Conservation and health of Lumholtz’s tree-kangaroo (Dendrolagus lumholtzi)
Amy L. Shima A B , Lee Berger A and Lee F. Skerratt A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, 1 James Cook Drive, Townsville, Qld 4811, Australia.
B Corresponding author. Email: dvm.shima@gmail.com
Australian Mammalogy 41(1) 57-64 https://doi.org/10.1071/AM17030
Submitted: 7 June 2017 Accepted: 31 December 2017 Published: 22 February 2018
Abstract
Lumholtz’s tree-kangaroo (Dendrolagus lumholtzi) is an iconic species in far north Queensland yet little is known about its health or population status. Studies on this species have been conducted in a limited number of locations and focused primarily on ecology, habitat use and home-range size. The species is relatively common in the Atherton Tablelands but habitat loss, predation by domestic, feral and wild dogs, vehicle strike, low fecundity, and disease have been identified as threats to the population. We review knowledge of population ecology and threats for this species, and include a novel collation of disease reports on all tree-kangaroos with particular reference to Lumholtz’s tree-kangaroo. Health of Lumholtz’s tree-kangaroo appears to be impacted by the increase in humans and domestic animals in their range. There have been reports of melioidosis, toxoplasmosis, tick paralysis and blindness in wild tree-kangaroos. We identify where increased information on health and population viability will improve conservation and management of the species.
Additional keywords: anthropogenic impacts, blindness, distribution, parasites, pathogens, population ecology.
References
Beveridge, I., and Chilton, N. B. (2001). Co-evolutionary relationships between the nematode subfamily Cloacininae and its macropodid marsupial hosts. International Journal for Parasitology 31, 976–996.| Co-evolutionary relationships between the nematode subfamily Cloacininae and its macropodid marsupial hosts.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DC%2BD3MzktlahtA%3D%3D&md5=809263c12346f9b8ed0f56570e684229CAS |
Beveridge, I., and Spratt, D. M. (1996). The helminth fauna of Australasian marsupials: origins and evolutionary biology. In ‘Advances in Parasitology. Vol. 37’. (Eds J.R. Baker, R. Muller and D. Rollinson) pp. 135–254. (Elsevier Science & Technology).
Blyde, D. (2005). Encephalomyocarditis virus in captive tree kangaroos. In ‘Proceedings of the Australian Veterinary Association Annual Conference’, Gold Coast, Qld. (AVA Queensland chapter: Brisbane, Qld.),
Bowyer, J. C., Newell, G. R., and Eldridge, M. D. B. (2002). Genetic effects of habitat contraction on Lumholtz’s tree-kangaroo (Dendrolagus lumholtzi) in the Australian Wet Tropics. Conservation Genetics 3, 59–67.
| Genetic effects of habitat contraction on Lumholtz’s tree-kangaroo (Dendrolagus lumholtzi) in the Australian Wet Tropics.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Bush, M., and Montali, R. J. (1999). Medical management of tree kangaroos. In ‘Zoo and Wild Animal Medicine’. 4th edn. (Eds M. E. Fowler, and R. E. Miller.) pp. 337–343. (W.B. Saunders: Philadelphia.)
Canfield, P. J., Hartley, W. J., and Dubey, J. P. (1990). Lesions of toxoplasmosis in Australian marsupials. Journal of Comparative Pathology 103, 159–167.
| Lesions of toxoplasmosis in Australian marsupials.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DyaK3M%2FmtVOktA%3D%3D&md5=9169bdc606c129699c1ba5f7f6c0b2b6CAS |
Clark, P. (2004). ‘Haematology of Australian Mammals.’ (CSIRO Publishing: Melbourne).
Coombes, K. E. (2005). The ecology and utilisation of Lumholtz’s tree kangaroos Dendrolagus lumholtzi (Marsupialia: Macropodidae), on the Atherton Tablelands, far north Queensland. Ph.D. Thesis, James Cook University, Cairns.
Emeck, N. (2016). Toxins in trees may hurt roos. In ‘The Tablelander’, 29 November 2016. The Cairns Post Pty Ltd, Atherton, Queensland.
