Australian Biological Resources Study

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CAVS: 1275

Species Osphranter rufus (Desmarest, 1822)

Red Kangaroo

 

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia, Victoria, Western Australia


IBRA and IMCRA regions (map not available)

IBRA

NSW, NT, Qld, SA, Vic, WA: Australian Alps (AA), Brigalow Belt South (BBS), Broken Hill Complex (BHC), Burt Plain (BRT), Carnarvon (CAR), Channel Country (CHC), Central Kimberley (CK), Coolgardie (COO), Cobar Peneplain (CP), Central Ranges (CR), Daly Basin (DAB), Dampierland (DL), Davenport Murchison Ranges (DMR), Darling Riverine Plains (DRP), Einasleigh Uplands (EIU), Eyre Yorke Block (EYB), Finke (FIN), Flinders Lofty Block (FLB), Gascoyne (GAS), Gawler (GAW), Gibson Desert (GD), Gulf Fall and Uplands (GFU), Geraldton Sandplains (GS), Great Sandy Desert (GSD), Gulf Coastal (GUC), Gulf Plains (GUP), Great Victoria Desert (GVD), Hampton (HAM), Little Sandy Desert (LSD), MacDonnell Ranges (MAC), Murray Darling Depression (MDD), Mitchell Grass Downs (MGD), Mount Isa Inlier (MII), Mulga Lands (ML), Murchison (MUR), Nandewar (NAN), New England Tablelands (NET), NSW South Western Slopes (NSS), Nullarbor (NUL), Ord Victoria Plain (OVP), Pilbara (PIL), Riverina (RIV), South Eastern Highlands (SEH), Simpson Strzelecki Dunefields (SSD), Stony Plains (STP), Sturt Plateau (STU), Tanami (TAN), Victoria Bonaparte (VB), Victorian Midlands (VM), Yalgoo (YAL)

Ecological Descriptors

Desert sand dunes, folivore, hummock grassland, low open woodland, nocturnal, terrestrial, tussock grassland.

 

General References

Andrew, M.H. & Lange, R.T. 1986. The spatial distributions of sympatric populations of kangaroos and sheep: examples of dissociation between these species. Australian Wildlife Research 13: 367-373

Bailey, P. & Best, L.A. 1992. A red kangaroo, Macropus rufus, recovered 25 years after marking in north-western New South Wales. Australian Mammalogy 15: 141

Baker, M.W. de C. & Croft, D.B. 1993. Vocal communication between the mother and young of the eastern grey kangaroo, Macropus giganteus, and the red kangaroo, M. rufus (Marsupialia: Macropodidae). Australian Journal of Zoology 41: 257-272

Barker, R.D. & Caughley, G. 1994. The distribution and abundance of kangaroos (Marsupialia: Macropodidae). Australian Mammalogy 17: 73-84

Bayliss, P. 1985. The population dynamics of red and western grey kangaroos in arid New South Wales, Australia, II. The numeric response function. Journal of Animal Ecology 54: 127-135

Bayliss, P. 1985. The population dynamics of red and western grey kangaroos in arid New South Wales, Australia. I. Population trends and rainfall. Journal of Animal Ecology 54: 111-125

Beal, A.M. 1986. Responsiveness of the parotid salivary gland of red kangaroos (Macropus rufus) to mineralocorticoids. Journal of Experimental Biology 120: 309-324

Cairns, S.C., Pople, A.R. & Grigg, G.C. 1991. Density, distributions and habitat associations of red kangaroos, Macropus rufus, and western grey kangaroos, M. fuliginosus in South Australian pastoral zone. Wildlife Research 18: 377-402

Cairns, S.C. & Grigg, G.C. 1993. Population dynamics of red kangaroos (Macropus rufus) in relation to rainfall in the South Australian pastoral zone. Journal of Applied Ecology 30: 444-458

Caughley, G., Brown, B. & Noble, J. 1985. Movement of kangaroos after a fire in mallee woodland. Australian Wildlife Research 12: 349-353

Caughley, G., Shepherd, N. & Short, J. (eds) 1987. Kangaroos: Their ecology and management in the sheep rangelands of Australia. Cambridge : Cambridge University Press 253 pp.

Caughley, G. & Grigg, G.C. 1982. Numbers and distribution of kangaroos in the Queensland pastoral zone. Australian Wildlife Research 9: 365-371

Clegg, S.M., Hale & Moritz, C. 1998. Molecular population genetics of the red kangaroo (Macropus rufus): mtDNA variation. Molecular Ecology 7: 679-686

Coulson, G. 1996. A safe and selective draw-string trap to capture kangaroos moving under fences. Wildlife Research 23: 621-627

Croft, D.B. 1981. Behaviour of red kangaroos, Macropus rufus (Desmarest, 1822) in northwestern New South Wales, Australia. Australian Mammalogy 4: 5-58

Croft, D.B. 1991. Home range of the red kangaroo, Macropus rufus. Journal of Arid Environments 20: 83-98

Dawson, T.J. 1973. Thermoregulatory responses of the arid zone kangaroos, Megaleia rufa and Macropus robustus. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology 46A: 153-169

Dawson, T.J. 1995. Kangaroos. Biology of the largest marsupials. Sydney : University of New South Wales 162 pp.

