The Australian Mammal Twitchers’ Club (AMTC):
The idea of having a twitcher’s club (this AMTC web site) for
those who keep a life-list of Australian mammals has been
discussed a few times – most recently on the Birding-Aus list
in July 1999. It’s a harmless hobby to keep a list of animals
seen, and if you’re interested in being listed here with your
total, e-mail me. The AMTC is free to join, and has no
binding regulations etc. beyond the simple rules for listing
that appear below. So far though, only two others apart from
me have been brave enough to join!!! Come on folks - come
and play.
http://www.bluep.com/~oco/Aus-mammals.html
The web site has a secondary role of being a contact site for
those interested in getting pointers on mammal identification
and places to go to see particular species. In the list,
people’s names are hot-linked to their e-mail addresses.
References:
The list of 384 species is based on Menkhorst (2001) with
some variations (eg. large bentwing-bats previously known as
Miniopterus schreibersii). There are a few other somewhat
arbitrary taxonomic variations – look through the list to
sort them out.
Menkhorst, P.W. (2001). A Field Guide to the Mammals of
Australia. Oxford University Press: Melbourne.
Rules:
- Species to be included must be positively identified.
- Species to be included must be wild individuals but can be
captured as part of a survey/study.
- You must be present during capture or checking of traps for
it to count. i.e. someone walking into the lab with a wild
caught specimen that's to be released tomorrow doesn’t count.
- Reintroduced animals in controlled areas (eg. Earth
Sanctuaries and their ilk) do not count!
- The area of coverage is continental Australia and Tasmania
and its island territories out to the 200 nautical mile
Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), currently excluding
Antarctica.
- The official AMTC checklist (see URL) is the sole authority
for compiling a list total for inclusion on this web site.
Established exotics can be included (Rabbit, Red deer etc),
escapees cannot (e.g. ferret).
- Similar to the 600 and 700 marks for big list birders, I’m
suggesting a 150 and a 200 mark for big list mammal
twitchers. Whatever your list size though, you’re most
welcome to join us here.
Lawrie Conole
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Lawrie Conole
2/37 Myrnong Crescent, Ascot Vale Vic 3032
AH 03 9370 3928 Mob 0419 588 993
Senior Zoologist
Ecology Australia Pty Ltd
88 B Station Street, Fairfield Vic 3078
BH 03 9489 4191 Fax 03 948 7679
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