Research Reports

Changes in Ant and Termite Activity and Community Structure as Indicators of Ground Layer Disturbance in Box-Ironbark Forest

John Gibbens

Abstract
Victorian Box-Ironbark forest remnants are subject to a range of human disturbances, including grazing by stock. Grazed forest is characterised by a sparse or non-existent understorey and reduced levels of wood and leaf litter. Ant and termite activity is influenced by ground layer characteristics and these taxa were used as indicators of disturbance. Ant and termite communities were surveyed at four grazed and four ungrazed Box-Ironbark forest sites using pitfall traps and wooden baits, respectively. High proportions of ‘opportunist’ ant taxa occurred at all sites, indicating the effects of disturbance are not limited to grazed areas. This is reasonable given the extent of forest fragmentation and other disturbances experienced by ungrazed forest remnants. Ant analysis was unable to discriminate between different types of disturbance effects on grazed and ungrazed areas. Termite activity, however, was greatly reduced in grazed areas and was probably related to the lack of understorey cover, reduced litter layer and soil compaction. Nasutitermes sp., a common termite which forages in large groups, was particularly less active in grazed areas, possibly due to the lack of appropriate food items.
(The Victorian Naturalist, 117 (4), 2000, 124-130.)
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A Survey of the Butterfly Fauna at The Paps Scenic Reserve, Mansfield, Victoria

John W. Wainer and Alan L. Yen

Abstract
A survey of butterflies was undertaken at The Paps Scenic Reserve, Mansfield, during the 1995-1996 summer flight season. The locality was targeted because of previous records of at least two species of conservation significance at The Paps, the importance of The Paps as a ‘hill-topping’ area by butterflies, and the suggestion that the butterfly community at The Paps is similar in composition to the protected butterfly community at Mt Piper. Twenty-one species of butterflies were recorded during the 1995-1996 survey. Of these, 19 were recorded hill-topping at the summit of the higher peak. The total number of butterfly species recorded from The Paps is now 27. Two species of conservation significance have been recorded from The Paps, the Bronze Ant-blue Acrodipsas brisbanensis cyrilus and the Southern Purple Azure Ogyris genoveva araxes, although only the latter was recorded in this study. The Paps has a rich and diverse butterfly community, and is an important landmark for hill-topping butterflies. However, the butterfly community at The Paps cannot, on the basis of currently available knowledge, be considered the same as that at Mt Piper.
(The Victorian Naturalist, 117 (4), 2000, 131-140.)
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Longitudinal Distribution of Macroinvertebrates on Erosional Substrates in the Mainstream Yarra River

John C. Dean

Abstract
Macroinvertebrates of erosional substrates were sampled at nine sites along the mainstream Yarra River in August, December and February of 1994/95. Classification (flexible UPGMA) and ordination (SSH, semi-strong hybrid multidimensional scaling) analyses were performed to assess the relationships between samples. The results highlight the disparity between the three urban sites and upstream rural and forested sites. Information on distribution of individual taxa is presented, and communities are assessed in terms of the objectives set down in the State Environment Protection Policy for Waters of the Yarra River Catchment.
(The Victorian Naturalist, 117 (4), 2000, 141-149.)
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Contributions

Death of a Kangaroo

J.K. Martin, G. Coulson and A.A. Martin

Abstract
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Discovery of the Yellow-bellied Glider Petaurus australis in South Gippsland

Ed McNabb, Rolf Willig and Jim McNabb

Abstract
The Yellow-bellied Glider Petaurus australis, which had not previously been recorded in South Gippsland, was discovered in Mullunding State Forest during surveys for owls.
(The Victorian Naturalist, 117 (4), 2000, 150-153).
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