DOCSLIB.ORG

Behaviour of Gilbert's Potoroo (Potorous Gilbertii Gould) in Captivity

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Behaviour of Gilbert's Potoroo (Potorous Gilbertii Gould) in Captivity Edith Cowan University Research Online Theses : Honours Theses 1998 Behaviour of Gilbert's Potoroo (Potorous gilbertii Gould) in captivity Kylie Dijon Burke Edith Cowan University Follow this and additional works at: https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses_hons Part of the Zoology Commons Recommended Citation Burke, K. D. (1998). Behaviour of Gilbert's Potoroo (Potorous gilbertii Gould) in captivity. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses_hons/461 This Thesis is posted at Research Online. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses_hons/461 Edith Cowan University Copyright Warning You may print or download ONE copy of this document for the purpose of your own research or study. The University does not authorize you to copy, communicate or otherwise make available electronically to any other person any copyright material contained on this site. You are reminded of the following: Copyright owners are entitled to take legal action against persons who infringe their copyright. A reproduction of material that is protected by copyright may be a copyright infringement. Where the reproduction of such material is done without attribution of authorship, with false attribution of authorship or the authorship is treated in a derogatory manner, this may be a breach of the author’s moral rights contained in Part IX of the Copyright Act 1968 (Cth). Courts have the power to impose a wide range of civil and criminal sanctions for infringement of copyright, infringement of moral rights and other offences under the Copyright Act 1968 (Cth). Higher penalties may apply, and higher damages may be awarded, for offences and infringements involving the conversion of material into digital or electronic form. BEHAVIOUR OF GILBERT'S POTOROO (POTOROUS GILBERTI/ GOULD) IN CAPTIVITY BY KYLIE DIJON BURKE A Thesis Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Award of Ba1,;hclor of Science in Biological Sciences with Honours in the Department of Science, Edith Cowan University. Date of Submission : 20th february 1998 USE OF THESIS The Use of Thesis statement is not included in this version of the thesis. ii TABLE OF CONTENTS Page ABSTRACT vii DECLARATION ix ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS LIST OF TABLES xi LIST OF FIGURES xti 1 INTRODUCTION 1 ·1.1 Ethological Methodology 2 1.2 Social Behaviour r:tnd Communication 4 1.2.1 Observed marsupial social behaviour 6 1.2.1.1 Chemical/Olfactory Communication 6 1.2.1.2 Acoustic Communir.ation 8 iii 1.2.1.3 Visual Communication 9 1.2.1.4 Tactile Communication 11 1.3 Sexual Behaviour 12 1.4 Potoroid Behaviour 13 1.5 Gilbert's Potoroo 16 1.5.1 The relationships and taxonomy of Potorous Desmarest species 16 1.5.2 The history of Gilbert's Potoroo 18 1.5.3 The rediscovery of Gilbert's Potoroo 19 1.5.4 The recovery process 21 1.6 Aims of the Project 24 2 MATERIALS AND METHODS 26 2.1 The Captive Colony 26 2.2 Video Equipment 29 2.3 Data Collection 30 " 2.4 Annotated/Descriptive Data Collection 34 2.4.1 The behavioural catalogue 34 2.4.2 The sequence descriptions 35 2.5 Statistical (Tabulated)/Continuous Data Collection 37 2.5.1 Behavioural type frequency 37 2.5.2 Activity patterns 38 2.6 Statistical Methods for Analysis 39 2.6.1 Male Vs male 39 2.6.2 Male Vs female 40 2.6.3 Female Vs female 40 2. 7 Procedural Limitations 40 2.8 Ethical Considerations 42 3 RESULTS 43 3.1 Annotated/Descriptive Data 43 3.1.1 The behavioural catalogue 43 3.1.2 The sequence descriptions 53 3.1.2.1 Locomotion 53 3.1.2.2 Feeding/Foraging behaviour 53 3.1.2.3 Social behaviour 54 3.1.2.4 Individual behaviour 54 3.1.2.5 Vigilance 55 3.1.2.6 Agonistic behaviour 55 3.1.2.7 Marking 56 3.1.2.8 Sexual behaviour 56 3.1.2.9 Stereotypical behaviour 57 3.1.2.10 Nesting/burrowing 57 3.2 Statistical (Tabulated)/Continuous Data 58 3.2.1 Behavioural type frequency 58 3.2.1.1 Cage 2 - male #28 58 3.2.1.2 Cage 3/4 · male #3 60 3.2.1.3 Cage 3/4 - female #10 60 3.2.1.4 Cage 3/4 - female #32 63 3.2.1.5 Cage 5 - male #11 63 3.2.1.6 Cage 5 - female #18 66 3.2.1.7 Cage 7/8 - male #7 66 vi 3.2.1.8 Cage 7/8 - female #19 69 3.2.1.9 Cage 7/8 - female #27 69 3.2.2 Activity patterns 72 3.3 Results of Statistical Analyses 73 3.3.1 Male Vs male 73 3.3.2 Male Vs Female 74 4 DISCUSSION 74 4.1 Conclusions 82 5 REFERENCES 86 vii ABSTRACT In late 1994, Gilbert's Potoroo was rediscovered almost 120 years after it was believed to have become extinct. It was found at Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve, near Albany, Western Australia. Since then, it has become urgent that detailed studies of the potoroo's behaviour and et:ology be undertaken, so as to increase the understanding of the needs of ',his critically endangered marsupial. Due to its critical status, increasing the number of animals is of paramount importance to the continued survival of this species. An understanding of the behavioural repertoire of the species will aid in its recovery and provide the basis for manageme,nt decisions concerning breeding, habitat management and captive care. Behavioural studies of captive animals may also act as a guide for future field studies. The present study was conducted on nine animals housed in the captive colony at Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve to determine the behavioural repertoire of the species, w!th particular attention to breeding behaviour, interactions between males and fema!Hs and the behaviour of males housed under different conditions. The latter was to determine if there was a behavioural cause for excessive encrustation of male genitalia. The activity patterns of the animals were 2lso studied. J viii It was found that the behavioural repertoire of Gilbert's Potoroo is similar to that of other Potorous spp. and other closely related potoroicl marsupials. No obvious behavioural differences between a male housed alone and males housed with one or two females were observed that would indicate a behavioural cause for penile encrustation. Some differences in the behaviours of sexually compatible and incompatible pairs were observed. It was also found that althougt1 Potorous gilbertii is most active at night, activity before sunset and after sunrise was commonly seen throuout the study. Activity during the middle of the day was, however, observed on only a few occassions. IX DECLARATION I certify that this thesis does not incorporat,e without acknowledgement any material previously submitted for a de.gree or diploma in any institution of higher education; and trat to the best of my knowledge and belief it does not contain any material previously published or written by any other person except where due reference is made in the text. Kylie Dijon Burke 20 February 1998 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to thank my supervisors Dr. Alan Needham and Dr. Jackie Courtenay for their guidance and assistance throughout the duration of my study. Without their help and input, this study would not have even got off the ground. I would also like to thank Sony for lending me some of the equipment needed and the Department of Conservation and Land Management for purchasing the rest. Thanks should especially go to Peter Collins for setting up all of my equipment. Lawrence Cuthbert for designing the swivel mechanism for the cameras and Alan Danks for organising my accommodation whilst I was in Albany. Thanks also to Archie Martin Vax, Albany for discounting the price of the tapes used for the study, and Telstar TV and Video Rental, Albany, for the discount in hiring fee for the TV and video used to view the tapes. I would also like to thank Pender Pedler for his assistance in helping me decide on the most appropriate method of statistical analysis. My final thanks must go to the staff of CALM, Albany, for their friendship and support whilst I was down there, especially Dave Wilson without whose support I would have gone mad. Xl LIST OF TABLES Table Page 2.1 Configuration of study animals in their respective cages. 26 xii LIST OF FIGURES Figure Page 2.1 Diagram of the captive housing arangements. 27 2.2 Status of known relationships of individuals within the 28 captive colony of Gilbert's Potoroo. 3.1 Total number of times male #28 displays any of the behavioural 59 types on a given date. 3.2 Total number of tlmes male #3 displays any of the behavioural 61 types on a given date. 3.3 Total number of times female #10 displays any of the behavioural 62 types on a given date. 3.4 Total number of times female #32 displays any of the behavioural 64 types on a given date. 3.5 Total number of times male #11 displays any of the behavioural 65 types on a given date. 3.6 Total number of times female #18 displays any of the behavioural 67 types on a given date. 3.7 Total number of times male #7 displays any of the behavioura 68 types on a given date. 3.8 Total number of times female #19 displays any of the behavioural 70 types on a given date. fl. XIII 3.9 Total number of times female #27 displays any of the behavioural 71 types on a given date.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Can Kangaroos Survive in the Wheatbelt?
    Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4 Volume 31 Number 1 1990 Article 4 1-1-1990 Can kangaroos survive in the wheatbelt? Graham Arnold Follow this and additional works at: https://researchlibrary.agric.wa.gov.au/journal_agriculture4 Part of the Biodiversity Commons, Environmental Monitoring Commons, and the Other Animal Sciences Commons Recommended Citation Arnold, Graham (1990) "Can kangaroos survive in the wheatbelt?," Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4: Vol. 31 : No. 1 , Article 4. Available at: https://researchlibrary.agric.wa.gov.au/journal_agriculture4/vol31/iss1/4 This article is brought to you for free and open access by Research Library. It has been accepted for inclusion in Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4 by an authorized administrator of Research Library. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Can kangaroos survive in the wheaibelt? mm mmmm By Graham Arnold, Senior Principal Research Scientist, CSIRO Division of Wildlife and Ecology, Helena Valley One of the costs of agricultural development in Western Australia over the past 100 years has been the loss of most of the native vegetation and, consequently, massive reductions in the numbers of most of our native fauna. Thirteen mammal species are extinct and many bird and mammal species are extinct in some areas. These losses will increase as remnant native vegetation degrades under the impact of nutrients washed and blown from farmland, from the invasion by Western grey kangaroo grazing weeds and from grazing sheep. on pasture in the early morning. Even kangaroos are affected.
    [Show full text]
  • 090303 Long Footed Potoroo Skull Yalmy Rd
    Pre-Logging Report of Coupes 846-502-0003, 846-502-0010 and 846-502-0013 Orbost District Study location Between junction of Yalmy River and Little Yalmy River Coupee Numbers 846-502-0003, 846-502-0010, 846-502-0013 Date 3 March 2009 Organisation Fauna and Flora Research Collective - East Gippsland Permit No. 10004865 (File No: FF383119) Motive of research To ascertain the ecological significance of specific areas currently proposed for logging. Aim of study The aim of this study is to ascertain and verify if coupes 846-502- 0003, 846-502-0010 and 846-502-0013 support rare or endangered fauna listed in the East Gippsland Forest Management Plan. Table 1: Recorded Common name Scientific name species on 01-02/03/09 Long-Footed Potoroo Potorous longipes Sooty Owl Tyto tenebricosa Southern Boobook Owl Ninox novaehollandiae Greater Glider Petauroides volans Sugar Glider Petaurus breviceps Method of Study 1. Walking through the proposed coupes to observe tracks, habitat, and feeding and defecation signs of fauna. 2. The surveying of the key species with the aid of acoustic equipment and spotlights. The goal is to observe individual animals visually or identify them by their calls. The fieldwork is ideally preformed on warm nights without rain on which greater activity can be recorded. Fieldwork should be commenced at dusk. Poor conditions provide a greater false absence rate 1 in relation to good conditions that provide a lower false absence rate. Date of study 1 - 2 March 2009 Surveyors of Mr. P. Calle, Mr. A. Lincoln habitat Surveyors of Mr. P. Calle, Mr.
