JOURNAL OF ISSN 003S-922X THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA VOLUME 64 PART 4 JANUARY, 1982 PRICE THREE DOLLARS REGISTERED BY AUSTRALIA POST-PUBLICATION No. WBG 0351 THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA PATRON Her Majesty the Queen VICE-PATRON His Excellency Rear Admiral Sir Richard Trowbridge, K.C.V.O., K.StJ., Governor of Western Australia COUNCIL 1981-1982. President .... J. F. Loneragan, B.Sc., Ph.D., F.T.S. Vice-Presidents A. E. Cockbain, B.Sc., Ph.D. S. J. J. F. Davies, M.A., Ph.D. Past President .... J. R. dc Lactcr, B.Ed. (Hons.), B.Sc. (Hons.), Ph.D , F.Inst.P., F.A.I.P. Joint Hon. Secretaries E. D. Kabay, B.Ag.Sci. (Hons.) J. T. Tippett, B.Sc., Ph.D. Hon. Treasurer ... S. J. Curry, M.A. Hon. Librarian H. E. Balme, M.A., Grad. Dip. Lib. Stud. Hon. Editor .. A. E. Cockbain, B.Sc., Ph.D. D. T. Bell, B.A., Ph.D. S. J. Hallam, M.A. C. F. H. Jenkins, M.B.E., M.A., M.A.I.A.S. L. E. Koch, M.Sc., Ph.D. M. J. Mulcahy, B.Sc. (For.), Ph.D. L. J. Peet, B.Sc., Dip. Val., Dip. R.E.M., F.G.S., A.R.E.I. P. E. Playford, B.Sc. (Hons.), Ph.D., M.A.I.M.M. P. R. Wycherley, O.B.E., B.Sc., Ph.D., F.L.S. Journal of ihc Royal Society of Western Australia, Vol. 64. Part 4, 1982. pp. 101-132. Hair structure of some Western Australian niamnials by A. Valenle and P. A. Woolley Zoology l^partment. La Trobe University, Buntloora, Vic. 3083 (communicated by B. K. Bowen) Manuscript received 19 February 7980; accepted 17 February 19H1 Abstract The technique of identification of hair in predator scats has been used in an attempt to locate areas in which the Dibbler, Antechinus apicalis, lives. A photographic reference system of the diagnostic features of the structure of the hair of 15 species of mammals indigenous to the south of Western Australia has been compiled. This has been used in conjunction with the photographs in Brunner and Coman (1974) of the hair structure of other species found in (he 3 regions where the scats were collected. No Dibbler remains were found. InlrodiicHon The method of identification of mammalian hair developed by Brunner and Coman (1974) has been found useful in mammal surveys. Uncommon or inconspicuous species which are not often registered by conventional techniques may be detected by analysis of hair remains in predator scats (Brunner and Bertuch 1976, Friend 1978). It was considered that this technique might be useful in the search for the Dibbler, Antechinus apicalis, which is now con- sidered to be extremely rare. The Dibbler has been found in recent times in only two localities, Cheyne Beach and Jerdacultup. in the south of Western Aus- tralia. Morcombe (1967) trapped the first two speci- mens seen for 83 years at Cheyne Beach and his discovery, together with the finding of two Dibblers on farms near Jerdacultup, led to further searches being made (Woolley 1977, 1980). Trapping has been carried out in a number of localities in the vicinity of Cheyne Beach and lerdacuttup, and also in the Fitzgerald River National Park which lies within the present known range of the Dibbler. How- ever, the only area in which Dibblers have been trapped is the one in which they were found by Morcombe and only 9 individuals have been captured (Woolley 1980). Because attempts to locale other populations of the Dibbler by conventional trapping methods have been unsuccessful predator scats have been collected from the three regions in the south of Western Australia in which trapping for the Dibbler has been carried out. In order to identify the hair found in the predator scats it was necessary to prepare a reference set of photographs of the most diagnostic features of the Figure t. — Map showing the three regions (Cheyne Beach. Fitzgerald River National Park = F.R.N.P. and Jerda- cuttup) in which scats were collected. Drawn from map R2l)l, sheet til, Australia S.W. sheet 2nd cd. Division of National Mapping. Canberra, A.C.T. hair of mammals which might be found in the regions in which the scats were collected. This paper reports on the structure of the