Density estimates obtained were within the range of previous studies of this species and we suggest that this technique should be employed in future surveys to improve the accuracy of population estimates for this species before development.

Efficacy of seawater for washing oiled birds during an oil spill response

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 2018

DOI: 10.1016/J.MARPOLBUL.2017.10.080

Abstract: Aquatic pollution events can be detrimental to the survival of wildlife, particularly birds. To decontaminate affected birds, large quantities of fresh water are required. A recent study using seabird feathers, demonstrated that seawater wash/rinse can effectively remove oil from feathers. However to determine whether seawater was effective for live birds, we used 36 mallard ducks to replicate the oiled feather wash/rinse study. We investigated the time and volume of water used, bird water-proofing scores after daily swims and a barbule amalgamation index (BAI), for feathers collected at stages throughout the process. Results indicate that for oiled mallard ducks, the use of seawater for decontamination wash/rinse was effective. Seawater wash however, took longer and used a greater quantity of water. Time to birds being waterproof, was not significantly different between groups. The use of seawater has worldwide application for oiled wildlife response activities particularly in areas where freshwater supplies are limited.

Microhabitat use by the brush-tailed bettong (Bettongia penicillata) and burrowing bettong (B. lesueur) in semiarid New South Wales: implications for reintroduction programs

Publisher: CSIRO Publishing

Date: 2007

DOI: 10.1071/WR06127

Abstract: Detailed studies of how endangered species use their environments at varied habitat scales are crucial if they are to be conserved and managed effectively. In this study, we used spool-and-line tracking to investigate the microhabitats used by the brush-tailed bettong (Bettongia penicillata) and the burrowing bettong (B. lesueur), two species with geographical ranges that have been dramatically reduced since European settlement in Australia. The study was carried out at Scotia Sanctuary, in semiarid western New South Wales, where both species have been recently reintroduced. The nocturnal movements and foraging of bettongs were associated with sites containing more canopy cover (mean 10–25%) than was available on average (0–10%). Models generated to predict the probability of bettong movements or activity points showed positive correlations with ground vegetation cover and ground vegetation height. Other microhabitat components of varying importance, including sand cover, litter cover, litter depth, crust cover, and distance to shrub/tree, were incorporated into these models. Species comparisons indicated that, although slight differences occurred in the way each species moved through the habitat, both species foraged in areas with similar microhabitat characteristics. While the models should have broad utility for the selection of favourable habitat for future release sites for B. penicillata and B. lesueur, further studies of diet and food availability are recommended to refine them further.

Pouch young removal and return to oestrus in wild southern hairy-nosed wombats (Lasiorhinus latifrons)

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 07-2007

DOI: 10.1016/J.ANIREPROSCI.2006.09.013

Abstract: The southern hairy-nosed wombat (Lasiorhinus latifrons) is a seasonal breeding, burrowing marsupial adapted to a semi-arid environment and the closest relative of the endangered northern hairy-nosed wombat (Lasiorhinus krefftii). Females typically give birth to one to two young every 3 years with young weaned at 360-400 days. This study examined the occurrence of polyoestry in a wild population of southern hairy-nosed wombats, and in particular the ability of this species to produce additional offspring in the same breeding season if a young was prematurely lost or removed. Pouch young were removed during the breeding seasons of 1996/1997 and 2003. No females from the 1996 (n=3)/1997 (n=3) group gave birth to a second pouch young in the same breeding season. However, two females in this group gave birth to young the following season. In contrast, all the 2003 group of females (n=6) produced a second offspring in the same breeding season after removal of pouch young (RPY). The reason for the different response to RPY between the two groups is unknown. These studies confirm that southern hairy-nosed wombats are polyoestrus in the wild and are capable of producing more than one offspring in a single breeding season. Females that failed to return to oestrus in the breeding season that pouch young were removed bred again in the following season. Rapid replacement of southern hairy-nosed wombat pouch young in the same breeding season as RPY suggests that this procedure, linked to either hand-rearing or interspecific cross-fostering, should be seriously considered as a priority conservation action to increase the population size of the critically endangered sister species, the northern hairy-nosed wombat.

Recovering Australia's arid‐zone ecosystems: learning from continental‐scale rabbit control experiments

Publisher: Wiley

Date: 28-09-2021

DOI: 10.1111/REC.13552

Abstract: Introduced rabbits are a continuing threat to native Australian flora and fauna. Three interventions using biological control agents, myxomatosis, European rabbit fleas, and rabbit hemorrhagic disease, have reduced rabbit abundance and kept numbers low over the last 70 years. We considered the benefits of biological control for native fauna to put the role of rabbits in influencing vegetation cover, food supply, and predation into better perspective. Numerous ex les exist demonstrating increases in native vegetation and the expansion and recovery of native animal populations at landscape scales following intense rabbit suppression. Ongoing research on methods for supplementing the impact of biological control agents and managing introduced predators are needed to restore Australia's arid‐zone ecosystems. However, many biologists and rangeland managers first need to reevaluate the misconception that removing rabbits also introduces other serious and insurmountable problems such as prey‐switching by introduced cats and foxes.

