First record of the mite Hirstiella diolii Baker (Prostigmata : Pterygosomatidae) from Australia, with a review of mites found on Australian lizards

We report the First occurrence in Australia of an exotic mite parasite of lizards, Hirstiella diolii Baker (Prostigmata, Pterygosomatidae), and its association with iguanas at the Taronga Zoo in Sydney. We also report on the spread of the exotic snake mite Ophionyssus natricis (Gervais) to native populations of skinks, provide a key to the mites associated with Australian lizards and review how to distinguish chiggers from pterygosomatid mites.

Of mites and bees: A review of mite-bee associations in Australia and a revision of Raymentia Womersley (Acari : Mesostigmata : Laelapidae), with the description of two new species of mites from Lasioglossum (Parasphecodes) spp. (Hymenoptera : Halictidae)

Social bees have a diverse fauna of symbiotic mesostigmatic mites, including highly pathogenic parasites of the honeybee, but there are few reports of Mesostigmata phoretic on or inhabiting the nests of solitary or communal, ground-nesting bees. In south-eastern Australia, however, native bees in the family Halictidae carry what appears to be a substantial radiation of host-specific mesostigmatans in the family Laelapidae. Herein, we redescribe the obscure genus Raymentia , associated with Lasioglossum (Parasphecodes ) spp. bees (Halictidae) and describe two new species, R. eickwortiana from L. lacthium (Smith) and R. walkeriana from L. atronitens (Cockerell). The type species, R. anomala Womersley, is associated with L. altichum (Smith). In addition, we review the mites known to be associated with Australian bees, provide a key to differentiate them, and describe and illustrate acarinaria of the Halictinae. We also report on the first occurrences in Australia of the genera Trochometridium Cross (Heterostigmata: Trochometridiidae), from L. eremaean Walker (Halictidae), and Cheletophyes Oudemans (Prostigmata: Cheyletidae) from Xylocopa Latreille (Xylocopinae), and on the previously unknown association between a Neocypholaelaps Vitzthum (Mesostigmata: Ameroseiidae) and Lipotriches tomentifera (Friese) (Halictidae).

Identity and genetic diversity of the sorghum ergot pathogen in Australia

Sorghum ergot was first discovered in Australia in 1996. It affects seed production and grain usage in stock feed due to concerns of animal toxicity. Three species of Claviceps are known to cause ergot of sorghum with different epidemiological, animal toxicity, and management implications. Claviceps africana was identified as the causal agent but morphological differences between isolates raised the possibility of more than one species being involved. The major aim of this study was to identify the Claviceps species causing sorghum ergot and to determine the genetic diversity among isolates of the ergot pathogen from Australia and overseas. Symptom development, sequencing of the ITS1 region, and radiolabelled DNA amplification fingerprints (RAF) were used to confirm that ergot of sorghum in Australia is caused by C. africana. The morphology of sphacelia, microconidia, macroconidia, and secondary conidia of all 36 Australian isolates studied matched the description for C. africana and the DNA sequence of the ITS1 region of 2 selected Australian isolates was identical to that of C. africana. Based on RAF analysis of 110 Australian and overseas isolates of Claviceps spp., C. africana isolates could be clearly distinguished (

Eating 'Green': Motivations behind organic food consumption in Australia

Central to the development of green lifestyles is the consumption of foods that by dint of their status as chemical-free, locally produced and/or free of genetically modified ingredients, reduce the environmental impact of food provision. Yet there are many other factors, such as health concerns, that may also encourage the consumption of 'green' foods. This paper explores the ways in which Australian consumers construct organic food-a sector of the food industry that is currently growing at between 20 and 50 percent per annum but is struggling to keep up with rising consumer demand. In order to examine the significance of 'green' signifiers in the consumption practices of Australian consumers a series of focus group interviews and a national consumer survey were conducted. These examined both those characteristics of food that were valued in general, and those meanings that were associated with organic food in particular. In very general terms, analysis reveals that while consumers believed organic foods to be healthy and environmentally sound-both of which were considered desirable-these characteristics were subsumed by an overarching concern with convenience. This does not mean that consumers did not hold genuinely positive environmental attitudes. Rather, it reflects a range of contradictory beliefs and practices that appeared to derive from the discursive conflict between conventional and organic food industries over environmental, health and safety claims. The paper concludes by identifying the barriers and opportunities for expanding the organic industry in Australia in the context of the ways organics is constructed by consumers.