    [Show full text]
  • Project Deliverance the Response of ‘Critical-Weight-Range’ Mammals to Effective Fox Control in Mesic Forest Habitats in Far East Gippsland, Victoria
    Project Deliverance The response of ‘critical-weight-range’ mammals to effective fox control in mesic forest habitats in far East Gippsland, Victoria A Victorian Government Initiative Project Deliverance: the response of ‘critical-weight-range’ mammals to effective fox control in mesic forest habitats in far East Gippsland, Victoria Department of Sustainability and Environment Project Deliverance The response of ‘critical-weight-range’ mammals to effective fox control in mesic forest habitats in far East Gippsland, Victoria A Victorian Government Initiative Publisher/Further information - Department of Sustainability and Environment, PO Box 500, East Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 3002. Web: http://www.dse.vic.gov.au First published 2006. © The State of Victoria, Department of Sustainability and Environment, 2006 All rights reserved. This document is subject to the Copyright Act 1968. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form, or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying or otherwise without the prior permission of the publisher. Copyright in photographs remains with the photographers mentioned in the text. ISBN 1 74152 343 5 Disclaimer—This publication may be of assistance to you but the State of Victoria and its employees do not guarantee that the publication is without flaw of any kind or is wholly appropriate for your particular purpose and therefore disclaims all liability for any error, loss or other consequence which may arise from you relying on any information in this publication. Citation— Murray, A.J., Poore, R.N. and Dexter, N. (2006). Project Deliverance—the response of ‘critical weight range’ mammals to effective fox control in mesic forest habitats in far East Gippsland, Victoria.
    [Show full text]
  • Macropod Herpesviruses Dec 2013
    Herpesviruses and macropods Fact sheet Introductory statement Despite the widespread distribution of herpesviruses across a large range of macropod species there is a lack of detailed knowledge about these viruses and the effects they have on their hosts. While they have been associated with significant mortality events infections are usually benign, producing no or minimal clinical effects in their adapted hosts. With increasing emphasis being placed on captive breeding, reintroduction and translocation programs there is a greater likelihood that these viruses will be introduced into naïve macropod populations. The effects and implications of this type of viral movement are unclear. Aetiology Herpesviruses are enveloped DNA viruses that range in size from 120 to 250nm. The family Herpesviridae is divided into three subfamilies. Alphaherpesviruses have a moderately wide host range, rapid growth, lyse infected cells and have the capacity to establish latent infections primarily, but not exclusively, in nerve ganglia. Betaherpesviruses have a more restricted host range, a long replicative cycle, the capacity to cause infected cells to enlarge and the ability to form latent infections in secretory glands, lymphoreticular tissue, kidneys and other tissues. Gammaherpesviruses have a narrow host range, replicate in lymphoid cells, may induce neoplasia in infected cells and form latent infections in lymphoid tissue (Lachlan and Dubovi 2011, Roizman and Pellet 2001). There have been five herpesvirus species isolated from macropods, three alphaherpesviruses termed Macropodid Herpesvirus 1 (MaHV1), Macropodid Herpesvirus 2 (MaHV2), and Macropodid Herpesvirus 4 (MaHV4) and two gammaherpesviruses including Macropodid Herpesvirus 3 (MaHV3), and a currently unclassified novel gammaherpesvirus detected in swamp wallabies (Wallabia bicolor) (Callinan and Kefford 1981, Finnie et al.
