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Governance and regulation of the use of live animals in research and teaching is examined in Australia, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, China, Japan and India. A comparison of the systems in different countries will enable the determination of best practice and fit-forpurpose regulation. The most comprehensive government regulation of animal welfare in institutions covers a broad range of animals and institutions are required to have an Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee, whose membership is specified in guidelines or regulations. The work of the Committees is rigorously overseen by government and facilities that use live animals are audited externally. All countries examined have legislation governing the use of live animals in research, although only Australia and Malaysia have a fully equivalent mandated oversight of teaching. Teaching that uses live animals is partly covered in the Philippines, Japan, Singapore and Thailand This paper thus aims to review the regulation of animal use in different Asian jurisdictions in order to determine best practices that are appropriate to those settings. The most comprehensive oversight is provided in Australia and Malaysia that essentially use the same regulatory framework.

Menstrual health literacy has a direct impact on young peoples' quality of life, health, academic and professional performance. In Australia, the key learning area of Health and Physical Education [HPE] provides opportunities for students to develop menstrual health literacy. This paper reports on the findings of a survey of 5007 young Australian women aged 13-25 on their experiences of menstruation, dysmenorrhea and education. The discussion herein relates to the qualitative component that asked the question 'What was the most useful information about menstruation received in HPE [Health and Physical Education] class?' Applying a thematic analysis to the data, three key themes emerged. These include: (a) it's all just biology; (b) the cause but not the effect, and; (c) too little, too late. The findings suggest limitations in educational approaches taken by teachers potentially resulting in poor menstrual health literacy portending long-term negative health consequences for some individuals.

Research from the fields of science representation, genre pedagogy and disciplinary literacy for adolescents indicates that achievement for students, including those from linguistically diverse backgrounds, will improve if they engage with the meaning-making conventions of disciplinary texts, but there is no current agreement on the nature of teaching practices for supporting such work. This paper reports on the pedagogical changes that occurred when a high-school biology teacher was supported to develop knowledge about systemic functional linguistics and to use genre pedagogy. The case study of one biology teacher discussed here demonstrates that student participation in dialogue about the language patterns of scientific texts improves when the teacher uses genre pedagogy during text deconstruction. Student involvement in dialogue about content area language increases when the teacher focuses on specific parts of texts, prepares students for what to look for within texts, and elaborates on student input. Preparation included converting language to everyday meanings, while elaboration involved recasting to academic language, as well as prompting to reword and expand meaning.

This article summarises the careers of ten women who have made an amazing contribution to our knowledge of Australian coral reefs and their management, and how this contribution has been used by the Great Barrier Reef Committee (subsequently the Australian Coral Reef Society) to conserve and manage our reefs—an ongoing process in the face of climate change. This paper highlights the critical role that women have played in Australian coral reef science over the last 90 years, through documenting the biodiversity, ecology and functioning of coral reefs. The scientific contributions of ten outstanding women are summarised, along with how they broke down barriers by working on oceanographic vessels and undertaking research in remote areas, while also using their expertise to advocate for the management and conservation of Australia's diverse coral reefs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ground pearls (Hemiptera: Margarodidae), so called for their shiny spherical cyst stage, are important root-feeding pests of a broad range of plants predominantly belonging to the family Poaceae. In the tropical and subtropical regions of eastern Australia, ground pearl species cause significant damage on sugarcane and turf grasses and have been identified at multiple sites of pasture dieback in Queensland. The potential impact of ground pearls on pasture production in Australia and elsewhere is largely unknown. This paper reviews Australian and international literature on the biology and management of this poorly understood group of pests. Ground pearls have several features that make control difficult, including a resilient cyst which provides resistance to drought and excessive moisture, a relative impermeability to insecticides, and ease of dispersal through movement of soil. Ground pearls can also modulate the period of encystment to survive adverse environmental conditions, with some species capable of surviving for years while disassociated from a host. No insecticide effectively controls ground pearl cysts. Biological control agents have been identified for some species; however, these pathogens are relatively ineffective on subterranean ground pearl cysts. Cultural control methods such as cultivation and fallowing have helped to reduce ground pearl populations in sugarcane. In turf, practices that maintain plant health such as adequate irrigation and nutrition can mask signs of ground pearl infestation. The paucity of research conducted on the biology and impact of ground pearls represents a constraint to improving management of this pest. Ground pearls are important pests of a broad range of plants predominantly belonging to the grass family (Poaceae). In eastern Australia, they cause significant damage on sugarcane and turf grasses, and have recently been found in pasture situations in Queensland, but their impacts are unknown. This work reviews Australian and international literature on the biology and management of ground pearls, finding that relatively little research has been undertaken and several knowledge