Habitat and post-fire selection of the Pilliga Mouse Pseudomys pilligaensis in Pilliga East State Forest

Abstract

The habitat selection of the Pilliga Mouse was studied within a variety of vegetation and post fire communities in the Pilliga East State Forest of northern NSW. Its selection was found to be similar to other Australian Pseudomys, but most similar to the New Holland Mouse P. novaehollandiae, preferring understoreys dominated by heathy, xeromorphic plants with sandy soils and litter cover. There was a significant correlation between numbers of Pilliga Mice, in particular breeding sites and a well-developed low shrub cover < 50 cm high. Habitats having this type of cover, in particular Broombush and Kurricabah/Bloodwood scrublands were the only habitats where burrows of this species were detected. Pilliga Mice showed a preference for early and late post-fire stages of vegetation and an avoidance of intermediate age habitats post fire (5-15 years old) probably due to an absence of suitable low shrub cover in this age class. A field methodology that identifies preferred habitat for this species based on the habitat selection preferences of the Pilliga Mouse is described.