hair of some mammals from the south of Western Australia; the mammalian prey items, identified by reference to the structure of hair and skeletal remains, found in the scats collected will be reported elsewhere. Reference photographs of hair .structure The 3 localities (Cheyne Beach, Jerdacultup and Fitzgerald River National Park) in which trapping for the Dibbler has been carried out are shown in Figure 1. A list of the indigenous and introduced mammals which might be found in the degree squares encompassing the trapping areas was compiled from the following sources: Ride (1970); records of the Western Australian Museum (compuler printout of mammalian species recorded by one degree squares dated 12 June 1978); information provided by Dr. A. N. Start, National Parks Board of Western Aus- tralia. The 38 mammals listed comprised the follow- ing 28 indigenous and 10 introduced species: — Antechinus apicalis*, A. flavipes leucopaster*, Ante- cliinomys lanij^er*, Sminthopsis crassicauAata, S. ftranulipes*, S. hirtipes^, Phasconale caiura*, Oasyurus peofjroii*, Myrmecobius iasciatus*, hoodon ohesulus, Tarsipes spencerae*, Cercatetus concinnus, Tricho- surus vulpeciila, Bettouftia penicUlata* , Macropus euftenii*, M. fuliftinosus, M. irma*, Potorous platyops*, P. tridactylus, Setonix brachyurus*, Tachyglossus aculeatus, Hydromys chrysogaster, N otomys mitcbelUi, Pseudontys albodnereus, P. occidentalis* , P. shortridgei, Rattus fuscipes, R. rattus, Mus nwsculns, Oryctolagus cuniculus, P'elis cat us, Canis familiaris, yulpes vulpes, Sus scrofa, Ovis arics, Bos taunts and Equus caballiis. The structure of the hair of 13 of the indigenous species and of the 10 introduced species is illustrated in Brunner and Coman (1974). Samples of hair of the 15 indigenous species not illustrated (asterisked in the above list) were obtained from cither museum specimens (Western Australian Museum, WAM; Macleay Museum New South Wales, MM) or live animals (Murdoch University Colony MU) and a set of photographs of the structure of the hairs of each prepared (Figs 2-16). Hair profiles were drawn to scale. Whole mounts, cross sections and cuticular scale casts were prepared as described in Brunner and Coman (1974) and photographed using a Zeiss photomicroscope. Prints were all made to one standard magnification (x308). The hairs found in the scats were identified using a photographic reference system as described in Brunner and Coman (1974). To make identification easier the 38 species listed above were grouped accord- ing to various characteristics of the primary guard 101 (0—14470 Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia. Vol. 64, Part 4, 1982. Hair profiles:- O = over hair, G = guard hair. O G mm A, B Cross sections of hairs. Maximum diameter of primary guard hairs 30 /jm. C-G Whole mounts of hairs. C, primary guard hair in shield region; D, primary guard hair in mid- shaft region; E, primary guard liair near base; F, smaller guard hair in shield region; G, smaller guard hair in mid-shaft region. H-J Scale patterns of guard hairs. H, shield; I, transition between shield and shaft region; J, lower- shaft. B A Figure l. —Antechinomys laniaer WAM Ml 546. 102 Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia, Vol. 64, Part 4, 1982. H I 103 J ^99000§BD§0§B&^§0§BOOeB^i Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia, Vol. 64, Part 4, 1982. Hair profiles;- O = over hair, G = guard hair, U ^ under hair. 0 mm ^ A, B Cross sections of hairs. Maximum diameter of primary guard hairs 40 ^m. C-G Whole mounts of hairs. C , primary guard hair in mid- shield region ; D, primary guard hair in proximal shield region; E, primary guard hair in mid- shaft region; F, primary guard hair near base; G, under hair in proximal 1/3. II-K Scale patterns of guard hairs. H, shield; I, transition between shield and shaft regions; J, shaft; K, near base. B A Figure 3 . — Sminthopsis sranulipes WAM M2333. 104 Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia, Vol. 64, Part 4, 1982. 