Effect of the Queensland Shark Control Program on non target species : whale, dugong, turtle and dolphin : a review

The Queensland Shark Control Program (QSCP) aims to protect swimmers at ten beach areas on the east coast of Queensland between Cairns (17°S) and the Gold coast (28°S). Since its inception in 1962 it has deployed shark nets and baited drumlines in a `mixed gear strategy' that adapts the type of gear to the characteristics of a site (e .g . extreme tidal range, high energy wave action, or proximity of turtle breeding areas) . The policy has provided swimmer protection, and the incidental capture of non-target species has been lower than that resulting from deployment of nets alone (Dudley 1997; Gribble et al. 1998b). The QSCP is the only major public-safety shark-control program to routinely use mixed gear. Both the New South Wales (Holt 1998) and KwaZulu-Natal (Dudley 1998) programs use nets exclusively, although the KwaZulu-Natal program has recently tested drumlines on an experimental basis (Dudley 1998; Dudley, personal communication).

Evidence of package trading in a mature multi-species ITQ market

In multi-species fisheries managed under ITQs, the existence of joint production may lead to complex catch-quota balancing issues. Previous modelling and experimental research suggest that, in such fisheries, some fishers may benefit from the ability to trade packages of fishing quotas, rather than fulfil their quota needs by simultaneously bidding on separate single-species quota markets. This note presents evidence of naturally occurring package trades in a real fishery. Based on this evidence, we suggest that further empirical and modelling research is required on the potential and limitations of package quota trading in mixed fisheries managed with ITQs. © 2014.

Generalised growth models for aquatic species with an application to blacklip abalone (Haliotis rubra)

This paper presents a maximum likelihood method for estimating growth parameters for an aquatic species that incorporates growth covariates, and takes into consideration multiple tag-recapture data. Individual variability in asymptotic length, age-at-tagging, and measurement error are also considered in the model structure. Using distribution theory, the log-likelihood function is derived under a generalised framework for the von Bertalanffy and Gompertz growth models. Due to the generality of the derivation, covariate effects can be included for both models with seasonality and tagging effects investigated. Method robustness is established via comparison with the Fabens, improved Fabens, James and a non-linear mixed-effects growth models, with the maximum likelihood method performing the best. The method is illustrated further with an application to blacklip abalone (Haliotis rubra) for which a strong growth-retarding tagging effect that persisted for several months was detected. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The upper respiratory tract is a natural reservoir of haemolytic Mannheimia species associated with ovine mastitis

Lamb suckling has been suggested to be an important way of infecting a ewe's udder with different bacteria, including Mannheimia haemolytica. To test the potential role of lambs in transferring Mannheimia species to the ewe’s udder, the restriction endonuclease cleavage patterns of isolates obtained from nasopharyngeal swabs were compared with those obtained from cases of mastitis. Sterile cotton swabs were used to collect nasopharyngeal samples from 50 ewes and 36 lambs from three flocks. M. haemolytica and Mannheimia glucosida as well as haemolytic Mannheimia ruminalis-like organisms were detected in the upper respiratory tract of lambs and ewes. Comparison of the restriction endonuclease cleavage patterns of the isolates suggested that the M. haemolytica isolates obtained from different milk samples from ewes with mastitis were more clonal than those obtained from the nasal swabs. However, some nasal isolates within both Mannheimia species had restriction endonuclease cleavage patterns identical to those obtained from milk samples from ewes with mastitis, indicating that lambs may have a role in transferring these organisms to the udder. More clonality was observed between the M. glucosida isolates than between M. haemolytica isolates.

Ecology of uncultivated oscillospira species in the rumen of cattle, sheep, and reindeer as assessed by microscopy and molecular approaches

The ecology of the uncultured, but large and morphologically conspicuous, rumen bacterium Oscillospira spp. was studied. Oscillospira-specific 16S rRNA gene sequences were detected in North American domestic cattle, sheep from Australia and Japan, and Norwegian reindeer. Phylogenetic analysis of the sequences obtained allowed definition of three operational taxonomic units within the Oscillospira clade. Consistent with this genetic diversity, we observed atypical smaller morphotypes by using an Oscillospira-specific fluorescence in situ hybridization probe. Despite the visual disappearance of typical large Oscillospira morphotypes, the presence of Oscillospira spp. was still detected by Oscillospira-specific PCR in the rumen of cattle and sheep. These observations suggest the broad presence of Oscillospira species in various rumen ecosystems with the level, and most likely the morphological form, dependent on diet. An ecological analysis based on enumeration of the morphologically conspicuous, large-septate form confirms that the highest counts are associated with the feeding of fresh forage diets to cattle and sheep and in two different subspecies of reindeer investigated.

Female Reproductive Biology and Spawning Periodicity of Two Species of King Prawns, Penaeus longistylus Kubo and Penaeus latisulcatus Kishinouye, from Queensland's East Coast Fishery

In the coastal region of central Queensland female red-spot king prawns, P. longistylus, and the western or blue-leg king prawns, P. latisulcatus, had high mean ovary weights and high proportions of advanced ovary development during the winter months of July and August of 1985 and 1986. On the basis of insemination, both species began copulating at the size of 26-27 mm CL, but P. longistylus matured and spawned at a smaller size than P. latisulcatus. Abundance of P. longistylus was generally three to four times greater than that of P. latisulcatus but the latter was subject to greater variation in abundance. Low mean ovary weight and low proportions of females with advanced ovaries were associated with the maximum mean bottom sea-water temperature (28.5ºC) for both species. Population fecundity indices indicated that peaks in yolk or egg production (a) displayed a similar pattern for both species, (b) varied in timing from year to year for both species and (c) were strongly influenced by abundance. Generally, sample estimates of abundance and commercial catch rates (CPUE) showed similar trends. Differences between the two may have been due to changes in targeted commercial effort in this multi-species fishery.

