Volume 124 (6) 2007, pp. 285-316

Research Report

Intense fires promote uncommon post-fire ephemerals in Currawang Acacia doratoxylon
dry scrubs of Little River Gorge, East Gippsland

Suzanne M Prober, Kevin R Thiele and M Bramwell

Abstract
Acacia scrubs are an unusual vegetation community in the UpperSnowy River region of Victoria and New South Wales, occurring as sharply-delineated patches amongst eucalypt forest on steep, rocky, north to west facing slopes. They can be dominated by a range of Acacia species, but understoreys of Acacia scrubs are generally reported as sparse and species poor, and little is known of their ecology. Extensive wildfires in 2003 provided an opportunity to compare the effects of mild and intense fires on plant species composition and vigour in Acacia scrub communities of the Little River Gorge in eastern Victoria. Acacia scrubs at this site were dominated by Acacia doratoxylon, not previously described as a dominant in Acacia scrubs in Victoria. Consistent with earlier observations, understoreys in unburnt scrubs were usually sparse. Light burns led to minimal change in understorey abundance, and sporadic establishment of a range of species that were uncommon in the understorey of unburnt sites. By contrast, burns that were intense enough to kill the Acacia overstorey stimulated dense establishment and profuse growth of species that were rare or absent in the understorey of unburnt plots, leading to a dramatic increase in native shrub richness and understorey abundance. Processes leading to these understorey changes are likely to involve both effects of fire on seed dormancy, and release from intense competition for resources after overstorey death. Infrequent, intense fires have previously been recognised as important for stimulating recruitment of overstorey species and thus the perpetuation of Acacia scrubs in far south-eastern Australia. This study indicated that a diverse range of understorey species are also dependent on intense fires in these communities, where they appear to behave as post-fire ephemerals. Further, many of these species are listed as rare or vulnerable in Victoria, and thus the appropriate fire management of Acacia scrubs is of significant conservation interest. (The Victorian Naturalist 124 (6), 2007, 320-331)
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Contributions

A probable case of twins in the Short-beaked Echidna Tachyglossus aculeatus
(Tachyglossidae: Monotremata), with observations on suckling of young
after their emergence from the nursery burrow

Frank Pierce, Janet Mattiske and Peter Menkhorst

Abstract
The finding of the nursery burrow of a Short-beaked Echidna close to the house of the two senior authors allowed close observation and monitoring of breeding behaviour. Two young emerged from the nursery burrow eight days apart. Individual colour-marking of the mother and both young allowed their movements and behaviour to be monitored over subsequent months. Data are presented on post-emergence suckling of both young, which continued for 60 days after emergence, and included one instance when both were suckled simultaneously. Information is also presented on the movements, survival, and selection of shelter-sites by the juveniles. The two juveniles are likely to be twins, though they are not identical twins. These observations provide the first record of a female echidna successfully raising more than one young in a single breeding season, and the first records of parental care of young echidnas after they have vacated the nursery burrow. (The Victorian Naturalist 124 (6), 2007, 332-340)
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A new name in the terrestrial orchid genus Pterostylis R.Br. (Orchidaceae)
for Victoria, Australia

Gary N Backhouse

Abstract
A new name, Pterostylis jonesii G.N. Backh., is provided to replace the illegitimate combination Pterostylis montana (D.L. Jones) G.N. Backh. (The Victorian Naturalist 124 (6), 2007, 341)
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