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Identifying what drove the late Pleistocene megafaunal extinctions on the continents remains one of the most contested topics in historical science. This is especially so in Australia, which lost 90% of its large species by 40,000 years ago, more than half of them kangaroos. Determining causation has been obstructed by a poor understanding of their ecology. Using dental microwear texture analysis, we show that most members of Australia's richest Pleistocene kangaroo assemblage had diets that were much more generalized than their craniodental anatomy implies. Mixed feeding across most kangaroos pinpoints dietary breadth as a key behavioral adaptation to climate-driven fluctuations in vegetation structure, dispelling the likelihood that late Pleistocene climatic variation was a primary driver of their disappearance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reproduction can reduce energy allocation to other life‐history traits such as survival and growth. Resource constraints give rise to (co)variation in life‐history traits and to heterogeneity in energy acquisition and allocation. At each reproductive opportunity, females face a choice between allocation to current reproduction or to maintenance. Many studies compare reproductive trade‐offs between two consecutive years, but few account for the cumulative effects of reproduction over multiple years, a crucial factor in understanding life‐history evolution in long‐lived iteroparous species.We compared short‐ (interannual) and long‐term (cumulative) reproductive trade‐offs with a 14‐year capture–mark–recapture study of eastern grey kangaroos, where females can have substantial skeletal growth for several years after maturation. We used a multivariate approach to compare how interannual and multi‐annual cumulative reproduction affected growth (n = 378 measurements), mass change (n = 376 measurements) and subsequent reproduction (n = 388 measurements), and to quantify (co)variation between these traits among individuals (n = 107) and years (n = 14).Interannually, young females that reproduced experienced decreased skeletal growth compared to young females that did not reproduce. Reproductive females of all ages experienced reduced mass gain and weaning probability in the following year. The cumulative effects of multiple reproductions included decreased skeletal growth, mass gain and weaning probability in the following year. These effects increased with age and reproductive rate. We found positive trait correlations between mass change, leg growth and subsequent reproduction among individuals and years, though weaker at the cumulative than interannual level.Females experience dynamic interannual and cumulative trade‐offs. Our analyses of cumulative costs of reproduction revealed long‐term trade‐offs as well as cumulative costs that were not apparent when estimating interannual costs. Trait correlations suggested heterogeneity in growth and reproduction among females. Years of increased growth were followed by years of increased reproduction, and years of poor growth were followed by years of poor reproduction. Our exploration of both interannual and cumulative costs of reproduction underscores the need to account for long‐term reproductive histories to better understand reproductive trade‐offs in long‐lived iteroparous species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A growing body of research suggests that dynamic capabilities play a significant role in a firm's process to respond to changes in today's dynamic environment. The purpose of this study is to integrate research on dynamic capabilities with an organizational knowledge approach, which has received little attention in the literature review. By undertaking an exploratory analysis, the findings of this study reveal that a firm's competitive advantage development is tightly associated with the interactions and interdependencies between knowledge-based competencies and dynamic capabilities. At the same time, such a relationship is guided by strategic decisions of the firm's management team. The findings presented further extend the resource-based view of competitive advantage and facilitate improvements in future research on the relationship between dynamic capabilities and organizational knowledge by using an empirical investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carcass scavenging by vertebrates is a critical ecosystem service that is influenced by environmental factors such as season and habitat. However, there is limited understanding of the role that these factors play in shaping scavenging patterns across different bioregions. We used camera traps to monitor vertebrate scavengers at 120 kangaroo (Family: Macropodidae) carcasses that were positioned across different seasons (warm/cool) and habitats (open/closed canopy) in three disparate desert, subalpine and temperate bioregions in Australia. Our survey identified 27 species that scavenged carcasses and revealed clear differences in scavenging patterns across the three bioregions. Carcass use was highest for feral cats, birds of prey, corvids and red foxes in the desert bioregion; for reptiles and dingoes in the temperate bioregion and for feral pigs, possums and dingoes in the subalpine bioregion. Bioregional differences in scavenger guild composition explained >4.6 times more variation in scavenger guild dissimilarity than season and >9.8 times more variation than habitat. Further, habitat had few effects on scavenger communities or carcass detection and use, whereas season was a strong predictor of these responses. Across bioregions, there were some general seasonal and habitat scavenging trends, with mammals and birds often using carcasses more frequently in cooler seasons and birds detecting carcasses faster in open habitat. However, there was also extensive within‐bioregion seasonal variation. For example, depending on bioregion, some animals scavenged more frequently or detected carcasses faster in warmer seasons (i.e. birds and reptiles). Our results show that vertebrate scavenging is mediated by a complex interplay of environmental variables, especially seasonality, which may operate differently across bioregions. These findings have implications for understanding variability in vertebrate scavenging patterns and, in turn, functionally redundant or complementary scavenging processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is widely acknowledged that community-led initiatives can significantly improve community resilience to bushfires and other disasters. These initiatives can be particularly important in overcoming some of the challenges presented to emergency management organisations in moving towards the goal of community resilience and shared responsibility. This paper provides an overview of a case study of the roles and outcomes of community-led bushfire and disaster resilience initiatives in the region of Kangaroo Valley, New South Wales, Australia. Three initiatives are described: the establishment of a comprehensive network of bushfireready neighbourhood