First record of a smut fungus on Byblidaceae: Yelsemia lowrieana, a new species from Australia.

Yelsemia lowrieana sp . nov. (Ustilaginomycetes) is described and illustrated from Byblis rorida collected in northwestern Western Australia. Infected plants had galls filled with spores on stems and pedicels. The spores were unusual in that each could be separated from a dark outer spore wall. This is the first record of a smut fungus on the dicotyledonous host family Byblidaceae.

Spoilage pattern of five species of Australian prawns: Deterioration is influenced by environment of capture and mode of storage

Five species of commercial prawns Penaeus plebejus, P. merguiensis, P. semisulcatus/P. esculentus and M. bennettae, were obtained from South-East and North Queensland, chilled soon after capture and then stored either whole or deheaded on ice and ice slurry, until spoilage. Total bacterial counts, total volatile nitrogen, K-values and total demerit scores were assessed at regular intervals. Their shelf lives ranged from 10-17 days on ice and >20 days on ice slurry. Initial bacterial flora on prawns from shallower waters (4-15m) were dominated by Gram-positives and had lag periods around 7 days, whereas prawns from deeper waters (100m) were dominant in Pseudomonas spp. with no lag periods in bacterial growth. The dominant spoiler in ice was mainly Pseudomonas fragi whereas the main spoiler in ice slurry was Shewanella putrefaciens. Bacterial interactions seem to play a major role in the patterns of spoilage in relation to capture environment and pattern of storage

Five new species of Aptenocanthon Matthews (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae) from tropical Australia, with notes on distribution

Five new species of the flightless scarabaeine genus Aptenocanthon Matthews are described from northern Australia: jimara sp. nov. from the Northern Territory; kabura sp. nov., wollumbin sp. nov., winyur sp. nov. and speewah sp. nov. from mountains in the wet tropics of northern Queensland. A key is given to the eight species in the genus. A. jimara is the first record of the genus away from the east coast. Biology and distribution are discussed.

A new species of Aptenocanthorn Mathews from North Queensland. (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae)

Aptenocanthorn monteithi sp. Nov. is described from Atherton Tableland areas in northern Queensland. The nearest relatives are from mountains in eastern New South Wales.

New species of Onthophagus Latreille (Coleoptera : Scarabaeidae) from Australia

Twenty new Australian species of the scarabaeine genus Onthophagus Latreille are described: O. arkoola, O. beelarong, O. bindaree, O. binyana, O. bundara, O. cooloola, O. dinjerra, O. godarra, O. gurburra, O. kakadu, O. mije, O. mongana, O. pinaroo, O. trawalla, O. weringerong, O. williamsi, O. worooa, O. yackatoon, O. yaran, O. yourula. Notes and scanning electron micrographs are given to assist in the separation of each from previously described Australian species. Distribution maps are provided for each species

A new flightless species of Aulacopris White from north Queensland (coleoptera : scarabaeidae : scarabaeinae)

Aulacopris mallhewsi sp. nov. is described from mountains behind Cape Tribulation in northern Queensland. Its nearest relatives are in southeastern Queensland. The species is the smallest in the genus and is flightless. Individuals engaged in ball making and ball rolling activities in the laboratory.

Developments in phosphine resistance in China and possible implications for Australia

Resistance to phosphine was characterised in strains of rice weevil, Sirophilus oryzae, and the psocids Liposcelis entomophila and L. decolor from China and Australia. Mixed-age cultures (containing all life stages) of insects were tested using a flow-through apparatus. The criterion of response was 'time to population extinction' defined as the exposure period, in days, at which 100% mortality of adults and no live progeny were achieved. Chinese S. oryzae took 11 and 7 days for population extinction at 200 and 700 ppm phosphine, respectively, compared with the Australian strain, which was controlled in 7 and 5 days, respectively. Similarly, the Chinese strains L. Enfornophila and L. decolor were generally more difficult to control than the corresponding Australian strains. The Chinese strains of L. decolor showed resistance levels stronger than any grain storage insect pest species so far detected in Australia. This research allows us to evaluate the likely significance of potential new resistance to the Australian grain industry and to prepare effective fumigation dosages and resistance management strategies to combat new strong resistances before they emerge here.

Six new species of Onthophagus Latreille (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) from Australia

Six new species of Onthophagus are described from Queensland and Northern Territory: 0. kiambram. 0. yarrumba, 0. kora, O.punthari, 0. terrara and 0. wanappe. All six species are related to the Australian 0. rubescens Macleay, and a key is given to separate the 14 species in that group.

Phylogeny of the Rhyparini and the new tribe Stereomerini, with descriptions of new genera and species (Coleoptera; Scarabaeidae; Aphodiinae)

A new tribe, the Stereomerini, is established for four unusual genera: Stereomera Arrow, Termitaxis Krikken, Australoxenella n.gen., and Bruneixenus n.gen. The previously described genera are monotypic, as is Bruneixenus, the type species being B. squamosus n.sp. from Brunei. Australoxenella contains two new species, A. humptydooensis, type species, and A. bathurstensis, both from the Northern Territory, Australia. The relationships of the new tribe are analyzed and compared with the most closely related tribe, the Rhyparini, in the Aphodiinae. The tribe Rhyparini is redefined, and the genus Notocaulus Quedenfeldt is transferred to the Eupariini. A key to genera in both the Stereomerini and the Rhyparini is presented, important characters are illustrated, a cladogram is given, and convergence is discussed.