A rare sighting of the Eastern Pygmy-possum 'Cercartetus nanus' in North-central Victoria PDF
Preview A rare sighting of the Eastern Pygmy-possum 'Cercartetus nanus' in North-central Victoria
Contributions References ParliamentofAustralia(2011) TheKoala -SavingourNa- DEWHA-DepartmentofEnvironment,Water,Heritageand tional Icon. (Senate Committee for Environment and theArts(2009)NationalKoalaConservationandManage- Communications: Canberra) http://www.aph.gov.au/sen- mentStrategy. (NaturalResourceManagementMinisterial ate/committee/ec_ctte/koalas/report/bo3.htm (accessed 7 Council, DEWHA: Canberra) http://www.environment. March2012). gov.au/biodiversity/publications/koala-strategy/pubs/koa- ThomsonAandQuirkC(2012)Air,groundblitzonFram- Delpaa-rsttrmaetnegty.opfdSfu(satcacienasbsieldit7yMaanrdcEhn2v0i1r2o).nment(2004)Victo- WallliinsghRamanfidre.MWaratrirnnaNmb(o2o0l11S)taFnrdaarmdli1n5gMhaarmchFo2r0e1st2,Kpo.a2.la ria’sKoalaManagementStrategy.(DSE:Melbourne) PopulationManagementPlan.UnpublishedreporttoKir- Douglas J (ed) (2004) The Nature ofWarrnambool (War- rae Whurrong Aboriginal Corporation, Framlingham, rnamboolFieldNaturalistsClub:Warrnambool) Victoria. Martin RandHandasydeK(1999) TheKoala:NaturalHis- Warrnambool Wildlife Rescue (2007) Framlingham bush tory, Conservation andManagement (UniversityofNSW fire,http://www.warrnambool-wildlife.org.au/gpage7.html Press:Kensington) (accessed8March2012). McLeanN(2003)Ecologyandmanagementofoverabundant koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) populations. (Unpublished PhDthesis,TheUniversityofMelbourne) McLeanNandHandasydeK(2006)Sexualmaturity,factors Received22March2012;accepted26July2012 affectingthebreedingseasonandbreedinginconsecutive seasons inpopulationsofoverabundantVictoriankoalas (Phascolarctoscinereus).AustralianJournalofZoology54, 385-392. A rare sighting ofthe Eastern Pygmy-possum Cercartetus nanus in north-central Victoria Anna KFlanagan-Moodie SchoolofLifeandEnvironmentalSciences,DeakinUniversity,221BurwoodHighway,Burwood,Victoria3125 Email:[email protected] Abstract TheEasternPygmy-possumCercartetusnanusisasmall,omnivorousmarsupialfoundinsouth-easternAus- tralia. InVictoria,thepresentdistributionofC. nanusisgeographicallypatchy,generallyassociatedwithfor- estsoftheGreat Dividing Range, butalsoarangeofcoastalforestsandshrublands. InBox-Ironbarkforests ofnorth-central Victoria, C. nanusappearstohaveundergone aseverepopulation decline. InApril2011,a singleEasternPygmy-possumwasobservedintheRedcastle-GraytownStateForestduringnocturnalsurvey work.Thisisanotablerecordconsideringthatthespecieshasnototherwisebeenreportedfromthisareafor approximately40years. (TheVictorianNaturalist130(1)2013,40-44) Keywords:mammal,Box-IronbarkForest,Redcastle-GraytownStateForest,Heathcote-Graytown NationalPark. Introduction The Eastern Pygmy-possum Cercartetus nanus status ofthe species is listed as vulnerable in is a small (~17-42 g), omnivorous marsupial New South Wales (New South Wales Govern- of south-eastern Australia (Flarris 2008). Its ment 2012) and South Australia (Government geographic range extends from south-eastern ofSouth Australia 2011). In Victoria, it is not South Australia, through Victoria and New listed as