105 Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia, Vol. 64. Part 4. 1982. Hair profiles;- G = guard hair, U = under hair. 0 mm 5 A, B Cross sections of hairs. Maximum diameter of primary guard hairs 40 jum. C-G Whole mounts of hairs. C, primary guard hair in shield region; D, primary guard hair showing transition between shield and shaft; E, primary guard hair in shaft region; F, smaller guard hair in shield region; G, under hair in proximal 1/2. H-J Scale patterns of guard hairs. H, shield; I, transition between shield and shaft regions; J, shaft. Figure 4. —Sminfhopsis hirtipes WAM M1577. 106 usutasttianMeBigmsatii Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia, Vol. 64. Part 4, 1982. Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia. Vol. 64, Part 4, 1982. Hair profiles:- O = over hair, G = guard hair, U = under hair. A, B Cross sections of hairs. Maximum diameter of primary guard hairs 80 C-G Whole mounts of hairs. C, primary guard hair in shield region; D, primary guard hair in mid- shaft region; E, F, smaller guard hairs in shield region; G, under hair in proximal 1/2. H-K Scale patterns of guard hairs. H, shield; I, transition between shield and shaft regions; J, shaft; K, near base. A Figure 5 . — Tarsipes spencerae WAM MI5460. 108 Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia. Vol. 64. Part 4. 1982. ( 2)— 14470 109 Journal of ihe Royal Society of Western Australia. Vol. 64. Part 4, 1982. Hair profiles:- O = over hair, G = guard hair, U = under hair. 0 mm ^ A, B Cross sections of hairs. Maximum diameter of primary guard hairs 45 jum. C-G Whole mounts of hairs. C, primary guard hair in shield region; D, primary guard hair in mid- shaft region; E, F, smaller guard hairs in shield region; G, under hair in proximal 1/2. H-L Scale patterns of guard hairs. H, I, shield; J, transition between shield and shaft regions; K, mid-shaft; L, near base. A Figure 6 . — Antechinus flavipes leitcogaster WAM M5559. no Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia, Vol. 64, Part 4, 1982. Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia, Vol. 64. Part 4. 1982. Hair profiles:- O = over hair, G = guard hair, U = under hair. 0 mm 10 A, B Cross sections of hairs. Maximum diameter of primary guard hairs 65 fum. C-H Whole mounts of hairs. C, primary guard hair in shield region; D, primary guard hair in mid- shaft region; E, F, smaller guard hairs in shield region; G, smaller guard hair in mid- shaft region; H, under hair in proximal 1/2. I-L Scale patterns of guard hairs. I, mid-shield; J, lower shield; K, transition between shield and shaft regions; L, shaft. Figure 7 . — Aiuechintis apicalis WAM M1547I-2. Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia, Vol. 64. Part 4. 1982. 113 Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia, Vol. 64. Part 4. 1982. Hair profiles:- G = guard hair, U - under hair. A, B Cross sections of hairs. Maximum diameter of primary guard hairs 50 fum. C-G Whole mounts of hairs. G, primary guard hair in shield region; D, primai'y guard hair in mid- shaft region; E, smaller guard hair in shield region; F, smaller guard hair in mid- shaft region; G, under hair in proximal 1/3. H-K Scale patterns of guard hairs. H, shield; 1, transition between shield and shaft regions; J, mid-shaft; K, near base. Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia, Vol. 64. Pari 4, 1982. Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia, Vol. 64. Part 4, 1982. Hair profiles: - O = over hair, G = guard hair, U = under hair O G U 0 L mm 10 A, B Cross sections of hairs. Maximum diameter of primary guard hairs 80 Mm, C-H Whole mounts of hairs. C, primary guard hair in widest region; D, primary guard hair in mid-shaft region; E, smaller guard hair in widest region; F, smaller guard hair in mid- shaft region; G, smaller guard hair near base; H, under hair in proximal 1/3. I-L Scale patterns of guard hairs. I, J, distal 1/3; K, transition between distal and proximal regions; L, proximal 1/3. Figure 9. — Da.synnts neoQroii WAM Ml 106. 