L. Forró szerk.: Miscellanea Zoologica Hungarica 13. 2000 (Budapest, 2000)

Hangay, G., Fuisz, T. I.; Bankovics, A.: Notes on the Vertebrate fauna of Katandra Bushland Sanctuary, Sydney, Australia

Scincidae Ctenotus robustus Frequently seen on the sandstone formations of the escarpment and in the heathland near the north-eastern boundary. Ctenotus taeniolatus Observed on flaking sandstone rocks of the escarpment. Egernia whitii Frequently seen in woodland and heath. Sphenomorphus quoyii Frequently observed along the walking tracks, especially between sites Nos 2. and 3. and near Katandra Creek. Tiliqua scincoides Observed near picnic area. Boidae Morelia spilota Observed on one occasion by a member of the public. Elapidae Cacophis squamulosus One individual was seen under a log near site No. 3. Pseudechis porphyriacus One individual was observed near site No. 13. Amphibians 4 species of amphibians, belonging to 2 families were recorded. Myobatrachidae Limnodynastes tasmaniensis Observed several times under large, fallen timber in wet heathland at the eastern part of the Sanctuary. Ranidella signifera Observed several times under wet grassand leaf-litter near site No. 5. Hylidae Litoria freycineti Observed only once (October 1998) near toilet block. Litoria lesueuri Observed on several occasion near toilet block. The most important frog-call recorded from Katandra is that of Heleioporus australiacus. While the call is rather characteristic, the existence of this species within the boundaries of the Sanctuary needs confirmation. H. australiacus was recorded at the nearby escarpment area, outside the boundaries of Katandra. Discussion The Katandra Bushland Sanctuary is especially important from conservation point of view as it harbors a high number of native flora and fauna elements within the metropolitan limits of Sydney. From its vegetation communities the wet heathland and the relatively small closed- forest are perhaps the most vulnerable and therefore most valuable. However, the rest of the area is also very important as a number of unique plant species live there also. Most notable of these are: Bertya brownii, Boronia thujona, Prostanthera denticulata, Cryptocarya glauscencens, Cryptocarya microneura and Eucalyptus scias. The diverse mosaic-like botanical composition of the Katandra leads to the occurrence of a rich fauna. The following mammal species are either rare or uncommon and/or especially sensitive in the Sydney region, but do occur within the limits of the Sanctuary and hence their protection and management deserve further conservation effort: Tachyglossus aculeatus,