EDITORIAL The scope of modern zoology One of the most interesting aspects of editing contributed considerably to the growing thesis the Australian Zoologist is the scope of the subject that we need to understand the influences on matter submitted for publication. This edition current numbers and distribution of animals to presents a good example. In the first four he able to make the best use of our resources in papers we move from a whale trapped in the the future. There is more work to do in this field Manning River, through the marsupial destruc- before it becomes a recognizable discipline tion Acrs in Queensland 1877-1930, to lossil within zoology, yet there is little doubt that what Australian crocodiles, then to a kuna survey has been written so far is much more valuable near an airport at Cairns. The subject matter than just a story of destruction. It helps explain and interdisciplinary connections are different the demise of the now rare wallabies and will in each paper, the methods vary and many of contribute to the debate on managing the large the technical aspects are also different, yet these kangaroos, including the option of utilizing papers have three things in common: a dedica- them as a food resource without endangering - tion to understandinr the science of their their survival. subject; an enthusiasm for communicating the Paul Willis' paper on fossil crocodiles also topic; and a strong commitment to developing exemplities this principle, though over a much a particular aspect of zoological research. This more extended time frame. One of the new diversity is reflected in the other papers too, with twists in recent Australian palaeontology is subjects as varied as fish predation on frogs recognizing that its frame of reference has much around Sydney, flying-foxes in the Northern to contribute to the current conservation dehate. Territory, a lyssavirus in flying-foxes, the For example, our understanding of biodiversity distribution of blue-tongue lizards in New South is given an added dimension when it is Wales, the hats of Fraser Island, and a descrip- appreciated that the extant fauna is but a tion of a new species ofskink, which will become fraction of what has evolved, flourished and an immediate candidate for the New South eventually shrunk to extinction as conditions Wales Threatened Species List. It is a fascinating have changed. Conditions will continue to task to edit these wide-ranging contributions to change, arguably at a more rapid rate because zoology. of human activities, and the potential for fauna The wealth of material that exists within the to adapt to that change will be limited by ltag- scope of zoology in Australia provides a basis mentation of habitats I-esulting from agriculture for a discipline that is both intellectually exciting and other forms of "development". and socially valuable. Consider the paper by Whale strandings are great media events in Frances Hrdina, dealing with the numbers of the prevailing climate of concern for these large marsupials, principally macropods, destroyed marine mammals. They are also a serious under Queensland Government policy late last subject for zoologists. One of the recerees for century and early this century. The author the paper by David Priddel and Robert Wheeler considered that, although 27 million "pest" pointed out that this paper is exactly what is macropods had been destroyed, the original required by those who are interested in the purpose of the legislation had not been zoological follow-up to a newspaper story of a achieved. The larger marsupials continued to stranding. The two authors are skilled field proliferate but the smaller species declined. No zoologists who have worked in the public spot- doubt in half a century the limitations in present light. Their paper contributes the detail, the government policy will become apparent, but it context and the consequences of one well- is not the point of ecological history to find fault. publicized stranding. Without their thoughtful Its role is to examine the past with the aim presentation, the only source of inlormation Ibt- of understanding it to help frame current most readers would be the media. This papet- programmes, and to develop insight into the helps develop a serious and competent response future by studying past rates of population to cetacean conservation. chance. Frances Hrdina remarked in the covering letter she sent with her final draft that Bats are emerging as a topic of sel-ious the tahles in her paper were nearly the "death" zoological interest. There have been so many hat of her. We are indebted to her persistence in papers recently submitted to the A~ul~~~liari providing the detailed data on the numbers Zoologiit that we considered publishing a special destroyed per year and presenting them in such edition on hats. We decided against this because an accessible form. In doing so, she has the submitted papers did not constitute a March 1997 Australian Zoologist 30(3) 259 balanced treatment of the subject. The success omissions that some readers might miss. We of the special edition on the Green and Golden trust you will enjoy reading the reviews in this Bell Frogs was due in part to the rounded edition of the Australian Zoologist. If you are a handling of the theme and the inclusion of the potential reviewer, please send us your name major contemporary players in this field. We and area of special interest. If you are a intend to continue encouraging submissions on publisher, author or book editor, please bats, asking authors to put their work in a continue to send us your review copies. contemporary context, such as conservation, Editorial guidelines are regularly published in and to provide informative and attractive many journals. Au~tralian Zoologist shall have illustrations. We trust that you will enjoy the bat such a page in due course. However, it is the papers in this and subsequent editions. underlying editorial principles that are funda- Zoologist have a diversity of zoological books mentally important. The Council of the Royal on their shelves. The value of each book, its Zoological Society of New South Wales is accuracy, content and clarity, is both a matter of committed to publishing thoroughly refereed opinion and verifiable fact. Our book reviews papers in all aspects of zoology and in promoting ensure that the views of competent specialists the conservation of Australian fauna and its regarding recent zoological publications are habitats. We encourage working scientists to made widely available. They also serve the discuss the conservation implications of their crucial function of putting potential authors and findings. The quickest way to see how this editors on notice that poor contributions will be philosophy manifests itself in print is to look criticized. .4 book may escape the refereeing over the material published by this Society. A process during production, but an adverse list of the Society's publications appears on the review after publication serves to let all inside back cover of each edition. What is concerned know that critical views will see the immediately evident is the range of viewpoints, light of day. Reviews help maintain publication the quality of the contributions and, most standards, keep intending authors .alert, and strikingly, the wide scope of subject matter in persuade hook editors to retain a rigorous the Auctralian Zoologist. So, keep reading and refereeing process. Conversely, good books will writing and please draw the attention of your receive favourable reviews, obscure books will friends to the tear-out membership form at the gain the spotlight, and specialist texts will find end oC this edition. their target readers more quickly. Book reviewers make a valuable contribution and enrich the Daniel Lunney and Lyndall Dawson zoological literature by their careful analysis, Editors skilful writing and ability to point to errors or March 1997 260 Australian Zoologist 30(3)