Managing confined populations: the influence of density on the home range and habitat use of reintroduced burrowing bettongs (Bettongia lesueur)

Publisher: CSIRO Publishing

Date: 2004

DOI: 10.1071/WR03035

Abstract: The home range, reproductive condition and warren and habitat use of reintroduced female burrowing bettongs was compared within two enclosures in the Arid Recovery Reserve at estimated densities of 2.75 and 7.5 bettongs km–2. Bettongs at both densities exhibited similar behaviour, with females using an average of 2.7 warrens over six months and home ranges averaging 29 and 35 ha in the low- and high-density enclosure respectively. All five female bettongs studied in the low-density enclosure were carrying pouch young at the beginning and end of the six-month study but only one of the five females in the high-density enclosure was carrying pouch young after six months. Higher food availability may have accounted for the higher reproductive effort and slightly smaller home ranges observed in the low-density enclosure. Female bettongs at both densities favoured dune habitat over chenopod swales and all burrows were in dune habitat. Although some differences in reproductive output were observed, it is likely that densities are not yet high enough to cause significant behavioural changes.

Monitoring the activity of a southern hairy-nosed wombat, Lasiorhinus latifrons, using temperature dataloggers.

Publisher: CSIRO Publishing

Date: 2003

DOI: 10.1071/AM03205

Abstract: THERE is limited information on the activity of the southern hairy-nosed wombat, Lasiorhinus latifrons, due predominantly to the cryptic nature of this species and its burrowing lifestyle. As part of a recent field study of L. latifrons, temperature data loggers were employed to determine the usefulness of this equipment for studying activity patterns in this species including emergence times, total length of bouts of activity, patterns and variation in activity throughout the year. Data from this pilot study suggest that temperature dataloggers provide an extremely useful and relatively non-invasive means of determining activity patterns in a semi-fossorial mammal.

Environmental factors affecting the capture of southern hairy-nosed wombats (Lasiorhinus latifrons) by stunning

Publisher: CSIRO Publishing

Date: 2003

DOI: 10.1071/WR01105

Abstract: A 'stunning' technique, combining a rifle shot with spotlighting and hand netting was used for the live-capture of southern hairy-nosed wombats. A successful stun was defined as a rifle shot that resulted in the temporary deafening and disorientation of a wombat. When combined with spotlighting, this technique enabled catchers with nets to approach the wombat undetected to secure an easy capture. Environmental factors (temperature, humidity, dew point, light and wind) were examined in order to determine the optimal conditions for the use of this capture procedure. In all, 558 shots were fired, resulting in ~25% of successful stuns. Stunning was primarily affected by temperature and humidity in a normally distributed manner. Stunning was greatest between 12°C and 18°C with a success rate of 40–51%. At temperatures either side of this significantly fewer stuns were achieved, and below 6°C or above 24°C no successful stuns were recorded. Likewise, stunning worked best at humiditys of 70–90%, declined when humidity was % and did not work at all at a humidity of 40% or less. Together, temperature and humidity data suggest that air density, for which these parameters are correlates, may be the key component in the success of this capture technique. Variation in stunning success resulting from changes in temperature and humidity may affect either the frequency spectrum of the sound created by the shot or perhaps the manner in which the eardrum receives the sound. Other factors, including dew point and light, also varied significantly with stunning, but were considered of less importance. Whatever the controlling factors, it was clear that stunning, in combination with spotlighting and netting is a rapid, highly effective, and potentially much less stressful method of capturing southern hairy-nosed wombats than the methods that have been used previously.

The application of intra-species fostering techniques to the southern hairy-nosed wombat, Lasiorhinus latifrons

Publisher: CSIRO Publishing

Date: 2007

DOI: 10.1071/PC070259

Abstract: Cross-fostering in marsupials refers to the transfer of pouch young from a target species into the pouch of a foster mother of the same species (intra-species) or a closely related species (inter-species). This technique together with short-term isolation of pouch young can be a valuable tool for increasing the reproductive output of endangered marsupials. In this study We investigate the use of cross-fostering and pouch isolation techniques to assist with hairy-nosed wombat recovery efforts. As an initial step towards achieving this end we report on the first successful intra-species pouch young isolation and fostering studies in a vombatid marsupial. Fifteen pouch young were fostered between female southern hairy-nosed wombats in 1997 and 1998, ranging in age from 16 to 146 days. Six of these females were recaptured between four and eleven months later and all were either still carrying the cross-fostered young or showed evidence of late lactation on the same teat. Pouch young isolation studies in the southern hairy-nosed wombat demonstrated that young as small as 0.43 g can be successfully isolated from the pouch for up to 8 hours at 23 degrees and 100% humidity however, until more tests are available, we recommend a minimum age and size of 10 days and 100 g respectively. Results of this study provide baseline information to assist with the future development of cross-fostering and pouch young isolation techniques in hairy-nosed wombats to enhance breeding in wild and/or captive colonies.

