THREATENED SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE Established under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999

The Minister approved this Conservation Advice on 31/10/2019 .

Conservation Advice Potorous tridactylus tridactylus

Long-nosed (SE Mainland)

Conservation Status Potorous tridactylus tridactylus (Long-nosed Potoroo SE Mainland) is listed as vulnerable under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cwlth) (EPBC Act) effective from the 16 July 2000. Species can also be listed as threatened under state and territory legislation. For information on the current listing status of this species under relevant state or territory legislation, see http://www.environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/sprat/public/sprat.pl The main factors that make the species eligible for listing in the vulnerable category are declining population numbers, impacts from habitat degradation, loss and fragmentation and predation by introduced carnivores.

Description The Long-nosed Potoroo is a compact, medium-sized with a maximum body and head length of 41 cm, tail of 26 cm, and weight of up to 1.6 kg for males, with females being slightly smaller and lighter than males. However, there is considerable regional variation in size, ranging from 780 g to 1.6 kg (Van Dyck & Strahan 2008), evidence suggesting a latitudinal cline in body size (Norton et al. 2010b). The hind limbs are 85–88 mm in length and well developed, while the forearms are shorter and muscular, with short, strong claws. The has small rounded ears, large eyes and a long muzzle with a bare tip. The body is covered with soft, short, dark grey fur on its dorsal side with coarser fur, varying from yellow-white through to brown with black tips, protruding through this layer. The ventral fur is coarse and white with a grey base layer (Johnston & Sharman 1976; Amos 1982; Bennett 1987; Seebeck & Rose 1989). There are two recognised sub-species of Potorous tridactylus , the Long-nosed potoroo; P. t. tridactylus (SE Mainland) and P.t. apicalis (Tasmania and Bass Strait Islands). The of Potorous has been reviewed by Frankham et al. (2012). They concluded that the current management of P. tridactylus as two sub-species (mainland and Tasmania / Bass Strait Islands) does not recognise the full scope of genetic diversity within this species, especially that of the mainland populations. Until further data are available they recommend this species be managed as the following three subspecies: P. t. tridactylus (southern Queensland and northern New South Wales) ; P. t. trisulcatus (southern New South Wales and Victoria), and P. t. apicalis (Tasmania/ Bass Strait Islands). As this taxonomy is not reflected under the EPBC Act, P. tridactylus tridactylus continues to remain as the SE Mainland population with a range from Queensland to South Australia.

Distribution The Long-nosed Potoroo (SE Mainland) is widely but patchily distributed along the south- eastern coast of mainland Australia, from south-eastern South Australia through Victoria and New South Wales to south-eastern Queensland. Recent records indicate that the westerly range of the species in NSW is within 140km of the coast. The stronghold of its northern distribution is along the foothills and eastern ranges of the Great Divide in northern NSW and southern Queensland. However, on the lowlands of the far north coast of NSW, the species has been progressively lost from habitat remnants (Andren et al . 2013). The Long-nosed Potoroo is being actively managed through the Saving Our Species program in NSW with four key management sites at Richmond Range – Kyogle, Mount Royal / Barrington Tops – Dungog, Singleton and

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Upper Hunter, Barren Grounds / Budero / Kandaroo Valley – Kiama, Shellgarbour and Shoalhaven and the South East Forests region of the Bega Valley. Further information is available at https://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/savingourspeciesapp/default.aspx . In Victoria, several populations exist in areas including East Gippsland (east of Lakes Entrance), Wilson’s Promontory, French Island, the Otway Ranges, the lower Glenelg River area and the Grampians (DEPI 2013). In South Australia, the Long-nosed Potoroo occurs only in the Lower Glenelg Conservation Park, forming part of a population area that extends into Lower Glenelg National Park in south-western Victoria. The past distribution of the Long-nosed Potoroo was probably similar to the current distribution, but the species would have been much more continuously distributed, wherever there was suitable habitat, rather than the patchy, fragmented distribution seen today (Martin & Temple- Smith 2012).

