Temporal analysis of the diet of the central rock-rat
G. P. EdwardsDepartment of Natural Resources, Environment, the Arts and Sport, PO Box 1120, Alice Springs, NT 0871, Australia. Email: glenn.edwards@nt.gov.au
Australian Mammalogy 35(1) 43-48 https://doi.org/10.1071/AM12008
Submitted: 15 February 2012 Accepted: 31 May 2012 Published: 26 October 2012
Abstract
The central rock-rat (Zyzomys pedunculatus) is an endangered endemic rodent that has undergone a dramatic range contraction over the past century. It is currently known from only a small area of the West MacDonnell Ranges near Alice Springs. A previous investigation into the species’ diet that analysed a small number of faecal samples concluded tentatively that it was a granivore. The present study aimed to establish the dietary patterns of Z. pedunculatus across a two-year period in central Australia during which rainfall fluctuated markedly. Diet was determined through the microscopic analysis of material in faecal pellets of Z. pedunculatus trapped at approximately three-month intervals at five sites at Ormiston Gorge. Seed was found to be the most important dietary item, comprising on average 57.0% of the diet across sample periods. Under dry conditions, the amount of seed material in the diet declined and the amount of stem material increased. Plant material from 15 genera was recorded in the diet, most notably Sida spp., Solanum spp. and Triodia brizoides. All of the plant genera identified in the diet to date are widespread and common in the range country of central Australia and most are considered fire tolerant. On the basis that the diet contains more than 50% seeds, Z. pedunculatus can be described as a granivore. However, the diet is broad and includes both seeds and vegetative material from a range of plant species.
Additional keywords: arid zone, rodent, Zyzomys pedunculatus.
References
Baynes, A., and Baird, R. F. (1992). The original mammal fauna and some information on the original bird fauna of Uluru National Park, Northern Territory. The Rangeland Journal 14, 92–106.| The original mammal fauna and some information on the original bird fauna of Uluru National Park, Northern Territory.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Baynes, A., and Jones, B. (1993). The mammals of Cape Range peninsula, north-western Australia. Records of the Western Australian Museum 45, 207–225.
Begg, R., and Dunlop, C. (1985). The diets of the large rock-rat, Zyzomys woodwardi, and the common rock-rat, Z. argurus (Rodentia: Muridae). Australian Wildlife Research 12, 19–24.
| The diets of the large rock-rat, Zyzomys woodwardi, and the common rock-rat, Z. argurus (Rodentia: Muridae).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
CSIRO (1991). ‘The Insects of Australia.’ (Melbourne University Press: Melbourne.)
Edwards, G. P., Allan, G. E., Brock, C., Duguid, A., Gabrys, K., and Vaarzon-Morel, P. (2008). Fire and its management in central Australia. The Rangeland Journal 30, 109–121.
| Fire and its management in central Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Finlayson, H. H. (1961). On central Australian mammals. Part IV. The distribution and status of central Australian species. Records of the South Australian Museum 14, 141–191.
Latz, P. (1995). ‘Bushfires and Bushtucker: Aboriginal Plant Use in Central Australia.’ (IAD Press: Alice Springs.)
Luo, J., Fox, B. J., and Jefferys, E. (1994). Diet of the eastern chestnut mouse (Pseudomys gracilicaudatus). I. Composition and individual variation. Wildlife Research 21, 401–417.
| Diet of the eastern chestnut mouse (Pseudomys gracilicaudatus). I. Composition and individual variation.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Murray, B. R., Dickman, C. R., Watts, C. H. S., and Morton, S. R. (1999). The dietary ecology of Australian desert rodents. Wildlife Research 26, 421–437.
| The dietary ecology of Australian desert rodents.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Nano, T. J., Smith, C. M., and Jefferys, E. (2003). Investigation into the diet of the central rock-rat (Zyzomys pedunculatus). Wildlife Research 30, 513–518.
| Investigation into the diet of the central rock-rat (Zyzomys pedunculatus).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Puckey, H., Lewis, M., Hooper, D., and Michell, C. (2004). Home range, movement and habitat utilisation of the Carpentarian rock-rat (Zyzomys palatalis) in an isolated habitat patch. Wildlife Research 31, 327–337.
| Home range, movement and habitat utilisation of the Carpentarian rock-rat (Zyzomys palatalis) in an isolated habitat patch.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Spencer, B. (Ed.) (1896). ‘Report on the Work of the Horn Scientific Expedition to Central Australia’. (Melville, Mullen and Slade: Melbourne.)
Stephens, D. W., and Krebs, J. R. (1986). ‘Foraging Theory.’ (Princeton University Press: Princeton.)
Turner, D., Ostendorf, B., and Lewis, M. (2008). An introduction to patterns of fire in arid and semi-arid Australia, 1998–2004. The Rangeland Journal 30, 95–107.
| An introduction to patterns of fire in arid and semi-arid Australia, 1998–2004.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Watts, C. (1977). The foods eaten by some Australian rodents (Muridae). Australian Wildlife Research 4, 151–157.
| The foods eaten by some Australian rodents (Muridae).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Webeck, K., and Pearson, S. (2005). Stick-nest rat middens and a late-Holocene record of White Range, central Australia. The Holocene 15, 466–471.
| Stick-nest rat middens and a late-Holocene record of White Range, central Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
