Climatic modelling of the distribution of the mahogany glider (Petaurus gracilis), and the squirrel glider (P. norfolcensis)

Abstract

Known locality records of the mahogany glider (Petaurus gracilis) and the squirrel glider (Petaurus norfolcensis) in Queensland were used to predict the distributional limits of both of these species within Queensland using the computer program BIOCLIM. The mahogany glider was predicted to occur in areas with a higher average mean annual temperature, smaller temperature range, higher temperatures throughout the year, higher annual precipitation, higher seasonality of precipitation, higher seasonality of moisture index and higher precipitation in the wettest quarter and warmest quarter when compared with the predicted distribution of the squirrel glider. The squirrel glider has been recorded across a wider geographic area and its distribution had a larger variation in bioclimatic variables. The predicted distribution of the mahogany glider did not extend outside the known area on the mainland, although the species was predicted to occur over 500 m elevation in some areas within their known range. BIOCLIM did, however, predict that the mahogany glider might occur on Hinchinbrook Island and the Palm Islands. In contrast to the mahogany glider, the squirrel glider was predicted to occur well outside of its known distribution, including all that area predicted to be habitat for the former species. Despite this predicted overlap, the closest these two species are known to occur to each other is 25 km.