Research Reports

A Herpetofauna Survey of the Victorian Alpine Region, with a Review of Threats to These Species

Nick Clemann

Abstract
A wide-ranging survey of the reptiles and frogs of the Victorian alpine region was conducted in summer and early autumn 2001. Eight habitat ‘types’ that were easily discernible in the field were identified, and randomly-positioned sites chosen in these habitats. Surveys of these sites were conducted using ‘active search’ techniques, and results bolstered with incidental records. Three frog and eleven reptile taxa were recorded across all areas and habitat types. Notable records included a range extension for the threatened Alpine Bog Skink Pseudemoia cryodroma, and the collection of specimens of undescribed lizards from the genus Egernia from the Bogong High Plains, Davies Plain and Mt Bogong. Threats to Victorian alpine herpetofauna are discussed, as is the dramatic decline in many areas of the Alpine Tree Frog Litoria verreauxii alpina.
(The Victorian Naturalist 119 (2), 2002, 48-58)
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The Mammals of Parker River Inlet, Otway National Park

ME Westbrooke and PT Prevett

Abstract
Studies of small mammals at Parker River Inlet from 1985-95 have demonstrated the presence of ten species of small mammals. Trapping, spotlighting and incidental sightings have shown that a further 18 species of mammals occur within an area of 200 ha. Pseudomys fumeus and Antechinus minimus, recorded in this survey, are rare and restricted in Victoria. The species richness of the area is related to the heterogeneity of the vegetation, with twelve vegetation types being identified in the study area. The occurrence of the more abundant small mammals, Rattus fuscipes, Rattus lutreolus, Mus musculus and Antechinus swainsonii, is correlated with vegetation structure and floristics. Causes of fluctuations of the populations of the exotic species M. musculus and Rattus rattus are considered. Management recommendations, which reflect the high significance of faunal habitat in the area, are made with the aim of minimising human impact.
(The Victorian Naturalist 119 (2), 2002, 60-68)

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Contribution

Habitat of the Endangered Hibbertia procumbens (Labill.) DC (Dilleniaceae)
from the Central Coast of New South Wales

Stephen AJ Bell

Abstract
Hibbertia procumbens (Labill.) DC (Dilleniaceae) is currently listed as an endangered species under the NSW Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995. This species is extremely rare in New South Wales, with only two records now known for the whole of the State; it is more common in Victoria, where populations are concentrated in the coastal districts, and in Tasmania. Future taxonomic revision may possibly differentiate the New South Wales specimens from those in the more southern States. A new population of Hibbertia procumbens is described here for Bumble Hill on the Central Coast of New South Wales. Habitat details are provided for this and the only other known New South Wales location at Strickland State Forest. A conservation risk code for the New South Wales populations is suggested, following the system of Briggs and Leigh (1996). Additional searches for Hibbertia procumbens in New South Wales should be made within appropriate habitat both in and outside conservation reserves in the northern Sydney Basin region, to ascertain the conservation status of the species and to assist taxonomic revision.
(The Victorian Naturalist 119 (2), 2002, 69-74)