gaps remain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Whilst exotic invasive species are a major threat to natural and modified ecosystems around the world, management programs to reduce their impacts often fail due to a lack of information about their biology and how best to control them in various situations. This paper reviews the currently available information on the biology, distribution, and management options for the invasive weed Senecio madagascariensis Poir. (fireweed). In addition, we developed a model to predict the climatic suitability of this weed around the world based on the current climate. Senecio madagascariensis originates from southern Africa but it has been introduced to several other countries including Australia. Climatic suitability suggests that there are large areas around the world suitable for the weed's growth where it is currently not present. The weed poses a major threat to livestock industries in these countries through its ability to reduce pasture production and poison animals. A range of control techniques have been used to try and manage S. madagascariensis. This paper highlights how a better understanding of the biology of S. madagascariensis can help determine the most effective treatments to impose and to further develop integrated management strategies. Besides using traditional approaches, the use of competitive pastures and more tolerant livestock (such as sheep and goats) are some of the other options recommended as part of an integrated approach. On-going research to identify host-specific biological control agents is also considered a priority. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2022, the Society for Reproductive Biology came together in Christchurch New Zealand (NZ), for its first face-to-face meeting since the global COVID-19 pandemic. The meeting showcased recent advancements in reproductive research across a diverse range of themes relevant to human health and fertility, exotic species conservation, and agricultural breeding practices. Here, we highlight the key advances presented across the main themes of the meeting, including advances in addressing opportunities and challenges in reproductive health related to First Nations people in Australia and NZ; increasing conservation success of exotic species, including ethical management of invasive species; improvements in our understanding of developmental biology, specifically seminal fluid signalling, ovarian development and effects of environmental impacts such as endocrine-disrupting chemicals; and leveraging scientific breakthroughs in reproductive engineering to drive solutions for fertility, including in assisted reproductive technologies in humans and agricultural industries, and for regenerative medicine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Knowledge gaps exist for the interference of Avena ludoviciana and Argemone mexicana in chickpea grown in eastern Australia. Aims: This research aimed to examine the effect of different interference levels of A. ludoviciana and A. mexicana for their potential to cause yield loss in chickpea. Methods: Experiments were conducted in a randomised complete block design with five weed infestation levels of both weeds (none, low, medium, high, and very high) in three replications. Key results: Infestations of A. ludoviciana and A. mexicana at 15 and 17 plants m−2 caused an 83 and 48% reduction in chickpea yield, respectively, compared with weed-free situations. Based on the regression model, a 50% yield reduction of chickpea occurred at 10 and 17 plants m−2 of A. ludoviciana and A. mexicana , respectively. Based on the modified hyperbolic model, maximum seed production of A. ludoviciana and A. mexicana in chickpea at an infestation level of 1 plant m−2 was estimated at 366 and 7800 seeds m−2, respectively. At crop harvest, seed retention of A. ludoviciana and A. mexicana was greater than 50 and 90%, respectively. Conclusions: A. ludoviciana and A. mexicana infestation in chickpea caused a substantial reduction in crop yield. High seed retention in A. mexicana and A. ludoviciana in chickpea suggests the possibility to manage these two weeds through harvest weed seed control. Implications: The information generated from this study could help in strengthening integrated weed management in chickpea. Knowledge gaps exist for the interference of Avena ludoviciana and Argemone mexicana in chickpea in Australia. About 50% yield reduction of chickpea occurred at 10 and 17 plants m−2 of A. ludoviciana and A. mexicana , respectively. High seed retention in A. mexicana and A. ludoviciana in chickpea suggests the possibility to manage these two weeds through harvest weed seed control for strengthening integrated weed management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Estimating demographic changes in a population requires the measurement of some minimal combination of several vital rates, including the flux of individuals into a population, the population growth rate, individual growth rates and mortality rates. For larval fishes, the ratio of instantaneous mortality to growth (i.e., their 'recruitment potential') has been used to make inferences of cohort trajectory where measures of population growth rates are not attainable. Attaining estimates of mortality and growth is an arduous task, and use of the recruitment potential metric has been limited. Here, we relate size spectra of the broader plankton community to the recruitment potential of simultaneously sampled larval Pacific sardines (Sardinops sagax), from three voyages off eastern Australia. As the size structure of a population is determined by the ratio of mortality to growth, and there is remarkable consistency in size spectra across ecosystems, we test the hypothesis that the recruitment potential of larval fish is reflected in community‐level measures of plankton size spectra. Contrary to expectations, results from this study demonstrate a negative relationship between the slope of the plankton size spectra and the recruitment potential of larval Pacific sardine. However, we also demonstrate several other stronger relationships between recruitment potential and physical oceanographic parameters. Together, results suggest plankton size spectra are unlikely to reflect recruitment potential directly. Incorporating some size‐based aspects of the plankton community into a broader modelling framework with a range of oceanographic parameters could further our ability to determine how larval success varies across a seascape. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The weed Avena sterilis ssp. ludoviciana has a high economic impact in the winter cereal crop production systems of Australia's northern grains region (NGR). In the NGR, the frequency of high-temperature periods at the end of winter is increasing. This shift in climate may modify this weed's maturity time and reproductive biology, and thereby impact on crop production. This study examined the reproductive biology of four A. ludoviciana biotypes in relation to elevated temperature when applied at different times during their seed development. Plants of all four A. ludoviciana biotypes were grown in an ambient temperature glasshouse (23/14 °C day/night). At panicle initiation, a portion of the plants were transferred to an elevated temperature glasshouse (29/23 °C day/night) and remained there until maturity. This process of plant movement was repeated on three further occasions with separate batches of plants, each 10 days apart. The remaining plants were kept under ambient conditions for their whole lifespan. Plants exposed to elevated temperature from panicle initiation to maturity, matured 18 days earlier than plants kept under ambient conditions, had 30% fewer filled seeds, 37% lower seed mass, and 40% less seed dormancy. Depending on the time and duration of plants exposed to elevated temperature, predicted seed longevity was ranged from 1 to 4 years in the soil seedbank. All reproductive traits were less affected when plants were exposed to elevated temperature at a later stage of development. If the frequency of high-temperature periods continues to increase, then it may lead to the development of less dormant populations of this weed that would be ready to germinate and re-infest the next winter crops under no-tillage conservation agriculture (that does not bury seeds deep in the soil profile). However, the seasonal climatic variability of the NGR in addition to the weed's natural genetic variability may contribute to a seedbank of both dormant and less dormant seeds—making this species an even more difficult-to-control weed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Grey Butcherbird Cracticus torquatus is a common and widespread bird found across much of Australia, but its breeding biology is incompletely known, with no dedicated studies having been conducted. Opportunistic observations at a Grey Butcherbird nest in Brisbane, Queensland, are presented. In particular, two rarely reported breeding behaviours of this species are described: cooperative breeding involving an immature helper, and reversal of sex roles by the adults, with a male observed brooding on two occasions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Observations are made on the life history of the leaf beetle Mecynodera balyi Clark, 1864, in Helensburgh, New South Wales, including egg-laying behaviour, egg survivorship and a description of the first-instar larva. Eggs are laid externally on the developing seed pods of Pandorea pandorana Andrews (Steenis) (Bignoniaceae) and the first-instar larva burrows into the pod. Pods are also attacked by an undescribed weevil, Storeus species, and larvae of the two beetle species may be found together. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two new genera, Striastigmus, gen. nov., and Vitreostigmus, gen. nov., as well as three new species, S. bicoloratus, sp. nov., V. maculatus, sp. nov., and V. kangarooislandi, sp. nov., are described from Australia. A key to species of Vitreostigmus is provided as well as new information on the biology of genus Bortesia. Potential hosts of the newly described genera are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

I studied the breeding biology of the high-elevation montane White-winged Robin Peneothello sigillata (Petroicidae) at Kumul Lodge, southern slope of Mt Hagen, Papua New Guinea, from 2 October to 17 November 2011. Three nests were watched for 18 hours during incubation; each had one egg. Female daylight incubation constancy (percentage of daylight hours spent in incubation) was 73%, the mean duration of incubation sessions was 3.35 minutes and mean absence from the nest was 1.33 minutes, the daily number of incubation sessions was 150 (12.5 per hour), feeding of the incubating female by the male at the nest was 4.6 times/hour, and the total number of nest visits by both male and female during incubation was 17.1/hour. The 100% egg-success in this species suggests that these incubation reproductive traits evolved more in response to food availability and perhaps food limitation than a high risk of nest predation. Nestling care by the female included brooding and the feeding of the young. Nestling care by males included delivering food to the female and feeding the nestling. Both the male and the female removed faecal sacs. Mean brooding constancy (percentage of time spent brooding) was 43.3% for the entire 17–21-day nestling period. Mean number of food-delivery trips by both the male and the female over the entire nestling period was 7.2/hour/nestling and the total number of nest visits by both the male and the female was 17.6/hour. Two nests were attended solely by the breeding pairs, and cooperative breeding, with one immature helper, occurred at one other nest. During the nestling stage, the high nest success, coupled with high nest visitation, suggests that the risk of nest predation is low. Peak nestling growth (to >90% of adult weight) occurred at 10–13 days of age. To elucidate the breeding strategy of the Whitewinged Robin, its reproductive traits are discussed and compared with those of other robins of New Guinea, tropical northern Australia, and temperate Australia and New Zealand. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Chestnut-backed Button-quail Turnix castanotus is a small, cryptic, ground-dwelling species endemic to savanna ecosystems of northern Australia. Due to aspects of its ecology, cryptic plumage and behaviour, and the remoteness of most of its distribution, there are few published observations from the field documenting its breeding biology. The eggs were first described in 1856 and have subsequently been described by other authors. Two nests were detected in the Northern Territory in March 2021. We compare nesting events there with previous descriptions and museum collections. Our findings are mostly consistent with other literature on this species, but are inconsistent with two contemporary accounts, which we suggest are based on misidentification of Painted Button-quail T. varius. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]