The use of hollows and dreys by the common ringtail possum (Pseudocheirus peregrinus) in different vegetation types

2008 ◽  
Vol 56 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
David B. Lindenmayer ◽  
Christopher MacGregor ◽  
Alan Welsh ◽  
Christine F. Donnelly ◽  
Darren Brown
Keyword(s):  
Nest Site Selection ◽  
Vegetation Types ◽  
Nesting Biology ◽  
Study Region ◽  
Nest Sites ◽  
Tree Hollows ◽  
Arboreal Marsupials ◽  
Pseudocheirus Peregrinus ◽  
The Common ◽  
Ringtail Possum

Tree hollows are a key habitat component for a large number of Australian vertebrates and understanding how these resources are used is critical for developing successful management and conservation strategies for particular species or sets of species. Some hollow-using vertebrates are capable of using other kinds of nest sites. The common ringtail possum (Pseudocheirus peregrinus) is one of these species and it is known to use tree hollows and also to construct nests (dreys) made from sticks and leaves. Nest site selection by P. peregrinus may be a function of hollow availability. This proposition and several related questions were tested in a radio-tracking study that examined patterns of tree hollow and drey use by P. peregrinus in a range of vegetation types in Booderee National Park in Jervis Bay Territory. In addition, this study explored whether hollow and drey use was influenced by a wildfire that occurred in the study region in late 2003. It was found that use of hollows or dreys appeared to be a function of the availability of these resources. Most individuals were either primarily hollow users or primarily drey users. These patterns conformed to differences we recorded in hollow abundance between vegetation types: drey use was most pronounced in shrubland where hollows were rare and hollow use was most prevalent in forest where hollows were abundant. We found no evidence to suggest that hollow or drey use was influenced by fire. There was a trend pattern in our data suggesting that home-range size of P. peregrinus was larger in burnt versus unburnt sites but this effect was not statistically significant. Evidence was found that P. peregrinus selected particular kinds of trees as nest sites. Hollows in dead trees were more often used than those in living trees. Smaller dreys were most likely to be used. Several kinds of nest-selection effects that were contrary to the findings of studies of other arboreal marsupials were identified. These included more frequent use of smaller diameter trees with fewer cavities. The reasons for these unexpected results remain unclear. Findings such as those quantifying gender differences in the frequency of drey use, as well as marked between-vegetation-type differences in nest-type selection, indicate that nest use and nesting behaviour in P. peregrinus may be more complex than previously recognised. These findings also indicate that a deep understanding of the nesting biology of a species may require careful studies of both sexes, across a range of environments, and where disturbances have and have not occurred.

Contrasting mammal responses to vegetation type and fire

2008 ◽  
Vol 35 (5) ◽  
pp. 395 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. B. Lindenmayer ◽  
C. MacGregor ◽  
A. Welsh ◽  
C. Donnelly ◽  
M. Crane ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fire History ◽  
Vegetation Type ◽  
Brushtail Possum ◽  
Vegetation Types ◽  
Terrestrial Mammals ◽  
Arboreal Marsupials ◽  
Pseudocheirus Peregrinus ◽  
Antechinus Stuartii ◽  
Rattus Fuscipes ◽  
Ringtail Possum

The response of terrestrial mammals and arboreal marsupials to past burning history as well as a year prior to, and then for 4 years after, a major wildfire in 2003 at Booderee National Park, Jervis Bay Territory was quantified. The present study encompassed extensive repeated surveys at a set of 109 replicated sites stratified by vegetation type and fire history. It was found that most species exhibited significant differences in presence and abundance between major vegetation types. Detections of long-nosed bandicoot (Perameles nasuta) increased significantly in all vegetation types surveyed, in both burnt and unburnt areas. Temporal patterns in captures of three species of small mammals (bush rat (Rattus fuscipes), swamp rat (Rattus lutreolus) and brown antechinus (Antechinus stuartii)) showed a trend for lower numbers of captures on burnt sites compared with unburnt sites. Three species of arboreal marsupials, common ringtail possum (Pseudocheirus peregrinus), greater glider (Petauroides volans) and common brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula), were moderately common and all showed marked differences in abundance between vegetation types. Whereas P. peregrinus and P. volans exhibited a temporal decline between 2003 and 2006, T. vulpecula exhibited a general increase from 2003 levels. However, arboreal marsupial responses did not appear to be directly fire related.

