Going to ground: implications of ground use for the conservation of an arboreal marsupial

On the basis of previous observations, the critically endangered western ringtail possum (Pseudocheirus occidentalis) has been described as strictly arboreal. Using motion-sensing cameras placed in bushland remnants and residential gardens, we demonstrate that the species uses the ground during its nocturnally active period. To acknowledge that ground use may make the species more susceptible to terrestrial predators than previously thought, we propose that the species should not be described as ‘strictly’ arboreal.

Use of urban bushland remnants by the western ringtail possum (Pseudocheirus occidentalis): short-term home-range size and habitat use in Albany, Western Australia

Management of wildlife in habitats fragmented by urbanisation requires an understanding of a species’ habitat use. Known populations of the critically endangered western ringtail possum (Pseudocheirus occidentalis) are largely restricted to bushland remnants in rapidly urbanising areas of south-western Australia. Habitat use is thought to be driven by nutritional content, structure and connectivity of canopy vegetation. At the southernmost extent of the species’ range, habitat use is largely unknown, although it is expected to be different from previous descriptions due to differences in vegetation characteristics. We used VHF and global positioning system tracking collars to determine short-term home-range size, diurnal refuge use and night-time tree use of western ringtail possums in bushland remnants within Albany City. Possums had small home ranges (0.88 ha) that were negatively correlated with percentage canopy cover; used a variety of daytime refuges (predominantly dreys); and preferentially utilised marri (Corymbia calophylla) and jarrah (Eucalyptus marginata) at night. These results confirm that differences in habitat use among populations exist and suggests that the species is reasonably flexible in its use of habitat. Management of western ringtail possums needs to be population specific and will benefit from further examination of habitat use in the variety of occupied habitats.

Owl survey of the Peel–Harvey Estuary in south-western Australia

Little is known of owls in south-western Australia compared with the owls of southern and eastern Australia. Surveys of forest owls in the south-west are almost completely lacking. This study sought to determine the abundance and detectability of owls immediately around the Peel–Harvey Estuary in south-western Australia. The southern boobook (Ninox boobook) and the masked owl (Tyto novaehollandiae) were the only owls detected (n = 23 and n = 1 respectively), although the nocturnal tawny frogmouth (Podargus strigoides) was detected from unelicited calls on three occasions. Southern boobooks were found to be common in this area though they are reported to be in decline in south-eastern and inland Australia. Their detectability was significantly greater in August (late winter) than at other times through unelicited calls; otherwise, there were no detections in winter. A variety of small mammals were detected during the surveys, including: a little red flying-fox (Pteropus scapulatus), a western ringtail possum (Pseudocheirus occidentalis), 19 southern brown bandicoots (Isoodon obesulus), 4 common brushtail possums (Trichosurus vulpecula), 21 rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus), a black rat (Rattus rattus), 2 red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) and 22 microbats.

Diet of an inland population of the common ringtail possum (Pseudocheirus peregrinus)

Populations of the common ringtail possum (Pseudocheirus peregrinus) in inland New South Wales have declined or disappeared. Habitat requirements and diet of these populations are poorly understood. Determining the diet of inland ringtail possums is crucial to understanding the factors limiting their survival, and was the focus of this study. Spotlighting surveys were conducted to locate ringtail possums, and scat and vegetation samples were collected for microhistological analysis. Ringtail possums were most frequently observed in red stringybark followed by bundy box and black cypress pine trees, and this correlated with the most common dietary items consumed.

Oils ain’t oils: can truffle-infused food additives improve detection of rare and cryptic mycophagous mammals?

We tested whether an artificial food additive, truffle oil, improved detection of mycophagous mammals when added to a standard bait type of peanut butter and rolled oats used with camera traps. Sixteen mammalian taxa were subsequently recorded, the most common being antechinus, bush rat (Rattus fuscipes), swamp wallaby (Wallabia bicolor) and long-nosed bandicoot (Perameles nasuta) as well as the long-nosed potoroo (Potorous tridactylus) and southern brown bandicoot (Isoodon obesulus). The only species for which detection rate was improved by the addition of truffle oil to standard bait was the ringtail possum (Pseudocheirus peregrinus), a species that has never been recorded eating fungi. In contrast, the total number of detections of all species at any given site was significantly higher, on average, using standard bait without truffle oil, as was the average number of detections of the partially mycophagous bush rat. Time to first detection of bush rats and swamp wallabies was significantly shorter using the standard bait type, compared with one with truffle oil added. Overall, the use of the truffle oil additive did not improve the chance or rate of detecting mycophagous mammals. To maximise the number of detections of mammals at camera traps the use of a standard bait type of peanut butter and rolled oats is recommended.