Relevant Biology/Ecology The Long-nosed Potoroo is found in coastal heaths and wet and dry sclerophyll forests. A study in 2007 and 2008 in NSW found that the Long-nosed Potoroo’s habitat preferences includes a dense canopy and shrub cover with a ground layer possessing low floristic diversity (Norton et al. 2010a). Flora within the habitat may include grass-trees, sedges, ferns or heath and low shrubs such as tea trees or melaleucas. The ground vegetation is typically dense, commonly growing on a sandy loam soil type (DEPI 2013). Like many of the Potorous genus the Long-nosed Potoroo feeds on components of fungi, particularly fruit-bodies of hypogeous (underground-fruiting) fungi (Claridge et al. 1993). Over 70 different taxa of fungi have been recorded in their diet (Claridge & May 1994). The fungi are critical for the health of forest trees, and the are part of a three-way relationship as they disperse the fungal spores through the forest (Claridge & May 1994, Claridge & Trappe 2004). The species is considered an ecosystem engineer and has a significant ecological role. The loss of digging like the Long-nosed Potoroo has contributed to the deterioration of ecosystem function across Australia (Fleming et al. 2014). The Long-nosed Potoroo also eats roots, tubers, bulbs, fruit, stems, flowers, leaves, seeds, and insects and their larvae (Tory et al 1997; DEHP 2017). The species is nocturnal although in winter months individuals may venture out of thick vegetation at daylight to feed. Males tend to venture further, occupying between 2-4 hectares while females range between 1-3 hectares. Long-nosed Potoroos are typically found sheltering in a shallow squat and tend not to build nests. Their tails are quite prehensile enabling them to carry light items. Population size cannot be estimated reliably. Population trends vary across the range, with a general pattern of decline but some local increases are evident in areas subjected to intensive and control of the Red Fox (Robley et al. 2014). Potoroos are rarely found together, except when mating or when young individuals accompany adults. Breeding may occur throughout the year, although births (of a single young) may peak in late winter and early spring (Green & Mitchell 1997). Pouch life lasts from 100-125 days while sexual maturity is achieved after 12 months. The longevity of the Long-nosed Potoroo is approximately 4-5 years but they are able to live up to 7 years (Martin & Temple-Smith 2012). Threats Although the Long-nosed Potoroo remains widely distributed, since European settlement it has suffered a substantial loss and fragmentation of habitat and populations, and experienced several local extinctions, with this decline almost certainly continuing (Martin & Temple-Smith 2012). The Long-nosed Potoroo’s greatest threats are habitat loss and fragmentation and predation by foxes and feral and domestic cats. Further threats include inappropriate fire regimes, forestry activities, and habitat degradation due to livestock and feral herbivores. Potential threats include habitat degradation due to Phytophthora and Myrtle Rust-associated dieback of vegetation.

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Table 1 – Threats impacting the Long-nosed Potoroo in approximate order of severity of risk, based on available evidence. Threat factor Threat Evidence base type and status Habitat loss, fragmentation and degradation Clearing known Clearing for agricultural and urban and industry developments current removes essential vegetation and understory. Populations become more isolated due to the resulting fragmented landscape, increasing the risk of predation. Clearing for roads also destroys habitat, creates barriers to movement, fragments populations preventing gene flow, and increases roadkill risk. Grazing known Livestock grazing and feral herbivores (eg. deer and pigs) over current time can potentially alter habitat quality. Grazing and trampling by feral deer alters the composition and structure of forest habitat with potential implications for potoroos. Pigs are likely to compete directly for fungal resources, as well as changing the structure and composition of vegetation communities. Timber suspected The impact of timber harvesting is unknown, however a short harvesting current term reduction in populations is expected due to logging and associated disturbances. Timber harvesting removes or alters habitat, reduces availability of food (fungi), increases risk of predation and may spread disease and weeds. Phytophthora potential The impact on Long-nosed Potoroo is not known, although in associated WA, the related Gilbert’s Potoroo Potorous gilberti only occurs dieback in areas free from Phytophthora infection. Myrtle Rust potential Similar to Phytophthora , Myrtle Rust is an emerging threat for plants and the effects on potoroos is unknown. Invasive species Predation by known The Long-nosed Potoroo is within the ‘critical weight range’ for foxes and current species and is highly susceptible to introduced cats predators (Radford et al. 2018). Predation has been detected in the diet of foxes (Norton et al . 2015). Populations near urban areas are at risk of predation by domestic cats. Predation by suspected Wild and domestic dogs have been known to prey on the dogs current species. Fire Changed fire suspected In some parts of its range the habitat of the Long-nosed regimes current Potoroo is fire prone and high frequency fires can potentially change habitat structure. The species is more abundant in areas that are largely unburnt. Fires that coincide with breeding can potentially decrease breeding success . Post-fire disturbance can also increase vulnerability to predation. Climate change Altered suspected Future projections of climate relate to decreased rainfall along rainfall/ future with increased average temperatures across much of south- temperature eastern Australia (DEPI 2013 ). Such events can potentially conditions lead to vegetation changes and elevated risks of frequent and severe bushfires. These potential changes may make current habitats no longer suitable for the Long-nosed Potoroo.

