Eopsaltria

Abstract: The taxonomic relationships of Drymodes were examined by comparing the single-copy DNA sequences of radio-iodine-labelled D. brunneopygia DNA with the DNAs of thirty-seven other genera of oscine passerines (Passeres). Of the taxa examined, the scrub-robins were found to be most closely related to Eopsaltria and Poecilodryas, and to be distant from the true thrushes (e.g. Turdus, Erithacus). Drymodes is a member of a varied assemblage of mostly endemic Australasian taxa that includes the Australian robins, flycatchers, monarchs, fantails, whistlers, shrike-thrushes, pitohuis, shrike-tits, the Crested Bellbird, and the quail-thrushes. The wedgebas, woodswallows, and other groups also may be part of this cluster. The honeyeaters, malurine wrens, and Australian magpies, apparently belong to other groups not yet defined in terms of DNA comparisons. The accentors (Prunella), sylviine warblers (Sylvia), white-eyes (Zosterops), muscicapine flycatchers, wagtails (Motacilla), mimic thrushes (Dumetella), starlings, typical wrens (Troglodytes), emberizine sparrows (Zonotrichia) and dippers (Cinclus) are as distant from Drymodes as are any taxa of oscines the DNAs of which have been compared.

Abstract: Habitat selection of the Western Yellow Robin (Eopsaltria griseogularis) was examined during the 2001 breeding season at 52 sites throughout Dryandra Woodland, Western Australia. Western Yellow Robins occupied sites according to habitat attributes at various spatial scales. At a microhabitat scale, Western Yellow Robins occupied sites with a high canopy density, and a higher density of leaf litter and logs than in unoccupied sites. These factors could indicate occupation of sites with lower ground surface temperatures and more leaf litter habitat, favouring a higher abundance of leaf litter prey and prey associated with logs compared with more open sites with a low canopy density and low log density. At a macrohabitat scale, occupied sites were characterised as those sites with high proportions of Wandoo (Eucalyptus wandoo) trees and Gastrolobium shrubs, plants associated with more productive downslope woodland soils. At the landscape scale, Western Yellow Robins occupied sites away from the woodland/agricultural ecotone, indicating sensitivity to edge effects and an inherent area-sensitivity. Persistence of the Western Yellow Robin in the wheatbelt requires the retention of large remnants of productive woodland. In addition, the exclusion of stock grazing in these large remnants would ensure the protection of ground substrate, an important component governing habitat selection by the species.

Abstract: This study examined the foraging ecology and habitat selection of the Western Yellow Robin in Wandoo Woodland at Dryandra Woodland, Western Australia. The foraging ecology component was comprised of an examination of foraging behaviour, perch-use selection and pounce-site characteristics. The habitat selection component was comprised of an examination of habitat characteristics of site occupancy and general nesting ecology. The implications of current management at Dryandra Woodland to the ecology of the Western Yellow Robin are discussed in reference to the findings of the present study. Ground-pouncing was the dominant foraging behaviour throughout all seasons, with dead branches of live subcanopy Wandoo trees (Eucalyptus wandoo) and dead fallen timber as the dominant perch substrate throughout all seasons. However, interseasonal shifts were detected, exemplified by a decrease in proportion of ground pouncing, and an increase in foraging height and perching height during the wanner months. These results reflect seasonal changes in foraging behaviour influenced by the seasonality of invertebrate prey abundance, with lower abundance of leaf litter invertebrates and increased abundance of flying invertebrates in wanner months. Intraseasonal shifts in foraging behaviour reflect climatic differences between years. Pounce site characteristics showed selection at multiple spatial scales. At the microhabitat scale, pounce sites had significantly more leaf litter and log material, and Jess bare ground than random points. At the rnacrohabitat scale, the distance ofpo'mce sites to logs was significantly less than expected. Associations between foraging sites and logs represents selection for sites with a greater abundance of invertebrate prey associated with dead fallen timber. This pattern of selection is consistent throughout the year, indicating characteristics of ground pounce foraging locations remain the same year round regardless of the shift in foraging behaviours. The habitat selection component of the study showed that sites occupied by Western Yellow Robins had higher canopy density, higher leaf litter and log density, higher proportions of Wandoo trees and Gastrolobium plants and higher fragment coefficients (indicating occupation of sites away from the woodland/agricultural ecotone). These results reflect selection of variables at multiple spatial scales; namely, selection for sites with abundant invertebrate prey habitat (microhabitat scale), selection