Distribution records of native terrestrial mammals in Tasmania

Abstract

The distributions of 34 species of terrestrial mammals native to Tasmania are presented as presence/ absence records on 10 x 10 km grid maps. All native species and the possibly introduced Petaurus breviceps are included except Thylacinus cynocephalus, which is probably extinct. The distribution maps were prepared from approximately 10 000 recent (1967-89) mammal records held on computer, selected literature records and other sources. Twenty-six species are widely distributed across the State. Five species have more limited distributions confined to the east or west of the State, depending upon the occurrence of their habitats. The three remaining species are bats that are little-recorded and their distributions are unclear. Notes on the ease of recording species and their habitats are provided to supplement and assist the interpretation of their distributions. Further records of all species are needed, especially from islands.