116 Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia. Vol. 64. Part 4. 1982. 117 Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia. Vol. 64. Part 4. 1982. Hair profile:- G = guard hair, U = under hair, G G U 0 L mm 10 -J A, B Cross sections of hairs. Maximum diameter of primary guard hairs 16 5 /uni. C-F Whole mounts of hairs. C, primary guard hair in widest region; D, primary guard hair in proximal 1/3; E, primary guard hair near base; F, under hair in proximal 1/2. G-I Scale patterns of guard hairs. G, distal 1/3; II, proximal 1/3; I, near base. Figure 10 . — Myrmecohius fasciatus WAM M918. 118 Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia, Vol. 64. Part 4. 1982. Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia. Vol. 64. Part 4. 1982. Hair profiles:- O = over hair, G = guard hair, U = under hair. O G U 0 L mm 5 A. B Cross sections of hairs. Maximum diameter of primary guard hairs 40 ^m. C-G Whole mounts of hairs. C, primary guard hair in shield region; D, primary guard hair in mid- shaft region; E, smaller guard hair in shield region; F, smaller guard hair in mid- shaft region, G, under hair in proximal 1/2. H-K Scale patterns of guard hairs, H, shield; I, transition between shield 'and shaft regions; J, mid- shaft; K, near base. B A Figure 11. — P.seudomys occidentalis WAM MUH)93. 120 Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia. Vol. 64. Part 4, 1982. Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia. Vol. 64. Part 4. 1982. Hair profiles:- G = guard hair, U = under hair. A, B Cross sections of hairs. Maximum diameter of primary guard hairs 120 C-G Whole mounts of hairs. C, primary guard hair in widest region; D, primary guard hair in mid- shaft region; E, smaller guard hair in widest region; F, smaller guard hair in mid- shaft region; G, under hair in proximal 1/2. II- K Scale patterns of guard hairs. H, distal 1/3; I, transition between distal and proximal regions; J, mid-shaft; K, near base. Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia. Vol. 64. Part 4. 1982. 123 Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia. Vol. 64. Part 4. 1982. Hair profiles:- G = guard hair, U = under hair. G G G U Q mm A, B Cross sections of hairs. Maximum diameter of primary guard hairs 95 C-G Whole mounts of hairs. C, primary guard hair in widest region; D. primary guard hair in mid- shaft region; E, smaller guard hair in widest region; F, smaller guard hair in mid- shaft region; G, under hair in proximal 1/2. H-J Scale patterns of guard hairs. H, distal 1/3; I, mid- shaft; J, proximal 1/3. Figure 13 . — Macropus eugenii MU. 124 Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia. Vol. 64, Part 4, 1982. Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia. Vol. 64. Part 4. 1982 Hair profiles:- G = guard hair, U = under hair. U 0 mm ^9 1 I A, B Cross sections of hairs. Maximum diameter of primary guard hairs 105 {jm. C-G Whole mounts of hairs, C, primary guard hair in widest region; D, primary guard hair in mid- shaft region; E, smaller guard hair in widest region; F, smaller guard hair in mid- shaft region; G, under hair in proximal 1/2. H-J Scale patterns of guard hairs. H, distal 1/3; I, mid-shaft; J, near base. Fitisure 14 . — Macropus irma MU. 126 Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia, Vol. 64, Part 4. 1982. Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia. Vol. 64. Pari 4. 1982. Hair profiles:- G = guard hair, U = under hair. 0 mm A, B Cross sections of hairs. Maximum diameter of primary guard hairs 120 fjm. C-F Whole mounts of hairs. C, primary guard hair in widest region; D, primary guard hair in mid- shaft region; E, primary guard hair near base; F, under hair in distal 1/3. G-I Scale patterns of guard hairs. G, distal 1/3; H, mid-shaft; I, proximal 1/3, Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia, Vol. 64, Part 4, 1982. 129 Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia. Vol. 64. Part 4. 