https://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/ /manager/Index ${session.getAttribute("locale")} 5 https://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/ /manager/Repository/uon:39769 Wed 22 Jun 2022 11:58:03 AEST ]]> https://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/ /manager/Repository/uon:36887 Wed 15 Jul 2020 10:53:42 AEST ]]> https://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/ /manager/Repository/uon:54144 Wed 14 Feb 2024 09:31:47 AEDT ]]> https://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/ /manager/Repository/uon:48404 Wed 05 Jul 2023 14:39:49 AEST ]]> https://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/ /manager/Repository/uon:29101 Thu 26 Jul 2018 13:13:54 AEST ]]> https://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/ /manager/Repository/uon:51851 Thu 21 Sep 2023 09:34:23 AEST ]]> https://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/ /manager/Repository/uon:48872 Thu 13 Apr 2023 12:40:30 AEST ]]> https://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/ /manager/Repository/uon:50725 Thu 03 Aug 2023 09:48:00 AEST ]]> https://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/ /manager/Repository/uon:31415 Litoria aurea) to compare differences in microhabitat-use patterns in both a remnant and a constructed habitat. A detectability study was also conducted to determine detection probabilities among microhabitats. Key results: Aquatic vegetation was used more than expected in both the remnant and constructed habitats, and rock piles were utilised less than expected in the constructed habitat, despite their recommendation in most habitat templates. We found that detection probabilities altered the outcomes of abundance estimates for nearly all the measured microhabitat variables. Conclusions: Future management for this species should focus on providing high proportions of aquatic vegetation. Furthermore, although rock piles have been utilised greatly in past L. aurea habitat creation, placing large rocks on a managed site is expensive and time consuming. Future management initiatives may need to focus on providing smaller proportion of rocks, which would be a more appropriate use of resources. Implications: With conservation management projects increasing over the next few decades, understanding habitat use before implementing strategies should be a priority as it will provide important insights and inform decision-making for optimum habitat creation and restoration. Furthermore, accounting for detectability in microhabitat use studies is essential to avoid wrong conclusions that may negatively affect the success of ecological management strategies.]]> Sat 24 Mar 2018 08:43:55 AEDT ]]> https://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/ /manager/Repository/uon:26808 Sat 24 Mar 2018 07:36:28 AEDT ]]> https://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/ /manager/Repository/uon:50521 Mon 07 Aug 2023 13:29:22 AEST ]]> https://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/ /manager/Repository/uon:32085 Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) is correlated with several environmental variables, including salinity, temperature, and moisture content, which influence the pathogen’s growth and survival. Habitats that contain these environmental variables at levels outside of those optimal for Bd growth and survival may facilitate the survival of susceptible host species. Therefore, manipulation of environmental salinity is a potential management strategy to help conserve Bd-susceptible species. However, host behaviour also influences disease dynamics, and the success of habitat manipulation programs depends on how hosts use this altered habitat. Aims: To assess if the Bd-susceptible green and golden bell frog, Litoria aurea, will select waterbodies with a salinity increased to S = 3; if this selection is affected by infection; and if a frog’s time in a waterbody of this salinity affects infection load or blood physiology. Methods: We conducted a filmed choice experiment and a 3-year field study where infected and uninfected frogs could choose between fresh or saline waterbodies. Key results: In both the laboratory experiment and field study, Bd-infected L. aurea spent a significantly greater amount of time in or closer to a waterbody than uninfected frogs. Experimentally infected frogs tended to prefer the saline water over fresh, but their choice of water usage did not differ statistically from uninfected frogs. In the field, frogs began to avoid ponds when salinities rose above S = 5. Conclusions: Because both wild and captive, and infected and uninfected L. aurea readily selected waterbodies with a salinity of S = 3, this salinity could potentially be used as a passive method for reducing the severity of Bd when managing this species. However, further testing is needed to understand the efficacy of this treatment, and care must be taken to prevent salinities rising above S = 5, because this level seems to produce an avoidance response and therefore may not be suitable in every location. Implications: Manipulation of aquatic habitats may be a worthwhile focus for Bd management in habitats where water level fluctuations are minimal.]]> Fri 27 Apr 2018 14:12:51 AEST ]]> https://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/ /manager/Repository/uon:48628 Fri 24 Mar 2023 09:46:36 AEDT ]]> https://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/ /manager/Repository/uon:54850 Fri 15 Mar 2024 17:07:38 AEDT ]]> https://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/ /manager/Repository/uon:49405 Fri 12 May 2023 14:48:07 AEST ]]> https://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/ /manager/Repository/uon:46135 Hydaticus parallelus) ovipositing their eggs within spawn of an amphibian species (sandpaper frog, Lechriodus fletcheri). This behavior was found among several pools used by L. fletcheri for reproduction. Beetle eggs oviposited in frog spawn were found to hatch within 24 h of the surrounding L. fletcheri eggs, with the larvae becoming voracious consumers of the hatched tadpoles. Although it has yet to be established experimentally whether this is an adaptive behavior, the laying of eggs among potential future tadpole prey in this instance should confer significant fitness benefits for the offspring upon hatching, ensuring that they are provided an immediate source of food at the start of their development and potentially throughout. This oviposition behavior might be common among diving beetles and could form a significant predatory threat for amphibians with a free‐swimming larval stage in ephemeral freshwater habitats.]]> Fri 11 Nov 2022 16:17:48 AEDT ]]>