The dataset comprises 413 individuals from 54 species of fishes, sharks, rays and sea snakes observed at around Ningaloo Reef using 18 baited remote underwater video stations (BRUVS(TM)). Approximately 3500 of the best images from all BRUVS (TM) projects are stored in a reference library. Data recorded concern: - classification of the habitat in the field of view (topography, sediments, benthos) - the identity of fish and CAABCODES - their time of arrival - their behaviour (8 categories, including feeding on the bait) - their maturity (adult or juvenile) - their relative abundance (as MaxN = the maximum number visible at one time, or distinguishable at different times as separate individuals e.g. much larger/smaller, male/female) - the time elapsed before MaxN and feeding occurs. A custom interface has been developed by AIMS staff, using Microsoft Access, for reading and analysis of BRUVS(TM) tapes.

A novel mutualistic relationship was observed between the serpulid worm, Spirobranchus giganteus and massive coral colonies of Porites lutea and Porites lobata as a response to Acanthaster planci predation on reefs of the central Great Barrier Reef.Field censuses were carried out at Potter Reef in April and June 1985. This reef, along with many others in the region, had supported large populations of Acanthaster planci (crown-of-thorns starfish) throughout 1983-84. Co-occurrence of the worm with these corals (a = S. giganteus and dead coral; b = no S. giganteus and dead coral; c = S. giganteus and live coral; d = no S. giganteus and live coral); the state of predation (Partial, Total); and the number of colonies (31) with/without worms was recorded. To examine the correlation between the worm, S. giganteus and survival of coral polyps on Porites after predation by crown-of-thorns starfish. In the study area, the only living polyps on Porites colonies following predation by Acanthaster planci commonly occurred in patches hosting populations of serpulids, or directly below the worms' extended branchial crowns (3 to 5 cm diameter) with evidence of regrowth more than 2 years after predation. Note that Porites polyps were not protected in all cases.

The dataset comprises 5097 individuals from 202 species of fishes, sharks, rays and sea snakes observed at around Heron Island using 56 baited remote underwater video stations (BRUVS(TM)). 311 images were captured from these cameras. Approximately 3500 of the best images from all BRUVS (TM) projects are stored in a reference library. Data recorded concern: - classification of the habitat in the field of view (topography, sediments, benthos) - the identity of fish and CAABCODES - their time of arrival - their behaviour (8 categories, including feeding on the bait) - their maturity (adult or juvenile) - their relative abundance (as MaxN = the maximum number visible at one time, or distinguishable at different times as separate individuals e.g. much larger/smaller, male/female) - the time elapsed before MaxN and feeding occurs. A custom interface has been developed by AIMS staff, using Microsoft Access, for reading and analysis of BRUVS(TM) tapes.

This data set was collected by weather sensors deployed on the AIMS Weather Station site John Brewer.

The dataset comprises 624 individuals from 67 species of fishes, sharks, rays and sea snakes observed at around Townsville Midshelf Reefs using 18 baited remote underwater video stations (BRUVS(TM)). Approximately 3500 of the best images from all BRUVS (TM) projects are stored in a reference library. Data recorded concern: - classification of the habitat in the field of view (topography, sediments, benthos) - the identity of fish and CAABCODES - their time of arrival - their behaviour (8 categories, including feeding on the bait) - their maturity (adult or juvenile) - their relative abundance (as MaxN = the maximum number visible at one time, or distinguishable at different times as separate individuals e.g. much larger/smaller, male/female) - the time elapsed before MaxN and feeding occurs. A custom interface has been developed by AIMS staff, using Microsoft Access, for reading and analysis of BRUVS(TM) tapes.

A key to 74 species of bird found at Cape Ferguson, north Queensland. Birds covered in the key are mainly foliage (bush) birds but include some raptors, water birds and others; sea birds and waders are not covered. Additional notes are provided for some birds. To provide a key to birds commonly seen in the locality of Cape Ferguson. Species: Australian crow, bar shouldered dove, black backed magpie, black faced cuckoo shrike, black headed pardalote, black kite, blue faced honeyeater, blue winged kookaburra, brahminy kite, brolga, brown honeyeater, brown winged pigeon, channel billed cuckoo, crested pigeon, dollar bird, double bar finch, dusky honeyeater, fairy martin, fantail cuckoo, forest kingfisher, greater bowerbird, grey fantail, grey butcher bird, helmeted friar bird, jabiru, koel, laughing kookaburra, leaden flycatcher, Lewin honeyeater, little cuckoo shrike, magpie lark, masked lapwing, mistletoe bird, nankeen kestrel, noisy friar bird, olive backed oriole, osprey, pale headed rosella, peaceful dove, pheasant coucal, pied butcher bird, pied currawong, rainbow bee-eater, rainbow lorikeet, red backed wren, red browed finch, red tailed black cockatoo, red winged parrot, rufous shrike thrush, rufous whistler, sacred kingfisher, satin flycatcher, scaly breasted lorikeet, scrub turkey, shining flycatcher, southern figbird, southern stone curlew, spangled drongo, spice finch, straw necked ibis, sulphur crested cockatoo, tree martin, varied triller, wedge tailed eagle, whistling kite, white breasted sea eagle, white breasted wood swallow, white faced heron, white ibis, white naped honeyeater, white throated honeyeater, willie wagtail, yellow breasted sunbird, yellow honeyeater.