1982. Hair profiles: - G = guard hair, U = under hair U 0 mm A, B Cross sections of hairs. Maximum diameter of primary guard hairs 145 Mm, C-F Whole mounts of hairs. C, primary guard hair in widest region; D, primary guard hair in mid-shaft region; E, smaller guard hair in mid-shaft region; F, under hair in proximal 1/2, G-J Scale patterns of guard hairs. G, H, distal 1/3; I, mid- shaft; J, near base. A Figure 16 . — Setonix hrachyurus MU. 130 Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia, Vol. 64, Part 4. 1982. 131 Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia, Vol. 64. Part 4. 1982. hairs (Table 1). In addition to the photographs hair samples from most of the species were available so that direct comparisons could be made if necessary. Discus.sion The species to which a sample of unknown hair belongs can be identified by comparison with the photographs of the structure of hairs in a reference collection. Some species are very easily identified because the hairs have very obvious distinguishing characters while others lack such obvious characters and may show only small differences from related forms. Among the species illustrated examples with obvious distinguishing characters include Antechintts apicaliSt Myr/necohius fasciatus, Tursipcs speiicerae. Table 1 A groupinn of terrestrial mammals from the south of Western Australia based on the structure of the primary guard hairs Group 1 Group 2 Sub-group (a) Sub-group (b) Sub-group (c) Sub-group (d) Group 3 Hairs predominantly circular in cross section. Dasyuridac •Antechinomys laniger •Sminthopsis granulipes •Sminthopxis hirtipes Tarsipedidae *Tarsipes spencerae Burramyidac Cercatetus concirtntts Hairs predominantly oval in cross section. Hairs with medulla much reduced or absent. Bovidac Ovis aries Sutdac Sus scrofa Maximum diameter of guard hairs 45um, with a distinct constriction before shield, Dasyuridac *Antechinus fiavipes leucogaster Sminthosfsis crassi- caudata Sminthopsis niurina Maximum diameter of guard hairs greater than 45um. with a distinct constriction before shield. Dasyuridac *Antechinus apicalis •Phascogale calura •Oasyurus geoffroii •Myrmecobius fasciatus Maximum diameter of guard hairs greater than 45um, no constriction before shield. Bovidae Canidae Equidae Felidae Hairs lenticular section. Phalangeridae Bus taurus Canis famitiaris yutpes lulpes Equus cabatlus Fells catus (double convex) in cross Group 4 Sub-group (a) Sub-group (b) Sub-group (c) Sub-group (d) Trichosurus vulpecula Hairs predominantly oblong in cross section. Medulla absent. Tachyglossidac Tachyglossus aculeatus Maximum diameter of guard hairs 45um, with a distinct constriction before shield. Muridae Notomys mitchelUi Pseudomys albocinereus *Pseudomys oeddentaUs Maximum diameter of guard hairs greater than 45um. with a distinct constriction before shield. Muridae Hydromys chrysogaster Maximum diameter of guard hairs greater than 45um. with no constriction before shield. Macropodidac *Beitongia penicillata •Macropus eugenii Macropus fuliginosus • M acropus irma •Potorous plafyops Potorous tridactylus •Setonix brachyurus Hairs predominantly reniform (concave-con- vex) in cross section. Hairs with divided medulla. Peramelidae isoodon obesulus Hairs with bilobed or large medulla. Muridae Mm musciilm Pseudomys shortridgei Rattns fuscipes Rattus rattus Hairs predominantly dumb-bell shaped in cross section. Leporidae Oryctolagits cuniculus Species illustrated in Figures 2-16, remainder illustrated in Brunner and Coman (1974). Group 5 Sub-group (a) Sub-group (b) Group 6 Setonix brachyurus and Antechinomys laniger. A. apicalis displays a globular arrangement of the medulla which is very distinctive in cross section. The hairs of both M. fasciatus and T. spencerae can be easily recognised by the appearance of the medulla in whole mounts and cross sections. S, brachyurus has thick, long hair which displays a very distinctive scale pattern along the proximal half of the hair. Many of the guard hairs of A. laniger show an un- common profile, with constrictions at several points along the length of the hair. Some of the marsupials illustrated are difficult to distinguish from