groups, the establishment of the Kangaroo Valley Bushfire Recovery Association and its recovery 'drop-in centre', and the genesis and evolution of a community resilience group known as 'Resilient KV'. These initiatives played significant roles before, during and after the disastrous passage of the Currowan bushfire through Kangaroo Valley in January 2020. This fire destroyed over 10% of homes in the region and had very severe impacts on people, infrastructure, animals and the environment. The findings of this study covered issues including household 'stay-and-defend' versus 'leave early' decision-making and the ways residents improved the bushfire resilience of their properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Validated predictions of wildlife population density would be very useful for managers of overabundant wildlife and their effects on biodiversity. In this study such predictions were generated by modelling population dynamics of 18 non‐culled populations of Eastern Grey Kangaroos (Macropus giganteus) across small biodiversity conservation reserves in Canberra. Predictions were validated using three analyses of independent, out‐of‐sample, data from 11 populations which were non‐culled or culled. Association (analysis 1) showed observed and predicted densities were significantly positively correlated (R2 = 0.79, P = 0.045, n = 5) with unbiased slope and y intercept for non‐culled populations, though observed and predicted densities of culled populations were unrelated (R2 = 0.32, P = 0.24, n = 6). Coverage (analysis 2) showed predicted densities were within the 95% confidence interval of observed densities in five of five non‐culled populations and four of six culled populations, with one underestimate and one overestimate in the latter group. Bias (analysis 3) showed the mean bias (=observed – predicted) was 0.18 (±0.23 SE) kangaroos/ha for non‐culled and 0.08 (±0.23 SE) for culled populations. The results have been used to adjust kangaroo management approaches in Canberra as part of adaptive management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study examines variation in the pluralization of Hebrew loan nouns that end with a vowel. Most loan nouns take the plural suffix -im with no variation, while loan nouns that end with vowels other than a show variation with respect to deleting and not deleting the final vowel. Hebrew native nouns that end with vowels other than a are relatively rare and therefore the Hebrew morphological mechanism is not accustomed to pluralizing them. The paper proposes a hierarchy that predicts which vowels are more or less likely to be deleted. It is based on the accessibility of deletion in existing pluralization paradigms within native words, in addition to the interaction of markedness and faithfulness constraints. The study provides further support for the claim that the mechanism of word formation takes into account not only the word itself but also its relations to other words in a paradigm. In addition, it sheds light on morphological adaptation of loanwords and provides predictions with respect to their degree of integration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Macropods are often implicated as the main native Australian reservoir hosts of Coxiella burnetii (Q fever); however, the maintenance and transmission capacity of these species are poorly understood. The objective of this cross-sectional study was to describe the epidemiology of C. burnetii in a high-density population of eastern grey kangaroos (Macropus giganteus) in a peri-urban coastal nature reserve in New South Wales, Australia. Blood, faeces and swabs were collected from forty kangaroos as part of a population health assessment. Frozen and formalin-fixed tissues were also collected from 12 kangaroos euthanised on welfare grounds. Specimens were tested for C. burnetii using PCR, serology, histopathology and immunohistochemistry. A total of 33/40 kangaroos were seropositive by immunofluorescence assay (estimated true seroprevalence 84%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 69% to 93%), with evidence of rising titres in two animals that had been tested four years earlier. The PCR prevalence was 65% (95% CI 48% to 79%), with positive detection in most sample types. There was no evidence of pathology consistent with C. burnetii, and immunohistochemistry of PCR-positive tissues was negative. These findings indicate that kangaroos are competent maintenance hosts of C. burnetii, likely forming a significant part of its animal reservoir at the study site. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While transport and mobility studies have focused on diverse challenges related to improving the quality of public transport (PT) for its passengers, they have hardly examined the well-being and livelihoods of PT workers. To address this gap, we explore the work spaces and times of bus drivers employed in PT in Gothenburg and Stockholm (Sweden), where PT operations are procured from private companies to ensure service quality and financial efficiency. Drawing upon studies on capitalist temporalities of work, we observe that the bus drivers are obliged to perform fatiguing work tasks under constant time pressure, which generates daily conflicts between bodily, personal, and work rhythms. The drivers' time wealth is severely constrained, as they have limited capacity to control their own time and experience a near-constant work-life imbalance. Our findings indicate that such hindrances are not simply a product of work rhythms marked by the rigidity of the PT timetable. Rather, they emerge from the operational and financial logic of procurement that contradicts the well-being and livelihoods of PT workers. We conclude with a plea to place workers as essential actors for future reflections on inequalities and injustices related to transport and mobility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent experiments have demonstrated that carnivores and ungulates in Africa, Asia, Europe and North America fear the human 'super predator' far more than other predators. Australian mammals have been a focus of research on predator naiveté because it is suspected they show atypical antipredator responses. To experimentally test if mammals in Australia also most fear humans, we quantified the responses of four native marsupials (eastern grey kangaroo, Bennett's wallaby, Tasmanian pademelon, common brushtail possum) and introduced fallow deer to playbacks of predator (human, dog, Tasmanian devil, wolf) or non-predator control (sheep) vocalizations. Native marsupials most feared the human 'super predator', fleeing humans 2.4 times more often than the next most frightening predator (dogs), and being most, and significantly, vigilant to humans. These results demonstrate that native marsupials are not naïve to the peril humans pose, substantially expanding the taxonomic and geographic scope of the growing experimental evidence that wildlife worldwide generally perceive humans as the planet's most frightening predator. Introduced fallow deer fled humans, but not more than other predators, which we suggest may result from their being introduced. Our results point to both challenges concerning marsupial conservation and opportunities for exploiting fear of humans as a wildlife management tool. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coxiella burnetii, the causative agent of Q fever, is a zoonotic bacteria of global public health significance. The organism has a complex, diverse, and relatively poorly understood animal reservoir but there is increasing evidence that macropods play some part in the epidemiology of Q fever in Australia. The aim of this cross-sectional survey was to estimate the animal- and tissue-level prevalence of coxiellosis amongst eastern grey (Macropus giganteus) and red (Osphranter rufus) kangaroos co-grazing with domestic cattle in a Q fever endemic area in Queensland. Serum, faeces and tissue samples from a range of organs were collected from 50 kangaroos. A total of 537 tissue samples were tested by real-time PCR, of which 99 specimens from 42 kangaroos (84% of animals, 95% confidence interval [CI], 71% to 93%) were positive for the C. burnetii IS1111 gene when tested in duplicate. Twenty of these specimens from 16 kangaroos (32%, 95% CI 20% to 47%) were also positive for the com1 or htpAB genes. Serum antibodies were present in 24 (57%, 95% CI 41% to 72%) of the PCR positive animals. There was no statistically significant difference in PCR positivity between organs and no single sample type consistently identified C. burnetii positive kangaroos. The results from this study identify a high apparent prevalence of C. burnetii amongst macropods in the study area, albeit seemingly with an inconsistent distribution within tissues and in relatively small quantities, often verging on the limits of detection. We recommend Q fever surveillance in macropods should involve a combination of serosurveys and molecular testing to increase chances of detection in a population, noting that a range of tissues would likely need to be sampled to confirm the diagnosis in a suspect positive animal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Camera trap model and setup choice can significantly affect data collection. This study investigated standard-angle Reconyx and wide-angle Swift camera traps in different setups and how the choice of equipment influenced detection and individual identification of the chuditch (Dasyurus geoffroii). Camera models were placed side-by-side in four setups: (i) single and (ii) paired camera traps 30 cm above ground; and single cameras (iii) 1 m and (iv) 2 m above ground, with a lure (tuna oil) in the centre of all setups. Swifts had a higher Detection probability than Reconyx, although the number of detections with identified individuals did not significantly differ between camera models. The 30 cm paired camera setups had the highest Detection and Identification probabilities for both camera models, with both probabilities decreasing as cameras were positioned higher. Camera model and setup choice are important in obtaining detection and identification data, and should be considered when planning studies and interpreting results. Many wildlife studies using camera traps require a high probability of animal detection and, depending on study aim, the ability to identify individuals. For a cryptic species this can be difficult, but testing different setups for camera traps improves both detection and individual identification. In the case of the chuditch, a medium-sized marsupial carnivore, paired cameras at 30 cm height had the best Detection and Identification probability. This setup can be used in a variety of chuditch studies to gather more useable data and would increase the reliability of results such as population density estimates. Photograph by Melissa Taylor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inspired by the kangaroo's active tail wagging to stabilize its body posture while jumping, this paper proposes an active anti-disturbance control strategy for unmanned aerial manipulators based on variable coupling disturbance compensation ( AADC VCD ), which can achieve the active and energy-saving anti-disturbance performance of "using the enemy's strength against the enemy" to keep the UAM stable under disturbances. First, the goal of using the coupling disturbance generated by the active swing of the manipulator as a control input signal for active anti-disturbance is clarified. Then, based on the proposed variable coupling disturbance model, this goal is formulated as a nonlinear programming optimization problem under specific physical constraints and solved. Finally, the coupling disturbance torque generated when the manipulator executes an active swing to the solved desired joint angles can be used to compensate and suppress other disturbances of the UAM, thereby achieving active anti-disturbance. The effectiveness and superiority of the proposed AADC VCD were validated through two simulations in Simscape. The simulation results demonstrated that our approach achieved a good active anti-disturbance and energy-saving performance, significantly reducing the position offset of the UAM caused by disturbances and improving the UAM's ability to maintain stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding animal behavioural patterns can provide insight into how populations and communities are adapting to broader environmental shifts. The northern quoll (Dasyurus hallucatus), an endangered marsupial predator, has traditionally been classified as nocturnal. However, evidence is emerging that such simple classifications belie the complexity of animal activity patterns. Using time‐stamped camera trap imagery and fine‐scale accelerometer data, our study explores the diel activity patterns of northern quolls across their range in northern Australia. Contrary to the conventional nocturnal classification, we found that the northern quoll used bimodal activity patterns in four of the five populations examined in this study. Activity and accelerometer data showed two nightly movement peaks, with a distinctive lull around midnight, a pattern similar to one displayed by other marsupial predators. We found no consistent effect of season or lunar phase on temporal activity. Instead, its possible temporal activity patterns are primarily influenced by factors not accounted for here, such as prey availability, climate, predator avoidance, or energy expenditure related to digestion. We suggest further research incorporating these factors will improve our understanding of northern quoll behaviour. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tree-kangaroos (genus Dendrolagus) are a morphologically distinctive genus of specialized, arboreal macropodids confined to the wet forests of New Guinea and northeast Australia. A distinct Goodfellow’s group, containing up to four species, has long been recognized. Resolving the relationships of taxa within the group has been hampered by limited samples of most taxa. Here we supplement published genetic data from high quality tissue samples with molecular data generated from museum specimens to improve taxon and geographic coverage. This includes specimens of the previously unsampled D. g. goodfellowi, the holotype and paratype of D. deltae, and additional specimens of D. matschiei, D. spadix and D. g. buergersi. DNA sequence data were generated from three mitochondrial loci. Phylogenetic analysis improved the resolution of relationships within the Goodfellow’s group, with the morphologically similar D. g. goodfellowi and D. g. buergersi being recovered as sister taxa, while D. pulcherrimus was the sister to the closely related, but morphologically and ecologically distinct, D. spadix and D. matschiei. Despite being sister to D. g. buergersi, D. g. goodfellowi was highly divergent. However, the two are morphologically very similar and we recommend retaining the taxonomic status quo (recognizing them as two subspecies of a single species) until improved sampling and a more thorough analysis is possible. The problematic D. deltae was confirmed as a junior synonym of D. matschiei. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cryptosporidium spp. sporadically infect a range of Australian native mammals including koalas, red kangaroos, eastern grey kangaroos, bilbies and brush tailed possums and can range from asymptomatic to fatal infections. Traditionally considered a disease of the young or immuno‐compromised, and resulting in profuse diarrhoea in other species, here we report an atypical clinical syndrome associated with Cryptosporidium in a captive population of koalas. All affected animals were in‐contact adults, and demonstrated anorexia, dehydration and abdominal pain in the absence of diarrhoea. Following euthanasia on welfare grounds, Cryptosporidium infection was confirmed postmortem in three of four symptomatic animals via faecal floatation and/or intestinal histopathology, with enteritis also diagnosed in the fourth koala. Further screening of the captive colony found the outbreak had been contained. Based on sequencing the cause of the infection was C. fayeri, but the source was undetermined. In conclusion, Cryptosporidium should be considered as a possible cause of generalised illness in koalas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interactions of solar radiation with mammal fur are complex. Reflection of radiation in the visible spectrum provides colour that has various roles, including sexual display and crypsis, i.e., camouflage. Radiation that is absorbed by a fur coat is converted to heat, a proportion of which impacts on the skin. Not all absorption occurs at the coat surface, and some radiation penetrates the coat before being absorbed, particularly in lighter coats. In studies on this phenomenon in kangaroos, we found that two arid zone species with the thinnest coats had similar effective heat load, despite markedly different solar reflectances. These kangaroos were Red Kangaroos (Osphranter rufus) and Western Grey Kangaroos (Macropus fuliginosus). Here we examine the connections between heat flow patterns associated with solar radiation, and the physical structure of these coats. Also noted are the impacts of changing wind speed. The modulation of solar radiation and resultant heat flows in these coats were measured at wind speeds from 1 to 10 m s−1 by mounting them on a heat flux transducer/temperature-controlled plate apparatus in a wind tunnel. A lamp with a spectrum like solar radiation was used as a proxy for the sun. The integrated reflectance across the solar spectrum was higher in the red kangaroos (40 ± 2%) than in the grey kangaroos (28 ± 1%). Fur depth and insulation were not different between the two species, but differences occurred in fibre structure, notably in fibre length, fibre density and fibre shape. Patterns of heat flux within the species' coats occurred despite no overall difference in effective solar heat load. We consider that an overarching need for crypsis, particularly for the more open desert-adapted red kangaroo, has led to the complex adaptations that retard the penetrance of solar radiation into its more reflective fur. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article is a review of Elizabeth Ellis's book, "Australian Animal Law: Context and Critique." The book examines the deficiencies in Australian animal law and argues that it fails to provide adequate protection for animals. Ellis identifies several key issues, including the arbitrary criteria used to confer protection on animals, inconsistency in regulation and enforcement, conflicts of interest, and the designation of animals as property. The book explores the position of different animals under Australian law, such as companion animals, farmed animals, animals used for entertainment, and wild animals. It also discusses the regulation of animals used in research and proposes reforms for transparency and independent regulation. The review praises the book for its comprehensive analysis and accessibility to a wide audience. [Extracted from the article]

Live capture-recapture is often considered the gold standard for estimating wildlife population size or density, but the approach can be limited by permitting requirements, required labor, welfare concerns, and biased estimates resulting from heterogeneity in individual behavior. Noninvasive genetic sampling (e.g., from fecal pellets) offers a powerful alternative approach, but this method's success varies among taxa, with little research available on its use in rodents. Here, we addressed a series of questions to develop a noninvasive genetic sampling approach for the endangered giant kangaroo rat (Dipodomys ingens): (1) how quickly does DNA degrade in natural conditions, (2) how many pellets are required to recover a genotype, (3) how often do multiple individuals contaminate a pooled sample from a single sampling location, and (4) how do variable and parameter estimates from noninvasive genetic sampling compare to live-trapping mark-recapture estimates? We found that fecal pellets were successfully genotyped up to 9 days (estimated probability of recovery = 0.78) after exposure to hot, arid conditions, but that rate fell precipitously soon after. Although giant kangaroo rats are territorial, multiple individuals deposited fecal pellets at the same sampling locations; however, single pellets contained sufficient DNA to recover genotypes and to identify individuals, so contamination was not a problem for this approach. Capture probabilities were lower using noninvasive genetic sampling (= 0.26, SE = 0.01) than live trapping (= 0.40, SE = 0.06). Population estimates were generally similar using noninvasive genetic sampling, although they were quite a bit higher (= 64, = 38) on one grid. Noninvasive genetic sampling can overcome many of the limitations of live-trapping for small mammals, but the approach should be tested in additional taxa and systems to provide more generalizable recommendations for sampling schemes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Age is an essential attribute in studies of animal development, survival and reproduction. Here we evaluate the age estimation technique of molar progression devised