Goosem, M. (2012). Mitigating the impacts of rainforest roads in Queensland’s Wet Tropics: effective or are further evaluations and new mitigation strategies required? Ecological Management & Restoration 13, 254–258.
| Mitigating the impacts of rainforest roads in Queensland’s Wet Tropics: effective or are further evaluations and new mitigation strategies required?Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Goss, L. J. (1940). Muscular dystrophy in tree kangaroos associated with feeding of cod liver oil and its response to alpha-tocopherol. Zoologica NY 25, 523–524.
Heise-Pavlov, S. R., Jackrel, S. L., and Meeks, S. (2011). Conservation of a rare arboreal mammal: habitat preferences of the Lumholtz’s tree-kangaroo, Dendrolagus lumholtzi. Australian Mammalogy 33, 5–12.
| Conservation of a rare arboreal mammal: habitat preferences of the Lumholtz’s tree-kangaroo, Dendrolagus lumholtzi.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Heise-Pavlov, S., Anderson, C., and Moshier, A. (2014). Studying food preferences in captive cryptic folivores can assist in conservation planning: the case of the Lumholtz’s tree-kangaroo (Dendrolagus lumholtzi). Australian Mammalogy 36, 200–211.
| Studying food preferences in captive cryptic folivores can assist in conservation planning: the case of the Lumholtz’s tree-kangaroo (Dendrolagus lumholtzi).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Iwaniuk, A. N., Nelson, J. E., Ivanco, T. L., Pellis, S. M., and Whishaw, I. Q. (1998). Reaching, grasping and manipulation of food objects by two tree kangaroo species, Dendrolagus lumholtzi and Dendrolagus matschiei. Australian Journal of Zoology 46, 235–248.
| Reaching, grasping and manipulation of food objects by two tree kangaroo species, Dendrolagus lumholtzi and Dendrolagus matschiei.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Izumi, Y. (2001). Impacts of roads and fragmentation of fauna on the Atherton and Evelyn Tablelands, north Queensland. M.Sc. Thesis, James Cook University.
Jackson, S. M. (2003). ‘Australian Mammals: Biology and Captive Management.’ (CSIRO Publishing: Melbourne.)
Johnson, P. M., and Delean, S. (2003). Reproduction of Lumholtz’s tree-kangaroo, Dendrolagus lumholtzi (Marsupialia: Macropodidae) in captivity, with age estimation and development of the pouch young. Wildlife Research 30, 505–512.
| Reproduction of Lumholtz’s tree-kangaroo, Dendrolagus lumholtzi (Marsupialia: Macropodidae) in captivity, with age estimation and development of the pouch young.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Kanowski, J. J. (2000). Ecological determinants of the distribution and abundance of the folivorous marsupials inhabiting rainforests of the Atherton Uplands, north Queensland. Ph.D. Thesis, James Cook University, Townsville.
Kanowski, J., Felderhof, L., Newell, G., Parker, T., Schmidt, C., Stirn, B., Wilson, R., and Winter, J. W. (2001a). Community survey of the distribution of Lumholtz’s tree-kangaroo on the Atherton Tablelands, north-east Queensland. Pacific Conservation Biology 7, 79–86.
| Community survey of the distribution of Lumholtz’s tree-kangaroo on the Atherton Tablelands, north-east Queensland.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Kanowski, J., Hopkins, M. E., Marsh, H., and Winter, J. W. (2001b). Ecological correlates of folivore abundance in north Queensland rainforests. Wildlife Research 28, 1–8.
| Ecological correlates of folivore abundance in north Queensland rainforests.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Kanowski, J., Winter, J. W., Simmons, T., and Tucker, N. I. J. (2003). Conservation strategy for Lumholtz’s tree-kangaroo on the Atherton Tablelands. Ecological Management & Restoration 4, 220–221.
| Conservation strategy for Lumholtz’s tree-kangaroo on the Atherton Tablelands.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Ladds, P. W. (2009). ‘Pathology of Australian Native Wildlife.’ (CSIRO Publishing: Melbourne.)
Laurance, W. F. (1990). Comparative responses of five arboreal marsupials to tropical forest fragmentation. Journal of Mammalogy 71, 641–653.
| Comparative responses of five arboreal marsupials to tropical forest fragmentation.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Laurance, W. F., Laurance, S. G., and Hilbert, D. W. (2008). Long-term dynamics of a fragmented rainforest mammal assemblage. Conservation Biology 22, 1154–1164.
| Long-term dynamics of a fragmented rainforest mammal assemblage.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Lesiak, A. (2014). Methods for the effective care and rehabilitation of captive Lumholtz’s tree-kangaroos. SIT Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection, Paper No. 1753.
