Scat contents of a spotted-tailed quoll (Dasyurus maculatus) reveal evidence of broad-toothed rat (Mastacomys fuscus) within a fragmented habitat in the Hunter Valley, New South Wales

Abstract

We found evidence of a broad-toothed rat (Mastacomys fuscus) in a spotted-tailed quoll (Dasyurus maculatus) scat collected within a fragmented site in the Hunter Valley, New South Wales. The nearest known population of M. fuscus is located 50 km away in the Barrington Tops, where the population is listed as endangered. This is a potentially significant discovery for the conservation of this species and suggests that it may exist in a fragmented landscape outside its current distribution. We recommend further research is undertaken to determine if a population does exist near to where the sample was collected.