WILDLIFE Australia — Autumn 2001

Contents…

The Luck Penny

Herpetology is the study of Reptiles and Amphibians, a branch of zoology dealing with a group of animals specialised in many ways. It took more than six years for Peter Tremul to track down and photograph the elusive Yakka Skink. Join Peter on his foray through remote parts of central Queensland.

Australia's Shy Desert Nomads

Australia's desert regions are home to a charming and colourful parrot that prefers the anonymity of the shadows. The Mulga parrot, (Psephotus varius) is arguably one of Australia's most colourful psittids, although its remote distribution and flighty disposition make it difficult to observe - another super wildlife portfolio by regular writer Dr. Robert Alison.

A Theory out of Africa

From their ancient common past in Gondwanaland, acacias in Australia and Africa developed differently for separate reasons. How is it that certain acacias are invading Australia, a land already full of acacias? The answer lies in understanding the different categories of acacias and seeing that their enemies are also their propagators.

Dr Antoni Milewski charts the unique adaptations that make these hardy plants a growing problem on the two continents.

Humans, Hope & Helmet Shells

Not every animal behaviour has a simple rational explanation. Underwater naturalist, Neville Coleman, argues that there's something more than meets the eye with Giant Helmet Shells - 'They had banded together in the middle of the night and with no eyes, no intelligence, no communication, no arms, cranes or brains, and saved their friend from the actions of humans.'

Michael Terry and the dancing hare without a body.

David Gibson and Adrian Winwood-Smith write on the 1932 expedition of a less well know Australian explorer, Michael Terry, through the Tanami Desert and his discovery of the many species that inhabit this inhospitable place.

Wildlife Tales - Bird-Dropping Spiders

In his article and photographs, Eric Zillman captures the tale of a female Bird-dropping spider (Calaenia excavata).

The Strange Landscapes of Conservation

Dr Carole Booth shares her horror at the fate of thousands of Spectacled Flying Foxes as they suffer death by electrocution for feeding on some of their favoured fruit trees.

Window on the Wildside

In the third and final part of his assessment of scientific methodologies, Dr John Stanisic looks at invertebrates as the basis for studying the health of the environment.

What's in the Water?

Dr Ulrike Nolte looks at bio-diversity in our creeks and waterways.

Australia's Autumn Skies

Continuing his regular column, Mark Rigby raises our eyes to the features easily observable in the night sky this autumn.

Cyber Jungle

• On Location
• Mojave National Preserve
• The Namib Desert
• Greatest Places Online

Plus: Zoom In, Young n Wild, Nature Watch and lots more…