High predation risk for a small mammal: the eastern pygmy-possum (Cercartetus nanus)
Bradley Law A C , Mark Chidel A and Alf Britton B
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Forest Science Centre, Agriculture NSW, NSW Department of Primary Industries, PO Box 100, Beecroft, NSW 2119, Australia.
B Forests NSW, PO Box 168, Wauchope, NSW 2446, Australia.
C Corresponding author. Email: brad.law@dpi.nsw.gov.au
Australian Mammalogy 35(2) 149-152 https://doi.org/10.1071/AM12034
Submitted: 16 July 2012 Accepted: 30 September 2012 Published: 1 March 2013
Abstract
We report high rates of predation within a population of eastern pygmy-possum (Cercartetus nanus) near Sydney, observed during a study of the impacts of logging on the species. Predation by reptiles was observed on six of 61 radio-tracked pygmy-possums, while two were suspected of being taken by raptors. We further investigated predation by sooty owls (Tyto tenebricosa) by identifying remains in pellets. Pygmy-possums comprised 15% of the 126 dietary items identified. Predation occurred at both logged and unlogged sites in our study. We suggest that documented high rates of predation in our study could make the species vulnerable to altered predation regimes, such as influxes of feral predators, and highlight the need for a better understanding of any influence of logging on predator activity.
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