The patterns of composition and distribution of vertebrate fauna in Queensland's tropical savannas are poorly known. The sandstone landscapes of White Mountains National Park are considered to be significant for fauna given its geographical position on the Great Dividing Range. A survey at White Mountains National Park was undertaken in order to determine the species present, and place them in the context of the assemblages recorded within the Desert Uplands Bioregion. Standardised trapping and incidental data collection techniques were used and a total of 122 vertebrate fauna species (53 being new to the park) were identified. The fauna assemblage contains a mix of vertebrates with some affiliation to north-eastern Queensland tropical savannas (e.g. Anomalopus gowi, Uperoleia lithomoda, Chaerephon jobensis), more mesic east coastal environments (e.g. Glaphyromorphus punctulatus, Planigale maculata, Rattus sordidus) and species distributed generally within and west of the Desert Uplands (e.g. Pseudomys desertor, Ctenotus rosarium, Gehyra variegata, Lerista wilkinsi).
Research-Article|
March 17 2014
Vertebrate fauna survey of White Mountains National Park in the Desert Uplands Bioregion, central-north Queensland
A.S. Kutt;
A.S. Kutt
1
Environmental Protection Agency and Tropical Savanna CRC, PO Box 5391, Townsville, QLD 4810
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J.E. Kemp;
J.E. Kemp
2
Queensland Herbarium, Environmental Protection Agency, PO Box 5391, Townsville, QLD 4810
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K.R. McDonald;
K.R. McDonald
3
Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, PO Box 834, Atherton, QLD 4883
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Y. Williams;
Y. Williams
4
School of Tropical Biology, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811
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S.E. Williams;
S.E. Williams
4
School of Tropical Biology, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811
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H.B. Hines;
H.B. Hines
5
Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, PO Box 64, Bellbowrie QLD 4070
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J-M. Hero;
J-M. Hero
6
School of Environmental and Applied Sciences, Griffith University Gold Coast, PMB 50, Gold Coast Mail Centre, QLD 9726
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G. Torr
G. Torr
7
Geographical, Winchester House, 259-269 Old Marylebone Road, London NWI 5RA UK
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Australian Zoologist (2005) 33 (1): 17–38.
Citation
A.S. Kutt, J.E. Kemp, K.R. McDonald, Y. Williams, S.E. Williams, H.B. Hines, J-M. Hero, G. Torr; Vertebrate fauna survey of White Mountains National Park in the Desert Uplands Bioregion, central-north Queensland. Australian Zoologist 1 June 2005; 33 (1): 17–38. doi: https://doi.org/10.7882/AZ.2005.002
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