Northern Territory naturalist

NORTHERN

TERRITORY

NATURALIST

THE NORTHERN TERRITORY FIELD NATURALISTS CLUB
FOUNDED 1977

Officers for 1978

President
Pat Rowen

Secretary
Keith Martin

Treasurer: Stephen Harwood Meetings and Exhibition Co-ordinator: Stephen Swanson

Field Trips Co-ordinator: Alan Wade Librarian: Elizabeth Estbergs

Editor of The N.T. Naturalist
Rob McConchie

Editorial Committee

Chris Dias Elizabeth Estbergs Keith Martin Margaret Wallen Stephen Harwood

Stephen Swanson Suzanne Avery

The objects of this club are to promote the study of and interest in the flora and fauna of the Northern
Territory and in its conservation. The club provides opportunities for discussion and dissemination of
information among its members by regular meetings, publications and fieldword. It works in close contact
with scientific institutions wherever possible, and encourages the publication of scientific and informed
popular literature in the various fields of natural history.

N.T.F.N.C. Subscription Rates: $5.00 (under review)

All members receive the regular newsletter Nature Territory and the bi-annual N.T. NATURALIST. The
price of the journal to non-members is currently $1.00. The club holds monthly general meetings and field
excursions.

P.O. BOX 39565 WINNELLIE N.T. 5789
Registered in Australia for posting as a periodical — Category B.

THE NORTHERN TERRITORY NATURALIST

EDITORIAL

It is an exciting, yet demanding task to produce the first edition of a magazine such as this one. Contributions
have reached the Editor’s desk more as a trickle than as a flood. Many potential authors have waited for this
edition to appear before committing pen to paper. It must be emphasized that contributions are welcome
from all naturalists, both amateur and professional, junior and senior. It is firm editorial policy that the
magazine be as readable as possible in order, to reach a wide cross section of the community, both here and
interstate.

1978 sees two thriving Field Naturalists Clubs in the Northern Territory, in Darwin and Alice Springs. Both
were established in 1977 and are going from strength to strength. It is encouraging to note the emphasis that
the Alice Springs group is placing on Junior Membership. However, it is with some regret although probably
unavoidable in the circumstances, that this issue contains all Darwin based material. The magazine will only
be as representative as its contributions, and looks forward to receiving copy from other Territory centres
for its next issue.

Perhaps the two Clubs could also consider a structural change for the future, whereby both became
autonomous branches of a true N.T. Field Naturalists Club. This would pave the way for other Clubs to form
(e.g. Arnhem, Tennant Creek, Gove, etc.) The N.T. club could be administered by several senior officers of
the Branch clubs. The Editor of the N.T. Naturalist and the editorial committee would be appointed by, and
be responsible to, the N.T. club. The magazine itself could be funded by a levy, based on membership, from
each branch club. This form of organisation would not hinder the activities of the Branch clubs in any way,
but would facilitate a higher quality, more widely appealing journal through increased funding.

Finally, intending authors should post their contributions for the next issue to arrive by July 31.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Dear Sir,

At approximately two thirty on a hot', tnUrfid
afternoon in October 1975, I was with a group of
picknickers at a location on the Adelaide River
known as the ‘Gravel Pit'. The area is a
sandy/gravel river bed with Wattles, Paperbarks,
Bamboo. Northern Ti-Tree, Barringtonia, Bush-
apples, Leichardt pines, Banyans, native Jasmine
and sparse undergrowth merging into open Eucalypt
forest with occasional E. papuana.

The permanent water of the Adelaide River makes
an ideal habitat for at least fifty species of birds,
numerous reptiles, native cats and numerous Agile
Wallabies.

A rustling sound caught the attention of another
person and myself. Under a huge bamboo thicket we
saw a strange little animal scratching through the
leaf debris, apparently looking for food. It had a
pointed snout, fairly prominent ears, thinnish legs
with visible claws, and a feathery tail held vertically
in almost the shape of a question mark. Colouration
was difficult to observe due to the dense shade. It
had an unusual mincing, almost bouncing, gait.

Being an extremely shy and agile diurnal animal,
never venturing far from refuge, it is logical to
assume that it has evaded discovery by taking for
cover at the approach of man and machine. The
‘Gravel Pit’ is an extremely isolated area being
rarely visited by Mt. Bundey personnel and a few
priveleged visitors.

Areas adjacent to the Adelaide River levee are
cleared for pasture improvement programs. These
animals may therefore have survived the distur¬
bance to their habitat by re-establishing themselves
in the relatively narrow strips of virgin forest
merging into the levees.

Extreme care is taken by graziers in the area with
fire control measures, so there is no reason to
believe that the existing habitat will be further
eroded in the near future, however 1 believe a
thorough search of the area in the near future is
warranted. Mr. Humphreys has outlined a search
method used in the Dryandra Forest which may be
of great assistance to the N.T. Field Naturalists
Club.

Yours faithfully,

Our exclamation of surprise frightened the
animal. It vanished almost magically into the
bamboo thicket. A close scrutiny of the area failed to
find any trace of footprints.

In August 1977, a further sighting of a similar
animal was made several kilometres from the
‘Gravel Pit’. It was at 6.00 p.m. opposite Gubb’s
Farm.

In my opinion, the animal resembles a numbat
[Myrmecobius fasciatus]. The other witness agrees.

I have since read many articles on numbats and
have received some excellent information from Mr.
John Humphreys. Forests Department, Narrogin,
W.A., who is in charge of the Dryandra State Forest,
which is the only known stronghold of numbats in
Australia. The Wandoo tree is the singularly most
important tree in the Dryandra Forest for numbat
habitation. It is prone to termite infestation which
causes branches to be deposited on the forest floor,
which in turn, become refuges for the numbats. A
similar tree at the ‘Gravel Pit’ is E. miniata, or
Darw in Woolybutt .

On December 17, 1977, a field trip to the ‘Gravel
Pit’ by the N.T. Field Naturalists Club failed to find
any sign of the animal, however, the searchers
found heavy termite infestation in fallen trees,
branches and logs over the entire area.

Chris Cox

EDITOR’S NOTE: The Numbat has a well-known
distribution from southern West¬
ern Australia to North-western
South Australia. Being diurnal
makes it all the more likely that if
it existed here, it would have
been seen before and collected.
Sightings such as this require
collection of a specimen for
museum examination before they
can be verified.

Sir,

On the morning of the 4th of August 1977, John
Estbergs and myself were sitting on the dam wall at
Fogg Dam watching Banded Landrails [Rallus
Philippensis] at the edge of a large area of tall sedge
[Sclera sp. 1 growing in a water-logged black soil
plain. At the edge of this large clump of sedge were
four smaller clumps only a few feet in diameter and
about twenty feet from the main expanse.

While watching the Banded Landrails, I noticed a
small, dark crake emerging from the edge for a
moment and then ran very rapidly across the open
area to one of the smaller clumps. I immediately

informed John and as we carefully scanned the
clump tvith binoculars, the crake slowly came out to
the edge, where it stood motionless for a few
moments. Suddenly it turned, running very rapidly
back to the main sedge area. As it ran back, the tail
was held in an erect position, and distinctive white
barring was noticed on the underside of the tail. The
head, breast and belly all were a dark bluish grey
colour, w hile the w ings were brownish black. The
legs were also dark, possibly covered in mud, as
were the legs of the Banded Landrails. After the
observations were made, we walked back to our
vehicle, and on checking through the field guides,
we confirmed our identification of the Spotless
Crake.

All observations were made with the aid of 8x
binoculars at a distance of not more than thirty feet.
The w eather was fine and sunny and both observers
have had experience with this species before. On the
next visit to the area (25th August 1977), 1 was again
fortunate to observe a similar bird as it moved across
the track made through the sedge by buffalo.
Unfortunately, this w as a very brief glimpse and of
little identification value, except to identify it as a
crake.

As far as it is know n, this is the first record of the
Spotless Crake in the top end of the Northern
Territory.

Tony Hertog,

P.O! Box 38595,

WINNELLIE, N.T. 5789.