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Conservation Actions

Conservation and Management priorities Habitat loss, disturbance and degradation o Implement policies and processes to avoid further clearing or fragmentation of habitat around known Long-nosed Potoroo populations. o Investigate revegetation programs to expand habitat and link fragmented habitat and isolated populations. o Secure the habitat of Long-nosed Potoroos outside conservation reserves. o Remove and prevent stock and feral grazing in Long-nosed Potoroo habitat. o Reduce the impact of forestry practices. Invasive species/ predators (including threats from grazing, trampling, predation) o Implement landscape-scale predator control for priority populations. o Implement domestic cat management actions (cat containment, or cat bans near sensitive populations). o Continue to monitor populations under the protocols of existing programs such as the Southern Ark Project in Victoria. Fire regimes o Provide maps of known Long-nosed Potoroo sites to local and state Rural Fire Services and seek inclusion of mitigation and prescription measures (e.g. for prescribed burns) in bushfire risk management plan/s, risk register and/or operation maps. o Ensure that a high proportion of the habitat is maintained with a post-fire age sufficient to provide adequate cover (or habitat) to the species. o Ensure immediate and ongoing post-fire predator control within the habitat when fires do occur. Stakeholder Engagement • Identify and engage partners including the Local Councils, NRM regions, state agencies, Indigenous communities, landholders, community-based organisations and conservation management organisations that can assist with conservation actions. • Ensure information on Long-nosed Potoroos and their habitat is shared between land managers, environment staff and landholders. • Continue to make research data available to all stakeholders in order to implement appropriate management strategies. Survey and Monitoring priorities • Determine the distribution, abundance, population trends and viability of the Long-nosed Potoroo. • Conduct periodic monitoring of Long-nosed Potoroos at key population sites. • Produce a Population/Habitat Viability model for this species and undertake population viability analyses of key / vulnerable populations (where sufficient data are available), to assist in determining appropriate management. • Predict areas that may contain Long-nosed Potoroos and conduct surveys to determine the presence of the species there. Potorous tridactylus tridactylus (Long-nosed Potoroo) Conservation Advice Page 4 of 6

Information and research priorities • Investigate the genetics of the species across its range to determine population structure. • Determine if smaller populations are experiencing any impacts from inbreeding. • Determine the need for reintroduction programs in key areas where isolated populations have declined or catastrophic impacts on the populations such as fire. • Determine the effects of predation on populations. • Investigate the response of Long-nosed Potoroos to different fire regimes and establish appropriate fire regimes for conservation management of the species.

References cited in the advice Amos PJ (1982) The potoroo in Queensland. Queensland Agriculture Journal 108, 5–6.

Andren M, Milledge DM, Scotts DJ & Smith J (2013). The distribution of Long-nosed Potoroo Potorous tridactylus tridactylus habitat on the far north coast of New South Wales. Australian Zoologist 36(4), 494-506.

Bennett AF (1987) Conservation of mammals within a fragmented forest environment: The contributions of insular biogeography and autecology. In DA Saunders, GW Arnold, AA Burbidge & AJM Hopkins (eds): Nature Conservation: The Role of Remnants of Native Vegetation . Surrey Beatty and Sons, NSW. pp. 41-52.

Claridge AW & May TW (1994) Mycophagy among Australian mammals. Australian Journal of Ecology 19, 251-275.