Early brachiolaria larvae (6 days old) were reared at the Australian Institute of Marine Science for use in dissolved organic matter uptake experiments. Three dissolved free amino acids (substrates) were chosen for the experiments: alanine (neutral); glutamic acid (acidic); and arginine (basic). Between 120 and 240 larvae were placed in individual scintillation vials containing filtered seawater and maintained at 29.5°C. Experiments were run using filtered seawater with only one substrate. Different amounts of substrates were added to vials with or with larvae, as well as vials with formalin killed larvae. Triplicate 500 µl samples were withdrawn from each vial initially and then after incubation for 20, 40 and 60 minutes. Samples were passed through a 100 µm mesh screen to remove larvae and frozen in a micro-centrifuge tube for later DFAA analysis using the pre-column derivatization method with HPLC. This research was undertaken to investigate the ability of early brachiolaria larvae of the crown-of-thorns starfish, Acanthaster planci, to take up dissolved organic matter (DOM) in the form of dissolved free amino acids (DFAA).

Fish, benthic and bêche-de-mer surveys were conducted in the Coringa-Herald National Nature Reserve (CHNNR) from the 28 March to 2 April 2003. Five of the six islets and cays in the Reserve were surveyed. These were NE and SW Herald, Coringa (also known as South West Islet), Chilcott and SE Magdelaine. Restrictions were placed on diving, due to the remote location of the Reserve and surveys were limited to depths of around 9 metres. Four sites were sampled on each reef and sites were distributed so as to include the major habitats, reef fronts, back reefs and reef flanks. Species level data and crude abundance estimates of the benthic communities were obtained using a rapid visual assessment protocol (RAP). Video transect surveys were used to obtain more rigorous abundance estimates of biota at a finer taxonomic resolution.Species composition data and crude abundance estimates of the fish communities were obtained using a timed swim, rapid visual census method. Visual census transects provided more rigorous density estimates of a select group of species and a solid baseline for future monitoring surveys.Thirteen species of Holothuria (bêche-de-mer), crown of thorns starfish (COTS) and giant clams (Tridacna gigas) were surveyed on the reef flat and back reef of each reef. Reef flats were surveyed on snorkel, along transects. The back reef was surveyed using manta tow.SCUBA searches, along transects, were used to provide information on numbers of COTS in defined size classes, COT scars, Drupella (a coral eating snail) and other sources of coral mortality including coral bleaching and coral disease. Two temperature loggers were also deployed in the NE Herald Cay lagoon. This research was undertaken as part of a monitoring program, which will be used to determine the effectiveness of management practices within the National Nature Reserve. Where possible, comparisons were to be made with the two previous fish and coral surveys conducted in the Reserve. The Coringa-Herald National Nature Reserve (CHNNR) is one of two protected areas in the Coral Sea region. The Reserve is located some 400 kilometres east of Cairns, Far North Queensland. It was proclaimed on the 16th August 1982 under the National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act 1975. The Coringa-Herald National Nature Reserve and Lihou Reef National Nature Reserve Management Plan states that both reserves are to be managed as strict nature reserves - World Conservation Union (IUCN) category Ia. Such reserves are primarily for scientific research to ensure habitats, ecosystems, and native species are preserved in as undisturbed state as possible. The reserves also form part of the National Representative System of Marine Protected Areas (NRSMPA).

The dataset comprises 13558 individuals from 169 species of fishes, sharks, rays and sea snakes observed at around Southern Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Seabed Project Cruise 4 using 229 baited remote underwater video stations (BRUVS(TM)). 1879 images were captured from these cameras. Approximately 3500 of the best images from all BRUVS (TM) projects are stored in a reference library. Data recorded concern: - classification of the habitat in the field of view (topography, sediments, benthos) - the identity of fish and CAABCODES - their time of arrival - their behaviour (8 categories, including feeding on the bait) - their maturity (adult or juvenile) - their relative abundance (as MaxN = the maximum number visible at one time, or distinguishable at different times as separate individuals e.g. much larger/smaller, male/female) - the time elapsed before MaxN and feeding occurs. A custom interface has been developed by AIMS staff, using Microsoft Access, for reading and analysis of BRUVS(TM) tapes.

Three experiments were carried out with laboratory reared Acanthaster planci larvae. In all experiments larvae were transferred to culture dishes containing 80 ml of artificial seawater with no thyroxine added (controls) and thyroxine added at different concentrations. Larval density was less than 1 larva/ml. Unicellular algae were supplied to control and thyroxine cultures at the same density. All cultures were maintained in a 27°C constant temperature room. Larvae at various stages of development, but with most being at the mid-brachiolaria stage, were transferred to control culture dishes and culture dishes containing thyroxine at one of three concentrations (10^-6M, 10^-7M, 10^-8M). The stage of larval development was recorded after 26 hours.The effect of thyroxine on larval settlement was investigated by adding coral fragments with crustose coralline algae on their surfaces to control cultures and cultures exposed to two concentrations of thyroxine (10^-7M, 10^-8M) to induce settlement. The experiment was terminated 3 days later when all of the larvae in some of the culture dishes had settled. Coral fragments were removed so that all surfaces could be inspected microscopically and the number of settled (attached, metamorphosing) larvae and juvenile starfish counted. To more precisely quantify development acceleration by thyroxine, early-brachiolaria-stage larvae were transferred to control dishes and dishes containing one of three thyroxine concentrations (10^-7M, 10^-8M, 10^-9M). After 2 days larvae were measured and the development stage of each larva recorded. Thyroxine accelerates adult rudiment development in sea urchin larvae. This study was undertaken to examine whether larvae of the crown-of-thorns starfish, Acanthaster planci, exhibit a similar response to thyroxine.