Editor's Note:

This bird has been previously recorded in all
Australian States except the Northern Territory,
including the S.E. Gulf of Carpentaria region in
Queensland. Its distribution is not well understood,
probably because of its secretive habits. The
recorded race in Australia is Porzumi tubuensis
plumbea, but other races occur in the islands north
of this continent, from the Phillipines through to the
S.W. Pacific. Note that the Marsh Crake. Porzana
pusillu, found in the Darw in area also has barred
undertail coverts. A distinguishing feature of the
Spotless Crake it its deep pink legs.

NOTES ON THE GENUS LINGULA

GRAHAM WHITE

Lingula is a very ancient genus belonging to the
Pvlum Brachiopode. Members of this phylum have
the common name “Lamp Shells", as some
examples resemble a Roman oil-lamp.

As the Brachiopods were most abundant in the
Ordovician and Devonian periods, geologists use
:heir fossils as a means of dating rocks.

Lingula has remained virtually unchanged since
the Ordovician period, almost 500 million years ago,
and now arc uncommon but fairly widespread
throughout the world. They are most common in
Japanese and Australian w aters.

Lingula live in burrows, five to thirty centimetres
long in mud and sand at the low tide mark and
resemble bivalve molluscs. However, whilst the
valves of the bivalve are joined by a hinge,
brachiopods hold their valves together solely by
muscles.

This animal can be easily distinguished from a
bivalve as it has a long, fleshy "arm", extending
down into the burrow . This structure allows it to
withdraw into the burrow at any sign of danger.

Although this animal probably occurs over much
of the Northern Territory coastline in the littoral
zone, to date, specimens have only been collected at
Melville Bay on the Gove Peninsula and at
Camerons Beach, Shoal Bay, near Darwin.

Graham White,

Dept, of Fisheries, Forestry & Wildlife,

Dept, of the N.T.,

BERR1MAH, N.T.

SEA WASPS (SCYPHOZOA s CUBOMEDUSAE)
IN THE NORTHERN TERRITORY

D. L. Grey

The name 'sea wasp' is generally applied to a
group of marine jellyfish responsible for severe and
often fatal stings to bathers.

Members of the Class Scyphozoa occur around the
Australian coastline and about thirty are recognised
as stingers. Of these, the two most dangerous
species are members of the Family Chirodropidae,
Order Cubomedusae, namely Chironex fleckeri
(Southcott) and Chiropsalmus quadrigatus
(Haeckel). In addition, there are several generally
smaller tropical species which can inflict very
painful stings but are not responsible for fatalities.
While both Chironex and Chiropsalmus sp. are
present in waters of Northern Australia, only
Chironex fleckeri has been confirmed as a killer in
the Northern Territory. (Cleland and Southcott
1965).

The Cubomedusae are sometimes called box
jellyfish due to their shape (fig. 1). They consist of a
roughly cuboid bell of a tough gelatinous consisten¬
cy which is almost transparent. This bell contains
the digestive and reproductive functions as well as
motive power. Each corner of the bell has a,
protruding pedalium branching into as many as
twelve tentacles. (Southcott 1956, 1962; Barnes
1965).

The presence of the sea wasps during only six or
less months of the year has been attributed
primarily to the dietary requirements of the group.
During the wet season, coastal waters are enriched
by freshwater discharge from the land, carrying
large organic loads. As a result of this, phytoplank¬
ton proliferates and is in turn grazed by small
crustaceans, particularly the Sergestid shrimp
Acetes australis (Colefax). It appears that Chironex
in particular is w ell adapted to feed on this species.
(See fig. 2)

On their arrival, many Chironex are small
specimens (approx. 10-15 mm diam.) with a single
tentacle on each comer of the bell. However, they
grow rapidly and by February can reach 200 mm
diameter with tentacles over 2 metres long.
However, in contrast, large specimens have been
observed early in the season and this, along with the
virtual disappearance of the animals during the dry
season, presents a rather confusing glimpse of the
life history. Many members of the Class Scyphozoa
have a dormant or sessile phase in their life cycle,
including Chironex (Hartwick pers. comm.) but the
details of the dry season whereabouts of this species
have yet to be fully explained.

The feeding mechanism of the Cubomedusae is
well adapted to its specific needs and it is this
mechanism which is responsible for the severe
stings. Each tentacle is lined with bands of stinging
cells know n as cnidoblasts. Within these cells are
very efficient organoids or nematocysts (one per
cell). These nematocysts are composed of a capsule
of highly toxic venom, a barbed, finely coiled tube
and a protruding trigger. When the trigger is
stimulated by contact with food, it fires or
discharges the tube with significant force (at least
enough to penetrate the live prey) and the venom is
then discharged down the tube. (Details of this
action are provided in Southcott, and Cleland and
Southcott.

Under natural circumstances, the prey would be a
small shrimp or fish larvae and only a small number
of nematocysts would be discharged. The extremely
toxic venom is capable of stunning the prey, minimi¬
zing any struggles that could damage the relatively
fragile body of the sea wasp. However, when
bathers are stung, a great deal of tentacle contact
occurs (see Maguire) and possibly thousands of
nematocysts are discharged and inject their venom.
Consequently, the severity of the sting depends to a
great extent on the amount of tentacle contact, this
obviously being less with smaller individuals.

There is some evidence to suggest that
nematocysts discharge more readily in diluted sea
water as there is a statistical correlation between
massive and fatal stings and recent heavy rain.
(Barnes 1966).

Most Cubomedusae are particularly sensitive to
turbulence and they are generally found close
inshore only on calm days. The group are all active
swimmers, propulsion being achieved by muscular
contractions of the bell expelling water. This
swimming action is utilised during feeding — once
the prey has been located and paralysed, it is
transferred to the gastric region using gravity. The
animal merely settles upside down and the tentacles
fall within the bell where the food is removed.

The medusa then rises towards the surface and
swims. After a short while, all activity is suspended
and it gradually sinks until the tentacles encounter
food, whereupon it repeats the operation (Barnes
1966).

The clinical effects on humans of the toxin
released by Chironex fleckeri have been well
documented by several authors, including Cleland

and Southcott (1965), Barnes (1976), Maguire
(1968), Keen (1970) and. Southcott (1974).

Detailed pharmacological studies of the toxin have
been carried out by Endean et al (1969), Keen and
Crone (1969), Freeman and Turner (1971), and many
others. In brief, the effects of the toxin can be
summarized into three categories: namely neuro¬
toxic (lethal factor causing cardiac and respiratory
arrest), dermatonecrotic (skin death) and haemolytic
(destruction of red blood cells).

In the North of Australia, recorded sea wasp
deaths easily outnumber those attributed to sharks,
sea snakes and other dangerous marine creatures.
The nature of the animal renders the chance of
physical exclusion from swimming areas minimal.
Many proposals for exclusion have been considered,
but the safest way to avoid being stung is to avoid
swimming in the sea during the wet season.
Protective clothing is quite effective provided the
trunk is adequately covered and the material thick
enough to prevent nematocyst penetration.

Research is being conducted into a variety of
treatments for stings. One handicap with anti-
venenes designed to be administered after a major

sting, is that some training would be needed for
correct administration and the victim may suffer
cardiac arrest within 1 to 2 minutes of the attack.
The chances of having the anti-venene and a
qualified person close enough to be effective are
fairly low . particularly in remote areas.

Tlte structure of the active component in the toxin
suggests a chemical antidote may be advised which
can be administered via innoculation. While such an
antidote could probably be prepared, the problems
of testing it on humans and the possibility of its low
effectiveness against toxins from other species have
not been overcome.

First Aid treatment of victims of stings must be
immediate, and medical attention is very important.
The first concern is to prevent further nematocyst
discharge by dehydrating adherent tentacles using
methylated spirit or other alcohol. Removal of
tentacles bv gently peeling them off should be
carried out, but on no account should they be rubbed
or rolled across the body.

Further information is available from the local
health authorities and in the literature cited,
including Edmonds (1975?) and Anon (1975).

REFERENCES

Anon (1975) “Marine Stingers”

Pamphlet prepared for the Queensland Health Education Council
(Available from the N.T. Department of Health).

Barnes J.H. (1965)

"Chirortex fleckeri and Chiropsalmus quadrigatus - morphological distinctions"

North Queesland Naturalist 33, 13.

