Habitat Use and Population Size of The Long-Nosed Potoroo, Potorous tridactylus (Marsupialia: Potoroidae) In A Coastal Reserve, North-Eastern New South Wales.

Abstract

A 22 ha trap grid was established perpendicular to the dune and swale system of a small coastal reserve c.750 ha (Tyagarah Nature Reserve), to investigate habitat use and the population density of Potorous tridactylus. Trapping records indicated that certain habitat types were favoured over others. Most captures occurred in dry open shrubland and moist open shrubland. Population density was relatively low at 0.23 (known to be alive) and 0.26 (Jolly-Seber method) individuals per hectare. The distribution of P. tridactylus in the reserve was established through the random placement of 235 hair-sampling tubes. It was estimated that P. tridactylus utilised a minimum area of about 340 ha within the reserve. This area multiplied by the population density indicated a population of about 80-90 individuals within Tyagarah Nature Reserve.