This issue is dedicated to the memory of
John H Seebeck
who died on 8 September 2003.

Research Reports

Terrestrial Vertebrate Fauna of Grasslands and Grassy Woodlands
in Terrick Terrick National Park, Northern Victoria

Damian R Michael, Ian D Lunt and Wayne A Robinson

Abstract
A survey of terrestrial grassland and woodland fauna was conducted in Terrick Terrick National Park in northern Victoria. A total of 91 sample sites, consisting of 1132 log refuges, was distributed over three vegetation communities, including two woodland communities and four grassland subcommunities, to sample vertebrates. The newly introduced log refuges and an additional 271 preexisting old refuges were checked on eight occasions, once per month between June 2000 and January 2001. A total of 346 faunal observations were recorded beneath the refuges, encompassing 15 species from eight families and including three species threatened with extinction in Victoria: Tessellated Gecko Diplodactylus tessellatus, Striped Legless Lizard Delma impar and Curl Snake Suta suta. The elapid Curl Snake was the most commonly recorded species (17% of observations) followed by Common Eastern Froglet Crinia signifera (16%) and Fat-tailed Dunnart Sminthopsis crassicaudata (15%). Two species were encountered significantly more frequently in woodlands than grasslands (Boulenger’s Skink Morethia boulengeri and Common Eastern Froglet), whereas three species (House Mouse Mus musculus, Fat-tailed Dunnart and Curl Snake) were significantly more frequent in grasslands. Few species were recorded in recently cropped paddocks, and all were in low numbers. This study documents the importance of Terrick Terrick National Park for conserving threatened herpetofauna, and demonstrates the effectiveness of log refuges as a survey method for vertebrate grassland fauna. (The Victorian Naturalist 120 (5), 2003, 164-171)

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Reproduction in Sphacelaria biradiata Askenasy (Sphacelariales, Phaeophyceae)
in Southern Australia

Maria Gibson

Abstract
Sphacelaria biradiata Askenasy is a little known but common brown alga of southern Australian coasts. This paper describes its reproduction. Populations of S. biradiata reproduced asexually by vegetative propagules in all localities examined. The propagules were produced throughout the year and did not appear to be affected by season, although, if sexual structures occurred, propagule numbers declined. Sexual reproduction can occur and involves an alternation of generations, but it is a rare event. Gametophytes may produce male gametangia, female gametangia or both. Male gametangia, however, are extremely rare and are described for the first time. Production of female gametangia was influenced by season and occurred at all areas studied. The sexual behaviour of the male and female gametes is described. (The Victorian Naturalist, 120 (5), 2003, 171-178)

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Diet of Carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) Larvae and its Influence
on Plankton in the Lakes of Western Victoria

Tariq A Khan, Michael E Wilson and Minal T Khan

Abstract
Diets of larval carp Cyprinus carpio L. were analysed at weekly intervals from two western Victorian lakes (Lake Colac and Lake Modewarre) over two consecutive seasons (1999-2000 and 2000-2001) using numerical method of gut contents analysis. Carp larvae <2 cm in total length fed exclusively on microcrustacea (Cladocera and Copepoda). At a mean total length of >2 cm carp larvae shifted their diet to include benthic food resources but microcrustacea still dominated the larval diet. A decline in zooplankton abundance especially Cladocera (Daphnia carinata) was observed in Lake Modewarre between November-March for the two consecutive years (1999-2000 and 2000- 2001). This decline in Daphnia abundance in Lake Modewarre coincided with high algal biomass (chlorophyll a concentration ~25 µg/L) and high abundance of carp larvae following carp spawning. No such clear pattern was observed in Lake Colac but the evidence from Lake Modewarre increases speculation of a carp-mediated ‘top-down’ trophic cascade. (The Victorian Naturalist 120 (5), 2003, 179-186)

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Contributions

The Rufous Bristlebird: Defining the Eastern Limit of its Range

John Peter

Abstract
Most published records of the Otway subspecies of the Rufous Bristlebird Dasyornis broadbenti caryochrous suggest that it occurs only as far east as Point Addis, or sometimes Bell’s Beach, both south-west of Torquay, Victoria. This paper documents several recent records from farther north-east along the Victorian coast, around the vegetated margins of Half Moon Bay, Jan Juc, and describes the habitats used at each of these sites. The value of revegetating degraded areas is also discussed.
(The Victorian Naturalist, 120 (5), 2003, 187-191)

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An Observation of Possible Carnivory in the Common Brushtail Possum

John Peter

Abstract
The author discusses a case of canivorous behaviour in the Common Brushtail Possum. He reviews the literature on the subject and concludes that such feeding is opportunistic.
(The Victorian Naturalist, 120 (5), 2003, 192-193)

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Weeds Set to Flourish Following Fires

Frances M Johnston and Stuart W Johnston

Abstract
The effects of the recent fires of 2002-2003 caused extensive damage to large area of thre Australian Alps. One of the secondary impacts of these fires observed during a recent survey of Kosciuszko National Park was the proliferation of weed popultions. The weed populations have the potential to negatively impact on native vegetation recovery, posing a serious management issue.
(The Victorian Naturalist 120 (5), 2003, 194-197)

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Does Alpine Grazing Reduce Blazing?

RJ Williams

Abstract
The 2003 fires burnt thousands of hectares of treeless alpine and subalpine vegetation on the Bogong High Plains. Much of the Bogong High Plains is subject to summer grazing by cattle, and there is a common perception that such grazing reduces the incidence or severity of fire in alpine environments, or, as popularly expressed, ‘Alpine grazing reduces blazing’. But is this simple, even logical, proposition correct? I address this question, in the light of past and current research on the dynamics of alpine vegetation, the behaviour of both cattle and fire, and some preliminary observations of the extent and severity of the 2003 fires on the Bogong High Plains. I conclude that the extensive body of scientific evidence lends no support to the proposition that alpine grazing reduces blazing.
(The Victorian Naturalist 120(5), 2003, 197-200)

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