Barnes J.H. (1966)

“Studies on three venomous Cubomedusae” in

“The Cnidaria and their Evolution” p. 307 - 332 (Academic Press).

Cleland J.B. and Southcott R.V. (1965)

“Injuries to Man from marine invertebrates in the Australian region”.

National Health and Medical Research Council Special Report Series No. 12 pp. 1-282.
Edmonds C. (1975?)

“Dangerous Marine Animals of the Indo-Pacific Region”
p. 103 (Wedneil Publications).

Endean R., Duchemin C., McColm D., and Hope Frazer E. (1969)

“A study of the biological activity of toxic material derived from nematocysts of the
Cubomedusan Chironex fleckeri" Toxicon 6 pp. 179-204.

Freeman S.E. and Turner R.J. (1971)

“Cardiovascular effects of toxins isolated from the Cnidarian Chironex fleckeri
(Southcott)” Br. J. Pharmac 41 pp. 154-166.

Keen T.E.B. (1970)

“Recent Investigations on Sea-Wasp Stingings in Australia”.

Australian Medical Journal 5 71 (6)

Keen T.E.B. and Crone H.D. (1969)

“Dermatonecrotic properties of extracts from the tentacles of
the Cnidarian Chironex fleckeri" Toxicon 7 pp. 173-180.

Maguire E.J. (1968)

"Chironex fleckeri (Sea Wasp) sting”.

Australian Medical Journal 55-11 (25).

Southcott R.V. (1956)

“Studies on Australian Cubomedusae including a new genus

and species apparently harmful to man”. Aust. J. Mar. Freshwat. Res 7 pp. 254-280.

Southcott R.V. (1962)

"Jellyfish and Medicine”.

The AMSS Review May 1962 pp. 33-42.

Southcott R.V. (1974)

"Boxjellies...beautiful but very, very deadly”
N. T. Affairs 8 2, p. 20.

Fig. 2 ChironexJleckeri with partly digested Acetes sp.

COMMON BIRDS OF THE DARWIN SUBURBS

H.A.F. Thompson

Despite the continuing expansion of the urban
area and the damage to woodland caused by Cyclone
Tracy in 1974, there is still a large number of bird
species to be found regularly in the Darwin area.
Since the start of European occupation in 1869, 262
species have been reliably recorded within a twenty
kilometre radius of the General Post Office,
excluding Cox Peninsula with the west side of the
harbour. However, many of these species are
occasional or seasonal visitors.

This account covers sixty species occuring
regularly in suburban Darwin and are those most
likely to be seen by the casual observer. Rare
sea-birds, occuring as beach-washed vagrants and
the non-breeding but plentiful shore-birds such as
waders and terns are omitted. The species included
are generally the commonest and those found most
closely in association with man; together they
provide an introduction to Darwin’s bird-life.

The distribution and abundance of Darwin’s birds
depends largely on trees used as sign-posts,
nest-sites, feeding places and refuges. Consequent¬
ly the variety and number of birds is greater in
longer established suburbs such as Nightcliff and
Fannie Bay and less in newer developments such as
Wulagi and Anula. Nightcliff and Fannie Bay also
have relics of the original monsoon-forest that
covered the area (for instance, mature banyan trees
Ficus virens) and attract species like the Torres
Strait Pigeon Ducula spilurrhoa and the Koel
Eudynarhys scolapacea. Most of the northern
suburbs from Alawa, Jingili, Moil and through to
the new subdivisions of Wulagi and Anula were
formerly clothed in open forest dominated by
Eucalyptus tetrodonta and E. miniata and at present
support birds characteristic of this habitat such as
the Pied Butcherbird Cracticus nigrogularis. In
some coastal areas, bird diversity may be influenced
by mangrove communities from which species like
the Red-headed Honeyeater Myzomela erythroce-
phala may overspill into suburban gardens.

As regards the gardens themselves, those with
native plants usually attract more species than those
with mainly introduced trees and shrubs. Plants
such as crotons [Codiaeum] may be attractive to the
human eye but seem to hold little appeal for small
nectar or insect-eating birds. Other factors, such as
the presence of cats or the lavish misuse of
pesticides will also have their effects.

List of Species

Straw-necked Ibis [Threskiomis spinicollis] A large,
distinctive species. Mainly a dry season visitor,
especially to watered artificial grasslands such as

ovals, golf-courses and suburban lawns and verges.
Non-breeding birds lack the straw-coloured plumes
and immatures apparently have a brownish head
and neck. Apparently dependent to some extent on
local abundance of grasshoppers and locusts. (Storr
1977).

Magpie Goose 1 Anseranas semipalmata] Builds up
into large flocks at the end of the dry season, often in
thousands in the Leanyer swamp area. Small parties
sometimes come close to the city near the Botanical
Gardens or are seen in flight overhead. Its future in
the Darwin area is threatened by urban expansion,
uncontrolled shooting and the threatened drainage
of Leanyer swamp.

Burdekin Duck [Tadoma radjah] This conspicuous
black and w'hite duck is most commonly seen close to
the built-up area and breeds regularly within the
twenty kilometre radius.

Black-shouldered Kite [Elanus notatus ] An elegant
small hawk, visiting suburban fringes, especially
where there is rough grassland, in the dry season.
Confusion possible with the vagrant Letter-winged
Kite [J?. scriptus] which invaded the Top End
during the 1977 dry season.

Brahminy Kite | Haliastur irtdus] A coastal hawk;
adult with distinctive chestnut and white plumage.
Usually seen in the coastal suburbs, Nightcliff,
Rapid Creek, Fannie Bay, and the city and Stuart
Park areas. Has recently bred in the city area (P.
Rowen, Pers. Comm.). Also occurs in the Gove area.

Whistling Kite [ Haliastur sphenurus ] Common;
often found near fresh water and occurring in mixed
flocks w ith the next species. Has bred on the fringes
of the suburbs.

Black (Fork-tailed) Kite [Milvus migrans] One of the
most familiar birds of Darwin, occurring in large and
apparently increasing numbers in the dry season,
especially around Leanyer dump where flocks of
2000 plus are not uncommon and in the Berrimah
area. Widespread over all suburban areas and
hawking for insects along highways when grass is
burnt-off early in the dry season. Appears to suffer
high mortality from accidents, especially on roads,
and disease. Leaves Darwin during the wettest
months, from about January to April. Also common
inland, especially around Katherine. A successful
commensal of man, it is widespread in Asia and
southern Europe.

Brow n Falcon [ Falco berigora] and Nankeen Kestrel
[Falco cenchroides] are two species of falcon,

White Bellied Cuckoo Shrike

sometimes visiting suburban fringes, mainly during
the dry season.

Whistling Kite

Masked Plover ( Vanellus miles miles ] Quite
common around the fringes of Darwin, sometimes
heard near water at night or seen feeding near
Mindil Beach or the Botanical Gardens. Breeds close
to the northern suburbs at the end of the wet season
but is apparently not as much at ease with man as its
close relative in southern Australia, the Spur-
winged Plover [V.M. novaehollundiue]

Little Whimbrel [Numenius minuius] The traditional
herald of the Darwin wet season, usually arriving in
the mid-September (not on the same day each year,
in spite of the popular myth to the contrary!) and
leaving late December or early January. Especially
common on well-watered ovals or lawns, at the
airport, natural non-saline swamps at Leanyer and
Holmes Jungle. The name Whimbrel originates
from the call of a related coastal species, simply
called whimbrel, [Numenius phaeopus] which
occurs on the coasts around Darwin.

Australian Pratincole [Siiltia isabella] A regular
dry-season visitor in erratic numbers. Most often
seen on ovals. Unusually scarce in the 1977 dry
season.

Torres Strait Pigeon [ Ducula spilorrhou] A large
pigeon, apparently a trans-Arafuran migrant,
arriving in Darwin from New Guinea from July
onwards and breeding where suitable trees are
available. Favours large banyans in Nightcliff but
occurs in other woodland habitats including
mangroves.

Peaceful Dove [ Geopelia striata] Common dove
around the fringes of Darwin in a variety of wooded
habitats including mangroves. Occurs sparingly in
the suburbs and even the city where cover is
plentiful.

