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RESEARCH ARTICLE
Contents Vol 32(2)

Variation in the home-range size of the squirrel glider (Petaurus norfolcensis)

Ross L. Goldingay A C , David J. Sharpe A and Matt D. J. Dobson A B
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A School of Environmental Science and Management, Southern Cross University, PO Box 157, Lismore, NSW 2480, Australia.

B Present address: Forests NSW, North East Region, PO Box 535, Coffs Harbour, NSW 2450, Australia.

C Corresponding author. Email: ross.goldingay@scu.edu.au

Australian Mammalogy 32(2) 183-188 https://doi.org/10.1071/AM10006
Submitted: 3 February 2010  Accepted: 24 May 2010   Published: 15 September 2010

Abstract

The home-range area of animals may vary geographically and in response to habitat quality. We investigated the size of squirrel glider (Petaurus norfolcensis) home ranges near Brisbane, Queensland, and at Tea Gardens on the central coast of New South Wales. Habitat at both sites had been partially cleared and had been subjected to grazing for several decades. Twelve gliders were tracked over an average of 3.5 months in Brisbane. The fixed kernel (FK95%) home-range estimate averaged 4.6 ± 0.7 (s.e.) ha while the minimum convex polygon (MCP100%) averaged 6.7 ± 1.5 ha. Six gliders were tracked over 1 month at Tea Gardens. The FK95% home-range estimate averaged 14.8 ± 2.4 ha while the MCP100% averaged 13.3 ± 3.1 ha. The Tea Gardens values are derived from relatively short periods and are likely to underestimate the areas used. This study demonstrates that home-range size can vary substantially in the squirrel glider. This has implications for understanding how this species responds to variation in habitat quality and highlights the need for site-specific studies to inform aspects of management.


Acknowledgements

We thank Georgia Beyer, Brendan Taylor and David Newell for assistance with radio-tracking. We thank Brisbane City Council for support of our field work in Brisbane. This paper has been improved by the comments of two anonymous referees.


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