Claridge AW & Trappe JM (2004) Managing habitat for mycophagous (fungi-feeding) mammals: a burning issue? In D Lunney (ed): Conservation of Australia’s Forest Fauna . Royal Zoological Society of New South Wales, Mosman. pp 936–946.

Claridge AW, Tanton MT & Cunningham RB (1993) Hypogeal Fungi in the Diet of the Long- nosed Potoroo (Potorous tridactylus ) in Mixed-species and Regrowth Eucalypt Forest Stands in South-eastern Australia. Wildlife Research 20, 321 – 38.

Department of Environment and Primary Industries (2013) Action Statement No. 254. Long- nosed Potoroo Potorous tridactylus . https://www.environment.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0017/32444/Long_nosed_PotorooPot orous_tridactylus.pdf

Fleming PA, Anderson H, Prendergast AS, Bretz MR, Valentine LE & Hardy GES (2014) Is the loss of Australian digging mammals contributing to a deterioration in ecosystem function? Mammal Review 44(2), 94-108.

Frankham GJ, Handasyde KA, & Eldridge MDB (2012) Novel insights into the phylogenetic relationships of the endangered marsupial genus Potorous. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 64, 592-602 .

Green K & Mitchell AT (1997) Breeding of the Long-footed Potoroo Potorous longipes (Marsupialia: ) in the wild: behaviour, births and juvenile independence. Australian Mammalogy 20, 1-7.

Johnston PG & Sharman GB (1976) Studies on populations of Potorous Desmarest (Marsupialia). I: Morphological variation. Australian Journal of Zoology 24, 573–588.

Radford JQ, Woinarski JC, Legge S, Baseler M, Bentley J, Burbidge AA, Bode M, Copley P, Dexter N, Dickman CR, Gillespie G, Hill B, Johnson CN, Kanowski J, Latch P, Letnic P, Manning A, Menkhorst P, Mitchell N, Morris K, Moseby K, Page M & Ringma J (2018) Degrees of

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population-level susceptibility of Australian terrestrial non-volant mammal species to predation by the introduced red fox ( Vulpes vulpes ) and feral cat ( Felis catus ). Wildlife Research 45(7), 645-657.

Martin D & Temple-Smith P (2012) Draft National Recovery Plan for the Long-nosed Potoroo Potorous tridactylus tridactylus. Department of Sustainability and Environment, Victoria.

Norton MA, Prentice A, Dingle J, French K & Claridge AW (2015) Population characteristics and management of the long-nosed potoroo ( Potorous tridactylus ) in high-quality habitat in the Southern Highlands of New South Wales. Australian Mammalogy 37, 67-74.

Norton MA, French K & Claridge AW (2010a) Habitat associations of the long-nosed potoroo (Potorous tridactylus ) at multiple spatial scales. Australian Journal of Zoology 58, 303-16.

Norton MA, Claridge AW, French K. & Prentice A (2010b) Population biology of the long-nosed potoroo ( Potorous tridcatylus ) in the Southern Highlands of New South Wales. Australian Journal of Zoology 58, 362-368.

NSW Office of Environment & Heritage (2017). Long-nosed Potoroo - profile . http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/threatenedspeciesapp/profile.aspx?id=10662

Robley A, Gormley AM, Forsyth DM & Triggs B (2014) Long-term and large scale control of the introduced red fox increases native mammal occupancy in Australian forests. Biological Conservation 180, 262-269.

Seebeck JH & Rose RW (1989) Potoroidae. In DW Walton & BJ Richardson (eds): Fauna of Australia. Vol. 1B: Mammalia . Australian Government Publishing Service, Canberra. pp 716- 739.

Tory MK, May TW, Keane PJ & Bennett AF (1997) Mycophagy in small mammals: A comparison of the occurrence and diversity of hypogeal fungi in the diet of the Long-nosed Potoroo Potorous tridactylus and the Bush Rat Rattus fuscipes from southwestern Victoria, Australia. Australian Journal of Ecolog y 22, 460–470.

Woinarski J, Burbidge A & Harrison P (2014) The Action Plan for Australian Mammals 2012 . CSIRO Publishing.

Van Dyck S & Strahan R (Eds) (2008). The Mammals of Australia , 3 rd edition. New Holland Publishers, Sydney.

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