Bar-shouldered Dove [ Geopelia humeralis] Also
common on the fringes of thp built-up area and in
mangroves but seems more wary than the previous
species.

Red-tailed Black Cockatoo | Calyptnrhynchus
magnificus] A dry season visitor, which can be very
conspicuous in small flocks, often flying over the
suburbs in early morning or evening between roosts
and feeding-grounds. Only the adult male has the
bright red patches on the tail; birds with yellowish
patches are adult female or immatures of either sex.

Galah [Cacatua roseicapilla] Not especially common
around Darwin itself and at present mainly a dry
season visitor but there are some signs that it has
increased in the suburbs since the cyclone, possibly
because thinning out of the trees has created a more
suitable habitat. Fairly regular throughout the 1977
dry season in the Lee Point Road area.

White Cockatoo (Sulphur-crest) [ Cacatua galerita]
Fairly frequent visitor to well-wooded suburbs but
also on the fringes of the development around
Wulagi.

Red-collared Lorikeet [Trichoglossus haematodus]
The common parrot of suburban Darwin, occurring
in most areas but especially where there are mature
eucalypts. Numbers erratic, depending on the
tree-blossom (Eucalyptus and Melaleuca) that
provides the nectar on which they feed. Before
cyclone Tracy, there was a large roost in Alawa,
numbering several hundred birds.

Red-winged Parrot [Aprosmictus erythropterus]
Quite common in wooded fringes around Darw in and
frequently visits suburbs.

Koel ( Eudynamys scolupacea] A wet-season visitor,
this species is a parasitic cuckoo laying its eggs in
the nests of other birds especially friarbirds. More
often heard than seen, especially in the evenings,
early mornings or at night, from the thick cover of
banyans. Has loud “coo-ee” call, often rising in
pitch and sounding more hysterical. Seems to be
noisiest in November.

Pheasant Coucal [Centropus phasianinus] A non-
parasitic cuckoo; quite common on the fringes of
Darw in where there is rough grassland and edges of
woodland, in the Fannie Bay area, around Lee Point
Rd. and elsewhere. Apparently scarce in the dry
season but very noisy at the beginning of the wet.

Blue-winged Kookaburra [Dacelo leachii] Common
where there are mature eucalypts, venturing into
the suburbs and becoming tame enough to feed from
the hand (D. Grey, Pers. Comm.) Very noisy at dawn
and dusk. Breeding September to December (Storr.
1977) in holes in old trees.

Sacred Kingfisher [ Halcyon sanctu] The commonest
small kingfisher in the suburbs, sometimes picked
up after Hying into glass or following misadventures
with cats. Perches quite freely on power-line and
sometimes buildings. Two other small kingfishers
also occur in the suburbs or on the fringes:

I he Red-backed [ Halcyon pyrrhopygia\ is mainly a
dry season visitor and the forest \H. macleayii ]
seems to prefer Melaleuca (paperbark) swamps.

Rainbowbird [Merops omatus ] One ot the most
attractive birds of the Darwin suburbs, most
common during the dry season. Has adapted to
living alongside man, using power-lines as vantage-
points from which to sally after flying insects,
especially the dragonflies that are common early in
the dry season. Sometimes roosts communally in the
suburbs, for instance, Rapid Creek in 1976-7 or can
be seen flying over to roost in the early evening.

Dollarbird [Eurystomus orientalis) Conspicuous
bird, visiting suburban fringes during the wet
season. Using power-lines as “bas'es" for display-
flights and feeding sallies.

Tree Martin [Cecropis nigricans] The common
member of the sw'allow family [Hirundinidae] in the
Darwin area, especially near water, but scarce
during the wettest months when it possibly moves
out to breed. Large flocks occur around the
Sanderson sewage ponds and birds are frequentlj
seen hawking over the suburbs.

Richard’s Pipit [Anthus nuvaeseelandiae] An
occasional visitor to grassy areas on the fringes of
the suburbs such as Casuarina Drive in Rapid Creek.

Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike [Coracina novaehol-
landiae] This species, one of the most widespread in
Australia is apparently mainly a dry season visitor to

Darwin. However, at this season it is very common
in the suburbs, often perching on power-lines or
even clothes-hoists. Immatures lack the full black
face and throat patch and can be confused with the
next species.

White-bellied Cuckoo-shrike [Coracina papuensis] A
resident species but generally less obtrusive than
the previous. Favours well-wooded suburbs; it is
uncertain whether it still breeds regularly in Darwin
but in 1977 it attempted to breed in Nightcliff (C.
Peterson, pers. comm.) and successfully bred in the
city alongside the MLC Building (D. Jacobs, pers.
comm.) Breeding may generally be earlier than the
December and January suggested by Storr. The
MLC birds had young fledged in November.
Plumages are whiter on the underparts than C.
novaehollundiae and favours some habitats, such as
rain-forest, that the other usually avoids. Although
the two species may occur close together, they
apparently do not mix.

White-winged Triller [Lalage sueurii] Quite common
as a dry-season visitor when the nondescript female
or non-breeding males visit suburban gardens and a
variety of woodland habitats including mangroves.
Recently, in 1976 and 1977, males have been
frequently seen in breeding plumage and heard in
full song in several suburbs and in the city itself.
There was a breeding attempt in mangroves at
Nightcliff in November 1977. It seems that this may

Torrcsian Crow

be a local change in status for a species which is
common in the arid and semi-arid areas of the
Territory.

Varied Trill er \Lalage leucomela] A common
resident, sometimes visiting well-wooded suburbs,
especially during caterpillar plagues. Otherwise it is
a faith retiring although noisy species, most often
found in mangroves or monsoon forest. Could be
confused with previous species which is never
barred on the underparts, lacks the buff on the
under tail coverts and has different calls (refer
Slater 19'4 for description). Both species sometimes
occur together; Varied does not have the brerttn
nondescript plumage of the female or non-breeding
male White-winged.

Green-backed Warbler |Gerygone chloronotu | A
small, inconspicuous, resident species common in
monsoon-forest on the fringes of Darwin, especially
in the Fannie Bay area.

Golden-headed Cisticola [Cisticola exilis ] A common
but rarely seen bird frequenting patches of under¬
grow th and rough grass, for instance, around
Salonika, Fannie Bay and parts of Nightcliff. At the
beginning of its breeding season during the humid
build-up to the wet season in November-December it
perches prominently and calls frequently.

Hclmeted (Mangroves, Melville Is.) Friarbird
|Philemon bitceruides] Of the two Friarbird species
in Darwin, this is mainly found in monsoon-forest or
mangroves but is quite a common visitor to gardens
adjoining these habitats in Nightcliff. Rapid- Creek
and Fannie Bay. The difficulties of distinguishing
this species from the next are overstated: it lacks the
conspicuous "lump" at the base of the bill and the
white feathers on the head which characterize P.
urgemiceps. The underparts arc browner and with
practice, many of the calls can be separated.

Silver-crowned Friarbird |Philemon argenticeps]
Quite common, but usually avoiding monsoon-forest
and mangroves. Freely visits suburban gardens to
feed on nectar-bearing flowers and breeds on the
outskirts of the built-up area. Flabitat overlaps
somewhat with the previous species but Ffelmeted is
unusual in the open eucalypt forest which is the
principal habitat of this species.

Blue-faced Honeyeater [Entomyzon cyanotis] A
large honeyeater which prefers open eucalypt
woodland where it breeds, generally avoiding the
monsoon forest remnants of Nightcliff and Fannie
Bay and mangroves. Visits gardens to feed on
banana flowers. Has a penetrating single whistle, an
early morning call often heard in the dry season.

White-gaped Honeyeater \Lichenostomus unicolor]
A common species but one which avoids open
eucalypt"woodland. As a suburban bird favours the
more established gardens but freely uses exotic
trees, such as poincianas and mangoes. It is also
quite common in the city area where suitable trees
are available but is largely absent from the newer
northern suburbs.