Monostephanostomum georgianum n. sp (Digenea : Acanthocolpidae) from Arripis georgianus (Valenciennes) (Perciformes : Arripidae) off Kangaroo Island, South Australia, with comments on Monostephanostomum Kruse, 1979 and Stephanostomum Looss, 1899

Monostephanostomum georgianum n. sp. is described from Arripis georgianus off Kangaroo Island, South Australia. It differs from its congeners by the presence of a short second row of oral spines. M. manteri Kruse, 1979 is reported from A. georgianus off southern Western Australia and Kangaroo Island, South Australia and A. trutta off northern Tasmania. It is considered that the other two species, M. yamagutii Ramadan, 1984 and M. krusei Reimer, 1983, should probably be removed from this genus. Two new combinations are formed, M. gazzae (Shen, 1990) n. comb. (from Stephanostomum) and M. mesospinosum (Madhavi, 1976) n. comb. (from Stephanostomum). A key to the four recognised species of Monostephanostomum is given.

Further observations on the Enenteridae Yamaguti, 1958 (Digenea, Lepocreadioidea) of the Indo-West Pacific region, including a new species from Western Australia

Measurements are given for all and full descriptions and illustrations for some of the following enenterid species: Enenterum aureum Linton, 1910 in Kyphosus bigibbus and K. sydneyanus? from Ningaloo Coral Reef, Western Australia, K. vaigiensis from off Heron Island, Queensland and K. vaigiensis from off Moorea, French Polynesia; E. mannarense Hafeezullah, 1980 in K. bigibbus and K. sydneyanus? from Ningaloo Coral Reef; E. elongatum Yamaguti, 1970 in K. vaigiensis from Heron Island, Queensland and K. bigibbus and K. sydneyanus? from Ningaloo Coral Reef; Koseiria alanwilliamsi sp. nov. in Kyphosus cornelii from off Kalbarri, Western Australia; Koseiria xishaense Gu et Shen, 1983 in K. vaigiensis from off Heron Island and K. bigibbus from off Palau, Micronesia; Proenenterum isocotylum Manter, 1954 in Aplodactylus arctidens from off Stanley, Tasmania; R ericotylum Manter, 1954 in A. arctidens from off Stanley; Cadenatella isuzumi Machida, 1993 from Kyphosus bigibbus and K. sydneyanus? from Ningaloo Coral Reef; Cadenatella pacifica (Yamaguti, 1970) from Kyphosus bigibbus from Ningaloo Coral Reef. Two recent cladistic studies of the Enenteridae are discussed and a further analysis has shown that Enenterum and Cadenatella are monophyletic, whilst Koseiria appears polyphyletic. The zoogeography and host-specificity of Kyphosus-inhabiting enenterids is discussed.

Investigations into the PCDD contamination of topsoil, river sediments and kaolinite clay in Queensland, Australia

Recent findings of elevated PCDDs from an unknown source in the coastal marine environment of Queensland, Australia has instigated further investigations into the distribution of, and environments associated with the PCDD contamination. This study presents data for OCDD concentrations in the coastal, mountainous and inland environment of Queensland. Additionally, full 2,3,7,8-substituted polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofuran (PCDD/F) profiles from different land-use types and environments in the coastal region were analysed. Distinct east-west gradients were detected in topsoil collected from various bushland regions with elevated OCDD concentrations confined to the coastal region. However, PCDD/F results from topsoil and river sediments collected in the Queensland coastal region suggest that elevated OCDD concentrations cannot be attributed to any of the environments, land-use or industry types investigated. PCDD/F congener profiles from select samples were remarkably similar to those previously described in marine sediments collected along the entire Queensland coastline. In addition, kaolinite clay samples from Queensland exhibited elevated OCDD concentrations, and PCDD/F profiles in these samples were similar to those detected in kaolinite clays elsewhere. Natural formation processes have been hypothesised as the source of elevated PCDDs in Queensland and other locations, where similar PCDD/F profiles and the general lack of anthropogenic sources are evident. This study presents additional data supporting this hypothesis and provides further information that may assist in the identification of the processes involved in the natural formation of PCDDs. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

Harm minimization in a prohibition context - Australia

Australia ranks high internationally in the prevalence of cannabis and other illicit drug use, with the prevalence of all illicit drug use increasing since the 1970s. There are two distinctive features associated with harms from injecting drug use-high rates of death from heroin overdose and low rates of HIV infection. Australia has largely avoided a punitive and moralistic drug policy, developing instead harm minimization strategies and a robust treatment framework embedded in a strong law enforcement regime. Two illustrations of Australian drug policy are presented: legislation that provides for the expiation of simple cannabis offences by payment of a fine and the widespread implementation of agonist maintenance treatment for heroin dependence.

