Autecology of the yellow-footed antechinus (Antechinus flavipes) in a fragmented landscape in southern Australia

Abstract

Autecological data were collected on southern populations of the yellow-footed antechinus (Antechinus flavipes), during a wider study on the persistence of this species in a highly fragmented landscape of the southern Mt Lofty Ranges, South Australia. Data are presented to provide information on this species in the southern part of its range, to present a comparison with populations in other, more northern regions, and to provide an insight into the species' persistence in a fragmented system. Resulting recapture rates lend support to the presence of a male-biased dispersal strategy, which is the first published indication of such a strategy for the species. New information was also recorded for nest sites, with most sites occurring in tall Xanthorrhoea semiplana tateana, and only 33% found in tree cavities. Other results showed mostly comparable population densities and weights with other, more northern populations. However, differences were apparent with respect to juvenile dispersal behaviour and, to some extent, breeding times. Within-study populations also showed variation with regard to weights, density and breeding times. Forest animals were lighter, were largely of lower population densities, and were generally later breeders than animals that inhabited patches and strips of remnant vegetation. Such differences in weight and density may have been due to favourable 'edge effects' in patches and strips, while variations in breeding times may be due to local climatic or habitat factors. The life-history strategies and tolerance of habitat edges shown by A. flavipes (presently and historically) provide some explanation for the species' persistence in this fragmented system.