White-throated Honeyeater [Melithreptus albogtr
laris | Prior to cyclone Tracy, a common species in
eucalypt woodland and its vestiges around Darwin
but wind damage to its habitat and interference with
re-growth from badly controlled or accidental
burning has reduced it considerably, although it
remains common outside the area of the most
damage. It is now scarce in the Lee Point Rd. area,
adjoining the Wanguri and Wulagi subdivisions
where it was common formerly but still occurs in
eueulypts in Nightcliff and elsewhere.

Brow n Honeyeater [Lichmera indistincta] Common,
but mainly on the fringes of the built-up area,
favouring mangroves, but also visiting suburban
gardens. Breeds in the dry season and is very quiet
and unobtrusive at other times.

Rufous-banded Honeyeater [Cunopophila ulbogu-
luris 1 One of the commonest small birds in the
Darwin area, apparently a mangrove species and
very common in this habitat where competition with
the Brown Honeyeater seems to be minimised;
Rufous-Banded breeds mainly in the wet season and
is relatively unobtrusive during the dry. It is a
frequent visitor to suburban gardens and is quite
common even in the city itself; its song can often be
heard in Smith and Mitchell streets.

Red-headed Honeyeater \Myzomela erythrocephala ]
Mainh a mangrove species which sometimes visits
nearby suburban gardens with suitable cover, for
example, in Stuart Park and Fannie Bay.

Mistletochird |Dicueum hirundimteeum ] Formerly
quite common but much scarcer since Cyclone
Tracy, possibly because of the destruction of its
main food-source, the native mistletoes which are
semi-parasitic on large trees.

Striated (Black-headed) Pardalote |Pardalotus
striatus\ A common dry season visitor and breeding
species with a monotonous disyllabic call heard
throughout the day, even in the heat of the afternoon
when other birds are silent. Generality shuns rain
and monsoon-forest, mangroves and prefers open
eucalypt woodland. Nests in burrows in the ground,
in dry creek-beds, deep w heel ruts, piles of top-soil
dumped in gardens or heaps of builder's sand.

Yellow White-eye [Zosterops lutea] A mangrove
species that sometimes wanders into adjoining
suburban areas, for example at Stuart Park or
Nightcliff.

Double-barred Finch |Poephilu bichenovii ] Fairly
common in some areas, for example Parap and
Fannie Bay and perhaps Ludmilla and Nightcliff but
absent elsewhere. Status uncertain; may breed
regularly.

Chestnut-breasted Mannikin [Lonchura castaneo-
thorax] Occurs in wastelands, areas cleared but with
some regrowth, cyclone-damaged or otherwise
degraded scrub, near the suburbs and roosts in
some numbers just east of Darwin but status
uncertain and apparently no definite breeding
records.

Yellow-rumped Mannikin [Lonchura flaviprymna]
This species is in an obscure taxonomic position but
is clearly related to the previous and sometimes
occurs in small numbers in flocks of Chestnut¬
breasted.

Yellow Oriole [Oriolus Flavocinctus] Primarily a bird
of the mangroves and coastal monsoon-forest,
relatively common in suburban areas adjoining
these habitats, as in Nightcliff, Rapid Creek and
Fannie Bay.

Olive-backed Oriole [ Oriolus sagittatus ] An erratic
visitorto Darwin, mainly in dry season. Occasionally
seen in gardens but care is needed to separate from
the female of the much commoner Yellow- Figbird.

Yellow Figbird [Sphecotheres viridis] Common;
especially conspicuous and noisy from September
onwards, at the beginning of its breeding season.
Occurs in all suitable suburbs with adequate cover
and breeds even in the city itself. Can be heard
calling close to the Smith-Knuckey intersection or in
Bennett Street near the Reserve Bank. The brightly
coloured male is distinctive but the female could be
confused with the Olive-backed Oriole which is
slimmer, has a more slender bill and lacks the area
of pink skin around the eye.

Spangled Drongo [Dicrurus hottentottus] Mainly a
monsoon forest and mangrove bird that overspills
into adjoining suburbs.

Great Bowerbird [Chlamydera nuchalis] Not
uncommon in the Darwin area but is generally a
bird of the suburban fringes, w hereas in Batchelor it
is common in gardens and occurs freely around
road-houses on the Stuart Highway. Uses flip-tops
from cans in the decoration of its bower. There are
no confirmed breeding records but ‘active’ bowers

have been found near Holmes Jungle and Nakara in
1974. Present status uncertain.

Australian Magpie Lark (Mudlark Pee-wee)
[Grallina cyanoleuca] A conspicuous dry season
visitor and one of Australia’s most widespread and
familiar species. Apparently does not breed in the
coastal Darwin area.

White-breasted Woodswallow [Artamus leucor-
hynchus] A common dry season visitor, often seen in
small flocks on power-lines. Absent during its wet
season breeding period when it seems to move
eastwards into Arnhem Land.

Grey (Silver-backed) Butcherbird [Cracticus
torquatus] Present in eucalypt woodland in the Lee
Point Road area. Refer next species.

Pied Butcherbird [Cracticus nigrogularis ] This
species has probably suffered with the previous
species from cyclone damage to its preferred habitat
of eucalypt woodland and from the encroachment of
the suburbs but it is still common just outside
Darwin. Has bred in the Wanguri area (1974) and
probably still does; occurs close to the new
subdivisions at Wulagi and Anula. Avoids monsoon
forest, mangroves and completely open habitats
without trees.

Torresian Crow [ Corvus orru] An occasional visitor
to the area, especially in the dry season although it
breeds in the Humpty Doo area. The comparative
scarcity in Darwin is surprising as the author has
seen it scavenging on the town dump at Gove and
this is apparently common behaviour. (K. Grant,
pers. comm.). (The two main species at Leanyer
dump are Pied Heron [Ardea picata ] and Black
Kite.)

REFERENCES

The following have been used in the preparation of this article and are gratefully acknowledged:

Crawford, D.N. (1972) BIRDS OF DARWIN AREA, with some records from other parts

of the Northern Territory. (Emu 72:131 - 147)

Harmer. J. NORTH AUSTRALIAN PLANTS. PT. 1.

TOP END WILDFLOWERS.

Slater, P. (1970 & 1974) A FIELD GUIDE TO AUSTRALIAN BIRDS.

2 volumes: Non-Passerines and Passerines.

Storr. G.M. (1977)

BIRDS OF THE NORTHERN TERRITORY. W.A. Museum.

NOTES ON THE HABITS OF THE
NORTHERN JEZABEL BUTTERFLY

Delius argenthona fragalactea
by Alan Wade

Abstract

The larvae of the north-western subspecies of the
Northern Jezabel Delias argenthona fragalactea
(Butler, 1869) feed on the mistletoe Decaisnina
signata. This mistletoe is parasitic on the Northern
Milkwood Alstonia actinophylla. During the late wet
season (March - May 1977) adults of both sexes of
the Northern Jezabel were seen feeding on the
nectar of the flowers of the Darwin Stringybark
Eucalyptus tetrudonta. but not on the flowers of the
mistletoe. However, the mistletoe flowers were a
nectar source during the drv season when there
were few other flowers.

Introduction

Larvae of the Delias butterfly genus feed almost
exclusively on parasitic plants, including the mistle¬
toes. The larvae of the Australian east-coast
subspecies of the Northern Jezabel Delias urgen-
thona argenthona are known to feed on several
species of mistletoe including M uellerina
celastroides and Amy etna bifurcatum (Common and
Waterhouse. 1972). A. bifurcatum occurs in the
Northern Territory (Harmer, 1976) and D. argen-
thona frugajuctea may well feed on this mistletoe
species

Discussion

The study was made on the Esplanade Reserve in
the Darwin town area. Adults of the Northern
Jezabel were first observed in gardens along the
Esplanade and were subsequently seen in the
canopies of some thirty Northern Milkwoods
Alstonia actinophylla which were located on the
Reserve. The butterflies were also observed in the
canopy of a large solitary Darwin Stringybark
Eucalyptus tetrudonta where they were more
common than elsewhere. At the time of these
observations in March 1977. the eucalypt was in full
flower and there were usually from two to four
individuals on the wing or feeding from flowers at
any one time. From observations made over a period
of several weeks, 1 concluded that there were usually
more individuals, up to eight or ten, active in the
eucalypt canopy around dusk than at any other time
of the day. Similar habits were observed with the
adult male Wood White butterflies Delias aganippe
feeding from mistletoe flowers- at Kambah in the
Australian Capital Territory at dusk in February
1977. White there are some notable exceptions,
most butterflies settle at least an hour before sunset.

