Secondary metabolites in Eucalyptus melliodora: field distribution and laboratory feeding choices by a generalist herbivore, the common brushtail possum

2002 ◽  
Vol 50 (5) ◽  
pp. 507 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. R. Wallis ◽  
M. L. Watson ◽  
W. J. Foley
Keyword(s):  
Dry Matter ◽  
Secondary Compounds ◽  
Brushtail Possum ◽  
Trichosurus Vulpecula ◽  
Plant Secondary Compounds ◽  
Generalist Herbivore ◽  
Plant Chemicals ◽  
The Common ◽  
Common Brushtail Possum ◽  
Feeding Choices

We studied the influence of a group of plant secondary compounds, the sideroxylonals, on feeding by the common brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula), a generalist herbivore. Possums were offered synthetic diets either with or without sideroxylonals or, in separate experiments, foliage from 28 individual Eucalyptus melliodora trees. Possums ate less of the synthetic diet at sideroxylonal concentrations of 4 and 7 mg g–1 when offered a choice or no choice, respectively. Possums fed foliage in no-choice protocols ate 12–61 g of dry matter per day. Sideroxylonal concentration was an essential determinant of feeding on foliage but the wide variation, particularly at intermediate sideroxylonal concentrations, suggests that other secondary plant chemicals, e.g. tannins, are important also. The normal distribution of sideroxylonal concentrations (mean = 27.7, s.d. = 7.85 mg sideroxylonals per g dry leaf) in a natural population of 150 E. melliodora trees shows that brushtail possums will rarely encounter highly palatable trees (<10 mg sideroxylonals per g dry leaf) nor highly unpalatable foliage (>40 mg sideroxylonals per g dry leaf). When foraging on E. melliodora, brushtail possums must contend with intermediate sideroxylonal concentrations (20–30 mg per g dry leaf), where variability in food intake is most noticeable.

Variability in the seasonality of breeding by the common brushtail possum, Trichosurus vulpecula: its possible causes and management implications

2014 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 131 ◽  
Author(s):  
Phil Cowan
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Secondary Compounds ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Brushtail Possum ◽  
Trichosurus Vulpecula ◽  
Plant Secondary Compounds ◽  
Food Quantity ◽  
Introduced Range ◽  
The Common ◽  
Common Brushtail Possum

Across its native range in Australia and its introduced range in New Zealand the common brushtail possum, Trichosurus vulpecula, demonstrates significant flexibility in reproduction from breeding once a year in autumn, breeding in both autumn and spring, or breeding year round. Understanding variation in the seasonality of breeding has relevance to the management of possum populations for both management as a pest and their conservation. The success of possums as a colonising species in New Zealand has been attributed in part to their flexible breeding behaviour. Review of available evidence suggests that photoperiod and food quantity/quality influence the variation in seasonality of breeding and their effects are modulated by interactions with factors such as density, body weight and, possibly, genetics and plant secondary compounds. Future research is suggested to tease apart the relative contributions of these various factors to the observed variation.

Building selection by the common brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula)

2020 ◽  
Vol 47 (2) ◽  
pp. 186
Author(s):  
Yuqing Chen ◽  
Bruce Doran ◽  
Sharyn Sinclair-Hannocks ◽  
John Mangos ◽  
Philip Gibbons
Keyword(s):  
Urban Areas ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Canopy Cover ◽  
Brushtail Possum ◽  
Suitable Habitat ◽  
Trichosurus Vulpecula ◽  
Building Maintenance ◽  
National University ◽  
The Common ◽  
Common Brushtail Possum

Abstract ContextThe common brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula) is a protected native species in Australia that can access buildings in urban areas and cause considerable damage or disruption to building occupants. Although several strategies to discourage this species from entering buildings have been recommended, few have been evaluated empirically. AimsOur study aims to analyse how landscaping and building construction influence occupancy of buildings by the common brushtail possum. MethodsWe collated reports of possums occupying 134 buildings over 12 years on the campus of The Australian National University (ANU), in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT). We used generalised linear modelling (GLM) to identify associations between the total number of reported possum-related incidents for buildings and a range of landscape and building characteristics. Key resultsControlling for the effect of building size, we found that the number of reported possum-related incidents in buildings was positively associated with the percentage of tree and shrub canopy cover within the calculated home-range buffer distance of 49m from buildings, length of canopy overhanging roofs and building age, and negatively associated with tree species richness and number of trees with natural hollows and nest boxes within 49m of buildings. There were likely to be more possum-related reports from buildings in areas where the dominant tree genus was native, buildings with parapets (walls extending above the roof), buildings with structures penetrating from the roof, buildings with tile roofs and gable roofs. ConclusionsA combination of suitable habitat surrounding buildings, suitable access to the roofs of buildings and weak points in building roofs (e.g. parapets, roof penetrations), makes them more vulnerable to occupancy by the common brushtail possum. Implications Our results provided clues for managing existing buildings, or designing new buildings, in a way that may reduce the likelihood of occupancy by the common brushtail possum. Our study also demonstrated how building-maintenance records can be used to address human–wildlife conflict over time.

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