Observations on the laternal vaginae and birth canals in the marsupials Isoodon macrourus and Perameles nasuta (Mammalia)

The laternal vaginae in the bandicoots Isoodon macrourus and Perameles nasuta wer long, straight and tabular, and consisted of a mascular sheath, an intermediate connective tissue layer and a luminal epithelium. The muscle layer had an inwardly projecting longitudinal ridge in I. macrourus but not in P. nasuta . In both species, a glassy layer was present immediately below the epithelium which was usually stratified columnar in type, although a non-keratinzing squamous type occured in small regions in some P. nasuta during pregnancy. The distance between the lateral vaginae in the birth canal region increased during pregnancy and reached a maximum at birth. The birth canal lacked an epithelial lining and was patent in some animals for more than half the lactation period. The allantoic stalks were often retained within the birth canal region throughout the lactation period and in some animals during the next pregnancy and even during the early part of the subsequent lactation     

The brachylaimidae (Trematoda: Digenea) of Australian native mammals and birds,including descriptions of Dasyurotrema n. g. and four new species of Brachylaima

The Brachylaimidae of Australian native animals are revised. Brachylaima dasyuri (Johnston, 1913) is redescribed from Dasyurus viverrinus, Phascogale tapoatafa and Isoodon macrourus. B. simile (Johnston, 1913) is removed from synonymy with B. dasyuri, reinstated as a valid species and redescribed from Perameles nasuta, Isoodon obesulus and Antechinus stuartii. B. antechini Peisley & Howell, 1975 is reduced to synonymy with B. simile. B. brindabellensis n. sp. is described from Rattus fuscipes. B. walterae n. sp. is described from Antechinus swainsonii and A. stuartii. B. delecta n. sp. is described from Antechinus flavipes. B. sandarsae n. sp. is described from Antechinus godmani. B. pulchellum (Johnston, 1917) is redescribed from Leucosarcia melanoleuca. An unnamed Brachylaima species is described from Isoodon macrourus. New host records are Brachylaima dasyuri from Phascogale tapoatafa and B. simile from Perameles nasuta. Dasyurotrema mascomai n. g., n. sp. is described from Antechinus swainsonii. The new genus is placed in the Panopistinae. It differs from the existing genera by having a single loop of the uterus passing anterior to the ventral sucker and the genital pore posterior to the posterior testis but still distinctly ventral. A second species of Dasyurotrema is recorded, but not described, from Antechinus stuartii. Brachylaimid metacercariae are described from Rhytida capillacea, Helicarion virens, H. mastersi and Vercularion strangei. In no case was a host species found to harbour more than one species from any brachylaimid genus at a single geographical site.     

Conservation genomics of the ‘Endangered’ long-nosed bandicoot (Perameles nasuta) population at North Head,Sydney, Australia

Conservation Genetics - Wildlife species impacted by habitat loss and fragmentation often require conservation efforts to maintain populations. Long-nosed bandicoots (Perameles nasuta) still...     

A timescale and phylogeny for "bandicoots" (Peramelemorphia: Marsupialia) based on sequences for five nuclear genes

Relationships among the living and recently extinct genera of bandicoots (Marsupialia: Peramelemorphia) have proven difficult to discern. Previous phylogenetic studies have used only morphology or mitochondrial DNA and have reported conflicting results in regards to their relationships. Most phylogenetic reconstructions recognize a basal split between the bilby Macrotis (Thylacomyidae) and the Peramelidae. The Peramelidae is composed of the Peramelinae (Isoodon and Perameles), Echymiperinae (Echymipera and Microperoryctes), and Peroryctinae (Peroryctes). Within Peramelidae, Echymipera and Microperoryctes usually group together to the exclusion of Peroryctes. This clade is sister to the Peramelinae. Placement of the recently extinct pig-footed bandicoot (Chaeropus: Chaeropodidae) has been ambiguous. We address the interrelationships and estimate times of divergence for the living bandicoot genera using a 6 kilobase concatenation consisting of protein-coding regions of five nuclear genes (ApoB, BRCA1, IRBP, Rag1, and vWF). We analyzed this concatenation using maximum parsimony, maximum likelihood, and Bayesian methods and estimated times of divergence using two Bayesian relaxed molecular clock methods. In all concatenated analyses, all nodes associated with the Peramelemorphia were robustly supported (bootstrap support percentages=100; posterior probabilities=1.00). Macrotis was recovered as basal to the remaining living bandicoots. Within the Peramelidae, Echymipera and Microperoryctes grouped to the exclusion of Peroryctes and this clade was sister to the Peramelinae. Only Rag1 amplified for Chaeropus; analyses based on this gene provide moderate support for an association of Chaeropus plus Peramelidae to the exclusion of Macrotis. Both relaxed clock Bayesian methods suggest that the living bandicoots are a relatively recent radiation originating sometime in the late Oligocene or early Miocene with subsequent radiations in the late Miocene to early Pliocene.     

