The Water Fluxes of Rattus-Fuscipes and Antechinus-Stuartii Before and After a Prescribed Fire

Abstract

We examined the postulate that fires would induce shortages of food and water and would be reflected in changes in water influx and efflux, loss of body weight and body fat, and an increase in mass specific body water in populations of Rattus fuscipes and Antechinus stuartii. A low-intensity, prescribed fire had no effect on any parameter and food supplies appeared adequate for the survivors in the short term. Some parameters differed between sites, sexes and species. The differences observed in male A. stuartii resulted from their unusual life cycle and not from fire.