The observation of rare behaviours can provide unexpected insights into the biology of a species. Here, we report new observations of unusual or rare behaviours by the Kagu Rhynochetos jubatus of New Caledonia, a flightless bird already known for many curious traits. We observed the broken‐wing display, adoption of a chick by a neighbouring family and flexibility in the selection of cooperative breeding

Understanding how fundamental aspects of species’ ecology, such as diet, are affected in human‐dominated landscapes is vital for informing management and conserving biodiversity – particularly where species influence important ecosystem functions. Digging, mycophagous (‘fungus‐eating’) mammals play various such roles, including the dispersal of hypogeal (‘truffle‐like’) fungi. The endangered, mycophagous

Acoustic signalling is evolutionarily important, influencing sexual selection and serving as a premating isolation mechanism. There is a strong evolutionary basis for acoustic signalling to occur nocturnally across many terrestrial vertebrate groups including mammals, reptiles and amphibians. Within some of these groups, there is a general assumption that ‘most taxa are nocturnal’ in their acoustic

Under anthropogenic climate change, emerging diseases and pathogens are increasingly prevalent in high latitude and altitude regions that were previously protected by cold winter temperatures. Ongoing island‐wide dieback of a foundation species, the cushion plant Azorella macquariensis, on World Heritage listed Macquarie Island provides the first sub‐Antarctic example. To better understand the island‐wide

On 10 March 2014, a radio‐tracked Australian scrub python (Simalia amethistina) made a predatory attack on a 64 kg sleeping woman. The snake was unsuccessful, but data from our radio‐tracking programme suggest that predation attempts on oversized prey are not uncommon – even if they threaten the survival of the predator. We explore hypotheses about why snakes attempt to consume such large meals.

Introduced species may threaten both biodiversity and agriculture, necessitating an understanding on the factors that influence their distribution, and the efficacy of control measures. In Tasmania, Australia, the introduced rainbow lorikeet (Trichoglossus moluccanus) may be widespread, but data on where they occur and the efficacy of control methods are limited. We used an occupancy modelling framework

Forests are vital for biodiversity, carbon storage and ecosystem services, but can be potentially threatened by fires. Given the significance of forests and fire in a changing climate, research into the long‐term effects of fire on forests plays an important role in understanding the global carbon cycle by the forests functioning as a large terrestrial carbon sink or source. In this study, we used

Remnant natural habitat is assumed critical for supporting threatened animals within urban landscapes because these species generally have specific habitat requirements and typically respond poorly to anthropogenic disturbances. However, evidence that demonstrates some threatened species can occur, persist and even prosper in highly modified areas with seemingly little dependence on remnant vegetation

Domestic dogs can negatively impact natural systems, and understanding these dynamics is essential to mitigate their impact. We report two cases of attacks of domestic dogs on native mammals in a fragmented landscape of the Atlantic Forest, southern Brazil. Our records occurred in a region of high priority for the conservation of this biome. We observed two attacks, one on a Common Long‐Nosed Armadillo

There are few studies of day‐roosting ecology of bats inhabiting the southernmost forests of South America, where cool summer temperatures and land management practices pose several challenges. The goal of the present study was to describe day‐roosting habitats and patterns of thermoregulation in two bat species occurring on Tierra del Fuego, Myotis chiloensis (Chilean myotis) and Histiotus magellanicus

The rapid changes in altitude, and associated habitat, of mountain ecosystems make them ideal natural laboratories for testing the effect of environmental heterogeneity on species assemblage. Our understanding of the sensitivity of Australian reptiles to elevational clines is limited. We examined lizard distribution across three elevation zones (montane, subalpine and alpine), spanning from 900 to

Migrant cave‐dwelling insectivores that rely on specific caves for maternity and hibernation, like the Natal long‐fingered bats Miniopterus natalensis in South Africa, may be at particular risk of population decline in an urbanising world. As a step towards the conservation of caves and cave‐dwelling bats in South Africa, this study aimed to (i) broadly identify the number of caves used by bats (any

Human activities can disrupt the insect pollination process, which can trigger a decline in pollination and plant reproductive output. Floral visitors are not equally effective pollinators, and it is unknown how multiple changes to an environment further change the effectiveness of insect pollination for native plants. We investigated how herbicide treatment, the presence of non‐native plants and addition