Some effects of tick infestations on juvenile northern brown bandicoot (Isoodon macrourus)

The effect of tick infestations on body weight and various blood parameters was monitored in juvenile northern brown bandicoots (Isoodon macrourus) after release into tick-infested or tick-free enclosures. Three species of ticks were observed in the enclosures, Haemaphysalis humerosa, Ixodes tasmani and Ixodes holocyclus. Bandicoots released into tick-infested enclosures showed a reduced growth rate (1.8 versus 2.5 g/day increase in body weight), a reduced haematocrit value (27.4 versus 40.0%) and an increased number of white blood cells when compared with bandicoots released into tick-free enclosures. These results suggest that tick infestations may influence the health of juvenile I. macrourus.     

Species of Cloacina Linstow, 1898 (Nematoda: Strongyloidea) from the black-tailed wallaby, Wallabia bicolor (Desmarest, 1804) from eastern Australia

Species of Cloacina Linstow, 1898 (Nematoda: Strongyloidea) are reported and/or described from the stomach of the macropodid marsupial Wallabia bicolor (Desmarest, 1804) collected in eastern Australia. Nematodes were examined from 26 hosts collected in 3 states and the number of species of Cloacina in any one host was 2--7. The following species were encountered: C. wallabiae Johnston and Mawson, 1939, C. gallardi Johnston and Mawson, 1940, C. edwardsi Mawson, 1972 and C. cornuta (Davey and Wood, 1938) the last named constituting a new host record. The following new species are described: C. mawsonae sp. nov., C. papillata sp. nov., C. annulata sp. nov., C. castor sp. nov. and C. pollux sp. nov.     

Review of Papillostrongylus Johnston & Mawson, 1939 (Nematoda: Strongyloidea) from wallabies and kangaroos (Marsupialia: Macropodidae) using morphological and molecular techniques,with the description of P. barbatus n. sp.

The strongyloid nematode genus Papillostrongylus Johnston & Mawson, 1939, from kangaroos and wallabies, is reviewed using morphological and molecular methods. P. labiatus Johnston & Mawson, 1939 is re-described from material from the type-host, the black-striped wallaby Macropus dorsalis, from eastern Queensland, Australia, in which it is a relatively common parasite. Additional records from M. parryi and Thylogale thetis are confirmed and considered to represent examples of host-switching. A geographically disjunct population of the nematode species occurs in M. bernardus and Petrogale brachyotis in Arnhem Land, Northern Territory, but assessment of its status requires additional material. Nematodes from M. rufus, M. giganteus, M. fuliginosus and M. robustus from inland regions of Australia, formerly attributed to P. labiatus, are here assigned to a new species, P. barbatus, distinguished by the presence of an external leaf-crown, larger size, by greater spicule length in the male and by a sinuous vagina in the female. Additional hosts of P. barbatus n. sp. are Petrogale assimilis and Pet. lateralis purpureicollis. Sequence analyses of the second internal transcribed spacer of ribosomal DNA (ITS-2) also showed that P. barbatus n. sp. differed at 40 (16.7%) of the 240 alignment positions when compared with P. labiatus. Most of these interspecific sequence differences occurred in loops or bulges of the predicted precursor rRNA secondary structure, or represented partial or total compenstory base pair changes in stems.     

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

One 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.     

Interactions between European rabbits and native marsupials in the absence of terrestrial predators

European rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) are ubiquitous across Australia and have the ability to influence native species directly and indirectly. Despite this, limited research focuses on interspecific interactions between rabbits and native mammals. We aimed to determine how site occupancy, detection probability, and temporal activity periods of native mammals changed in response to the presence or absence of rabbits. We monitored three native mammal species using 85 camera traps in a systematic grid at Mt Rothwell Conservation and Research Reserve (Victoria, Australia), a predator-barrier fenced reserve with two distinct sections—an area with rabbits and an area without. Bettongs (rufous Aepyprymnus rufescens and eastern Bettongia gaimardi), eastern barred bandicoots (Perameles gunni), and southern brown bandicoots (Isoodon obesulus) had a naïve site occupancy of 71%, 42%, and 24%, respectively. Site occupancy for both bandicoot species decreased in areas with more clumping grass with eastern barred bandicoot occupancy increasing with leaf litter cover, and southern brown bandicoots with vegetation height. Rabbit presence did not influence site occupancy of any species. Species detection probabilities were generally positively associated with open vegetation and rabbit presence, except for southern brown bandicoots which were more detectable without rabbits. Both bandicoot species shifted their peak activity periods in the absence of rabbits having an earlier, and more defined activity peak. Our results demonstrate that the presence of rabbits in the absence of invasive predators may not influence the site occupancy of co-occurring native mammals, however, could influence the behaviour of smaller co-occurring mammals, either directly or indirectly.     