    [Show full text]
  • Platypus Collins, L.R
    AUSTRALIAN MAMMALS BIOLOGY AND CAPTIVE MANAGEMENT Stephen Jackson © CSIRO 2003 All rights reserved. Except under the conditions described in the Australian Copyright Act 1968 and subsequent amendments, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, duplicating or otherwise, without the prior permission of the copyright owner. Contact CSIRO PUBLISHING for all permission requests. National Library of Australia Cataloguing-in-Publication entry Jackson, Stephen M. Australian mammals: Biology and captive management Bibliography. ISBN 0 643 06635 7. 1. Mammals – Australia. 2. Captive mammals. I. Title. 599.0994 Available from CSIRO PUBLISHING 150 Oxford Street (PO Box 1139) Collingwood VIC 3066 Australia Telephone: +61 3 9662 7666 Local call: 1300 788 000 (Australia only) Fax: +61 3 9662 7555 Email: [email protected] Web site: www.publish.csiro.au Cover photos courtesy Stephen Jackson, Esther Beaton and Nick Alexander Set in Minion and Optima Cover and text design by James Kelly Typeset by Desktop Concepts Pty Ltd Printed in Australia by Ligare REFERENCES reserved. Chapter 1 – Platypus Collins, L.R. (1973) Monotremes and Marsupials: A Reference for Zoological Institutions. Smithsonian Institution Press, rights Austin, M.A. (1997) A Practical Guide to the Successful Washington. All Handrearing of Tasmanian Marsupials. Regal Publications, Collins, G.H., Whittington, R.J. & Canfield, P.J. (1986) Melbourne. Theileria ornithorhynchi Mackerras, 1959 in the platypus, 2003. Beaven, M. (1997) Hand rearing of a juvenile platypus. Ornithorhynchus anatinus (Shaw). Journal of Wildlife Proceedings of the ASZK/ARAZPA Conference. 16–20 March.
    [Show full text]
  • Long-Nosed Potoroo (Northern Subspecies)
    NSW SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE Preliminary Determination The Scientific Committee, established by the Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995 (the Act), has made a Preliminary Determination to support a proposal to list a population of the Long-nosed Potoroo (northern subspecies) Potorous tridactylus tridactylus (Kerr, 1792) in the Wardell area as an ENDANGERED POPULATION in Part 2 of Schedule 1 of the Act. Listing of Endangered populations is provided for by Part 2 of the Act. The Scientific Committee has found that: 1. The Long-nosed Potoroo Potorous tridactylus (Kerr, 1792) (family Potoroidae) is listed as Vulnerable in New South Wales (NSW) and Potorous tridactylus tridactylus is listed as Vulnerable under the federal Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. The Long-nosed Potoroo comprises three genetically distinct subspecies (Frankham et al. 2012a). On mainland southeastern Australia, the northern subspecies Potorous tridactylus tridactylus, is separated from the southern subspecies P. tridactylus trisulcatus by the Sydney Basin. A third subspecies, Potorous tridactylus apicalis, occurs in Tasmania and the Bass Strait islands (Frankham et al. 2012a, 2016). The population that is the subject of this determination is part of the northern sub-species P. t. tridactylus. 2. The Long-nosed Potoroo is a medium sized potoroid marsupial with brown-grey fur, a rufous tinge on the flanks and pale grey underparts (Menkhorst and Knight 2001). It has a long and tapering nose with a bare patch of skin extending onto the snout (Johnston 2008). Ears are short and rounded and dark grey on the outer surface. The tail is tapered with sparse fur and blackish in colour (Menkhorst and Knight 2001).
