Metadata record for data from ASAC Project 38 See the link below for public details on this project. From the abstracts of the referenced papers: The origin of echinoderms from Macquarie Island in the Southern Ocean is analysed through a novel application of multivariate statistics. Ordinations are produced from a combination of species distribution, bathymetric, habitat and life history data in order to assess patterns of migration. The analyses distinguish groups of species derived from the Kerguelen Plateau, New Zealand and eastern Antarctica. These groups correlate with attributes expected for epiplanktonic dispersal and range expansion along the North and South Macquarie Ridges respectively. There is no convincing evidence for long-distance pelagic dispersal, migration from the abyssal plain or for human translocation of species. The results indicate that taxonomic groups differ in their ability to disperse, and emphasise the importance of depth in biogeographical analyses. Dispersal by range expansion appears to have been more significant than epiplanktonic dispersal and vicariant rather than long-distance dispersal mechanisms are the preferred explanation for some disjunct distribution patterns. Fifty two echinoderm species are recorded from off Macquarie Island and the Macquarie Ridge in the Southern Ocean. One new asteroid Odontohenricia anarea sp. nov. and one new holothurian Trachythyone nelladana sp. nov. are described. The asteroid genus Calvasterias is synonymised with Anasterias. The asteroids Cycethra macquariensis and Asterina hamiltoni are synonymised with Asterina frigida and placed in the same genus Cycethra. The asteroid Ceramaster lennoxkingi is synonymised with C. patagonicus, Solaster dianae with S. notophrynus, and Anasterias sphoerulatus with A. mawsoni. The asteroids Psilaster charcoti, Odontaster penicillatus, Ceramaster patagonicus, Crossaster multispinus, Solaster notophrynus, Pteraster affinis, Henricia studeri, the ophiuroid Ophioplocus incipiens, and the holothurians Paelopatides ovalis, Synallactes challengeri, Laetmogone sp, Taeniogyrus sp are recorded from the island for the first time. The following species previously recorded from Macquarie Island have been re-identified: the asteroids Odontaster auklandensis (=O. penicillatus), Henricia aucklandiae (=H. studeri), Henricia lukinsi (=H. obesa), Smilasterias irregularis (=S. clarkailsa), Anasterias antarctica (=A. directa), and the ophiuroid Ophiacantha pentagona (=O. vilis). The existence at Macquarie Island of the species Hymenaster sp, Goniocidaris umbraculum and Ocnus calcareus require confirmation. The asteroids Anasterias mawsoni, Pteraster affinis, Porania antarctica and Odonaster meridionalis are reported from the shore around Heard Island. The ecology and relationships of echinoderms from Macquarie Island are discussed.

These data were collected as part of project 4112 - Status and trends of Macquarie Island Albatrosses and Giant Petrels: management and conservation of threatened seabirds. These data constitute the data for nesting sites for the 2012-2013 season. The waypoints are provided for all accessible nests of albatross and northern giant petrels that form part of the long term population and demographic study on Macquarie Island. Refer to accompanying annual report for further context and details. For Southern Giant Petrels (which are susceptible to disturbance) the waypoint refers to the location used to census the colony remotely and approximates their actual position.

This dataset contains sporadic shore based observations of killer whales (Orcinus orca) from Macquarie Island from 1989 to 1998 (inclusive). The following data are included in the dataset: Date and time of observation (Australian Eastern Standard Time) The name of the observer The location of the observation (the beach or bay from which the observation was made). The latitude and longitude of the sighted animal (WGS84). The sex of the animal (M=Male, F=Female) (where available). Lifestage of the animal (where available). The observed individual count. Extra notes relating to the observation.

This file contains a report of bird banding undertaken on penguin and flying bird species at Macquarie Island and Mawson station from 1959-1965. The hard copy of the log has been archived by the Australian Antarctic Division library.

Metadata record for data from ASAC Project 756 See the link below for public details on this project. From the abstract of one of the referenced papers: The shore environments of most sub-Antarctic islands have been described in a number of previous studies. However there have been few attempts to quantify the population and community patterns over different spatial scales. The objectives of this study were to provide an analysis of the differences in the community structure of the biota of three exposed shore zones and of the macrofauna inhabiting holdfasts of the kelp Durvillaea antarctica across spatial scales of hundreds of metres, kilometers, and between a sheltered and exposed coast. Data were collected using a combination of quadrat, transect and direct sampling methods over the 1994-95 summer season. The results indicated that there were significant differences between coast for some of the biotic variables in most of the habitats examined but that differences at the smaller spatial scales were more often significant. Thus, although wave exposure exerts an obvious effect on the shore biota of Macquarie Island, these effects are modified by other factors operating at smaller spatial scales. For the holdfast macrofauna, the overall patterns of community structure are likely to be due to the differential response of the component taxa to variation in holdfast volume and holdfast sediment content as well as other, currently undetermined factors.