The phylogenetic relationships of the bilby, Macrotis lagotis (Peramelimorphia: Thylacomyidae), to the bandicoots- DNA sequence evidence

Partial sequencing of the 12S ribosomal RNA gene was used to test two competing hypotheses concerning the phylogenetic relationship of the bilby (Macrotis lagotis) to the Australian and New Guinean species of bandicoot. The first hypothesis proposes that the Australian and New Guinean bandicoots are in a monophyletic clade to the exclusion of the bilbies, whereas the second hypothesis proposes that the bilby is monophyletic with the Australian bandicoots to the exclusion of the New Guinean bandicoots. Phylogenies determined by both maximum-likelihood and neighbour-joining approaches supported the first hypothesis in which the bilby is excluded from the clade represented by the Australian and New Guinean bandicoots. Monophyly of the Australian and New Guinean bandicoots is consistent with the biogeographical scenario in which Australia and Papua New Guinea have undergone repeated connection and disconnection over the last 20 million years.     

Attitudes to native bandicoots in an urban environment

Urbanization along the eastern seaboard of Australia has increased the potential for conflict between humans and wildlife. The northern suburbs of Sydney are home to the southern brown (Isoodon obesulus) and the long-nosed bandicoot (Perameles nasuta). Both are known to enter yards of home owners causing a disturbance to yard plantings and an interaction with domestic pets. Understanding the driving factors behind the public’s perception of bandicoots will enable wildlife managers to develop effective and socially acceptable conservation strategies. Six hundred and thirty questionnaires were distributed to the residents bordering Ku-ring-gai Chase and Garigal National Park in Sydney, Australia, to assess the sources of conflict. Eighty-three percent of respondents had experienced bandicoot interactions and 27% had experienced interactions on a daily basis. This interaction with bandicoots influenced respondents’ perception of a bandicoot as a nuisance or pest. The age of the resident and pet ownership status also influenced respondents’ attitudes. Contrary to anecdotal reports, there was an overall positive response from the community. The information gained from this survey will inform the development community-based management strategies for the bandicoots of northern Sydney. Communicated by W. Lutz     

Phylogeography of the antilopine wallaroo (Macropus antilopinus) across tropical northern Australia

The distribution of antilopine wallaroo, Macropus antilopinus, is marked by a break in the species’ range between Queensland and the Northern Territory, coinciding with the Carpentarian barrier. Previous work on M. antilopinus revealed limited genetic differentiation between the Northern Territory and Queensland M. antilopinus populations across this barrier. The study also identified a number of divergent lineages in the Northern Territory, but was unable to elucidate any geographic structure. Here, we re‐examine these results to (1) determine phylogeographic patterns across the range of M. antilopinus and (2) infer the biogeographic barriers associated with these patterns. The tropical savannahs of northern Australia: from the Cape York Peninsula in the east, to the Kimberley in the west. We examined phylogeographic patterns in M. antilopinus using a larger number of samples and three mtDNA genes: NADH dehydrogenase subunit 2, cytochrome b, and the control region. Two datasets were generated and analyzed: (1) a subset of samples with all three mtDNA regions concatenated together and (2) all samples for just control region sequences that included samples from the previous study. Analysis included generating phylogenetic trees based on Bayesian analysis and intraspecific median‐joining networks. The contemporary spatial structure of M. antilopinus mtDNA lineages revealed five shallow clades and a sixth, divergent lineage. The genetic differences that we found between Queensland and Northern Territory M. antilopinus samples confirmed the split in the geographic distribution of the species. We also found weak genetic differentiation between Northern Territory samples and those from the Kimberley region of Western Australia, possibly due to the Kimberley Plateau–Arnhem Land barrier. Within the Northern Territory, two clades appear to be parapatric in the west, while another two clades are broadly sympatric across the Northern Territory. MtDNA diversity of M. antilopinus revealed an unexpectedly complex evolutionary history involving multiple sympatric and parapatric mtDNA clades across northern Australia. These phylogeographic patterns highlight the importance of investigating genetic variation across distributions of species and integrating this information into biodiversity conservation.     