This paper, which addresses the issue of the extinction of mite species at the global scale for the first time, highlights mite diversity, assesses the evidence for an extinction process, discusses contributing factors and estimates losses. The ~1 250 000 mite species occupy an enormous variety of terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems from the equator to the polar regions and to high altitudes. Some

The Ecological Society of Australia was founded in 1959, and the society’s journal was first published in 1976. To examine how research published in the society’s journal has changed over this time, we used text mining to quantify themes and trends in the body of work published by the Australian Journal of Ecology and Austral Ecology from 1976 to 2019. We used topic models to identify 30 ‘topics’ within

Tree cavities are a keystone resource for many wildlife species worldwide. In Andean temperate forests of South America, many species of birds, mammals and reptiles use cavities to achieve their life history requirements. However, information on cavity supply and drivers of cavity production in these forests remains largely undocumented. We examined the patterns of tree‐cavity supply in successional

The aim of this study was to use scat analysis to analyse the dietary composition of the South American sea lion (SASL, Otaria byronia ) over a short temporal scale and in different but closely located colonies in the Humboldt Current System of northern Chile. Scat samples were collected at Arica (18°34′S), Iquique (20°48′S) and Mejillones (23°04′S) during the summer (January to March) and winter (July)

Native Ilex paraguariensis (yerba mate) is one of the most widespread crops in the Atlantic Forest region of southern South America and has an important economic and cultural value in Paraguay, Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay. Despite the known potential of shade‐grown products (especially cocoa and coffee) to protect biodiversity, the benefits of shade‐grown yerba mate for biodiversity conservation

Agoutis, Dasyprocta spp., are medium‐sized rodents distributed in Neotropical region. Their diet is usually described as granivorous/frugivorous, and agoutis are recognised as important seed dispersers. Here, we present two spatially and temporally independent records of egg predation by Azara’s agouti, Dasyprocta azarae , in fragments of Cerrado savanna forest. In both cases, the agoutis ingested

The amount of reactive nitrogen has more than doubled in terrestrial ecosystems due to human activities such fertiliser application that is predicted to increase dramatically in coming decades. We conducted a 3‐year experiment in a Neotropical savanna in which we determined the effects of increased N deposition on litter decomposition in plots subjected to different levels of N addition (50 kg N ha−1 year−2

Resting egg production is considered the most common form of dormancy in aquatic invertebrates. Given that many taxa at least partially terminate resting egg state using environmental cues, knowledge on environmental drivers of hatching success is important, particularly within the context of climate change and environmental degradation. Fairy shrimp (anostracans) are temporary wetland specialists

River red gum woodlands associated with ephemeral river channels in arid Australia are recognised as important habitat for a suite of bird species, due to their distinctive structure, large canopies and abundant tree hollows. We tested the proposition that river red gum woodlands harbour a distinctive bird assemblage that is relatively stable through time. We examined patterns of bird composition between

When feeding on exposed corpses, vertebrate scavengers can alter the chronology of decay and interfere with post‐mortem interval estimation. However, information on vertebrate scavengers’ actions in areas of the Brazilian Cerrado is scarce, which may constrain future criminal investigations. Thus, we aimed to identify the vertebrate species that visit carcasses, determine whether the number of visits

Litter mixing plays an important role in enhancing carbon and nutrient cycling, but little is known about the effects of nutrient‐rich mistletoe litter on the decomposition of slow‐decaying litter in nutrient‐poor environments. We investigated the effects of mistletoe litter on the decomposition and nutrient release of host Vachellia karroo litter in semi‐arid savanna, south‐west Zimbabwe. Mass loss

Natural temperate grasslands are endangered throughout their range, largely because of their almost complete conversion to agriculture, and by changes in fire and grazing regimes. Woody encroachment by shrubs is a global threat to the structure, function and composition of grasslands. We wished to determine the characteristics of fire regimes that prevent or reverse woody plant encroachment, maintain

Myxomycetes, also known as plasmodial slime moulds or myxogastrids, are a widespread but often overlooked group of amoeboid eukaryotes. There are still many regions where they have been poorly studied or entirely overlooked. In an effort to more completely document myxomycete diversity and distribution in Australia, we provide the first report of myxomycete occurrence on the Tiwi Islands. Four of the

Most cycads have intimate associations with their insect pollinators that parallel those of well‐known flowering plants, such as sexually deceptive orchids and the male wasps and bees they deceive. Despite this, the mistaken belief that cycads are mostly wind‐pollinated is still commonly expressed. Perhaps as a consequence, cycad–pollinator systems are rarely exemplified in studies of the role of pollinators