Martin, R. W. (1992). Ecological study of Bennett’s tree-kangaroo (Dendrolagus bennettianus). Project No. 116. WorldWide Fund for Nature, Sydney.
Newell, G. R. (1999a). Australia’s tree-kangaroos: current issues in their conservation. Biological Conservation 87, 1–12.
| Australia’s tree-kangaroos: current issues in their conservation.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Newell, G. R. (1999b). Home range and habitat use by Lumholtz’s tree-kangaroo (Dendrolagus lumholtzi) within a rainforest fragment in north Queensland. Wildlife Research 26, 129–145.
| Home range and habitat use by Lumholtz’s tree-kangaroo (Dendrolagus lumholtzi) within a rainforest fragment in north Queensland.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Newell, G. R. (1999c). Responses of Lumholtz’s tree-kangaroo (Dendrolagus lumholtzi) to loss of habitat within a tropical rainforest fragment. Biological Conservation 91, 181–189.
| Responses of Lumholtz’s tree-kangaroo (Dendrolagus lumholtzi) to loss of habitat within a tropical rainforest fragment.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Olsson, A. (2017). Melioidoisis in captive Lumholtz’s tree-kangaroos (Dendrolagus lumholtzi). In ‘Federation of Asian Small Animal Veterinary Associations Congress, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia’.
Ott-Joslin, J. (1990). Mycobacterial infections in tree kangaroos. In ‘American Association of Zoo Veterinarians Annual Conference Proceedings, Padre Island, TX’. (Eds R. Cambre and J. E. Whitney.) pp. 132–139. (American Association of Zoo Veterinarians: Pennsylvania, USA.)
Pahl, L. I., Winter, J. W., and Heinsohn, G. (1988). Variation in responses of arboreal marsupials to fragmentation of tropical rainforest in north eastern Australia. Biological Conservation 46, 71–82.
| Variation in responses of arboreal marsupials to fragmentation of tropical rainforest in north eastern Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Potkay, S. (1977). Diseases of marsupials. In ‘The Biology of Marsupials’. (Ed. D. Hunsaker.) pp. 415–506. (Academic Press: New York.)
Procter-Gray, E. (1985). The behaviour and ecology of Lumholtz’s tree-kangaroo Dendrolagus lumholtzi (Marsupialia: Macropodidae). Ph.D. Thesis, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA.
QGPIFU (2008). Far North Queensland region: a demographic profile. Queensland Government Planning Information and Forecasting Unit. Available at: http://www.dilgp.qld.gov.au/resources/plan/far-north-queensland/background/demographic-report-final.pdf
QGSD (2015). Far North Queensland region. Queensland Government State Development. Available at: http://www.statedevelopment.qld.gov.au/resources/factsheet/regional/far-north-queensland-region-fact-sheet.pdf
Reddacliff, L. A., Kirkland, P. D., Hartley, W. J., and Reece, R. L. (1997). Encephalomyocarditis virus infections in an Australian zoo. Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine 28, 153–157.
| 1:STN:280:DyaK2svisFemsQ%3D%3D&md5=792023a8c59a26e6ab6452e2343ae8d2CAS |
Rigby, M. and Staley, P. (2015). Queensland drought blamed for blindness in tree kangaroos. In ‘ABC Far North Queensland’. Available at http://www.abc.net.au/local/photos/2015/05/25/4241771.htm [accessed 31 October 2016].
Ryser-Degiorgis, M.-P. (2013). Wildlife health investigations: needs, challenges and recommendations. BMC Veterinary Research 9, 223–238.
| Wildlife health investigations: needs, challenges and recommendations.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Schwanz, L. E., and Robert, K. A. (2012). Reproductive ecology of wild tammar wallabies in natural and developed habitats on Garden Island, Western Australia. Australian Journal of Zoology 60, 111–119.
| Reproductive ecology of wild tammar wallabies in natural and developed habitats on Garden Island, Western Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Speare, R., Johnson, P. M., and Haffenden, A. (1982). Management of disease in captive macropods in north Queensland. In ‘The Management of Australian Mammals in Captivity’. (Ed. D. D. Evans.) pp. 117–124. (Zoological Parks Board of Victoria: Melbourne.)
