Diet and habitat preference of the Cape York short-nosed bandicoot (Isoodon obesulus peninsulae) in north-east Queensland

Abstract

Diet and habitat preferences of the Cape York bandicoot (Isoodon obesulus peninsulae) were studied along a rainfall gradient from dry open woodland to wet Allocasuarina–Eucalyptus forest in the Lamb Range, Queensland. I. o. peninsulae was an omnivore-insectivore with invertebrates contributing 35–56% of faecal contents. Roots represented the most important plant food. Grass, forbs, fruits and hypogeous fungi were also eaten but in small quantities. The species was most abundant at the drier end of the rainfall gradient. Preferred habitats in open woodland were characterised by a high grass tree (Xanthorrhoea johnsonii) abundance and high shrub cover in the understorey. In contrast, areas with a tall and dense grass layer in conjunction with a high litter cover were avoided. I. o. peninsulae did not seem to share its habitat with the sympatrically occurring I. macrourus even though the habitat appeared suitable for the latter. More studies are required to evaluate the causes of differing habitat preferences of sympatric bandicoot species.