The association of the butterfly w ith the canopy of
the milkwoods was almost certainly because of the
presence of the mistletoe Decaisnina signata in 90%
of all miklw ood trees on the Reserve. The Northern
Jezabel lays yellow eggs in clusters on the
undersides of young mistletoe leaves. In each of the
three separate colonies 1 studied during April 1977,
there were nineteen or more one or two day old
larvae and up to sixty eggs. Yet natural survival is
low. In the colony of nineteen young larvae, I
observed the number surviving after two or three
days to be about one half of the number seen at last
count. Within a fortnight no larvae could be seen.
The larvae have a gregarious feeding habit and
availability of very young shoots on a single branch
appears to be the critical factor in determining the
survival of larvae. Attempts to rear larvae seem to
support this. While nearly all eggs hatched, larvae
survived only on young mistletoe and were reluctant
to move onto fresh mistletoe supplied daily. Only
two of the original larvae, totalling about one
hundred individuals, survived to pupate after
approximately twenty-eight days. In a new- finding
(18 February 1978). twenty two to three day old
larvae, were found feeding on young tips of
mistletoe on w hich larvae had been found feeding in
early March 1977. Four days later there were only
eight surviving larvae, and within eight days, no
larvae could be seen.

The eastern subspecies of the Northern Jezabel is
on the wing throughout the year (McCubbin 1971).
The north-western subspecies was common in late
September, but by late December, no individuals
could be sighted on the the wing. Whereas during
the wet season the Northern Jezabel w as rarely seen
near mistletoe flowers, by September they were
freely feeding at the conspicuous red flowers. The
mistletoe flowers throughout the wet season and
almost until the end of the dry season. Lack of
suitable flowers towards the end of the dry season
may be a factor in limiting numbers of adults.

The life cycle of the Northern Jezabel appears to
be confined almost entirely to the canopies of trees.
Other members of the genus favour hilly areas. The
close proximity of a small escarpment and the ready
availability of food appears to make the reserve a
suitable habitat for the Northern Jezabel.

i'fcU

t v

7 •"*'

' %

C'f* ■

§ '

l 7?%t~

V- ’f

? a

f" c ^i

/'. #.

a) (x3)

b)(xl-5)

Delias argenthona fragalactea

a) Mature larva

b) Adult

Line drawing courtesy of W. Loh Choy

REFERENCES

Common, I.F.B. and Waterhouse, D.F. (1972)

“BUTTERFLIES OF AUSTRALIA”, pp. 205-206. Angus & Robertson.

Harmer, J. (1976) “NORTHERN AUSTRALIAN PLANTS. P. 1, Top End Wildflowers”

p. 64. Surrey Beatty and Sons, N.S.W.

McCubbin, C. (1971) “AUSTRALIAN BUTTERFLIES”, p. 122. Thomas Nelson Ltd.

THE REEF DWELLING FISHES OF
THE DARWIN AREA

K. Martin

INTRODUCTION:

M any Darwin people spend their leisure time
fishing, snorkelling or reef fossicking, and invari¬
ably have at one stage seen or caught a fish that they
cannot identify. Unfortunately, most of the classic
literature pertaining to this area is difficult to obtain,
and even then, some of the more common species
are not listed. In fact, very little study has been
carried out on the reef fish of this area, and there is
every likelihood of a casual observer finding a rare
or undescribed species.

Obviously, in an article such as this, it is
impossible to present a comprehensive guide to our
fish fauna. Instead, it is may endeavour to present a
general discussion of the environment in which
these animals live, how to observe them, and a
resume of the various families. Included is a
checklist of those species which 1 have recorded in
this area.

THE REGION:

Darwin lies fairly centrally on the southern edge
of a large oceanographic zone known as -the
Indo-Pacific Region. This region is a vast area which
extends from Eastern Africa, through the tropical
Indian Ocean. South East Asia, and the Western
Pacific, where it extends south to Lord How e Island,
cast to Gambier Island, and north to Hawaii. Many
Barrier Reef species occur in Darwin, and the
majority of Darwin fish extend down the tropical
west coast of Australia. Some species are distributed
throughout the Indo-Pacific, while several are found
only in the Northern Territory.

THE HABITAT:

Due to extremes in tidal variation, the proximity
of large rivers and estuaries and the monsoonal
effect, waters around Darwin are generally fairly
turbid. Visibility is at besf about seven metres, at
worst - zero, but in sheltered areas, is usually about
four metres during the dry season.

The main coral reefs of Darwin occur in protected
areas near headlands, such as those at East Point.
Lee Point, and Gunn Point. Coral filled lagoons
occur in rocky areas such as Nightcliff, and Lee
Point, where the low tides provide clear, still waters.
Many areas of coral are completely exposed on tides
of less than 1.5 metres, and in this case, fish either
vacate the reef, or shelter in shallow pools. Large
amounts of weed bloom over the reefs tow ards the
end of the wet season, and it is at this time that
many species breed (although some species will
breed all year round).

The coral reef is regarded as a very stable
environment. Consequently, reef-dwelling fish are
extremely specialised and adapted to conditions
which remain virtually unchanged throughout the
year. Waters of the coral reef are almost always
calm and fairly clear, and have a small temperature
range. They have a high salinity and oxygen
content, and maintain a PH value of about eight.

In shore reefs such as those in the vicinity of
Darwin are occasionally muddy and turbulent, and
therefore support a less diverse fish population. In
contrast, the vast coral reefs of the Vernon Islands,
about eighty kilometres to the north-east of Darwin,
support a number of species which are not found
along the coast.

OBSERVING AND COLLECTING SPECIMENS:

Due to the very nature of their environment,
collecting specimens of reef fish is a difficult task.
Netting a coral reef is comparatively futile and most
collecting for research material is clone with the aid
of a drug. Rotenone, which quickly kills any fish
coming in contact with it. Fish can be fairly safely
collected with the aid of an anaesthetic, such as
Quinaldine or MS222, but these drugs are very
expensive, and must be used cautiously. Some
tropical fish importers even use Cyanide to obtain
specimens, a practice which is fortunately gaining
worldwide disapproval.

Obviously, the best way to observe fish in their
natural environment is to get in there with them.
Snorkelling or skindiving in a coral reef is a
fascinating pastime. Pick a low netip tide during the
dry season, when the reef is submerged to a depth of
about two or three metres, and the visibility w ill be
fairly good. To actually catch fish in this situation,
with nets or a slurp gun, will at first seem very
difficult, but a little practice yields results.

Wandering out upon the coral on a very low tide is
also a good w ay to find fish. If you go out during the
low night tide, you will be greatly rewarded, as the
resting fish arc seen hiding under overhangs or just
drifting about, are are quite easily caught.

Great care should be taken when walking on the
reef, as some corals are very brittle, and easily
damaged. Strong shoes should be worn, as many
corals can give a painful sting, not to mention the
possibility of treading on a Stonefish.

Finally, collectors should remember that corals
take a long time to grow, regenerating very slowly if
damaged. Indiscriminate collecting of species such
as Clownfish and their anemones will destroy the
reef. Future generations should be able to observe
these fascinating communities as they exist at
present.

MAJOR FAMILIES OCCURRING AROUND
DARWIN

The following is a description of some of the larger
or more common families of reef-dwelling fish which
are likely to be encountered in the vicinity of
Darwin.

ORECTOLOBIDAE (Reef Sharks)

The Reef Sharks are recognised by their bottom
dwelling habits, and unlike the larger pelagic
sharks,^hev do not need to swim constantly in order
to breathe. They are small and nocturnal, but may
be encountered during the day, hiding under rocks
and overhangs.

PLOTOSIDAE (Eel Tailed Catfish)

A group of nocturnal reef scavengers which
possess four pairs of fleshy barbels on the snout.
They arc scaleless, and are endowed with sharp
dorsal and pectoral spines w hich can inflict a painful
wound.

