Home-range characteristics and movement patterns of the red-legged pademelon (Thylogale stigmatica) in a fragmented tropical rainforest

Abstract

Home-range characteristics and movement patterns of five male and eight female red-legged pademelons (Thylogale stigmatica) were studied in north-eastem Queensland between September 1991 and June 1992 using radio-telemetry. In relation to mean body weight, the home range of T. stigmatica was small (mean = 2.26 ha, n = 9), individually variable (range 0.82-3.70 ha) and partitioned into spatially distinct diurnal and nocturnal components. The nocturnal range (mean = 1.00 ha,n = 6) incorporated forest edge and pasture habitat, and was somewhat smaller than the diurnal range (mean = 1.67 ha, n = l0), which was located entirely within the forest. Home-range shape was governed largely by the distance between the diurnal and nocturnal ranges, which in turn was related to physical features within the habitat. Pademelons moved slowly within and quickly between their diurnal and nocturnal ranges. Movement between these areas occurred just after dusk and just prior to dawn. The diurnal rate of movement (m min-1) was generally higher than the nocturnal rate, suggesting that pademelons moved extensively in the forest during the day, and were relatively sedentary whilst on pasture at night.