being threatened, although concerns South Wales, to south-eastern Queensland have been expressed about its status (Harris (Ward 1990; Harris et al 2007; Menkhorst and Goldingay2005; Harris 2008; Department and Knight 2011); and also includes Tasmania ofSustainabilityandEnvironment2010). (Harrisetal2008).Themainthreatstothecon- Cercartetus nanus is consideredto beamid- servation ofC. nanus are reported to be inap- storeyspecialist,occurringinarangeofvegeta- propriate fire regimes resulting in a reduction tiontypessuch asrainforest, sclerophyllforest, ofthe shrub layer, habitat loss, and introduced shrubland, heathland and woodland (Harris predators (Harris 2008). The conservation 2008). It is commonlyassociated with a dense 40 TheVictorianNaturalist Contributions understoreyofBanksia, orothershrubspecies, from Wilsons Promontory to East Gippsland thatprovide itsmainfood sourceofnectarand (Fig. 1) (Menkhorst 1995; Harris and Goldin- pollen(Menkhorst 1995;Harris2008).C.nanus gay2005). finds shelter in tree hollows, stumps, Xanthor- RecentrecordsofC. nanusfromthedryBox- rhoea skirts and occasionally in disused bird Ironbarkforests ofnorth-central Victoria have nests (Menkhorst 1995; Harris and Goldingay been scarce (Fig. 2), and Menkhorst (1995) 2005). suggested that the species may have suffered a In Victoria, C. nanus has a widespread but severedecline due to a reduction in shrub spe- patchy distribution, occurring in the Portland cies associated with intensive management of area in the south-west ofthe state, the Gram- these forests. Themost recentrecordsofC. na- pians, the Otway Ranges and the forests of nus in the Heathcote-Graytown National Park the Great Dividing Range from Ballarat to the and Redcastle-Graytown State Forest (Fig. 3), north-east ofthe state (Fig. 1). Its distribution eastofBendigo,appeartobepriorto 1970(Fig. also extends along the south-eastern coastline 2) (MuseumVictoria2002). COLLECTIONDATELEGEND o o 8 0 3 3 3 * Fig. 1. DistributionalrecordsoftheEastern Pygmy-possum CercartetusnanusacrossVictoria, (source: Mu- seumVictoria2002). Vol 130 (1) 2013 41 Contributions AnobservationofCercartetusnanusinBox- On 12April2011,fourdaysafteraprescribed Ironbarkforest burn treatment, two researchers from Deakin A study ofthe ecological effects ofprescribed UniversitywereradiotrackingindividualsofA. burning in Box-Ironbark forests ofthe Heath- flavipeswithin the recently burnt area. At 8.20 cote-Graytown National Park and Redcastle- pm,asmallanimalwasspotted ontheground. GraytownStateForest(anareaofapproximately Oncloserinspection,theanimalstartedbound- 40 000 ha) in north-central Victoria, com- ingacross the ground and climbed to aheight mencedin2010(Bennettetal.2012).Thisstudy ofaround 1.5 m on a small (2-3 m tall), dead isexaminingtheeffectofprescribedburningon sapling. The animal was observed for approxi- the flora, fauna and structural habitat features, mately 5 minutes, allowing photographs to be includingastudyoftheYellow-footedAntechi- taken and identification ofthe small mammal nusAntechinusflavipes. Aspartofthe studyof asC. nanus (Fig.4). A. flavipes, approximately 8500 trap-nights of This individual was observed within a study surveyeffortwith small Elliotttraps (withpea- area approximately 100 ha in size within the nut butter, oats and honeybaits), 7350 camera forest. The overstorey is dominated by Red trap nights with similar baits, and 58 nights of Ironbark Eucalyptus tricarpa L.A.S. Johnson, radiotelemetryhavebeenperformed. with Grey Box E. microcarpa Maiden, Red StringybarkE. macrorhynchaF.Muell.exBenth. 