Understanding the conditions under which small native Australian mammals can persist in the presence of introduced predators remains a key challenge to conservation ecologists. Bettong‐specific one‐way gates were used at a predator‐free reserve in South Australia to allow the burrowing bettong (Bettongia lesueur ) – a small potoroid, listed as ‘vulnerable’ nationally – to disperse out of the reserve

Mortality rates, life expectancy, longevity (life expectancy at birth) and maximum lifespan are key parameters describing the dynamics of wild animal populations. Estimates of their values enable assessment of extinction risk (Force 2008), the rate of spread of invasive species (Tabak et al . 2018) or sustainable harvest (Ziegler et al . 2016). The definition for mortality rates is well established

Modelling the occupancy of species is a key part of the discipline of ecology, with particular efforts often focused on identifying which environmental, vegetation and other factors influence why a given species occurs where it does. Here, based on data gathered between 2003 and 2016, we developed models of the environmental, terrain and vegetation factors associated with site occupancy of the Southern

Apex predators are integral parts of every ecosystem, having top‐down roles in food web maintenance. Understanding the environmental and habitat characteristics associated with predator occurrence is paramount to conservation efforts. However, detecting top order predators can be difficult due to small population sizes and cryptic behaviour. The endangered Tasmanian masked owl (Tyto novaehollandiae

Many studies have documented the individual effects of variables such as vegetation, long‐term climate and short‐term weather on biodiversity. Few, however, have explicitly explored how interactions among these major drivers can influence species abundance. We used data from a 15‐year study (2002–2017) in the endangered temperate woodlands of south‐eastern Australia to test hypotheses associated with

Publications are important for communicating scientific discoveries. They are also one of the critical aspects of gauging success in an ecologist’s research career and have been since the 1940s when the idea of ‘publish or perish’ first emerged (Carpenter et al . 2014). We inherently assess someone’s career track record based on a range of metrics that take into account the number of publications,

We evaluated the hypothesis that contrasting environmental conditions in a coastal wetland and nearby sand dunes results in frog assemblages with divergent trophic structures. We predicted that the more productive habitat (wetland) would have higher diversity of primary producers and frogs with larger trophic niches and greater interspecific dietary overlap when compared to the less‐productive dune

The Austral Opossum is one of the most unique vertebrates in Patagonian forests. It is not only endemic to this habitat; it also plays a key role acting as a seed disperser, nest predator, and is prey to species of conservation concern. However, specific information about its nesting behaviour is scattered and rudimentary at best. Here, we: (i) use personal observations along with published data to

The concept that vegetation structure (and faunal habitat) develops predictably with time since fire has been central to understanding the relationship between fire and fauna. However, because plants regenerate after fire in different ways (e.g. resprouting from above‐ground stems vs. underground lignotubers), use of simple categories based on time since fire might not adequately represent post‐fire

Predation is a dynamic process that is directly influenced by resource availability (e.g. prey types), and the health and welfare conditions of the predator (e.g. body condition, health status). When these conditions are altered, predators may need to adapt new modes of predation for survival. On 26 October 2019, a mid‐day attempted predation event occurred between a juvenile fox and a subadult sand

Riparian habitats provide refuge for unique plant and animal assemblages. Many riparian habitats in arid ecosystems have lost most of their vegetation and associated fauna, due to a reduction of their original extension by land transformation. Using a case study from the subtropical desert of Peru, we quantified avian richness, diversity and abundance of resident species in twelve sites with a varying

Animal vocalisations can signify diverse behavioural contexts, knowledge of which can be applied in bioacoustic monitoring programs. Australia’s endemic black cockatoos (Calyptorhynchus sp., family Cacatuidae) are highly vocal species that are threatened in many locations. In this study, we describe the nest‐associated vocal behaviours of two endangered subspecies of black cockatoo, the south‐eastern

This study investigated the capacity of Lupinus polyphyllus (Leguminosae) and Rumex acetosella (Polygonaceae) to promote nutrient accumulation and microbial activity on tephra from the volcanic eruption of the Chilean Puyehue–Cordon Caulle complex (Northern Patagonia) in June 2011. In December 2015, February 2016 and September 2016, we sampled (1) barren substrate (‘Barren’), (2) substrate under R