This dataset is a collection of presence-absence and %occurrence data of prey species found within scats of Hooker Sea Lions. The data are presented in an excel spreadsheet. Samples were collected from 54 scats. From the abstract of the referenced paper: Scats were collected from itinerant male Hooker's sea lions, Phocarctos hookeri, at Macquarie Island and the un-eroded faunal remains used to assess the diet. Un-eroded sagittal otoliths were used to identify teleost fish and to calculate fish size. Prey items included 14 taxa of teleost fish, cephalopods, gastropods, crustaceans and fur seals. Fish constituted the primary component of the diet. Prey species previously uncommon in the diet of seals and penguins around Macquarie Island were commonly eaten by Hooker's sea lions. The sub-Antarctic horse fish (Zanclorhynchus spinifer) and the Patagonian tooth fish (Dissostichus eleginoides) were the two most abundant species and occurred in 62.5% and 41.7% of all scats respectively. There were no age specific and individual differences in the diet of sea lions. Seasonal variances in diet were absent. Small plastic fragments (diameter ~ 1mm) were only found in association with Electrona subaspera otoliths. Some overlap was seen between the diet of itinerant male Hooker's sea lions and the commercial fisheries that currently occur around Macquarie Island. This work was completed as part of ASAC project 2265 (ASAC_2265).

This metadata record is a modified child record of an original parent record originating from custodians of data associated with Geoscience Australia (The identifier of the parent record is ANZCW0703006701, and can be found on the Australian Spatial Data Directory website - see the URL given below). A bathymetric grid of the Macquarie Island Region (Longitudes 151 E and 167 E, Latitudes 48 S and 62 S) was produced. In doing so, the individual datasets used were closely examined and any deficiencies noted for further follow up or were rectified immediately and the changes documented. These datasets include modern multibeam data, coastline data obtained from georeferenced SPOT imagery, hydrographic quality data, echosounder data from research and fishing vessels and satellite derived bathymetric data. A hierarchical system was employed whereby the best and most extensive datasets were gridded first and applied as a mask to the next best dataset. A new masking grid would be formed from these datasets to pass non-overlapping data in the next best dataset. This procedure was employed until finally the satellite data were masked. All the various levels of masked data were then brought together by the gridding algorithm (Intrepid and Desmond Fitzgerald Associates) and an ERMapper format grid produced. A grid cell size of 0.00225 (nominal 250m) was used with many iterations of minimum curvature gridding and several passes of smoothing. The final grid is available in geotiff, ArcInfo ascii and xyz text formats. A detailed report of the work completed is also available.

This dataset contains the results from studies of the Elephant Seal (Mirounga leonina) at Macquarie Island. Results from branding surveys and photographs from 1985 onwards are reported. Numbers, life stage, sex, moult stage and migration patterns have been reported. Currently some 2000 pups a year are branded and the dataset includes birth dates, weights at birth and weaning and at 6, 12 and 18 months. This work was completed as part of ASAC (AAS) project 2265 (ASAC_2265). Objectives: 1. To prepare research papers, from the extensive southern elephant seal dataset, that deal with key demographic parameters of the population such as size, age specific survivorship, fecundity, recruitment into the breeding population, age specific growth rates, and intrinsic rate of change of the population. In addition, later papers will investigate interannual variability in these parameters, how these relate to changing environmental conditions, and the effects of this on long term population fluctuations. 2. To analyse and compare stable isotope ratios in the facial vibrissae of the seals and the hard parts of their prey to determine the geographical positions of the major foraging grounds of the seals. The isotope values will also allow the food webs, that support the seals, to be better defined. 3. To measure the growth rates of elephant seal vibrissae so that changing isotope values, related to the prey and foraging areas, can be referred to particular foraging periods. Elephant seals characteristically have two separate periods of foraging: one in summer and one in winter. The positions of these episodes on a vibrissa can be identified once the growth rates of vibrissae are known. Taken from the progress report for the 2009-2010 season: Progress against objectives: 1. One paper published from the elephant seal dataset. Two papers also published during 2009/10 using data collected opportunistically during the life of this project. 2. PhD student Andrea Walters continues to analyse the results of the whisker analyses. She has presented some of her results at the AMSA 2009 marine connectivity conference in Adelaide. An honours student has been engaged (start date March 2010) to analyse the squid component of the seals' diet. 3. John van den Hoff spent the early summer at Macquarie Island finalising the collection of the demographic data. 2154 tag/brand resights were recorded. Collection of the data has continued on the island by Chris Oosthuizen, Ben Arthur and Iain Field since John returned to Australia. When those field workers return data collection will cease.

This file contains instructions for collecting biological observations and bird bands at Australian Antarctic and subantarctic stations. The documents in the file are as follows: 1) Biological Programmes - ANARE Induction Lectures (likely to be the 1967-1968 season) 2) Notes on Collecting Biological Data (likely to be the 1958-1959 season) 3) Biology Instructions Bird Banding (likely to be the 1967-1968 season) The hard copy of the log has been archived by the Australian Antarctic Division library.