144 E 145 E 146 E Fig. 2. Distributional records of the Eastern Pygmy-possum Cercartetus nanus across north- centralVictoria(source:MuseumVictoria2002). 42 TheVictorianNaturalist Contributions Fig. 3. Regional locality map of north-central Victoria highlighting Heathcote-Graytown National Park, Redcastle-GraytownStateForestandadjoiningpublicland. and Red Box E. polyanthemos Schauer also present. Theseoverstoreytreeshave anaverage diameter of 20-30 cm. Mid-storey and shrub species such as Golden Wattle Acaciapycnan- tha Benth., Grass Tree Xanthorrhoea glauca subsp. angustifolia D.J.Bedford, Sweet Bursaria Bursaria spinosa Cav. and Drooping Cassinia CassiniaarcuataR.Br.alsooccurinthisarea. Conclusion This sightingofasingle C. nanusin Redcastle- Graytown State Forest is significant as it con- firms the continued presence ofthe species in this area, despite it not having been recorded here for at least 40 years. The lackofother re- centrecordsduringthecurrentsurveys,despite extensive small mammal trapping, camera trappingandradiotelemetryundertakeninthe area,suggests thatthesizeofthepresentpopu- lationofC. nanusissmall. Other methods for detecting this species, such as the use ofnest boxes, pitfall trapping and analysis of predator scats (Bennett et al. 1989; Bladon etal. 2002; Harris and Goldingay 2005; Harris 2008), mayalsobe useful in gain- ing additional records in these forests. The de- Fig. 4. Eastern Pygmy-possum Cercartetus nanus ployment ofnest boxes developed particularly sightedintheRedcastle-GraytownStateForest,April 2011.(PhotobyAnnaFlanagan) for this species may be a useful management Vol 130 (1) 2013 43 - Contributions strategytoassistwith recoveryandmonitoring Government ofSouth Australia (2011) NationalParks and ofTCh.enacnounfsiirnmathtiisonareoaf(et.hge. Bolnagdooinnegtapl.re2s0e0n2c).e HadrWarieli)ds.liJMf(ea2mA0c0m8ta)l1Ci9e7ar2ncaSrpteectiuessn8a1n5u,s1(-1D0i.protodontia:Burramyi- of C. nanus in these Box-Ironbark forests of Harris JM and Goldingay RL (2005) Distribution, habitat and conservation status of the eastern pygmy-possum centralVictoriaisnoteworthy, andneeds tobe CercartetusnanusinVictoria.AustralianMammalogy27, consideredindevelopingwildlifemanagement 185-210. strategiesfortheregion. HaMrrTis(J2M0,07G)ynDitshterribIuCt,ioEny,rehaTb,itGaotladnidngcaoynsReLrvaantdioMnastthaiteussoonf Acknowledgements the easternpygmy-possum CercartetusnanusinQueens- land.AustralianZoologist34,209-216. ThankstoAndrewBennett, GregHollandandMike HarrisJM,MunksSA,GoldingayRL,WapstraMandHird Clarkefortheirinput to themanagementofthefire D (2008) Distribution,habitatandconservation statusof ecologystudy, and for comments on this article. Fi- theeasternpygmy-possumCercartetusnanusinTasmania. abnaennedcniEapnlrvosivuripodpneomdretnbtytot(whaNerWdDseRpteahgeritofmnierenatencdooflPorSgouyjsetcsatitnuHadbayiwlhikat-sy