A morphological and electrophoretic study of Rugopharynx zeta (Johnston & Mawson, 1939) (Nematoda: Strongyloidea), with the description of a new species,R. mawsonae,from the black-striped wallaby Macropus dorsalis (Marsupialia: Macropodidae)

Rugopharynx zeta (Johnston & Mawson) (Nematoda: Strongyloidea) is redescribed from the rock wallabies Petrogale penicillata penicillata, P. p. herberti, P. inornata and P. assimilis from Queensland and New South Wales, Australia. Specimens formerly assigned to this nematode taxon from the wallabies Macropus dorsalis and M. parma are treated as a new species, R. mawsonae. R. mawsonae n. sp. differs from R. zeta in the shape of the dorsal ray, length of spicules, morphology of spicule tip, length of female tail and position of deirid. The morphological differences are supported by electrophoretic data. R. zeta and R. mawsonae n. sp. had fixed genetic differences at 45.0% of the 21 enzyme loci examined, while each differed at 38.1% and 45.0% of loci respectively from the morphologically distinct R. delta (Johnston & Mawson). The known host and geographical distributions of R. zeta and R. mawsonae n. sp. are reviewed.     

Aspects of the life history of Cercopithifilaria johnstoni (Nematoda:Filarioidea)

and 1988. Aspects of the life history of Cercopithifilaria johnstoni (Nematoda:Filarioidea). International Journal for Parasitology 18: 1087–1092. Cercopithifilaria johnstoni (Nematoda:Filarioidea) occurs in the subcutaneous connective tissues of a spectrum of native murid and marsupial hosts in Eastern Australia. Life cycle studies revealed that: (i) microfilaria occur in lymphatic capillaries and extravascular connective tissue of the dermis (= ‘skin-inhabiting’), (ii) ixodid ticks, particularly Ixodes trichosuri, are intermediate hosts in nature, (iii) development from microfilariae to infective third-stage larva occurs only while the tick is off the host, that is, during ecdysis from larva to nymph or from nymph to adult. Transmission of C. johnstoni in a wild population of bush rats (Rattus fuscipes) occurred in summer and winter, and was associated with peaks in the number of larval and/or nymphal stages of ticks on rats. C. johnstoni was transmitted experimentally to bandicoots (Isoodon macrourus, Perameles nasuta), bush rats and laboratory rats (R. norvegicus), indirectly by subcutaneous inoculation of third-stage larvae and directly by tick feeding. The prepatent period was approximately 3 months and the longest duration of microfilariae in the ‘ skin’ was more than 25 months. Dermal and ocular lesions were observed in R. fuscipes. The host-parasite relationship has the potential for development as an inexpensive and practical model for human onchocerciasis.     

Klossiella quimrensis (Apicomplexa: Klossiellidae) causes renal coccidiosis in western barred bandicoots Perameles bougainville (Marsupialia: Peramelidae) in Western Australia

Previous studies have described a range of Klossiella species parasitic in marsupial hosts. Klossiella quimrensis is the etiologic agent of renal coccidiosis in the peramelid marsupial hosts Isoodon obesulus and Perameles gunnii in Eastern Australia, but there is no previous report of klossiellosis in Western Australian peramelids. This study describes klossiellosis diagnosed by histology of renal tissue sections collected during necropsy of 20 Perameles bougainville between 2000 and 2005. Sporonts, sporoblasts, and macrogametes were identified within parasitophorous vacuoles of epithelial cells located near the renal corticomedullary junction. The prevalence of renal coccidiosis in P. bougainville diagnosed by renal histology is estimated at 30%. Only a single unsporulated sporocyst was detected by examination of cystocentesis-collected urine, indicating that microscopic evaluation of urine samples is an insensitive diagnostic test for detection of K. quimrensis in P. bougainville. This infection in P. bougainville is indirectly associated with mild multifocal interstitial lymphohistiocytic nephritis and is likely to be only minimally pathogenic in otherwise healthy individuals. Our study also extends the host and geographic range of K. quimrensis to include P. bougainville and Western Australia.     

Mitochondrial genomes of a bandicoot and a brushtail possum confirm the monophyly of australidelphian marsupials.

Recent molecular analyses suggest that the position of bandicoots is the major difficulty in determining the root of the tree of extant marsupials. To resolve this, we analyse mitochondrial genome sequences of a bandicoot (Isoodon macrourus) and a brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula) together with the previously available marsupial mitochondrial genomes, the Virginia opossum (Didelphis virginiana) and the wallaroo (Macropus robustus). Analyses of mitochondrial protein-coding and RNA genes strongly support the bandicoot as sister to the wallaroo and the brushtail possum. This result, combined with other recent molecular analyses, confirms the monophyly of Australidelphia (Australasian marsupials plus Dromiciops from South America). Further, RY coding was found to nullify AGCT coding nucleotide composition bias.     

