A Hair Sampling Tube for the Detection of Small Mammals in Trees

1978 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 249 ◽  
Author(s):  
GC Suckling
Keyword(s):  
Small Mammals ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Adhesive Tape ◽  
Sampling Tube ◽  
Hair Sampling ◽  
Antechinus Stuartii ◽  
Cercartetus Nanus ◽  
Eucalypt Forests ◽  
Petaurus Breviceps

Small baited tubes of pvc piping lined with a double-sided adhesive tape and attached to trees have been used successfully to detect the small mammals Antechinus stuartii and Petaurus breviceps in eucalypt forests of south Gippsland, Vic. The hair sampling technique has generally been more successful than trapping for the detection of A. stuartii and about as successful as spotlighting for the detection of P. breviceps. The suitability of the technique for detecting shy species such as Acrobates pygmaeus and Cercartetus nanus is at this stage uncertain.

Powerline Easements: Do They Promote Edge Effects in Eucalypt Forest for Small Mammals?

1997 ◽  
Vol 24 (6) ◽  
pp. 737 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ross L. Goldingay ◽  
Robert J. Whelan
Keyword(s):  
Small Mammals ◽  
Edge Effects ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Vegetative Cover ◽  
Mammal Species ◽  
Terrestrial Mammals ◽  
Eucalypt Forest ◽  
Hair Sampling ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Antechinus Stuartii

The distribution and abundance of small terrestrial mammals were assessed in forest adjacent to powerline easements at three different sites in New South Wales. At each site, four transects of 300 m length extended into the forest from the edge of the easement. The abundances of two native species (Antechinus stuartii, Rattus fuscipes) did not differ significantly with distance from the easement but abundances differed markedly among sites. Mammals were captured in only one easement where dense vegetation was present. Feral carnivores, which may mediate edge effects on small mammals, were surveyed by using hair-sampling tubes. Cats and dogs were detected only 50–200 m inside the forest. Foxes were not detected by hair-tubes but were observed on two easements. These results suggest that powerline easements may not create edge effects in eucalypt forest for some native mammal species, although further studies are needed to determine the generality of this conclusion. We recommend that easement management should be more benign to native mammals, given the ubiquity of this form of habitat fragmentation. Promotion of dense vegetative cover and habitat linkages within easements could achieve this.

Populations of Four Small Mammals in Radiata Pine Plantations and Eucalypt Forests of North-Eastern Victoria.

1978 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 305 ◽  
Author(s):  
GC Suckling ◽  
A Heislers
Keyword(s):  
Small Mammals ◽  
Radiata Pine ◽  
Pine Plantations ◽  
Native Vegetation ◽  
Forest Types ◽  
Eucalypt Forest ◽  
North Eastern ◽  
Antechinus Stuartii ◽  
Rattus Fuscipes ◽  
Eucalypt Forests

[See also FA 39, 2088] A 2-yr trapping study was made on (a) Rattus fuscipes, (b) Antechinus stuartii, (c) Mus musculus and (d) A. swainsonii in mature eucalypt forest, a narrow stream-side strip of eucalypt forest, and in 3 pine plantations, 8, 22 and 42 yr old. In each area (a) and (d) were largely and (c) always confined to dense native vegetation along streams, whilst (b) was more frequent along streams than on slopes. More animals were found away from streams in young pine plantations than in other forest types.

Transfer of Banksia-Spinulosa Pollen by Mammals - Implications for Pollination

1987 ◽  
Vol 35 (4) ◽  
pp. 319 ◽  
Author(s):  
RL Goldingay ◽  
SM Carthew ◽  
RJ Whelan
Keyword(s):  
Western Australia ◽  
Pollen Loads ◽  
Antechinus Stuartii ◽  
Rattus Fuscipes ◽  
Cercartetus Nanus ◽  
Nocturnal Pollinators ◽  
Few Data ◽  
Petaurus Breviceps

Native mammals have been implicated by various authors as visitors to flowers of Australian plants in both eastern and western Australia, but few data are available to allow an estimation of their potential as pollinators. In the present study, Antechinus stuartii, Petaurus breviceps and Rattus fuscipes were regularly trapped in flowering Banksia spinulosa. A few Cercartetus nanus were also captured. Individuals of all species carried pollen on their fur. Pollen loads were greater on mammals which had been in traps for short periods, which suggests that mammals will groom pollen from their fur if left longer in traps. Therefore, pollen loads on foraging mammals have probably been dramatically underestimated by previous authors, and their potential to effect pollination may have been greatly underestimated. Furthermore, significantly more pollen was removed from flowers of B. spinulosa at night than during the day, suggesting the importance of nocturnal pollinators at this site.

