Range extension of eastern wallaroo (Osphranter robustus robustus) in Victoria
Sakib Kazi A G , Yohanna Aurisch B , Graeme Coulson C , Mark D. B. Eldridge D , Matt Irving E , Kimberly A. Miller F and Marissa L. Parrott AA Wildlife Conservation and Science, Zoos Victoria, Parkville, Vic. 3052, Australia.
B Parks Victoria, Tawonga South, Vic. 3698, Australia.
C School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Vic. 3010, Australia.
D Australian Museum Research Institute, Australian Museum, 1 William Street, Sydney, NSW 2010, Australia.
E Parks Victoria, Mt Buffalo, Vic. 3740, Australia.
F Healesville Sanctuary, Zoos Victoria, Badger Creek, Vic. 3777, Australia.
G Corresponding author. Email: skazi@zoo.org.au
Australian Mammalogy 44(2) 302-304 https://doi.org/10.1071/AM21029
Submitted: 25 August 2021 Accepted: 4 October 2021 Published: 29 October 2021
Abstract
The eastern wallaroo (Osphranter robustus robustus) is a large macropodid commonly found in New South Wales and Queensland, but rare in Victoria. Previously only known in north-east Victoria from a resident population near Suggan Buggan, and isolated records <50 km from the NSW border, we report camera trap observations of O. r. robustus from Mt Loch, near Hotham Heights. This represents the highest altitude observation of the species (~1720 m above sea level), the furthest Victorian record from NSW, and a south-westerly range extension of 73 km.
Keywords: alpine zone, boulderfield, camera, distribution, ecology, Macropodidae, marsupial, Osphranter robustus robustus.
References
Balland, J., Herbert, C. A., Welbergen, J. A., and Martin, J. M. (2020). Habitat selection in a peri-urban area by a large mammal indicates a low potential for human–wildlife conflict. Wildlife Research 47, 381–390.| Habitat selection in a peri-urban area by a large mammal indicates a low potential for human–wildlife conflict.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
DELWP (2021). Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 – Threatened List. The State of Victoria Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning. Available at https://www.environment.vic.gov.au/conserving-threatened-species/threatened-list
Eldridge, M. D. B., and Coulson, G. M. (2015). Family Macropodidae (kangaroos and wallabies). In ‘Handbook of the Mammals of the World, Vol. 5: Monotremes and Marsupials’. (Eds D. E. Wilson and R. A. Mittermeier.) p. 38. (Lynx Edicions: Barcelona.)
Jarman, P. J., and Taylor, R. J. (1983). Ranging of eastern grey kangaroos and wallaroos on a New England pastoral property. Australian Wildlife Research 10, 33–38.
| Ranging of eastern grey kangaroos and wallaroos on a New England pastoral property.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Menkhorst, P. W. (1995). Eastern wallaroo. In ‘Mammals of Victoria: Distribution, Ecology and Conservation’. (Ed P. W. Menkhorst) pp. 142–143. (Oxford University Press in association with the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources: Melbourne.)
Richardson, B. J. (2018). Subspecies definitions and legislation: from eastern wallaroo (Osphranter robustus robustus) to euro (Osphranter robustus erubescens). Australian Mammalogy 41, 65–75.
| Subspecies definitions and legislation: from eastern wallaroo (Osphranter robustus robustus) to euro (Osphranter robustus erubescens).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Taylor, R. J. (1981). The comparative ecology of the eastern grey kangaroo and wallaroo in the New England Tablelands of New South Wales. PhD thesis. University of New England, Armidale.
Taylor, R. J. (1982). Population composition of the wallaroo, Macropus robustus (Marsupialia: Macropodidae) in the New England Tablelands of New South Wales. Australian Mammalogy 5, 221–223.
Taylor, R. J. (1983). The diet of the eastern grey kangaroo and wallaroo in areas of improved and native pasture in the New England Tablelands. Australian Wildlife Research 10, 203–211.
| The diet of the eastern grey kangaroo and wallaroo in areas of improved and native pasture in the New England Tablelands.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Taylor, R. J. (1984). Foraging in the eastern grey kangaroo and the wallaroo. Journal of Animal Ecology 53, 65–74.
| Foraging in the eastern grey kangaroo and the wallaroo.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