MeaAtnisukossnhot,croiaeralcstiotialonoPngMywWaiamtn(hmeddaD)cleopo(na1sgr9eyt9rm5v2)ae9tn,Mit2oa,n1m3o(m-fO2aCx3olf2nsosreodrfvUVaniticivtoeornrsiaiatn:yddPNirsaettsrusirbaiuln- eye), Parks Victoria, Deakin University, La Trobe Resources,Melbourne) University, and the Holsworth Wildlife Foundation. Menkhorst PW and Knight F (2011) Afieldguide to the Thanks also to Alicia Ivory forher assistance in the mammals ofAustralia (Oxford University Press: South field.ThisworkhasbeenundertakenunderFloraand Melbourne) Faunapermitnumber10005470. Museum Victoria (2002) Bioinformatics Victorian Faunal WebSite. PublishedontheInternet;http://www.museum. References vic.gov.au/bioinformatics/ [accessed 19 March 2012 at BennettAF,HollandGJ,FlanaganA,KellySandClarkeMF 16:30;searchstring: Cercartetusnanus],Melbourne, Aus- BepsB(Vneoi2onrc0nxeta1-totP2Itre)irGaAoF.fFn(io,b1rr1ee9a2Ss84rcat,9khn)u7defl2Pnozii-rvttes7ifMsar8ti,losln.ntLtmeuPrerramanopctscptsdeii.eoenndgnAiwfunLiosgFrtts,hrsaRomelofacibloatellnhroemgtMiasRcaomoanmylmamaPplarlaolSscnooecdigsinsyeJettoyseh1mni2o--,nf PWaat3eCCrrr0aeola4dsrnil.tcisaaeaSem.rrJrentvne(attA1tuu9ioss9otf0nrn)aNaAleLnciiautwf.se1SA9h(ou9iBsus5utttrrohraralyWmiayaolnifedtJsahoeeu(:r2En0Maa1asl2rt)seourfpTnihZaroPleoyialagto)meg,ynye-idpn38oS,sspose2ucu8tim7he,--s 37-39. Bladon RV, Dickman CR and Hume ID (2002) Effects of habitatfragmentationonthedemography,movementsand stoucsinalanoursg)aniinsantoirotnheorfnthNeeewasSteorunthpyWgalmeys.poWsilsdulimfe(CReersceaarrtceh Received17May2012;accepted11October2012 29,105-116. DepartmentofSustainabilityandEnvironment(2010)Flora andFaunaGuaranteeAct1988-ThreatenedList-October 2010.Melbourne. Ninety-sevenYearsAgo — ’POSSUMS. “F.R.” in“BushNotes” intheAustralasian of24th June,hassomeremarks onthefoodof ’possums in captivity. Hesays that in theirwildstateitwas obviously impossiblefor’possumsto obtain cookedmeat,yetinconfinementtheywilleatitfreely.Again,beforetheadventofthewhitemanfruitwas practicallynon-existent inAustralianforests;yetaneighbour, whohasachoicegardencontainingsome fineapple-trees,findsthatassoonastheapplesbegintoripenthe’possumsbegintoarrive,thoughnoone wouldsuspectthattherewereanyoftheanimalsintheneighbourhood.Theyareveryfondofapples,and will also eatpeaches and otherfruits, whilepotatoes and othervegetables arealso favoured. In another friend'sgardenthebudsofaLaFrance rosewerecontinuallydisappearing, thecausebeingputdownto snails, but itwasafterwards found that ’possumswere thecause, and“F.R.” says in hisown garden they willleaveeverythingelseforarosebud.Cookedmeat,heremarks,seemstohaveirresistibleattractionsfor manywildthings. Cockatoosandparrotsareveryfondofit,yet,ofcourse, theycouldnotpossiblyhave tasteditintheirwildstate.Thereisnoaccountingfortheseaberrations,andapparentlythesestrangearti- clesofdietdothem noharm—infact,theyseemtothriveonthem.Cakeandsugararecommonarticles ofdietwithtame’possums.Thesemustbeverydifferentfromthemealsofgum-leavesthatformedtheir natural food. No doubttheyalso eatgrass in their native state,but theirstaple food is undoubtedlythe youngshootsandleavesofthevariouseucalypts. From The VictorianNaturalistXXXIII,pp.47-48,July6, 1916 44 TheVictorianNaturalist
The list of books you might like