Effect of Fire on the Availability of Hollows in Trees Used by the Common Brushtail Possum, Trichosurus Vulpecula Kerr, 1792, and the Ringtail Possum, Pseudocheirus Peregrinus Boddaerts, 1785.

1989 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 449 ◽  
Author(s):  
GB Inions ◽  
MT Tanton ◽  
SM Davey
Keyword(s):  
High Intensity ◽  
Nature Reserve ◽  
Brushtail Possum ◽  
Burnt Area ◽  
Eucalyptus Marginata ◽  
Tree Hollows ◽  
Open Forest ◽  
Pseudocheirus Peregrinus ◽  
The Common ◽  
Ringtail Possum

Characteristics of trees used for shelter during the day by brushtail and ringtail possums were identified in a study in open forest dominated by Eucalyptus marginata and E. calophylla in the Perup Fauna Nature Reserve, SW Western Australia. The effect of high-intensity fire on the availability of trees used by the possums was studied by comparing a burnt area (36 ha) with an unburnt area (22 ha) one and 32 months after the fire. Suitable hollows were used by possums regardless of the species, condition, height or size of the tree. Hollows deeper than 1 m were used significantly more frequently than shallow ones. Hollows of suitable size appear to develop in E. marginata when trees reach a mean age of about 300 yr, and in E. calophylla when trees reached a mean age of about 200 yr. The average age of trees inhabited by possums could be as high as 500 yr for E. marginata and 400 yr for E. calophylla. About 3 trees/ha were used by possums for diurnal refuge; the distribution of these trees was random. Fire of high intensity (1000-1400 kW/m) destroyed 38% of the trees previously inhabited by possums; the damage to other inhabited trees was related to their condition and the intensity of fire. In the longer term, high-intensity fire increased the rate of formation of hollows by direct excavation or by providing new sites for fungal and termite infestation. Thirty-two months after the fire, the average age of trees containing suitable hollows was estimated to be about 100 yr less than before the fire because of the destruction of older trees and the formation of new hollows, or the deepening of existing ones, in younger trees.

Characteristics of trees used as nest sites byApis dorsata(Hymenoptera, Apidae) in the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, India

2009 ◽  
Vol 25 (5) ◽  
pp. 559-562 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sumin George Thomas ◽  
Anita Varghese ◽  
Pratim Roy ◽  
Nicola Bradbear ◽  
Simon G. Potts ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nest Site ◽  
Apis Cerana ◽  
Biosphere Reserve ◽  
Nest Site Selection ◽  
Apis Dorsata ◽  
Nesting Biology ◽  
Important Species ◽  
Social Bees ◽  
Nest Sites ◽  
Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve

Nest site selection is critical for social insects since poor choices can heighten predation risks and result in reproductive failure (Frankset al. 2002). Social bees vary in their nest site requirements and among theApisbees in South Asia,Apis dorsataandA. floreanest in open combs, whereasApis cerananests in cavities (Crane 1999).Apis dorsataoften nests in aggregations, and the large open nests can be about 1.5 m wide and are located in sites such as cliff faces or on the underside of branches of tall trees that are inaccessible to most predators except skilled fliers and climbers (Crane 1999, Seeleyet al. 1982).Apis dorsata, which is widely distributed in tropical and subtropical Asia, is an important source of honey and wax for local communities, and understanding its nesting biology would help in the management and conservation of this economically important species.

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

2016 ◽  
Vol 38 (1) ◽  
pp. 130 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eden Hermsen ◽  
Anne Kerle ◽  
Julie M. Old
Keyword(s):  
New South ◽  
Habitat Requirements ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Pine Trees ◽  
Pseudocheirus Peregrinus ◽  
The Common ◽  
Microhistological Analysis ◽  
Vegetation Samples ◽  
Cypress Pine ◽  
Ringtail Possum

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.