for kangaroos in 1965. We used 71 wild eastern grey kangaroos (Macropus giganteus) that were first captured and aged as pouch young at Wilsons Promontory National Park, Victoria, and subsequently found dead between the ages of 1 and 14 years. We expected that the original equation, derived from captive kangaroos in Queensland, would not estimate age correctly due to differences in diet and/or clinal variation in skull morphology. We found no difference in rate of molar progression between males (n = 44) and females (n = 27). Our overall regression of age on molar index (MI) was log10 (age, days) = 0.284 (MI) + 2.51 1, r² = 0.97. The slope of this equation was indistinguishable from that of the original one, meaning that molar progression in the wild was equivalent to that originally developed on captive kangaroos, despite likely differences in diet and morphology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In terms of the number of participants, the Mathematical Kangaroo is the world's largest annual mathematical competition. It is held in multiplechoice format (1 out of 5), which gives the distractors (i.e. wrong answeroptions) a special role. The aim of this article is to analyse those tasks of the Kangaroo competition in which a particularly large proportion of students have chosen exactly one of the distractors of the task. We attempt to characterise these distractors by taking into account the research on mathematical intuition and the dual-process theory. To this end, we introduce the concept of the empirical trap. Based on the response frequencies of participants in the Mathematical Kangaroo in Austria between 2015 and 2019, five different types of such empirical traps can be identified, namely (1) external task characteristics, (2) misleading mathematical intuitions, (3) special distractors, (4) inadequate calculations and (5) partially correct solutions. Based on the results, some thoughts of the authors and suggestions for task creators are formulated as basis for discussion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Among burrowing rodents, forelimb morphology frequently shares an intricate relationship with soil substrates. Soils vary widely in texture and density, leading to differences in friability (e.g. the relative ability of particles to be broken apart), which often requires forelimb specializations in digging animals. Kangaroo rats (Dipodomys spp.) dig and occupy burrows, a trait that is essential to their survival. Some Dipodomys species are restricted to particular substrates that presumably require species-specific forelimb traits. Here we examined the forelimb morphology and soil substrates inhabited by range-restricted and widely ranging Dipodomys species to explore the variation in soil usage, forelimb specializations, and the relationship between these traits. We assessed size and shape traits of preserved specimen forelimb bones using traditional and geometric morphometric techniques and extracted soil data associated with the collecting locality of each specimen. We expected species that inhabit dense soil substrates to display specialized forelimb morphology typified by an elongated scapula and robust humerus, radius, and ulna. The species differed substantially in their soil associations and forelimb morphologies. In particular, forelimb traits that enhance mechanical digging ability were detected in D. elator , a range-restricted species that inhabits dense clay-rich soils. These findings suggest that Dipodomys species that inhabit dense substrates may require correspondingly specialized forelimb morphology and that these traits may limit the desirable geographic ranges inhabited by these species. This may provide important information when making conservation decisions given that unlike other habitat features, soil substrates cannot be easily modified to suit the needs of the organism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Kangaroo rats communicate with nearby conspecifics and predators using low-frequency ground vibrations via footdrumming. When exposed to audio playbacks of low-frequency substrate-borne noise from vehicles, kangaroo rats respond with footdrumming, suggesting that vehicle ground vibrations are perceived as predators or as other kangaroo rats. However, this has yet to be tested on the giant kangaroo rat (Dipodomys ingens). The goal of our research was to determine whether D. ingens responded to vehicle ground vibrations through footdrumming. From 2018 to 2021, we used geophones to record the response of individuals in burrows as vehicles drove by on adjacent roadways (<50 m). In addition, as a comparison, we tested the behavioral response of individuals to predators in burrows near (<50 m) and far (>200 m) from roadways. This was accomplished by mimicking a predator scratching into a burrow and recording the response. Kangaroo rats responded very little to our traffic and predator treatments (only 7 out of 177 responded by footdrumming). We also found no significant difference between road traffic and predator treatments. There are several possible reasons for the lack of response, including season, time of day, roadway type, and activity. We believe that there is still a need to continue investigating kangaroo rat footdrumming responses to noise by exploring the effects of daytime, traffic frequency, and road surfaces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Influenza D virus (IDV) infections have been observed in animals worldwide, confirmed through both serological and molecular tests, as well as virus isolation. IDV possesses unique properties that distinguish it from other influenza viruses, primarily attributed to the hemagglutinin-esterase fusion (HEF) surface glycoprotein, which determines the virus' tropism and wide host range. Cattle are postulated to be the reservoir of IDV, and the virus is identified as one of the causative agents of bovine respiratory disease (BRD) syndrome. Animals associated with humans and susceptible to IDV infection include camels, pigs, small ruminants, and horses. Notably, high seroprevalence towards IDV, apart from cattle, is also observed in camels, potentially constituting a reservoir of the virus. Among wild and captive animals, IDV infections have been confirmed in feral pigs, wild boars, deer, hedgehogs, giraffes, wildebeests, kangaroos, wallabies, and llamas. The transmission potential and host range of IDV may contribute to future viral differentiation. It has been confirmed that influenza D may pose a threat to humans as a zoonosis, with seroprevalence noted in people with professional contact with cattle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 1846, the colonial Government in Sydney authorised occupation of the Wimmera Pastoral District by European graziers. Amongst the first to be granted land in the district was the Hamilton family, who established large pastoral runs called Bringalbert Station and nearby Ozenkadnook Station, north of today’s Edenhope. James Charles Hamilton lived on Bringalbert Station from 1846, when he was 9–10 years old, until 1912. Hamilton later published a book of reminiscences of his ‘pioneering life’. Amongst the few natural history observations in the book is a paragraph on the ‘three sorts of kangaroo’ that Hamilton recognised. Here, I attempt to discern the specific identity of those three macropods, drawing upon Hamilton’s statements, regional Aboriginal vocabularies and the species of Macropodidae known to have occurred in the region. I conclude that the 3 species were Eastern Grey Kangaroo, Western Grey Kangaroo and Red-necked Wallaby. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Macropod progressive periodontal disease (MPPD), known as Lumpy Jaw, poses a persistent and potentially fatal threat in Western gray kangaroos when they are kept in captivity. Such a condition leads to the development of osteomyelitis and sepsis in Western gray kangaroos (Macropus fuliginosus). This case study presented the inaugural examination of hematological and biochemical aspects of MPPD with a progression toward sepsis in a captive environment. The primary objective of this research was to pinpoint hematological and biochemical indicators associated with severe MPPD in a Western gray kangaroo held in captivity. The study employed various methods, including clinical, radiographical, hematological, and biochemical analyses, as well as microbiological study methods. The case was a 2.5-year-old male wild Western gray kangaroo with fever (39.7 ℃), dehydration, dyspnea, tachycardia, and involuntary jaw clenching due to stress and agitation. The kangaroo had a history of lethargy, anorexia, swelling of the soft tissues of the lower jaw on the left side, and tenderness during palpation. A radiograph of the head revealed mandible proliferative lesions. The hematological and biochemical examinations indicated an increase in the total count of leucocytes, level of neutrophils, number of erythrocytes, hematocrit level, and lymphopenia. Increased activity of alkaline phosphatase, amylase, and creatinine elevated azotemia. There was a decrease in the content of albumin, glucose, and total bilirubin. The bacteria, consisting of Fusobacteriaceae spp., Porphyromonadaceae spp., and Bacteroidaceae spp., were found and identified in all samples. However, this comprehensive diagnosis of MPPD based on clinical signs, radiography, and especially hematological and biochemical parameters of the septic process can be helpful in diagnosis and treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The management of preterm births remains a major challenge in Madagascar, given the lack of equipped facilities in rural areas, and the absence of precise data concerning the incidence of such births. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends the kangaroo method (skin-to-skin contact) for the management of preterm infants. In this article, we examine the conditions for success and the obstacles facing kangaroo care in community settings in Madagascar. We performed a qualitative research, collecting data from the districts of Antananarivo and Mahajanga in 2021. In total, 54 semi-structured interviews and two focus group sessions were conducted with the parents of preterm infants and healthcare professionals. The obstacles identified by the research included incomplete and inaccurate knowledge, leading to heterogeneity in the practice of kangaroo care: arbitrary duration, lack of kangaroo care at night, exclusive breastfeeding, and only partially practiced skin-to-skin contact. We found that the conditions for success depended on: (1) the healthcare system, (2) local interpretations of pregnancy, and (3) the structure of the infant's family. Failings of the medical system, cultural habits going against kangaroo care, and "nuclear" and/or "single parent" family structures undermine the application of this practice, jeopardizing upscaling efforts. We hope that the results of this research will guide community strategies for the management of preterm infants and kangaroo care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Kangaroo rats are small mammals that are among the most abundant vertebrates in many terrestrial ecosystems in Western North America and are considered both keystone species and ecosystem engineers, providing numerous linkages between other species as both consumers and resources. However, there are challenges to studying the behavior and activity of these species due to the difficulty of observing large numbers of individuals that are small, secretive, and nocturnal. Our goal was to develop an integrated approach of miniaturized animal-borne accelerometry and radiotelemetry to classify the cryptic behavior and activity cycles of kangaroo rats and test hypotheses of how their behavior is influenced by light cycles, moonlight, and weather. Methods: We provide a proof-of-concept approach to effectively quantify behavioral patterns of small bodied (< 50 g), nocturnal, and terrestrial free-ranging mammals using large acceleration datasets by combining low-mass, miniaturized animal-borne accelerometers with radiotelemetry and advanced machine learning techniques. We developed a method of attachment and retrieval for deploying accelerometers, a non-disruptive method of gathering observational validation datasets for acceleration data on free-ranging nocturnal small mammals, and used these techniques on Merriam's kangaroo rats to analyze how behavioral patterns relate to abiotic factors. Results: We found that Merriam's kangaroo rats are only active during the nighttime phases of the diel cycle and are particularly active during later light phases of the night (i.e., late night, morning twilight, and dawn). We found no reduction in activity or foraging associated with moonlight, indicating that kangaroo rats are actually more lunarphilic than lunarphobic. We also found that kangaroo rats increased foraging effort on more humid nights, most likely as a mechanism to avoid cutaneous water loss. Conclusions: Small mammals are often integral to ecosystem functionality, as many of these species are highly abundant ecosystem engineers driving linkages in energy flow and nutrient transfer across trophic levels. Our work represents the first continuous detailed quantitative description of fine-scale behavioral activity budgets in kangaroo rats, and lays out a general framework for how to use miniaturized biologging devices on small and nocturnal mammals to examine behavioral responses to environmental factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Individual behavior varies for many reasons, but how early in life are such differences apparent, and are they under selection? We investigated variation in early-life behavior in a wild eastern gray kangaroo (Macropus giganteus) population, and quantified associations of behavior with early survival. Behavior of young was measured while still in the pouch and as subadults, and survival to weaning was monitored. We found consistent variation between offspring of different mothers in levels of activity at the pouch stage, in flight initiation distance (FID) as subadults, and in subadult survival, indicating similarity between siblings. There was no evidence of covariance between the measures of behavior at the pouch young versus subadult stages, nor of covariance of the early-life behavioral traits with subadult survival. However, there was a strong covariance between FIDs of mothers and those of their offspring tested at different times. Further, of the total repeatability of subadult FID (51.5%), more than half could be attributed to differences between offspring of different mothers. Our results indicate that 1) behavioral variation is apparent at a very early stage of development (still in the pouch in the case of this marsupial); 2) between-mother differences can explain much of the repeatability (or "personality") of juvenile behavior; and 3) mothers and offspring exhibit similar behavioral responses to stimuli. However, 4) we found no evidence of selection via covariance between early-life or maternal behavioral traits and juvenile survival in this wild marsupial. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