Effect of exogenous gonadotrophins on ovarian morphology and oocyte maturation in the southern hairy nosed wombat Lasiohinus latifrons during the breeding season

Publisher: CSIRO Publishing

Date: 2006

DOI: 10.1071/RD05047

Abstract: The effect of the exogenous administration of porcine follicle-stimulating hormone (pFSH) and pregnant mare serum gonadotrophin (PMSG) on ovarian follicular development and oocyte maturation in the southern hairy nosed wombat Lasiorhinus latifrons was investigated. Three experimental groups were administered pFSH at various doses and for different treatment lengths, followed by 25 mg porcine luteinising hormone (pLH) 12 h after the last dose of pFSH. Another group was given PMSG followed 72 h later by 25 mg pLH. Animals were killed 24 h after pLH. The left ovary was fixed for histology and the morphology of the antral follicles was determined, whereas follicular oocytes in the right ovary were aspirated, fixed, stained with 4′,6′-diamidino-2-phenylindole, and viewed for nuclear maturation. There was no significant difference in the mean number of ovarian follicles mm, or in the size class of follicles assessed between control and experimental groups. However, a trend was observed suggesting a possible increase in follicles .0 mm in experimental groups compared with control animals. In all females administered exogenous porcine gonadotrophins, but not controls, some of the mural granulosa cells of large tertiary antral follicles had markedly enlarged nuclei (approximately 14 µm in diameter). All oocytes from the control group remained at the germinal vesicle stage, whereas approximately 40% of oocytes retrieved from the pFSH groups and 82.4% retrieved from the PMSG-primed animals had undergone germinal vesicle break down, with a small number reaching meiosis II. The present study shows that exogenous administration of either pFSH or PMSG to hairy nosed wombats can induce follicular growth and oocyte maturation. Such findings could be useful in the development of reproductive technology in this species.

Growth and development of the southern hairy-nosed wombat, Lasiorhinus latifrons (Vombatidae)

Publisher: CSIRO Publishing

Date: 2007

DOI: 10.1071/ZO07056

Abstract: There are few published studies on breeding and reproduction in hairy-nosed wombats and little information available on growth and development of pouch young. At a field site near Swan Reach in the Murraylands of South Australia morphometric measurements of 353 young southern hairy-nosed wombats and notes on their development were recorded. These data were combined with growth data collected from repeat measures of 10 mother-reared and 5 hand-reared joeys in order to establish information for aging young of this species and to plot developmental changes. Young weighed ~0.4 g at birth and had a head length (HL) of ~5.2 mm. Head length was the most accurate body parameter from which to assess age. Growth of pouch young was linear between birth and ~Day 310 with head length growing at ~0.4 mm HL per day. After Day 300 growth slowed, represented by a polynomial equation. Eyes were open at 5 months and pouch young started to develop fur at 5–6 months of age. Most young were permanently out of pouch at 9 months of age, and were weaned between 11 and 13 months, when they weighed 6–7 kg. Young remained in the burrow for 1–2 months following pouch exit before venturing above ground at night.

Corticosterone stress hormone responses in oil rehabilitated and non-rehabilitated little penguins

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 12-2016

DOI: 10.1016/J.MARPOLBUL.2016.10.004

Abstract: Whether oiled wildlife should be rehabilitated during an oil spill is internationally debated. Research on little penguins (LP, Eudyptula minor) rehabilitated and released back into a cleaned environment after the New Zealand C/V Rena grounding oil spill in 2011 found the rehabilitation process was effective at treating and reversing the negative effects of oil-contamination on penguin post-release survival, productivity and ing behaviour. Here we investigated the acute corticosterone stress response of LPs to determine if responses of rehabilitated birds differed from those of "control" birds. Corticosterone responses of LPs two years after an oil spill did not differ between rehabilitated and non-rehabilitated penguins. These results show that the rehabilitation process for LP did not affect their long-term physiological responses to humans. This indicates that wildlife can be rehabilitated and returned to the wild with similar human tolerance levels to non-rehabilitated birds and an absence of habituation.

Bush Heritage Australia

Location: Australia

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University Of Sydney

Location: Australia

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University Of Melbourne

Location: Australia

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Linkage Projects - Grant ID: LP210100300

Start Date: 04-2022

End Date: 04-2025

Amount: $434,116.00

Funder: Australian Research Council

Linkage Projects - Grant ID: LP190100291

Start Date: 04-2020

End Date: 03-2024

Amount: $559,744.00

Funder: Australian Research Council