    [Show full text]
  • Factsheet: a Threatened Mammal Index for Australia
    Science for Saving Species Research findings factsheet Project 3.1 Factsheet: A Threatened Mammal Index for Australia Research in brief How can the index be used? This project is developing a For the first time in Australia, an for threatened plants are currently Threatened Species Index (TSX) for index has been developed that being assembled. Australia which can assist policy- can provide reliable and rigorous These indices will allow Australian makers, conservation managers measures of trends across Australia’s governments, non-government and the public to understand how threatened species, or at least organisations, stakeholders and the some of the population trends a subset of them. In addition to community to better understand across Australia’s threatened communicating overall trends, the and report on which groups of species are changing over time. It indices can be interrogated and the threatened species are in decline by will inform policy and investment data downloaded via a web-app to bringing together monitoring data. decisions, and enable coherent allow trends for different taxonomic It will potentially enable us to better and transparent reporting on groups or regions to be explored relative changes in threatened understand the performance of and compared. So far, the index has species numbers at national, state high-level strategies and the return been populated with data for some and regional levels. Australia’s on investment in threatened species TSX is based on the Living Planet threatened and near-threatened birds recovery, and inform our priorities Index (www.livingplanetindex.org), and mammals, and monitoring data for investment. a method developed by World Wildlife Fund and the Zoological A Threatened Species Index for mammals in Australia Society of London.
    [Show full text]
  • Ba3444 MAMMAL BOOKLET FINAL.Indd
    Intot Obliv i The disappearing native mammals of northern Australia Compiled by James Fitzsimons Sarah Legge Barry Traill John Woinarski Into Oblivion? The disappearing native mammals of northern Australia 1 SUMMARY Since European settlement, the deepest loss of Australian biodiversity has been the spate of extinctions of endemic mammals. Historically, these losses occurred mostly in inland and in temperate parts of the country, and largely between 1890 and 1950. A new wave of extinctions is now threatening Australian mammals, this time in northern Australia. Many mammal species are in sharp decline across the north, even in extensive natural areas managed primarily for conservation. The main evidence of this decline comes consistently from two contrasting sources: robust scientifi c monitoring programs and more broad-scale Indigenous knowledge. The main drivers of the mammal decline in northern Australia include inappropriate fi re regimes (too much fi re) and predation by feral cats. Cane Toads are also implicated, particularly to the recent catastrophic decline of the Northern Quoll. Furthermore, some impacts are due to vegetation changes associated with the pastoral industry. Disease could also be a factor, but to date there is little evidence for or against it. Based on current trends, many native mammals will become extinct in northern Australia in the next 10-20 years, and even the largest and most iconic national parks in northern Australia will lose native mammal species. This problem needs to be solved. The fi rst step towards a solution is to recognise the problem, and this publication seeks to alert the Australian community and decision makers to this urgent issue.
    [Show full text]
  • The Mysterious Long-Footed Potoroo
    THE MYSTERIOUS LONG-FOOTED POTOROO Activity 1 – Watch the Clip and answer the following questions: http://youtu.be/RP3nHGOrCRY 1. When was the Long-footed Potoroo first discovered? _____________________________________________________________________ 2. When was it first given a name? _____________________________________________________________________________________________ 3. Where is the Long-footed Potoroo found? __________________________________________________________________________________ 4. A team of scientists from VicForests has been running a surveillance operation to find out what? ___________________ 5. Name the three common types of animals that VicForests’ surveillance operation discovered. A. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ B. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ C. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 6. What was the exciting rare animal they discovered? ______________________________________________________________________ 7. What type of cameras do the scientists use for their surveillance operation? ___________________________________________ A. What, starting with the letter ‘B’, do the scientists need to set up in order to get a photo of the Long- footed Potoroo? ___________________________________________________________________________________________________
    [Show full text]