Invasive species are among the major threats to global biodiversity. Plant invasions are often driven by great propagule pressure that overcomes barriers to early colonisation and establishment, such as the biotic resistance from pathogens and seed predators. However, the way in which biotic resistance interacts with propagule pressure and affects seed survival remains poorly understood. Here, we experimentally

Desertification deteriorates the landscape functionality of rangelands, affecting the resilience of biome boundaries and this has a cascading effect on vegetation and animal communities. This study aimed to assess landscape functionality along the biome boundary of two arid biomes and its relationship to small mammal assemblages. The study further aimed to provide a landscape perspective of the current

Dung beetles are an ecologically important group of insects globally, but the ecology of the Australian fauna is poorly known. Here, we report on the first ecological study of dung beetles in an Australian tropical savanna, documenting species composition, food preferences and responses to fire. Dung beetles were baited using dung from five types of vertebrates as well as mushrooms. We sampled at nine

A review of the role of parasites in the ecology of reptiles and amphibians

Hermit crabs are among the most unique crustaceans because they have a non‐calcified pleon, and they often use empty gastropod shells for shelter and protection. The lack of an adequate shell impacts their growth, reproduction and other population features especially because the shell resource might not be found for the entire population or community. This study focuses on the relationship between

Indigenous societies’ interactions with plants may result in contemporary distribution patterns that reflect these relationships, such as concentration of resource species close to occupation sites or transport routes. Seeds of the cycad, Macrozamia dyeri, are food of Nyungar First People of the south‐eastern Southwest Australian Floristic Region. Processing of seeds by leaching in soil or water enables

Foundation species are species that play important roles in structuring ecological communities. Therefore, conservation managers often aim to promote foundation species. However, it can be unclear which features of foundation species ought to be the focus of management. We studied hummock‐forming grasses in the genus Triodia. Triodia grasses are considered foundation species because they create complex

Habitat loss is a leading cause of biodiversity declines globally, and there has been increasing recognition in recent years of the importance of restoring degraded habitats to functional ecosystems to ameliorate this loss. Despite the critical roles animals play in ecosystems, animals are often overlooked in assessments of ecological restoration success, particularly beyond their presence or absence

A major question for understanding the ecology of parasite infections and diseases in wildlife populations concerns the transmission pathways among hosts. Network models are increasingly used to model the transmission of infections among hosts – however, few studies have integrated host behaviour and genetic relatedness of the parasites transmitted between hosts. In a study of the Australian sleepy

Species‐specific ‘resistance’ to impacts, such as accelerated climate change, and ‘resilience’ (if pressures are released), have important implications for long‐term persistence. There have been some reports that species’ traits may be related to resistance and resilience. We sought to determine whether guild membership, ecological versatility or life‐history traits of woodland birds were related to

Management of native weeds in natural grasslands is a challenging task. Often, recommendations are based on short‐term studies of the response of weed cover and density to different control methods. However, perennial species well adapted to disturbances typically recover from commonly used control techniques. In this long‐term study, we focused on a rosette native to the South American Campos : Eryngium

Sociality has evolved independently many times in a diverse array of animal taxa. While sociality in some invertebrates, birds and mammals is relatively well understood, complex social behaviour in Squamate reptiles is a comparatively recent discovery. The extent to which social behaviour is phylogenetically constrained, or free to respond to environmental conditions is a key question in understanding

The semiaquatic weed Mimosa pigra has negative impacts on biodiversity, fishing, crop and livestock production, and tourism in most places where it has been introduced, established and proliferated. Many of the ecological impacts are well known, but its impacts on rural livelihoods are less well documented, especially in Africa. We mapped the distribution of M. pigra in eastern and southern Africa

By constraining gene flow, group living and natal philopatry can result in fine‐scale genetic structure. Although the genetic structure of some group‐living lizards has been characterised, studies are few compared with those for group‐living bird and mammal species. The Egerniinae group of lizards exhibits a high diversity of social structures, making it a useful group for comparative studies of genetic

An isolated population of ~30 Capricorn Yellow Chats (Epthianura crocea macgregori) (Aves: Meliphagidae) occurs on a grassy marine plain (~4000 ha) with complex fresh to hypersaline wetlands bordering unvegetated salt flats and mangroves, the majority less than 2 m above mean sea level (MSL). While there are several species of sedge on the marine plain, only one, a tall salt‐tolerant sedge, Schoenoplectus