The eastern bettong and long-nosed potoroo are small mammals dependant on fungi and reputed to be associated with infertile sites. Their environmental relationships suggest that the bettong may be better adapted to open vegetation on fertile soils than is the potoroo. We recommend not to discount fertile sites as suitable habitat for the bettong, as may have been the case historically. Image by Isaac Standaloft.

Live animal capture may have short- and long-term consequences for wildlife. Animals are expected to mount a stress response to capture and restraint experiences that may influence subsequent physiology and behaviour. This study demonstrated that plasma corticosterone concentrations might indicate an individual’s capture duration, but are not associated with a lace monitor’s future recapture likelihood. Photograph by Tim Jessop.

Fungi are vital to the nutrient uptake in forests, but the role of rodents in spore dispersal in eastern Australia remains incompletely studied. Our study highlighted the importance of 10 species of rodents as dispersers of mycorrhizal fungi across a variety of habitats, including from temperate to tropical forests. We also provide the first records of fungus consumption by two species. Photographs by Todd F. Elliott.

There are clear differences in the expected response to management within koala populations in the Australian state of New South Wales for different regional landscapes. Bayesian networks were used integrate expert opinion on koala populations under different management scenarios to quantify these differences. This work highlights the importance of designing context-specific management interventions for koala conservation. Photograph by Jonathan Rhodes.

Desert springs and their unique fauna are under threat worldwide from climate change, invasive species, and human water use. We studied the occupancy dynamics of the endemic Dixie Valley toad in Nevada, USA, and found that adult and larval toads required different environmental conditions. Our study showed that both life stages of this species are highly dependent on aquatic habitat in their desert environment. U.S. Geological Survey photograph by Kelsey Ruehling.