Research Reports

Desmids (Chlorophyta) from Two Freshwater Sites in Victoria with an Emphasis on New Records

Michael Dingley

Abstract
During a trip through Victoria, two freshwater sites were sampled in order to check for microscopic green algae called desmids as part of a long-term study of their distribution within Australia. A total of 34 taxa, of which nine are newly recorded for Victoria, were identified and are listed. These new records together with Euastrum cuspidatum var. goyazense Förster et Eckert are described and figured in some detail.
(The Victorian Naturalist 120 (4), 2003, 116-120)

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Vegetation of the Northern (1989) Addition to Greens Bush, Mornington Peninsula National Park

Nicholas SG Williams

Abstract
The vegetation of the northern section of Greens Bush, Mornington Peninsula National Park, is described and mapped using a quadrat-based floristic survey and analysis, aerial photographs and extensive ground truthing. Eight vegetation communities were found to occur in the study area based on multivariate floristic classification and aerial photograph interpretation. The vegetation communities are described and the conservation significance and recovery of the study area from grazing are discussed.
(The Victorian Naturalist 120 (4), 2003, 121-131)

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Evidence of Leadbeater’s Possum Gymnobelideus leadbeateri in the Macedon Region:
An Example of the Use of Molecular Genetics in Fauna Survey

S Larwill, P Myroniuk, M Belvedere and M Westerman

Abstract
In 1995 a fauna survey was conducted in the Macedon region as part of an Environmental Effects Statement, and a tuft of hair was collected from the ground layer in Swamp Gum Eucalyptus ovata riparian woodland. The hair was analysed morphologically and identified as ‘highly probable’ to be Leadbeater’s Possum Gymnobelideus leadbeateri McCoy 1867. This result was of particular importance because the location where the hair was found is over 85 km west of the species’ known range. In addition, the evidence of a nationally threatened species had significant implications for the evaluation of potential impacts of the (then) proposed freeway upgrade of the Calder Highway. Morphologically, the unknown hair sample varied sufficiently from reference collections to cause some doubt over the identification. Molecular genetic analysis of the unknown hair sample was used to verify that the tuft of hair originated from Leadbeater’s Possum. This is an example of the use of molecular genetics as an adjunct to morphometric hair analysis as a part of broad-scale fauna inventory surveys.
(The Victorian Naturalist 120 (4), 2003, 132-139)

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Contributions

Clyde-Tooradin Grassland Re-discovered

Damien Cook and Jeff Yugovic

Abstract
Remnants of a formerly extensive, seasonally wet grassland in West Gippsland have been located and are discussed in this paper. The grassland represents an endangered ecosystem that previously occurred on the margins of swamps in the region. It may have been maintained by Aboriginal burning in the past.
(The Victorian Naturalist 120 (4), 2003, 140-146)

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A Reptile and Amphibian Survey of the Wonthaggi Heathland and Coastal Reserve

Peter Homan

Abstract
A survey of the reptiles and amphibians at the Wonthaggi Heathland and Coastal Reserve was carried out between February 2001 and February 2002. Eight species of reptiles and six species of amphibians were identified, resulting in new locality records for the threatened skinks, the Swamp Skink Egernia coventryi and the Glossy Grass Skink Pseudemoia rawlinsoni. One of the study sites within the reserve was subjected to a control-burn twelve months prior to this survey and post-fire colonisation of this site is discussed.
(The Victorian Naturalist 120 (4), 2003, 147-152)

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