  • Translocated Boodie (Bettongia Lesuer) Burrowing Effects on Soils and Vegetation
    Translocated boodie (Bettongia lesuer) burrowing effects on soils and vegetation Bryony J. Palmer, Leonie E. Valentine, Cheryl A. Lohr, Gergana N. Daskalova, Richard J. Hobbs. May 2021 This report is based off the published open access research article: Palmer BJ, Valentine LE, Lohr CA, Daskalova GN and Hobbs RJ (2021) Burrowing by translocated boodie (Bettongia leseur) populations alters soils but has limited effects on vegetation. Ecology and Evolution 11: 2596-2615. DOI:10.1992/ece3.7218. Cite this publication as: Palmer, B., Valentine, L., Lohr, C., Daskalova, G., Hobbs, R., 2021. Translocated boodie (Bettongia lesuer) burrowing effects on soils and vegetation. NESP Threatened Sprecies Recovery Hub Project 4.1.7 report, Brisbane. Cover image: The boodie or burrowing bettong (Bettongia lesueur) were once widespread across much of Australia but are now only present on offshore islands or where they have been reintroduced to introduced predator-free exclosures or islands. Image: B. Palmer 2 Contents Acknowledgements ......................................................................................................................................................................................... 4 Executive summary .......................................................................................................................................................................................... 4 Introduction ......................................................................................................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • State of Australia's Threatened Macropods
    State of Australia’s threatened macropods WWF-Australia commissioned a report into the state of Australia’s threatened macropods. The report summarises the status of threatened macropod species within Australia and identifies a priority list of species on which to focus further gap analysis. This information will inform and guide WWF in future threatened species conservation planning. The threatened macropods of Australia have been identified by WWF as a group of threatened species of global significance. This is in recognition of the fact that kangaroos and wallabies are amongst the most recognisable species in the world, they have substantial cultural and economic significance and significant rates of species extinction and decline means the future for many of the remaining species is not certain. Seventy-six macropod species are listed, or in the process of being listed, on the IUCN red-list. A total of forty-two of these species, or more than 50 per cent, are listed as threatened at some level. Threatened macropod species were ranked according to three criteria: • Conservation status, which was determined from four sources: IUCN Red List, Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (1999), State legislation, IUCN Global Mammal Assessment Project • Occurrence within an identified WWF global priority ecoregion • Genetic uniqueness Summary of threatened macropods Musky rat kangaroo The musky rat kangaroo is a good example of how protected areas can aid in securing a species’ future. It is generally common within its small range and the population is not declining. It inhabits rainforest in wet tropical forests of Far North Queensland, and large tracts of this habitat are protected in the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area of Far North Queensland.
    [Show full text]
  • Mammals of the Avon Region
    Mammals of the Avon Region By Mandy Bamford, Rowan Inglis and Katie Watson Foreword by Dr. Tony Friend R N V E M E O N G T E O H F T W A E I S L T A E R R N A U S T 1 2 Contents Foreword 6 Introduction 8 Fauna conservation rankings 25 Species name Common name Family Status Page Tachyglossus aculeatus Short-beaked echidna Tachyglossidae not listed 28 Dasyurus geoffroii Chuditch Dasyuridae vulnerable 30 Phascogale calura Red-tailed phascogale Dasyuridae endangered 32 phascogale tapoatafa Brush-tailed phascogale Dasyuridae vulnerable 34 Ningaui yvonnae Southern ningaui Dasyuridae not listed 36 Antechinomys laniger Kultarr Dasyuridae not listed 38 Sminthopsis crassicaudata Fat-tailed dunnart Dasyuridae not listed 40 Sminthopsis dolichura Little long-tailed dunnart Dasyuridae not listed 42 Sminthopsis gilberti Gilbert’s dunnart Dasyuridae not listed 44 Sminthopsis granulipes White-tailed dunnart Dasyuridae not listed 46 Myrmecobius fasciatus Numbat Myrmecobiidae vulnerable 48 Chaeropus ecaudatus Pig-footed bandicoot Peramelinae presumed extinct 50 Isoodon obesulus Quenda Peramelinae priority 5 52 Species name Common name Family Status Page Perameles bougainville Western-barred bandicoot Peramelinae endangered 54 Macrotis lagotis Bilby Peramelinae vulnerable 56 Cercartetus concinnus Western pygmy possum Burramyidae not listed 58 Tarsipes rostratus Honey possum Tarsipedoidea not listed 60 Trichosurus vulpecula Common brushtail possum Phalangeridae not listed 62 Bettongia lesueur Burrowing bettong Potoroidae vulnerable 64 Potorous platyops Broad-faced
    [Show full text]