Dawson, T.J. & Ellis, B.A. 1994. Diets of mammalian herbivores in Australian arid shrublands: seasonal effects on overlap between red kangaroos, sheep and rabbits and on dietary niche breadths and selectivities. Journal of Arid Environments 26: 257-271

Denny, M.J.S. 1982. Adaptations of the red kangaroo and euro (Macropodidae) to aridity. pp. 179-183 in Barker, W.R, & Greenslade, P.J.M. (eds). Evolution of the Flora and Fauna of Arid Australia. Frewville, Adelaide : Peacock Press vii 392 pp.

Edwards, G.P., Croft, D.B. & Dawson, T.J. 1994. Observations of differential sex/age class mobility in red kangaroos (Macropus rufus). Journal of Arid Environments 27: 169-177

Edwards, G.P., Croft, D.B. & Dawson, T.J. 1996. Competition between red kangaroos (Macropus rufus) and sheep (Ovis aries) in the arid rangelands of Australia. Australian Journal of Ecology 21: 165-172

Edwards, G.P., Dawson, T.J. & Croft, D.B. 1995. The dietary overlap between red kangaroos (Macropus rufus) and sheep (Ovis aries) in the arid rangelands of Australia. Australian Journal of Ecology 20: 324-334

Ellis, B.A., Russell, E.M., Dawson, T.J. & Harrop, C.J.F. 1977. Seasonal changes in diet preferences of free-ranging red kangaroos, euro and sheep in western New South Wales. Australian Wildlife Research 4: 127-144

Freudenberger, D. & Hacker, R.B. 1997. The effect of temporary closure of watering points on grazing intensity of red and grey kangaroos with related observations on feral goats. Rangeland Journal 19: 157-165

Frith, H.J. 1964. The mobility of the red kangaroo Megaleia rufa. CSIRO Wildlife Research 9: 1-19

Frith, H.J. & Calaby, J.H. 1969. Kangaroos. Melbourne : Cheshire 209 pp.

Ganslosser, U. & Wilhelm, P. 1986. Sex- and age-dependent differences in frequencies of social interactions between captive red kangaroos, Macropus rufus (Desmarest, 1822). Zoologischer Anzeiger 216: 58-71

Jarman, P.J. 1994. The eating of seedheads by species of Macropodidae. Australian Mammalogy 17: 51-63

Johnson, C.N. 1983. Variations in group size and composition in red and western grey kangaroos, Macropus rufus (Desmarest) and M. fuliginosus (Desmarest). Australian Wildlife Research 10: 25-31

Johnson, C.N. 1983. Variations in group size and composition in red and western grey kangaroos, Macropus rufus (Desmarest) and M. fuliginosus (Desmarest). Australian Wildlife Research 10: 25-31

Johnson, C.N. & Bayliss, P.G. 1981. Habitat selection by sex, age and reproductive class in the red kangaroo, Macropus rufus, in western New South Wales. Australian Wildlife Research 8: 465-474

King, D.R., Norbury, G.L. & Eliot, G.J. 1997. The efficacy of Finlayson troughs as a means of repelling kangaroos from water and altering grazing pressure in pastoral areas. Rangeland Journal 19: 57-69

Kirkpatrick, T.H. 1970. Studies of Macropodidae in Queensland. 8. Age estimation in the red kangaroo (Megaleia rufa (Desmarest)). Queensland Journal of Agricultural and Animal Science 27: 461-461

McCarthy, M.A. 1996. Red kangaroo (Macropus rufus) dynamics: Effects of rainfall, density dependence, harvesting and environmental stochasticity. Journal of Applied Ecology 33: 45-53

McLaughlin, A. 1992. Red kangaroos can set back range regeneration. Journal of Agriculture, Western Australia 4 33: 62-65

Muths, E. 1996. Milk composition in a field population of red kangaroos, Macropus rufus (Desmarest) (Macropodidae, Marsupialia). Australian Journal of Zoology 44: 165-175

Muths, E. & Hinds, L.A. 1996. Circulating levels of prolactin and progesterone in a wild population of red kangaroos (Macropus rufus) (Marsupialia, Macropodidae). General and Comparative Endocrinology 101: 317-322

Myers, K., Bailey, P.J. & Dudzinski, M.L. 1976. The effects of a severe drought on the morphology of the adrenal glands and others indices of health in the red kangaroo Megaleia rufa (Desmarest) in North-Western New South Wales. Australian Journal of Ecology 1: 289-302

Needham, A.D., Dawson, T.J. & Hales, J.R.S. 1974. Forelimb blood flow and saliva spreading in the thermoregulation of the red kangaroo, Megaleia rufa. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology 49A: 555-565

Newsome, A. 1995. Red Kangaroo Macropus rufus. pp. 353-355 in Strahan, R. (ed.). The Mammals of Australia: The National Photographic Index of Australian Wildlife. Sydney : Reed New Holland 756 pp.