Effects of logging and fire on small mammals in Mumbulla State Forest, near Bega, New South Wales

1987 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 163 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Lunney ◽  
B. Cullis ◽  
P. Eby
Keyword(s):  
Small Mammals ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Canopy Cover ◽  
Ground Cover ◽  
First Year ◽  
Severe Effect ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Antechinus Stuartii ◽  
Rattus Fuscipes

This study of the effects of logging on small mammals in Mumbulla State Forest on the south coast of New South Wales included the effects of a fire in November 1980 and a drought throughout the study period from June 1980 to June 1983. Rattus fuscipes was sensitive to change: logging had a significant impact on its numbers, response to ground cover, and recapture rate; fire had a more severe effect, and drought retarded the post-fire recovery of the population. The three species of dasyurid marsupials differed markedly in their response to ground cover, canopy cover, logging and fire. Antechinus stuartii was distributed evenly through all habitats and was not affected by logging, but fire had an immediate and adverse effect which was sustained by the intense drought. A. swainsonii markedly preferred the regenerating forest, and was not seen again after the fire, the failure of the population being attributed to its dependence on dense ground cover. Sminthopsis leucopus was found in low numbers, appeared to prefer forest with sparse ground cover, and showed no immediate response to logging or fire; its disappearance by the third year post-fire suggests that regenerating forest is inimical to the survival of this species. Mus musculus showed no response to logging. In the first year following the fire its numbers were still very low, but in the next year there was a short-lived plague which coincided with the only respite in the 3-year drought and, importantly, occurred in the intensely burnt parts of the forest. The options for managing this forest for the conservation of small mammals include minimising fire, retaining unlogged forest, extending the time over which alternate coupes are logged and minimising disturbance from heavy machinery.

Bait uptake by free living brush-tailed phascogales Phascogale tapoatafa and other non-target mammals during simulated buried fox baiting.

2003 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 31 ◽  
Author(s):  
D Fairbridge ◽  
R Anderson ◽  
T Wilkes ◽  
G Pell
Keyword(s):  
Small Mammals ◽  
Rhodamine B ◽  
Field Trials ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Research Needs ◽  
Trichosurus Vulpecula ◽  
Free Living ◽  
Central Victoria ◽  
Petaurus Breviceps

Field trials were undertaken in box-ironbark woodland at Puckapunyal Military Area (PMA) in central Victoria between January 2000 and April 2001 to assess bait uptake by the brushtailed phascogale (Phascogale tapoatafa) and other small mammals during simulated fox baiting exercises. The systemic marker Rhodamine B was used in non-toxic fox baits (Foxoff®) to detect non-target bait consumption. The trials demonstrated that free-living brush-tailed phascogales, yellow-footed antechinus (Antechinus flavipes), sugar gliders (Petaurus breviceps) and common brushtail possums (Trichosurus vulpecula) were capable of accessing non-toxic fox baits buried under 10 cm of sand. Rhodamine B markings were detected in six (15%) of 40 P. tapoatafa captured during the study period. The implications of these results and future research needs are discussed.

The Response of Small Mammals to Clearing and Burning of Eucalypt Forest in South-eastern Australia

1979 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 151 ◽  
Author(s):  
GR Friend
Keyword(s):  
Small Mammals ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Early Summer ◽  
Native Forest ◽  
Pine Plantation ◽  
Eucalypt Forest ◽  
Population Turnover ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Antechinus Stuartii ◽  
Rattus Fuscipes

Before, during and after a clearing operation for pine plantation establishment, small mammals were trapped on ridges which were to be cleared of all vegetation, and in adjacent gullies which were to be permanently retained under native forest. Rattus fuscipes was the most abundant native species on all grids throughout the study, while R. lutreolus, Antechinus stuartii and A. swainsonii were in low abundance. Clearing in early summer, the breeding season in most of these species, resulted in an acceleration and accentuation of population turnover. Some juveniles and subadults may have moved from the ridges during clearing, while breeding adults remained and probably perished. Populations of R. fuscipes on ridge areas were drastically reduced by clearing and windrowing, but subadults recolonized the affected areas within 1-2 months. Results for the other three native species were inconclusive, due to the few individuals captured at any time during the study. The exotic species Mus musculus began to invade immediately following windrow burning.