closely related forms illustrated in Brunner and Coman (1974). These include: — Antcchinus fiavipes leucogaster. the western form of A. fiavipes; Sminthopsis hirtipes. which appears to differ from S. crassicaudata only in the width of the primary guard hairs and Potorous platyops and P. tridactylus, in which there are only subtle differences in the appearance of the medulla, best appreciated by examining hairs rather than photo- graphs. Among the murids, hair from Pseudomys occidentolis differs little from other species of Pseudomys illustrated in Brunner and Coman (1974), P. shortridgei being the exception. The grouping of species in Table 1 shows some discrepancies with the grouping in Brunner and Coman (1974). We have placed Sminthopsis crassi- caudata in Group 2 (hairs predominantly oval in cross section) and not in Group 1 (hairs predomin- antly circular in cross section) on the basis of the illustration in Brunner and Coman which shows mainly oval hairs, and on the examination of refer- ence hairs. Macropus fuliginosus and Potorous tridactylus have been placed in Group 4 (hairs pre- dominantly oblong in cross section) whereas Brunner and Coman place them in Group 2 (hairs predo- minantly oval in cross section). The difficulty in this case appears to lie in the rather subjective interpre- tation of the difference between oval and oblong sections. The primary aim in preparing this reference collec- tion of photographs was to provide a method for identifying the hair of the Dibbler, Antechinus apicalis. The distinctive character of the hair of this species makes it unlikely that any samples of it would be misidentified. and none was found in any of the predator scats examined. Acknowledgements. — Wc wish lo lhank Mr. H. Brunner (Keith Turnbull Research Insiilute) for instruction in the tech- niques involved in the identification of hair and Dr. D. J. Kitchener (Western Australian Museum). Dr. P. Stanbury (Macleay Museum) and Dr. M. B. Rcnfrec (Murdoch Uni- versity) for hair samples. References Brunner. H. and Bertuch. 1. (1976). — The broad-toothed rat still in Sherbrooke Forest. A successful search for Mastacomys fuscus Thomas. Viet. Nat., 93: 55-56. Brunner, H. and Coman. B. (1974). — "The Identification of Mammalian Hair". Inkata Press, Melbourne. Friend. G. R. (1978). — A comparison of predator scat analysis wi(h conventional tcchniquc.s in a mammal survey of contrasting habitats in Gippsland. Victoria. Aust. Wild!. Res.. 5: 75-83. Morcombe, M. K. (1967). — The rediscovery after 83 years of the Dibbler Antechinus apicalis (Marsupialia, Dasyuridae). W. Aust. Nat., 10: 103-111. Ride. W. D. L. (1970). — "A Guide to the Native Mammals of Australia" . Oxford University Press, Melbourne. Woolley, P. (1977).— In search of the Dibbler, Antechinus apicalis (Marsupialia: Dasyuridac). J. Roy. Soc. West Aust.. 59: 111-117. Woolley, P. (1980). — Further searches for the Dibbler, Ante- chintts apicalis (Marsupialia: Dasyuridae). J. Roy. Soc. West Aust., 63; 47-52. 132 INSTRUCTIONS TO AUTHORS Conthbulions to this Journal should be sent to The Honorary Editor, Royal Society of Western Australia, Western Australian Museum, Francis Street, Perth, Western Australia 6000. Publication in the Society's Journal is available to all categories of members and to non-members residing outside Western Australia. Where all authors of a paper live in Western Australia at least one author must be a member of the Society. 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Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia Volume 64 1982 Part 4 Contents Hair structure of some Western Australian mammals. By A. Valente and P. A. Woolley (communicated by B. K. Bowen) Page 101 Editor: A. E. Cockbain Journal Manager: J. Backhouse No claim for non-receipt of the Journal will be entertained unless it is received within 12 months after publication of part 4 of each volume. The Royal Society of Western Australia, Western Australian Museum, Perth 14470/8/81—850 WILLIAM C. BROWN, Government Printer. Western Australia