The Diet of the Rufous Hare-Wallaby (Marsupialia, Macropodidae) in the Tanami Desert

Abstract

The summer diet of a population of the rufous hare-wallaby, Lagorchestes hirsutus, was studied by survey of grazed plants and microscopic analysis of faecal pellets following a season of above-average rainfall. The fibre and nitrogen contents of food plants were examined and the abundance of food plants in the habitat was determined to assess dietary selectivity. L. hirsutus had a diverse diet but selectively grazed the seeds and shoots of certain grasses and sedges as well as some dicotyledons. High- and low-fibre food items occurred in faecal samples, suggesting that L. hirsutus possesses considerable dietary adaptability. Individuals may travel appreciable distances into saline interdune and recently burnt areas to feed. The future survival of the only known mainland population appears to be largely dependent on continued mosaic-burning of its habitat to maintain mature spinifex for shelter adjacent to areas of regeneration that provide a range of preferred food items.