Research Reports

Sexuality of Wijkia extenuata (Brid.) Crum in Wet Victorian Forests

B. Sinclair and M. Gibson

Abstract
The sexual nature of Wijkia extenuata (Brid.) Crum was examined at four areas within Victoria: Bellell Creek, Marysville, and Cement Creek both in the Yarra Ranges National Park, Mount Erica in Baw Baw National Park and Masons Falls in Kinglake National Park. Wijkia extenuata was found to be dioicous and isomorphic.
(The Victorian Naturalist, 117 (5), 2000, 166-171.)
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Lichens of the Soft Tree-fern Dicksonia antarctica Labill. in Victorian Rainforests

Sharon Ford and Maria Gibson

Abstract
The lichens of the Soft Tree-fern Dicksonia antarctica Labill. were examined in the rainforests of three regions across Victoria: the Otways, the Baw Baw Range and Errinundra. Twenty-five species from 10 families were noted. Errinundra was the most floristically rich with 21 lichen species recorded on the tree-ferns. Inclination of trunk and age of tree-fern are suggested to be important factors in providing suitable habitat for lichens.
(The Victorian Naturalist, 117 (5), 2000, 172-179.)
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Survival in the Suburbs! The (re)discovery of the Threatened Swamp Skink Egernia coventryi East of Melbourne, with Comments on the Failure of Elliott Traps in a Survey for this Species

Nick Clemann

Abstract
The Swamp Skink Egernia coventryi, listed as Vulnerable in Victoria, inhabits densely-vegetated wetlands, including both freshwater and saltmarsh habitats. Here I report the discovery and survey of a small, remnant population of Swamp Skinks occurring in a reserve at Boronia, east of Melbourne. Although visual surveys detected several individuals, none were caught in Elliott traps over 1530 trap nights, despite the lizards being observed very close to traps. These results have implications for the methods employed in future surveys for Swamp Skinks, and highlight the ease with which this species may be overlooked during surveys. The significance of this population, and its habitat, is discussed.
(The Victorian Naturalist, 117 (5), 2000, 180-183.)
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Contributions

An Account of Ritual Combat in the Highland Copperhead Austrelaps ramsayi (Serpentes: Elapidae)

Nick Clemann and Stephen Saddlier

Abstract
Ritual combat has been observed in numerous families and genera of snakes. We report an observation of ritual combat in the Highland Copperhead Austrelaps ramsayi. Observations were made in February 1994 near Marysville, north-east of Melbourne in Victoria. Unusually for fighting snakes, the combatants occasionally reversed their postures, changing from being entwined with heads at the same end, to a head-tail posture. The adaptive significance of these observations is discussed.
(The Victorian Naturalist, 117 (5), 2000, 184-186.)
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