Abstract
BackgroundThe Mountain Pygmy-possum (Burramys parvus) is a critically endangered marsupial, endemic to alpine regions of southern Australia. We investigated the diet of a recently discovered population of the possum in northern Kosciuszko National Park, NSW, Australia. This new population occurs at elevations well below the once-presumed lower elevation limit of 1,600 m.Goals and MethodsFaecal material was analysed to determine if dietary composition differed between individuals in the newly discovered northern population and those in the higher elevation southern population, and to examine how diet was influenced by rainfall in the southern population and seasonal changes in resource availability in the northern population.Results and DiscussionThe diet of B. parvus in the northern population comprised of arthropods, fruits and seeds. Results indicate the diet of both populations shares most of the same invertebrate orders and plant species. However, in the absence of preferred food types available to the southern population, individuals of the northern population opportunistically consumed different species that were similar to those preferred by individuals in higher altitude populations. Differing rainfall amounts had a significant effect on diet, with years of below average rainfall having a greater percentage composition and diversity of invertebrates. Seasonal variation was also recorded, with the northern population increasing the diversity of invertebrates in their diet during the Autumn months when Bogong Moths (Agrotis infusa) were absent from those sites, raising questions about the possum’s dependence on the speciesConclusionsMeasurable effects of rainfall amount and seasonal variation on the dietary composition suggest that predicted climatic variability will have a significant impact on its diet, potentially impacting its future survival. Findings suggest that it is likely that B. parvus is not restricted by dietary requirements to its current pattern of distribution. This new understanding needs to be considered when formulating future conservation strategies for this critically endangered species.
Highlights
Australia has the highest rate of recent native mammal extinctions, with 22 extinct species and 26 species remaining as only remnant populations (Short & Smith, 1994; Woinarski et al, 2011)
The diet of B. parvus in the northern population in the Kosciuszko National Park was comprised of invertebrates, fruits and seeds, having most of the same invertebrate orders and plant species that are found in the diet of the southern population (Fig. 2)
Given that the Mountain Pygmy-possum is confined to its current distribution, this assessment of diet between varying populations, rainfall amounts, and seasons, has provided critical information for determining how it might respond to future climate pressures and the suitability of new habitats
Summary
Australia has the highest rate of recent native mammal extinctions, with 22 extinct species and 26 species remaining as only remnant populations (Short & Smith, 1994; Woinarski et al, 2011). The Mountain Pygmy-possum (Burramys parvus) is a small terrestrial Australian marsupial endemic to high elevation boulder fields in the Australian Alps bioregion of eastern Australia. It is currently listed as critically endangered by the IUCN red list of threatened species (Körtner & Geiser, 1995; Schulz, Wilks & Broome, 2012a; Schulz, Wilks & Broome, 2012b; Menkhorst et al, 2013). Findings suggest that it is likely that B. parvus is not restricted by dietary requirements to its current pattern of distribution This new understanding needs to be considered when formulating future conservation strategies for this critically endangered species
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