Home range of the spotted-tailed quoll (Dasyurus maculatus), a marsupial carnivore, in a rainshadow woodland
Andrew W. Claridge A G , David Paull B , James Dawson C , Greg Mifsud D F , Andy J. Murray E , Rob Poore E and Michael J. Saxon CA Department of Environment and Conservation, Parks and Wildlife Division, Reserve Conservation Unit, Southern Branch, PO Box 2115, Queanbeyan, NSW 2620, Australia.
B School of Physical, Environmental and Mathematical Sciences, University College, University of New South Wales, Australian Defence Force Academy, Northcott Drive, Canberra, ACT 2600, Australia.
C Department of Environment and Conservation, Environmental Protection and Regulation Division, Southern Branch, PO Box 2115, Queanbeyan, NSW 2620, Australia.
D Department of Environment and Conservation, Parks and Wildlife Division, Snowy Mountains Region, PO Box 2228, Jindabyne, NSW 2627, Australia.
E Department of Sustainability and Environment, PO Box 260, Orbost, Vic. 3888, Australia.
F Present Address: Department of Natural Resources, Mines and Energy, PO Box 864, Qld 4305, Australia.
G Corresponding author. Email: andrew.claridge@environment.nsw.gov.au
Wildlife Research 32(1) 7-14 https://doi.org/10.1071/WR04031
Submitted: 21 April 2004 Accepted: 16 August 2004 Published: 25 February 2005
Abstract
The home ranges, movement patterns and spatial organisation of spotted-tailed quolls (Dasyurus maculatus maculatus) were studied in rainshadow woodland in southern New South Wales, Australia. Fourteen individuals were radio-collared and simultaneously tracked. Home-range size estimates ranged from 621 ha to at least 2561 ha for males, and 88 ha to at least 653 ha for females. Mean home-range size was significantly greater for males (992 ± 276 ha) than females (244 ± 72 ha). The maximum straight-line distances between successive fixes for males over 24-h and 48-h periods were 2529 and 4430 m, respectively, while for females these distances were 1865 and 3085 m. Mean maximum straight-line distances between successive fixes for males over a 24-h period were not significantly different from mean maximum straight-line distances of females (1493 ± 918 v. 1034 ± 540 m). However, over 48 h, the mean maximum distances between successive fixes for males was greater than that of females (2911 ± 934 v. 1680 ± 918 m). The home ranges of males mostly overlapped with those of other individuals, regardless of sex. In contrast, home ranges of females tended not to overlap with those of other females, suggesting some form of spatial separation. Home-range estimates derived for spotted-tailed quolls in our rainshadow woodland study site are comparable to those obtained for the species in wetter vegetation types. From a conservation perspective, it seems that habitat structure and the availability of prey is more important than rainfall or vegetation type in determining spatial requirements of the species. Until more advanced telemetry systems are developed, caution should be applied when using current home-range data on the species to infer breeding systems and patterns of spatial organisation, particularly the issue of territoriality among female quolls.
Acknowledgments
The authors thank Ross Meggs from Faunatech/Ausbat Pty Ltd for designing the radio-collars. Aerial Helicopter Surveys assisted with radio-tracking of animals from the air – special thanks to pilot Pete Potroz. Al Glen and Professor James Trappe assisted in fieldwork. Comments from Bob Harden and John McIlroy improved aspects of the text. Debbie Claridge prepared Fig. 1. Dr Tony Fleming gave strong support to our overall research program. Finally, our research was done under the auspices of a NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) Section 120 Scientific Investigation Licence (A3162) and NPWS Animal Ethics Committee Approval No. 020214/05.
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