Socio-Ecology of the Antilopine Wallaroo, Macropus-Antilopinus, in the Northern-Territory, With Observations on Sympatric Macropus-Robustus-Woodwardii and Macropus-Agilis

Abstract

The dispersion, grouping patterns, diet and habitat utilisation of the antilopine wallaroo were studied during the wet and early dry season of 1983 at Coomalie Creek Farm in the Northern Territory. Two sites were sampled: one with steep-sided ridges and narrow valleys, the other with low ridges and open grassy depressions. The mean and modal group sizes of antilopine wallaroos at various population densities place this species amongst the most gregarious macropodids. By contrast, sympatric northern wallaroos and agile wallabies are essentially solitary. Associations between population classes of antilopine wallaroos contrasted with those in other large kangaroos, possibly because the mating period was not sampled. Females were most common in sites of low relief and large males were proportionately more common in this topography than were medium males. Faecal analysis showed that antilopine wallaroos grazed only grasses.