P/M in Australia

Powder metallurgy activities in Australia are reviewed. Though relatively small, the industry is diverse and is experiencing record sales, buoyed by a strong domestic economy. In particular, the industry is underpinned by a vibrant automotive sector and a dominant mining and minerals industry. Research on powder metallurgy and particulate materials is conducted primarily in the universities with emphasis on mechanical alloying and aluminium alloys. Overall, the future outlook for powder metallurgy in Australia is excellent.

Predation of brown tree snakes (Boiga irregularis) in Australia

We conducted a literature review to address the potential for using a native, vertebrate predator of brown tree snakes (Boiga irregularis) as a biological control method on Guam. Both actual and potential predators were included in our review. We located two actual predators (red-bellied black snakes (Pseudechis porphyriacus) and cane toads (Bufo marinus)) and 55 potential predators of brown tree snakes. However, none of the native predators of brown tree snakes appear likely candidates as a biological control method on Guam due to their lack of selectivity in their feeding habits and unknown aspects of their natural history. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

The effects of haemogregarine-like parasites on brown tree snakes (Boiga irregularis) and slatey-grey snakes (Stegonotus cucullatus) in Queensland, Australia

We described the effects of haemogregarine-like parasites on the blood chemistry and health of brown tree snakes (Boiga irregularis) and slatey-grey snakes (Stegonotus cucullatus) to evaluate the potential for these parasites to be used as a form of biological wildlife control for introduced brown tree snakes on Guam. We quantified the level of parasitic infection and found no significant correlation between parasitic infection and blood chemistry (P-values ranged from 0.94 to 0.13) or snake condition (P = 0.65 and 0.40 in brown tree snakes and slatey-grey snakes, respectively). These findings indicate that haemogregarines may not be a good candidate to control brown tree snakes. However, parasitic infection in our specimens was low ( < 10%) and higher infection rates may yield significant effect on the health of these snakes. Further research should be conducted on the effects of haemogregarines to host species, the life histories of these parasites, and the potential negative effects to other fauna before blood parasites are employed as a viable biological control technique. (C) 2002 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.

Ultra-high-temperature (UHT) treatment of milk: comparison of direct and indirect modes of heating

UHT processing of milk and its subsequent storage causes several changes which affect the shelf-life of UHT milk although it remains 'commercially sterile'. These changes include whey protein denaturation, protein-protein interaction, lactose-protein interaction, isomerisation of lactose, Maillard browning, sulphydryl compound formation, formation of a range of carbonyl and other flavoursome compounds, and formation of insoluble substances. They ultimately reduce the quality and limit the shelf life of UHT milk through development of off-flavours, fat separation, age gelation and sedimentation. The extent of these changes depends on many factors, a major one being the type of UHT heating. This review compares the effect heating milk by direct and indirect modes on various aspects of processing and quality of UHT milk.

The spread of Angiostrongylus cantonensis in Australia

Until the recent establishment of Angiostrongylus cantonensis in North America. Australia was the only developed region endemic for this parasite. Almost 50 years ago the life cycle was elucidated there, in the city of Brisbane, and the first human infections probably occurred in 1959. From the 1970s, increasing numbers of autochthonous infections have been reported along the central east coast of the continent (southeast Queensland and northern New South Wales), involving humans, rats, dogs, horses, flying foxes and marsupials. Ten years ago, the parasite was discovered in Sydney, almost 1,000 km to the south, in dogs. In that city, it has since been diagnosed as a cause of neurological disease in increasing numbers of dogs, flying foxes, marsupials and zoo primates. Presumably, these infections resulted from the ingestion of snails or slugs, and it seems that virtually all species of native and exotic terrestrial molluscs can serve as intermediate hosts. It is not known how the parasite was introduced to this continent, or how it has spread over such an extensive territory, although eventually its range could encompass the entire east coast, and potentially other regions. It is also not known if the almost identical, native species, A. mackerrasae, is able to infect people (or other non-rodent hosts). All worms recovered to date, from one fatal human case, and from many animal infections, have been confirmed as A. cantonensis.