Use of nest trees by the mountain brushtail possum (Trichosurus caninus) (Phalangeridae : Marsupialia). IV. Transitions between den trees

1998 ◽  
Vol 25 (6) ◽  
pp. 611 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. H. Welsh ◽  
D. B. Lindenmayer ◽  
C. F. Donnelly ◽  
A. Ruckstuhl

Statistical models of the patterns of den-tree choice by the mountain brushtail possum (Trichosurus caninus) at Cambarville in the mountain ash (Eucalyptus regnans) forests of the central highlands of Victoria, south-eastern Australia are presented. These models enable us to predict, for a particular possum, the choice of den tree on the basis of patterns of recent den-tree usage and are required for individual-based simulation studies. The models show that the pattern of den-tree use is more complicated than might have been expected, in the sense that it is animal-specific, and that old animals exhibit more complicated patterns of den-tree choice than young ones.

1998 ◽  
Vol 25 (6) ◽  
pp. 627 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. B. Lindenmayer ◽  
A. Welsh ◽  
C. F. Donnelly

A general synthesis is presented of the key results of a series of studies of den tree use by the mountain brushtail possum (Trichosurus caninus) at Cambarville in the mountain ash (Eucalyptus regnans) forests of the central highlands of Victoria, south-eastern Australia. The project produced a range of unexpected results including (1) the number of den trees used, (2) the extent of den sharing, especially among adult males, (3) the overlap in denning ranges of animals, and (4) the predictability of transitions between den trees. Possible reasons for these findings are outlined. We also discuss the limitations of our study, how it could be improved if it were to be repeated, and some of the important implications of the findings for the management of forests where T. caninus occurs.


1996 ◽  
Vol 44 (6) ◽  
pp. 625 ◽  
Author(s):  
DB Lindenmayer ◽  
RA Meggs

The results of a radio-tracking study of the uses of den trees by Leadbeater's possum (Gymnobelideus leadbeateri McCoy) at Cambarville in the mountain ash (Eucalyptus regnans) forests of the Central Highlands of Victoria, south-eastern Australia, are described. Animals were radio-tracked for three periods of 5-20 days in July 1990, November 1990 and July 1991. A total of 14 individuals was tracked and they occupied 11 different trees with hollows on the 10-ha study site. Preliminary findings showed that some animals moved between hollows in different trees, and most animals used two or more trees. The distances between utilised trees usually exceeded 50 m. Possible reasons for the den-swapping behaviour include attempts to either or both relieve burdens of ecto-parasites and to reduce the risk of predation. There were several examples, in each of the three radio-tracking periods, of two or more radio-collared adult breeding female animals simultaneously co-occupying the same nest tree. This result was different from some of the general findings of an earlier study of G. leadbeateri at Cambarville.


2014 ◽  
Vol 40 (4) ◽  
pp. 386-399 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emma L. Burns ◽  
David B. Lindenmayer ◽  
John Stein ◽  
Wade Blanchard ◽  
Lachlan McBurney ◽  
...  

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Sotorra ◽  
D. Blair ◽  
W. Blanchard ◽  
D. Lindenmayer

Many invasive species have had negative effects on the Australian environment, including the introduced Sambar Deer (Rusa unicolor). However, there is a paucity of information on the factors influencing the fine scale distribution and abundance patterns of Sambar Deer in south-eastern Australia. We present the results of a field survey of Sambar Deer in the Critically Endangered Mountain Ash ( Eucalyptus regnans) forests of the Central Highlands, Victoria. Our key question was: What factors influence detections of Sambar deer (based on scat counts) within the Mountain Ash forests of the Victorian Central Highlands? We surveyed 86 long-term field sites and detected a total of 245 groups of Sambar Deer pellets on 42% of these sites. Negative binomial regression modelling identified three factors associated with the occurrence of deer pellets. We recorded more pellets: (1) in 30 and 80 year old forest that remained unburned in fires that occurred in 2009, (2) on sites within closed National Parks relative to sites in State Forest, and (3) close to streams.


2015 ◽  
Vol 37 (1) ◽  
pp. 39 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laurence E. Berry ◽  
Don A. Driscoll ◽  
Samuel C. Banks ◽  
David B. Lindenmayer

We examined the abundance of arboreal marsupials in topographic fire refuges after a major fire in a stand-replacing crown-fire forest ecosystem. We surveyed the abundance of arboreal marsupials across 48 sites in rainforest gullies burnt to differing extents by the 2009 fires in the mountain ash (Eucalyptus regnans) forests of the Victorian Central Highlands, Australia. The greater glider (Petauroides volans) was less abundant within the extent of the 2009 fire. The mountain brushtail possum (Trichosurus cunninghami) was more abundant within the extent of the 2009 fire, particularly within unburnt peninsulas protruding into burnt areas from unburnt edges. Our results indicate that fire refuges may facilitate the persistence of some species within extensively burnt landscapes. Additional work should seek to clarify this finding and identify the demographic mechanisms underlying this response.


1996 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 343 ◽  
Author(s):  
DB Lindenmayer ◽  
A Welsh ◽  
CF Donelley ◽  
RA Meggs

A study was made of the use of trees with hollows by 10 adult male and 6 adult female mountain brushtail possums (Trichosurus caninus) at a 35-ha site in central Victoria, south-eastern Australia. Radio-tracking was used to identify which trees were being used as den sites by animals during an 18-month period between September 1990 and March 1992. Analyses of the data showed that, although 113 different trees were used by the 16 animals, most were occupied infrequently. The total number of trees used by a given animal ranged from 5 to 23. However, the majority of individuals spent most of their time denning in 1-3 trees. Of the 113 den trees, 70 were found to have been used by only 1 animal, 54 trees were used exclusively by males, and 28 trees by females only. Twelve trees were used extensively (on >40 occasions) but only 1 was used extensively by both sexes. Most of the T. caninus radio-tracked typically used 2 or more nest trees per week, indicating that animals moved frequently between den sites. Some animals used up to 6 different trees per week. Some possible reasons for this behaviour in T. caninus are discussed.


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