MURAENIDAE (Moray Eels)

Medium to large predatory fish, they generally
live in holes and under coral colonies. Although not
poisonous, their strong jaw s and savage disposition
should be respected.

APOGONIDAE (Cardinalftsh)

A large group of nocturnal fish, many are brightly
coloured. They are often seen in large shoals milling
around stands of Staghorn \Acropont\ coral. They
are characterised bv their large and often bright
blue eyes, and a tendancy to hover motionless in the
water.

SERRAN1DAE (Rock Cod)

A large family of secretive predatory fish. They
have unmistakably large mouths, and the corres¬
ponding appetite makes them easy prey for the reef
fishermen.

LUTJANIDAE (Snapper, Sea Perch)

A large and common group of active, carnivorous
fish, which may occur in big schools on coral reefs.
Most are of a streamlined appearance, often
coloured with lateral stripes and a black blotch on
the side.

MULLINDAE (Goatfish)

A group of bottom dwelling fish recognised by a
pair of fleshy barbels projecting from under the
chin.

MONODACTYLIDAE (Moonftsh)

A group well-known in the fishing fraternity, the
Moonfish or Silver Batfish, is a laterally compressed
fish bearing a superficial resemblance to the true

Batfish [Ephippidae]. The juveniles inhabit brack¬
ish water and are often sold as freshwater aquarium
exhibits.

EPHIPPIDAE (Batfish)

Large, laterally compressed fish with extended!
dorsal and pelvic fins. Because of great variations,
between individuals from different areas, and the
change of shape from juvenile to adult, this family
has presented many problems for taxonomists.

CHAETODONTIDAE...

Subfamily CHAETODONTINAE (Butterflyfish)

This is a very large and colourful family of small,,
laterally compressed ftsh, which feed almost wholly
on choral polyps. These are the typical fish that most
people identify with tropical coral reefs. Their
delicate colours and appearance make them attrac¬
tive aquarium fish, but they are not recommendedl
for the beginner. At least six species occur in the-
Darwin area, although two of these [Chuetodorv
adiergastos and Heniochis acuminatus ] can be 1
regarded as very rare.

Subfamily POMACANTHINAE (Marine Angelfish)!

This group is distinguished from the previous
subfamily by the strong spine which projects from
below the gills. As well, they generally attain a
larger size. They are amongst the world's most
colourful and graceful animals, and are much sought
after by marine aquarists. Probably only two species
occur in Darw in, the commonest being the Scribbled
Angelfish [Shuetodontoplus duboulayi ] undoubtedly
the most colourful fish to be encountered in these
waters.

POM A CENTRIDAE...

Subfamily AMPH1PRIONINAE (Clownftsh)

The Clownftsh are a brightly coloured group
which are found in association with sea anemones.
The mucus covering on their skin gives them
immunity from the anemone's deadly stinging
tentacles, and the fish use the protection of the
anemone to survive, as they are a slow swimming
and fairly defenceless group. In the w ild, the three
species which are found in Darwin, all inhabit
different anemone species, although in captivity,
they will readily swap anemones, or even live quite
happily without them. It is worth mentioning that
the spectacular black and white colour form of
Amphiprion ocelluris is strictly confined to North
Western Australia, particularly the Darwin area.

Subfamily POMACENTR1NAE (Damselfish)

A very large group of small, brightly coloured fish
which are thought to be close relatives -of the
freshw ater Cichlids. They are extremely territorial,
and are one of the commonest of our reef fish. They
are active and alert, and the colourful juveniles are a
prolific sight in the rockpools around our coastline.

LABRIDAE (Wrasses, Tuskfish)

The Wrasses and Tuskfish are a large family but
one which is poorly represented in Darwin. 1 have
encountered only one species of wrasse here
|Htilichocres nigrescens], which is abundant in this
area. It is basically green in colour and burrows in
the sand at night, or when disturbed. Tuskfish of the
genus Choerodon have presented many problems
for the taxonomist. so the classifica¬
tion of at least one Darw in species is doubtful. These
fish are generally known as "Parrotfish" by
fishermen, due to their colourful appearance and
mouth structure, but in fact, the true Parrotfish
[Scuridae family! are essentially coral feeders, and
not very common in this area. Due to their
specialised feeding habits, it is unlikely that many
hook and line fishermen have ever landed a true
"Parrot".

GOBUDAE (Gobies)

distinguished by the retractible knife-life weapon
w hich they sport on either side of the tail base.

SCORPAENIDAE (Scorpionfish, Lionfish)

The Darw in area supports a large variety of fish
from this family. They are a bizarre looking group,
containing such creatures as the Butterfly Cod
(Lionfish). several small and colourful species of
Scorpionfish. and of course, the Stoncfish, all of
which may be encountered in the Darwin area. All
possess poisonous dorsal spines capable of inflicting
painful wounds, or causing death, to humans.

BALISTIDAE (Leatherjackets, Triggerfish)

Slow sw imming, herbivorous fish, having a single
dorsal spine and no ventral fins, the Leatherjackets
generally frequent weedy areas. The sub-family
Bulislinae (Triggerfish) are noticeably absent from
Darwin waters.

This and other related families, such as the
Blennies and Gudgeons, are small, carnivorous fish
which generally inhabit shallow water and coastal
tide-pools. They are bottom dwellers, and include
some of the world's smallest vertibrates.

S1GANIDAE (Rabbitfish, Spinefeet)

Medium sized herbivorous fish found in weedy
areas and often around stands of coral. The juveniles
may be found in brackish areas such as around
mangroves.

ACANTHUR1DAE (Surgeonfish)

OSTRACIIDAE (Boxfish)

Small, curious looking fish which are awkward
swimmers, and as the name implies, have a
box-shaped body. The scales are formed into bony
plates which cover the body.

ANTENNARI1DAE (Anglerfish)

Darwin supports a variety of these strange fish.
They are generally found sitting motionless on the
bottom of tidal pools, waiting patiently for some
small animal to be attracted by the "fishing pole”
projecting from the top of their head.

A family poorly represented in Darw in by a single
species. The are coral and algae feeders, and can be

Chetodon aureofasciata — Golden Striped Butterflyfish

PRELIMINARY CHECKLIST:

SCIENTIFIC NAME

COMMON NAME

Orectolobus wardi

Hemiscyllium ocellatum

Hemiscyllium trispeculare

Stegostomu fasciatum

Rhinobutos batillum

Carcharhinus Spallanzani

Himuntura uarnak

Dasyatis kuhlii

Plotosus anguillaris

Peraplotosus albilabris

Netuma thulassina

Gymnothorax sp. *

Lycodontis pictus *

Hemiramphus quoyi

Hyporhamphus sp.

Holocentms ruber.

Yozia bicoarctata

Liza dussumieri

Liza vaigiensis

Absalom radiatus

Apogon cooki

Apogon opercularis

Archumia melasma *

Plectropoma maculutum

Epinephelus tauvina

Epinephelus gilberti

Cephulopholis pachycentron

Cromileptes ultivelis

Disloprion bifasciatum

Pseudochromis wilsoni

Pseudochromis putictutus

Gnathypops darwiniensis

Hulophryne diemensis

Lutjanus russelli

Lutjanus johni

Lutjanus argentimuculatus

Lutjanus carponotatus

Lutjanus sebae

Caesio cuning

Scolopsis nicanor

Nemipterus sp. *

Plectorhynchus pictus

Therapon jarbua

Amphitherapon caudavittatus

Upeneus tragula

Mulloidichthys auriflamma

Monodactylus argenteus

Platux pinnatus *

Platax batavianus

Drepane punctata

Selenotoca multifasciata

Chelmon marginalis

Chelmon muelleri

Heniochus acuminatus

Parachaetodon ocellatus

Chaetodon aureofasciatus

Chaetodon adiergastos

Chaetodontoplus duboulayi

Euxiphipops sexstriatus

Amphiprion rubrocinctus

Amphiprion ocellaris

Northern Wobbegong Shark

Epaulette Shark

Spotted Cat shark

Leopard Shark

Shovel Nosed Shark

Black Tipped Shark

Coachwhip Ray

Blue Spotted Stingray

Striped Catfish

Common Catfish

Salmon Catfish

Green Moray Eel

Speckled Reef Eel

Short Nosed Garfish

Sea Garfish (several species)