New species and new record of Tetranychus Dufour from Australia, with a key to the major groups in this genus based on females (Acari: Prostigmata: Tetranychidae)

A new species of spider mite, Tetranychus bunda sp. n., is described and illustrated from Australia. It was found damaging the foliage of Desmodium tortuosum (Sw.) DC. (Fabaceae) in Darwin, Northern Territory. In addition, the geographical range of Tetranychus fijiensis Hirst is extended to include Australia. This species was found in the Northern Territory feeding on frangipani ( Plumeria sp., Apocynaceae), betel palm ( Areca catechu L., Arecaceae) and Macarthur feather palm ( Ptychosperma macarthurii [H. Wendl. ex Veitch] (H. Wendl. ex Hook. f., Arecaceae)). Details of the biology of T. bunda sp. n. and T. fijiensis are given. A key to the major groups of Tetranychus Dufour of the world, based on females, is presented and species known to occur in Australia are outlined.     

Etude morphologique de Austroxyuris finlaysoni (Oxyuridae,Nematoda), parasite de Petauroides volans (Petauridae,Marsupiala)

Résumé Austroxyuris finlaysoni Johnston & Mawson, 1938, un oxyure parasite du caecum et du gros intestin d'un marsupial pétauridé australien, Petauroides volans Kerr, est redécrit à partir d'un matériel nouveau. Les caractéristiques du genre Austroxyuris Johnston & Mawson, 1938 sont ensuite discutées. Ces oxyures pratiquent de manière facultative une forme d'insémination traumatique que l'on peut considérer comme relativement primitive.

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Austroxyuris finlaysoni Johnston & Mawson, 1938, a pinworm parasite of an Australian marsupial, Petauroides volans Kerr, is redescribed. Morphological study of this species reveals: (i) the presence of very specialized oesophageal teeth in both sexes, (ii) the presence of an area rugosa and of a differentiated caudal bursa in the males, and (iii) the presence of a vagina vera modified into a spermatic pouch used during traumatic insemination. The morphological and biological characteristics of the genus Austroxyuris Johnston & Mawson, 1938 are discussed. The members of this genus occasionally use a form of traumatic insemination which can be considered relatively primitive.

     

Milk composition in the northern brown bandicoot, Isoodon macrourus (Peramelidae, Marsupialia)

Milk samples were obtained at regular intervals throughout lactation from northern brown bandicoots, Isoodon macrourus, in captivity. Total concentration of milk solids was initially 7% (w/w) and increased linearly to 45% (w/w) by 55 days. Carbohydrate, lipid and protein concentrations increased from about 2% (w/w) to about 7-8% (w/w) at 30 days. Thereafter they diverged, with lipid increasing to between 25-30% (w/w) at 56 days, protein reaching maximal values of 10-15% (w/w) at just over 40 days and carbohydrate gradually declining to about 5% (w/w) at 56 days before a rapid fall to 1-2% (w/w) at the completion of lactation. The milk of the bandicoot exhibits a similar pattern of change during the course of lactation to that shown by other marsupials.     

Are wildlife escape ramps needed along Australian highways?

Road escape ramps are structures developed in the USA to enable large mammals that become trapped on the roadside of a wildlife fence to escape the road and avoid vehicle collision. They are now commonly installed in eastern Australia to enable the Koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) and other fauna to escape through a roadside exclusion fence and return to the forest. We investigated the use of seven of 14 escape ramps over three years on the Oxley Highway at Port Macquarie in New South Wales. The Swamp Wallaby (Wallabia bicolor) was the most frequently detected species, traversing the escape ramps on 502 occasions, followed by bandicoots (Isoodon macrourus and Perameles nasuta) on 148 occasions. Various other species were detected but no Koalas. Swamp Wallabies moved through the escape ramps in the reverse direction (i.e. towards the road) in 53% of detections of that species and bandicoots in 14% of their detections. There was no obvious pattern by these species of proportionately higher use of ramps closer to the end of the exclusion fences. The large number of reverse passages through the escape ramps reveals a poor design of these structures. Trials with taller ramps are required to determine how to minimise reverse passages. Concurrent monitoring of three underpasses detected numerous crossings by large mammals including Swamp Wallabies, and some crossings by Koalas. We believe evidence is needed to demonstrate the necessity for escape ramps along Australian highways.