Comparative ecology of two populations of Pseudomys australis in northern South Australia

Abstract

Two disparate populations of Pseudomys australis, in the southern and north-western Lake Eyre Basin of South Australia, were studied over a 3-year period using trapping and radio-tracking techniques. Various aspects of the species’ ecology were investigated. Past records of the species were almost always associated with population irruptions following exceptionally wet years. Aspects of population dynamics, fine-scale habitat use, activity ranges and burrows were studied and related to habitat condition during three dry seasons following a good season. Both areas were associated with floodout plains in a gibber desert environment but differed in soils and vegetation structure. The population dynamics and structure and home-range activity also differed. These differences appeared to relate to the availability and distribution of food and shelter in the respective locations. The differences between populations in the two areas are discussed with reference to the source/sink and refugia concepts.