Red Squirrelfish

Pipefish

Mullet

Diamond Scaled Mullet

Fringe Finned Trevally

Red Cardinalfish

Cardinalfish

Cardinalfish

Coral Trout

Estuary Rock Cod

Wire Netting Cod

Banded Rock Cod

Leopard Cod

Yellow Emperor

Yellow Finned Dottyback

Long Finned Dottyback (“Marine Siamesefignter”)
Roundhead

Frogfish

Moses Perch

Sea Perch

Mangrove Jack

Spanish Flag

Red Emperor

Yellow Tailed Fusilier

Monocle Bream (several species)

Painted Sweetlips ■

Crescent Perch

Bar Tailed Perch

Bar Tailed Goatfish

Red Goatfish

Moonfish

Long Finned Batfish

Hump Headed Batfish

Short Finned Batfish

Sicklefish

Silver Scat

Long Nosed Butterflyfish

Chocolate Butterflyfish

Pennant Butterflyfish

Six Spined Butterflyfish

Golden Striped Butterflyfish

Butterflyfish

Scribbled Angelfish

Six Banded Angelfish

Red Qownfish

Black and White Clownfish

Chelmon marginalis Long Nosed Butterflyfish

The following is a list of retJf-dwelling fish which 1 have observed or collected in the Darw in area; (for our
purposes, I have taken the definition of "Darwin area" as being that stretch of coastline which lies roughly
between Gunn Point and Bynoe Harbour). Species marked with an asterisk should be regarded as tentative
identifications only, due to either insufficient data and specimens, or taxonomic uncertainty. It is likely that
many other species occur in this area.

SCIENTIFIC NAME COMMON NAME

Amphiprion clarkii *

Puma cen trus lilt oralis
Pomacentrus milleri
Pomacentrus amboinensis
Disch is loci us fascial us
Abudefduf palmeri
Abudejduf melanopus
Choe mdon schoenleini
Choerodon albigena *
Halichoeres nigreseens
Scarus fasciatus *
Istiblennium edentulus
Siganus virgatus
Siganus vermiculatus
A can lb liras xunthopterus
Ctenogobius criniger
Eleol nodes mural is
Phttycephulus indicus
Pierois volitans
Dendrochirus zebra
Synanceja Irachynis
Scorpaenopsis gibhosa
Scurpaena bynoensis
Tricanthus biaculeaius
Monocant has chinensis
Usi ra cion l uberculatum
Diodon hysirix
Chelonodon pataca
Antennarius sp.

Yellow Faced Clownftsh
Blue Damselfish
Beau Gregory
Yellow Damselfish
Bumble Bee Damselfish
Seven Banded Damselfish
Black Footed Damselfish
Black Spot Tuskfish
Blue Tuskfish
Green Sand Wrasse
Parrot fish
Blennie

Rabbit Faced Spinefoot

Scribbled Spinefoot

Ring Tailed Surgeonfish

Hair Finned Gobie

Lined Gudgeon

Flathead

Lionfish

Dwarf Lionfish

Stonefish

False Stonefish

Scorpionfish

Tripodftsh

Fan Bellied Leatherjacket
Box fish
Porcupinefish
Marbled Toadfish
Anglerfish (several species)

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Axelrod, H.R. & Burgess, W.E., FISHES OF THE GREAT BARRIER REEF — Pacific Marine Fishes, Book 7,
(T.F.H. Publ. N.J. 1976)

Carcasson, R. H., REEF FISHES OF TROPICAL AUSTRALIA & THE INDO-PACIFIC REGION, (Collins,
London & Sydney 1977)

Deas, W. & Domm. S., CORALS OF THE GREAT BARRIER REEF (Ure Smith, Sydney, 1976)

Grant, E.M., GUIDE TO FISHES (Coord. General's Dept., Qld. 1975)

Marshall, T.C., FISHES OF THE GREAT BARRIER REEF & COASTAL WATERS OF QLD. (Angus &
Robertson, Sydney 1964)

Munro, I.S.R., THE FISHES OF NEW GUINEA (Dept, of Agriculture, Port Moresdy, N.G. 1967)

Specht, R.L., RECORDS OF THE AMERICAN-AUSTRALIAN SCIENTIFIC EXPEDITION TO ARNHEMLAND
Vol. 4, Zoology. (Melbourne University Press 1964)

Allen, G.R., DAMSELFISHES OF THE SOUTH SEAS. T.F.H. Publ. 1975.

In preparing this Checklist, I have generally adopted the scientific nomenclature used in Munro’s “Fish of New
Guinea” where possible, and have tried to utilize local common names of the more well-known species. I would
be grateful to hear from anyone who may be able to expand on or otherwise modify this checklist. If you have
any information or specimens, please contact me through the N.T.F.N.C.

FORMATION OF A FIELD NATURALISTS CLUB IN ALICE SPRINGS

On the 19 December, 1977, a well attended meeting in Alice Springs set about forming an Alice Springs Field
Naturalists Club. Membership fees have been set at $5 for the first six months of 1978 and will be reviewed
shortly. Office bearers of the Club, elected at its second meeting are:

President: Mike Fisher

Vice President: Doug Meek
Secretary: Andrew Mitchell

Treasurer: Lesley Sealey

Liaison Officer: Jeff Godden

The Club is producing a newsletter to keep members informed of its activities and welcomes contributions
from interested people: In addition, members from Alice Springs are encouraged to contribute to the N.T.
Naturalist in order that it has more appeal throughout the Territory. There is strong feeling that the Club
form a junior section and Jeff Godden is contacting all Alice Springs schools to ascertain support for such a
move. The Club also hopes to join with the Society for Growing Australian Plants in running a stall at the
Alice Springs Show later this year. Already several successful field trips have been organized, and more are
planned for the rest of the year.

The address of the Club is P.O. Box 2483, Alice Springs, 5750. Meetings are held on the first Monday of each
month and further information can be obtained by ringing Andrew Mitchell on Alice Springs 52 2344.

All N T. Naturalists join in wishing the Alice Springs Field Naturalists Club every success in the future.

THE NORTHERN TERRITORY NATURALIST

Advice to Contributors:

The N T. NATURALIST is published bi-annually. Contributors need not be members of the N.T.F.N.C.
although all members are urged to contribute. Contributions may take one of the following forms:

1. Letter to the Editor

A letter should be a short comment on a previous publication in the N T. NATURALIST, a comment on an
issue of topical interest in natural history, or a brief report of a field trip. Letters may be handwritten
provided they are well presented. Only one copy of a letter is required.

2. Notes

If you have made a series of observations (for example, on the behaviour of a bird or other animal) or have noted
something new or unusual in the field, then this is the place to report your findings. Contributions should be in
the order of 200 - 500 words and provided with a title.

3. Articles

An article should run to a maximum of about 1500 words (four to five double-spaced typed, A4 pages) and
deal with a topic in the natural sciences. It should be written in a manner intelligible to readers without a
specialist knowledge of the subject. Articles should be appropriately illustrated by clear, black ink graphs,
drawings, diagrams or photographs.

4. Research Papers

Longer research papers will be considered. A paper should be an original scientific communication and be
fully referenced.

5. Special Contributions

Feature articles, cover designs, photographs suitable for publication, drawings and reports on field trips are
welcome. Contact the editor if you have any innovative ideas.

GENERAL

Manuscripts must be submitted in duplicate, typed on one side of the page only, double-spaced with a forty
millimetre margin. The Editor will be pleased to give intending authors further guidance on the preparation
of manuscripts.

journal of
northern territory
field naturalists club

CONTENTS

Sea Wasps in the Northern Territory — D. L. Grey
Common Birds of the Darwin Suburbs — Hillary Thompson
Notes on the Northern Jezebel Butterfly — Alan Wade
Reef Fishes of the Darwin Area — Keith Martin
Notes on the Genus Lingula — Graham White

Cover Design: Susanne Avery

Cover Photograph: Sea Wasp Chironexfleckeri — D. L. Grey

ISSN0155-4093