Speare, R, Donovan, J. A., Thomas, A.D. and Speare, P. J. (1989). Diseases of free-ranging Macropodoidea. In ‘Kangaroos, Wallabies and Rat-Kangaroos. Vol. 2’. (Eds G. Grigg, P. Jarman, and I. Hume.) pp. 705–734. (Surrey Beatty: Sydney.)
Spencer, P. B. S., and Speare, R. (1992). Hematology of wild allied rock-wallabies, Petrogale assimilis Ramsay, 1877 (Marsupialia, Macropodidae), in north Queensland. Australian Journal of Zoology 40, 355–364.
| Hematology of wild allied rock-wallabies, Petrogale assimilis Ramsay, 1877 (Marsupialia, Macropodidae), in north Queensland.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Spratt, D. M. (1999). The Muspiceoidea, bizarre nematode parasites of bats, mice, marsupials and man. In ‘Proceedings of the Wildlife Disease Association – Australasian Section Conference, 1999, University of Canberra Field Station, Jervis Bay’.
Spratt, D. M, and Beveridge, I (2016). Helminth parasites of Australasian monotremes and marsupials. Zootaxa 4123, 1–198.
| Helminth parasites of Australasian monotremes and marsupials.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Spratt, D. M., Beveridge, I., and Walter, E. L. (1991). A catalogue of Australasian monotremes and marsupials and their recorded helminth parasites. Records of the South Australian Museum. Monograph Series, No. 1.
Thomas, A. D. (1981). Prevalence of melioidosis in animals in northern Queensland. Australian Veterinary Journal 57, 146–148.
| Prevalence of melioidosis in animals in northern Queensland.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DyaL3M3lsFGqsQ%3D%3D&md5=dfe073aa0038f98dbffcdbc7779038c3CAS |
Thomas, A. D., Forbes-Faulkner, J. C., Speare, R., and Murray, C. (2001). Salmonelliasis in wildlife from Queensland. Journal of Wildlife Diseases 37, 229–238.
| Salmonelliasis in wildlife from Queensland.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DC%2BD3M3hvVOrtA%3D%3D&md5=bed9af99f7f5b04bc4e3b1620e896a0bCAS |
TKMG (2010). Habitat plantings – food plants. Available at: http://www.tree-kangaroo.net/application/files/8114/4012/4991/Food_Plants_List_10May2010.pdf [accessed 1 May 2017].
TKMG (2014). Community action plan for the conservation of the Lumholtz’s tree-kangaroo (Dendrolagus lumholtzi) and its habitat 2014–2019. Available at: http://www.tree-kangaroo.net/application/files/8114/4012/4991/Food_Plants_List_10May2010.pdf [accessed 1 April 2017].
TREAT (2015). Lumholtz’s tree-kangaroo food plants. In ‘Trees for the Evelyn and Atherton Tablelands’. Available at: http://treat.net.au/projects/tree_kangaroo_foodpl.html
Vernes, K., Dennis, A., and Winter, J. (2001). Mammalian diet and broad hunting strategy of the dingo (Canis familiaris dingo) in the wet tropical rain forests of northeastern Australia. Biotropica 33, 339–345.
| Mammalian diet and broad hunting strategy of the dingo (Canis familiaris dingo) in the wet tropical rain forests of northeastern Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Vogelnest, L., and Portas, T. (2008). Macropods. In ‘Medicine of Australian Mammals’. (Eds L. Vogelnest and R. Woods.) pp. 133–225. (CSIRO Publishing: Melbourne.)
Williams, S. E. (2006) Vertebrates of the Wet Tropics Rainforests of Australia: Species Distributions and Biodiversity. (Cooperative Research Centre for Tropical Rainforest Ecology and Management: Cairns). Available at: http://rainforest-crc.jcu.edu.au/publications/vertebrate_distributions_full.pdf [accessed 22 January 2017]
Woinarski, J. C. Z., Burbidge, A. A., Harrison, P., and Milne, D. J. (2014). ‘The Action Plan for Australian Mammals 2012.’ (CSIRO Publishing: Melbourne.)