Geographic variation in the diet of the powerful owl (Ninox strenua) at a local scale

2013 ◽  
Vol 61 (5) ◽  
pp. 372 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rohan J. Bilney
Keyword(s):  
Coastal Forests ◽  
Forest Sites ◽  
Sugar Glider ◽  
Pseudocheirus Peregrinus ◽  
The Common ◽  
Dietary Variation ◽  
Conservation Concern ◽  
Petaurus Breviceps ◽  
Ringtail Possum

This study reports the diet of the powerful owl (Ninox strenua) in East Gippsland, from a dataset of 2009 vertebrate prey items collected from 53 sites. Mammals dominated the diet at all sites, but birds were also consumed regularly. The greater glider (Petauroides volans) was the dominant dietary item across the region in terms of both frequency of consumption and biomass contribution. There was geographical dietary variation between coastal and foothill forest sites, with the sugar glider (Petaurus breviceps) and birds consumed more frequently in foothill forests, whereas the common ringtail possum (Pseudocheirus peregrinus) was frequently consumed only in coastal forests. Typically, a higher percentage of powerful owl diet comprised birds closer to cleared land. The dietary reliance upon hollow-dependent mammals in foothill forests (averaging >70%) is of conservation concern, especially when non-hollow-dependent prey are rare. Forest management activities, especially logging, that reduce densities of hollow-bearing trees in the landscape are therefore likely to decrease the long-term carrying capacity of the landscape for the powerful owl.

Potential Competition for Nest Sites Between Feral European Honeybees (Apis mellifera) and Common Brushtail Possums (Trichosurus vulpecula).

1998 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 377
Author(s):  
M.S. Wood ◽  
R.L. Wallis
Keyword(s):  
Apis Mellifera ◽  
Site Selection ◽  
Nest Site ◽  
Nest Site Selection ◽  
High Potential ◽  
Trichosurus Vulpecula ◽  
Potential Competition ◽  
Nest Sites ◽  
Tree Hollows ◽  
Site Characteristics

The potential for feral Honeybees (Apis mellifera) to competitively exclude Common Brushtail Possums (Trichosurus vulpecula) from tree hollows was examined in the You Yangs Regional Park, Victoria. The characteristics and occupancy of 77 hollow-bearing trees and 250 hollows were recorded in six 2 ha sites and used to compare the extent of overlap in nest site selection between bees and posssums. Colonies of feral A. mellifera occupied 25 % of all hollow-bearing trees and 8 % of useable hollows, yielding a density of 1.66 colonies per ha, the highest recorded so far in Australia. Trichosurus vulpecula utilised 74 % of hollow-bearing trees and 48 % of useable hollows. Nest site characteristics of bees and possums overlapped in several dimensions, especially in the size of tree and height of nest. Relatively few vacant hollows were suitable for T. vulpecula, whereas many were available to Honeybees. Only 35% of bee nests were in hollows unsuitable for possums, indicating a relatively high potential for competition.

Preliminary Microscopic Investigations of the Digesta Derived From Foliage of Eucalyptus-Ovata (Labill) in the Digestive-Tract of the Common Ringtail Possum, Pseudocheirus-Peregrinus (Marsupialia)

1986 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
pp. 157 ◽  
Author(s):  
TP Obrien ◽  
A Lomdahl ◽  
G Sanson
Keyword(s):  
Cell Walls ◽  
Faecal Pellets ◽  
Partial Digestion ◽  
Gut Function ◽  
Pseudocheirus Peregrinus ◽  
The Common ◽  
Eucalyptus Ovata ◽  
Micro Organisms ◽  
Microscopic Investigations ◽  
Ringtail Possum

A method is described that stabilizes vacuolar tannins in unchewed leaves of Eucalyptus ovata. This method, with light microscopy and electron microscopy, was used to study the fate of digesta in the gut of the common ringtail possum Pseudocheirus peregrinus. Normal animals (fed fresh foliage and practising coprophagy) were compared with animals denied access either to fresh foliage or to soft faecal pellets in the week before they were killed. Both manipulations appear to disturb gut function and create a need for caution in interpreting the observations. Nonetheless the results demonstrate some tanning of leaf cytoplasts in the ringtail possum, but the quantitative significance of the dietary losses so incurred is difficult to estimate. Partial digestion of cell walls and tanned cytoplasts occurs in the caecum, where massive populations of micro-organisms become attached to digestion-resistant tissue components. These 'microbial rafts' are reingested as soft pellets by coprophagy and the bacteria largely digested.

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