About 10% of angiosperms, an estimated 20,000 species, produce latex from ubiquitous isoprene precursors. Latex, an aqueous suspension of rubber particles and other compounds, functions as an antifeedant and herbivory deterrent. It is soluble in neutral to alkaline pH, and coagulates in acidic environments. Here, I propose that foregut-fermenting herbivores such as ruminants, kangaroos, sloths, insect larvae, and tadpoles have adapted to latex in forage with the evolution of alkaline anterior digestive chamber(s). However, they consequently become susceptible to the action of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) δ-endotoxin and related bioinsecticides which are activated in alkaline environments. By contrast, hindgut-fermenting herbivores, such as horses and rabbits, have acidic anterior digestive chambers, in which latex coagulates and may cause gut blockage, but in which Bt is not activated. The latex-adapted foregut herbivore vs. latex-maladapted hindgut herbivore hypothesis developed in this paper has implications for hindgut-fermenting livestock and zoo animals which may be provided with latex-containing forage that is detrimental to their gut health. Further, ruminants and herbivorous tadpoles with alkaline anterior chambers are at risk of damage by the supposedly "environmentally friendly" Bt bioinsecticide, which is widely disseminated or engineered into crops which may enter animal feed streams. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Kangaroos are an iconic group of Australian fauna. Despite considerable research on kangaroo behaviour, key gaps remain in our understanding of their social organization in the wild. In particular, it remains largely unknown whether kangaroos form long-term social bonds and what factors might prompt individuals to associate or dissociate from one another. Over 6 years, we monitored the social affiliations of individually identified eastern grey kangaroos, Macropus giganteus , in a large wild population. We investigated the short-term and long-term relationships of kangaroos and the extent those relationships varied with age, sex and reproductive state. We found evidence that long-term relationships among eastern grey kangaroos are possible, especially between adult females. Those individuals that were more sociable within years were also more likely to establish affiliations across years. Contrary to previous studies, we observed females actively associating with other mothers in the years in which they had young. These data suggest that the fission–fusion dynamics of eastern grey kangaroo social behaviour allow females to modulate their social position with conspecifics according to their current reproductive state. We highlight the adaptive implications of the formation of long-term bonds and the changes in social behaviour observed in females. • We found evidence for possible long-term relationships in eastern grey kangaroos. • Social individuals were more likely to establish potential long-term relationships. • Female kangaroos had more associations in years when they had young. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

CNS lesions associated with chronic otitis have not been reported in red kangaroos (Macropus rufus), to our knowledge. Here we describe an intracranial inflammatory polyp secondary to chronic otitis in a 6-y-old female red kangaroo with right auricular discharge, loss of balance, and head tilt. Autopsy highlighted a pale-yellow, firm, intracranial polypoid growth that extended from the right tympanic cavity through the internal acoustic meatus and intracranially, with compression of the right cerebellopontine angle. Anaerobic bacterial culture yielded Bacteroides pyogenes from fresh brain and a right external ear swab. Histologically, the tympanic cavity was effaced by neutrophils and macrophages surrounded by lymphocytes and plasma cells, as well as edematous fibrovascular tissue. The epithelial lining of the mucoperiosteum was hyperplastic, with epithelial pseudoglands surrounded by fibrovascular tissue. Areas of temporal bone lysis and remodeling were associated with the inflammatory changes, which occasionally surrounded adjacent nerves. Fibrovascular tissue and inflammatory cells extended from the tympanic cavity through the internal acoustic meatus and into the intracranial cavity, forming the polypoid growth observed grossly; the polyp consisted of a dense core of fibrovascular tissue with scattered clusters of neutrophils and foamy macrophages. Lymphocytes and plasma cells surrounded the leptomeningeal perivascular spaces in the brainstem, cerebellum, and occipital lobe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Decommissioning the dingo barrier fence has been suggested to reduce destructive dingo control and encourage a free transfer of biota between environments in Australia. Yet the potential impacts that over a century of predator exclusion might have had on the population dynamics and developmental biology of prey populations has not been assessed. We here combine demographic data and both linear and geometric morphometrics to assess differences in populations among 166 red kangaroos (Osphranter rufus)—a primary prey species of the dingo—from two isolated populations on either side of the fence. We also quantified the differences in aboveground vegetation biomass for the last 10 years on either side of the fence. We found that the age structure and growth patterns, but not cranial shape, differed between the two kangaroo populations. In the population living with a higher density of dingoes, there were relatively fewer females and juveniles. These individuals were larger for a given age, despite what seems to be lower vegetation biomass. However, how much of this biomass represented kangaroo forage is uncertain and requires further on-site assessments. We also identified unexpected differences in the ontogenetic trajectories in relative pes length between the sexes for the whole sample, possibly associated with male competition or differential weight-bearing mechanics. We discuss potential mechanisms