Ecology of Small Mammals in Coastal Heathland at Anglesea, Victoria

1986 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 397 ◽  
Author(s):  
BA Wilson ◽  
AR Bourne ◽  
RE Jessop
Keyword(s):  
Small Mammals ◽  
Vegetation Type ◽  
Habitat Preferences ◽  
Common Species ◽  
Early Spring ◽  
Late Winter ◽  
Habitat Differences ◽  
Antechinus Stuartii ◽  
Marked Decline ◽  
The Difference

Aspects of ecology and reproduction of small mammals in a heathland community near Anglesea were investigated in the field by means of mark-recapture trapping. Population size, animal movements and reproductive state were estimated. The floristic and structural habitat preferences were also determined. The most common species were Antechinus stuartii, A. minimus maritimus, Sminthopsis leucopus, Rattus fuscipes assimilis and R. lutreolus. For Antechinus the populations were maximal throughout February-June (A. stuartii) and December-June (A. minimus) inclusive. A marked decline in numbers of Antechinus during late winter and early spring was associated with the total loss of males from the population. The maximal numbers of animals (per hectare) were 21 (A. stuartii), 14 (A. m. maritimus), 14 (R. f. assimilis) 7 (R. lutreolus), and 8 (S. leucopus). Young were born to A. m. maritimus during August, and 1 month later to A. stuartii. R. f. assimilis bred during late winter and spring, and S. leucopus from September to November. None of the species showed an overall preference for any floristic or structural vegetation type. This study confirms male 'die-off' in A. m. maritimus. The data also indicate that the difference in breeding times of A. m. maritimus between Anglesea and Dartmoor, Vic., is due to climatic or habitat differences rather than to sympatry with A. stuartii.

Effects of winter food supplementation on reproduction, body mass, and numbers of small mammals in montane Australia

2000 ◽  
Vol 78 (10) ◽  
pp. 1775-1783 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter B Banks ◽  
Chris R Dickman
Keyword(s):  
Body Mass ◽  
Small Mammals ◽  
Interference Competition ◽  
Peanut Butter ◽  
Survival Rates ◽  
Food Supplementation ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Additional Food ◽  
Winter Food ◽  
Antechinus Stuartii

We used a food-supplementation experiment to test the hypothesis that small-mammal populations are food-limited during winter in southeastern Australia. We trapped small mammals along 120- to 150-m transects at 12 creek and 12 ridgetop sites (representing high- and low-quality habitats) for 2 months prior to winter and 2 months during winter. High-quality food (peanut butter, honey, oats, and dried cat food) was provided ad libitum for 7 weeks during winter at four sites in each habitat. Eight sites were provided with empty feeding tubes and eight were untreated. Seven weeks of food supplementation caused numerical increases of 4.0- and 5.0-fold for the rodents Rattus fuscipes and Rattus lutreolus, respectively. Increases were due largely to immigration, and were only observed in the high-quality creek habitats (R. lutreolus were exclusively captured at creek sites). Food supplementation also led to an increase in body mass and reversed the hiatus in winter breeding for rodents. These results suggest that populations of both species are limited by winter food availability. However, survival rates (indexed from recapture rates) were not affected by food supplementation. Mean body mass of the marsupial Antechinus stuartii also increased with food supplementation, but other demographic parameters showed no response; numbers declined at creek sites after additional food was provided. Trapping-revealed measures of interspecific association showed that A. stuartii avoided areas of high rat numbers after additional food was provided. It is thus likely that interference competition from the much larger and more abundant rodents forced A. stuartii out of the food-supplemented creek sites, hence mediating the direct effects of food supplementation on this species.

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