A good time for a fire? A note on some effects
of wildfire on a Grassy White Box Woodland

Bill Semple and Terry Koen

Abstract
A remnant stand of Grassy White Box Woodland, containing trees that had been monitored for abundance of reproductive structures since 2000, was burnt by wildfire in late 2006. Very little seed was present in the aerial seedbank of White Box at the time of the fire and, due to the destruction of the newly-forming capsules, seed is likely to be in short supply in the near future. Seedling recruitment of White Box was minimal after the fire. However, the existing woodland structure is likely to be maintained as most of the fire-damaged trees regenerated vegetatively. Most of the other native perennials, woody and herbaceous, regenerated vegetatively, but exotics – mostly annuals – increased markedly via seedling recruitment during the year following the fire.
(The Victorian Naturalist 125 (6), 2008, 160-165)

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Water Rats as predators of Little Penguins

Tiana Preston

Abstract
Water Rats are widely distributed throughout a variety of habitats and are known to be opportunistic predators. Their occupation in coastal areas often occurs within Little Penguin colonies, but interactions between the two species have not previously been reported. Given that Water Rats prey on other bird species, it is likely that they will also take young or weak Little Penguins. Here the case of a Little Penguin chick death that has been attributed to an attack by a Water Rat is reported.
(The Victorian Naturalist 125 (6), 2008, 165-168).

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Studies on Victorian bryophytes 9: the genus Hymenodon Hook.f. & Wilson

David Meagher

Abstract
The moss genus Hymenodon Hook.f. & Wilson (Rhizogoniaceae) comprises eleven species but is represented in Victoria by a single species, Hymenodon pilifer Hook.f. & Wilson. Its main habitat is the trunks of tree-ferns and trees (rarely rock or clay banks) in cool temperate rainforest. Its conservation status appears to be ‘secure’ nationally and in Victoria and Tasmania, but is uncertain in New South Wales and Queensland.
(The Victorian Naturalist 125 (6), 2008, 169-171)

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Contributions

Are kangaroos indigenous to Wilsons Promontory National Park?

Jim Whelan

Abstract
The current population of Eastern Grey Kangaroos Macropus giganteus on Wilsons Promontory National Park are descendants of nine animals released in the park in 1910 and 1912. Immediately prior to that there were no kangaroos in the park. There is much historic evidence to suggest that there have never been kangaroos on the Prom, but there is also one piece of information that indicates that there were kangaroos there in the second half of the 19th century. This paper draws together historic records and discusses the evidence for and against kangaroos being indigenous to the Prom. Although not conclusive, the evidence is compelling in the negative.
(The Victorian Naturalist 125 (6) 2008, 172-177)

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Discovery of a further population of the Eltham Copper Butterfly Paralucia pyrodiscus lucida Crosby
(Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae) in Bendigo, Victoria

Andrea Canzano and Julie Whitfield

Abstract
A previously unrecorded population of Paralucia pyrodiscus lucida, the Eltham Copper Butterfly, was discovered in late December 2007 at Big Hill, 11 km south of Bendigo. Up to 50 adult butterflies were seen flying during sunny weather. A preliminary site description is given and the implications of this discovery are discussed.
(The Victorian Naturalist 125 (6), 2008, 178-180)

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