Norbury, G. & Norbury, D. 1992. The impact of red kangaroos on the rangelands. Journal of Agriculture, Western Australia 4 33: 57-61

Norbury, G.L., Norbury, D.C. & Hacker, R.B. 1993. Impact of red kangaroos on the pasture layer in the Western Australian arid zone. Rangeland Journal 15: 12-23

Norbury, G.L., Norbury, D.C. & Oliver, A.J. 1994. Facultative behaviour in unpredictable environments: mobility of red kangaroos in arid Western Australia. Journal of Animal Ecology 63: 410-418

Norbury, G.L. & Norbury, D.C 1993. The distribution of red kangaroos in relation to range regeneration. Rangeland Journal 15: 3-11

Osawa, R. & Woodall, P.F. 1992. A comparative study of macroscopic and microscopic dimensions of the intestine in five macropods (Marsupialia: Macropodidae). I. Allometric relationships. Australian Journal of Zoology 40: 91-98

Osawa, R. & Woodall, P.F. 1992. A comparative study of macroscopic and microscopic dimensions of the intestine in five macropods (Marsupialia: Macropodidae). II. Relationship with feeding habits and fibre content on the diet. Australian Journal of Zoology 40: 99-113

Pass, M.A. & Brown, A.S. 1991. Liver function in normal koalas and macropods. Australian Veterinary Journal 67: 151-152

Poole, W.E., Sharman, G.B., Scott, K.J. & Thompson, S.Y. 1982. Composition of milk from red and grey kangaroos with particular reference to vitamins. Australian Journal of Biological Sciences 35: 607-615

Priddel, D. 1986. The diurnal and seasonal patterns of grazing of the red kangaroo, Macropus rufus, and the western grey kangaroo, M. fuliginosus. Australian Wildlife Research 13: 113-120

Priddel, D. 1986. The diurnal and season patterns of grazing in the red kangaroo, Macropus rufus, and the western grey kangaroo, M. fuliginosus. Australian Wildlife Research 13: 113-120

Priddel, D. 1988. Habitat utilisation by sympatric red kangaroos Macropus rufus, and western grey kangaroos M. fuliginosus, in western New South Wales. Australian Wildlife Research 15: 413-421

Priddel, D., Shepherd, N. & Ellis, M. 1988. Homing by the red kangaroo, Macropus rufus (Marsupialia: Macropodidae). Australian Mammalogy 11: 171-172

Priddel, D., Shepherd, N. & Wellard, G. 1988. Home ranges of sympatric red kangaroos Macropus rufus, and western grey kangaroos M. fuliginosus, in western New South Wales. Australian Wildlife Research 15: 405-411

Priddel, D., Wellard, G. & Shepherd, N. 1988. Movements of sympatric red kangaroos, Macropus rufus, and western grey kangaroos, M. fuliginosus, in western New South Wales. Australian Wildlife Research 15: 339-346

Russell, E.M. 1973. Mother-young relations and early behavioural development in the marsupials Macropus eugenii and Megaleia rufa. Zeitschrift für Tierpsychologie 33: 163-203

Russell, E.M. & Harrop, C.J.F. 1977. The behaviour of red kangaroos (Megaleia rufa) on hot summer days. Zeitschrift für Tierpsychologie 40: 396-426

Sharman, G.B., Frith, H.J. & Calaby, J.H. 1964. Growth of the pouch young, tooth eruption and age determination in the red kangaroo, Megaleia rufa. CSIRO Wildlife Research 9: 20-49

Sharman, G.B. & Calaby, J.H. 1964. Reproductive behaviour in the red kangaroo, Megaleia rufa, in captivity. CSIRO Wildlife Research 9: 58-84

Shepherd, N.C., Hopwood, P.R. & Dostine, P.L. 1988. Capture myopathy: two techniques for estimating its prevalence and severity in red kangaroos, Macropus rufus. Australian Wildlife Research 15: 83-90

Tiver, F. & Andrew, M.H. 1997. Relative effects of herbivory by sheep, rabbits, goats, and kangaroos on recruitment and regeneration of shrubs and trees in eastern South Australia. Journal of Applied Ecology 34: 903-914

Watson, D.M. & Dawson, T.J. 1993. The effects of age, sex, reproductive status and temporal factors on the time-use of free-ranging red kangaroos (Macropus rufus) in western New South Wales. Wildlife Research 20: 785-801

Wilhelm, P. & Ganslosser, U. 1989. Sequential organisation of social behaviour in captive adult and juvenile Macropus rufus (Marsupialia: Macropodidae). Australian Mammalogy 12: 5-14

Woo, G.C. & Sivak, J.G. 1985. The refractive state of the eye of the kangaroos Macropus giganteus and M. rufus. Australian Journal of Zoology 33: 313-315

 

History of changes

Note that this list may be incomplete for dates prior to September 2013.
Published As part of group Action Date Action Type Compiler(s)
04-Feb-2023 MACROPODIDAE 15-Apr-2024 MODIFIED
29-Nov-2016 MACROPODIDAE 14-Nov-2016 MODIFIED
05-Nov-2010 05-Nov-2010 MOVED
12-Feb-2010 (import)