behind our findings and suggest that the impacts of contrasting predation pressures across the fence, for red kangaroos and other species, merit further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fire can alter ecological communities, particularly those that are not fire-adapted, such as desert communities. We examined the effects of fire on rodent communities in the San Joaquin Desert of central California. Of particular interest were the effects on kangaroo rats (Dipodomys spp.) including 2 rare species, the giant kangaroo rat (D. ingens) and the short-nosed kangaroo rat (D. nitratoides brevinasus). Lightning caused multiple fires in arid scrub habitat in western Kern County in 1993. We trapped rodents at 7 sites along paired transects, with one transect in a burned area and one in a nearby unburned area. We conducted 5 trapping sessions from July 1993 to November 1995. Kangaroo rat abundance trends were similar between burn and control transects across the sessions. We also compared abundance of giant kangaroo rats between a trapping grid in an area subjected to controlled burning and a grid in a nearby unburned area on the Carrizo Plain in eastern San Luis Obispo County. Abundance trends were similar between the burned and unburned grids, although kangaroo rat numbers were maintained on the burn site over several sessions compared to the unburned site. We did not detect any adverse effects to kangaroo rat abundance from fire in the 2 study areas. Sheltering in burrows and storing seed underground may mitigate the effects of fire on kangaroo rats. Also, fire may actually benefit kangaroo rats by reducing groundcover density, thereby improving their mobility and predator detection. We do not recommend fire as a management strategy, however, because burning may adversely impact other species, kill shrubs, and erode air quality in a region where the air is chronically polluted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A homoacetogenic consortium was cultivated from feces from a nursing joey red kangaroo and inoculated into an in vitro ruminal culture. The in vitro ruminal culture was treated with methanogenic inhibitor 2-bromoethanesulfonate (BES), followed by two different homoacetogenic inoculation strategies. Initial observations showed inhibitory effects of BES, with stabilization of the acetic acid concentrations without any increase in concentration, even with the homoacetogenic inoculation. When homoacetogenic bacterial culture was added after the BES addition had ceased, acetic acid production was increased 2.5-fold. Next-generation sequencing showed an increased population of Bacteroidetes after inoculation with the homoacetogenic consortia, along with a slight decrease in diversity. An Almond Shell biochar (AS) addition resulted in a 28% increase in acetic acid concentration if tested directly on the homoacetogenic kangaroo consortia. However, when applied to the rumen culture, it did not enhance acetate production but further promoted other reductive pathways such as methanogenesis and propiogenesis, resulting in increased concentrations of methane and propionic acid, respectively. These findings demonstrate that bioaugmentation with homoacetogenic bacteria can improve acetic acid production of an in vitro rumen culture when methanogenesis has been eliminated. Such advancements can potentially contribute to the optimization of rumen fermentation processes and may have practical implications for improved livestock feed efficiency and methane mitigation strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The larger species in many mammalian clades have relatively longer faces than their smaller relatives. This has been shown to be true for extant kangaroos (Macropodinae), who follow the CREA rule of positive facial allometry; but the extinct short-faced kangaroos (Sthenurinae) have not so far been examined. Using linear measurements, rather than CREA techniques, we show here that sthenurine face lengths scale with negative allometry, thus differing from the trend seen in their extant relatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The kangaroo endogenous retrovirus (KERV) was previously reported to have undergone a rapid copy number increase in the red-necked wallaby; however, the mode of amplification was left to be clarified. The present study revealed that the long terminal repeat (LTR) (0.6 kb) and internal region (2.0 kb) of a provirus are repeated alternately, forming megasatellite DNA which we named kervRep. This repetition pattern was the same as that observed for walbRep, megasatellite DNA originating from another endogenous retrovirus. Their formation process can be explained using a simple model: pairing slippage followed by homologous recombination. This model features that the initial step is triggered by the presence of two identical sequences within a short distance; the possession of LTRs by endogenous retroviruses fulfills this condition. The discovery of two cases suggests that formation of this type of satellite DNA is one of non-negligible effects of endogenous retroviruses on their host genomes. • Megasatellite DNA originating from an endogenous retrovirus. • Tandem duplications of a provirus sequence. • Expansion in the centromere regions of chromosomes. • Simple formation model based on the structure of endogenous retrovirus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The red kangaroo (Osphranter rufus) is the largest marsupial native to Australia. Its detailed vascular anatomy has not been researched before. Anatomical studies on such species may contribute as a base for physiological studies as well as serve veterinarians in developing diagnostic and treatment protocols for kangaroos in zoos and wildlife rehabilitation centers. In this study, we describe the detailed course of arteries supplying blood to the brain and nearby regions. The red kangaroo (Osphranter rufus) is a member of Macropidideae superfamily. It is one of the four kangaroo species living nowadays, and it is the biggest one. It is native to Australia, where it is an abundant species living across the whole continent in stable populations. Outside its natural habit, the red kangaroo is a common species found in zoos and as patients in wildlife rehabilitation centers. Reports on kangaroo anatomy are scarce. Describing detailed anatomy is a base for establishing diagnostic and treatment protocols for different species of animals. Cardiovascular diseases and pathological changes suggestive of hypertension have been previously described in kangaroos. This creates a necessity for detailed studies on species' vascular anatomy. New reports in the field of detailed vascular anatomy can bring considerable information that complements numerous studies on the evolution or biology of individual species. In this article, we describe the arterial vascularization of the brain and nearby regions of the cranial cavity using various anatomical techniques. The vascularization of the brain is discussed and compared with different mammalian species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]