Characteristics of the den trees of the yellow-bellied glider in western Victoria
Ross L. Goldingay
A D , Susan M. Carthew B and Matthew Daniel C
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A School of Environment, Science and Engineering, Southern Cross University, PO Box 157, Lismore, NSW 2480, Australia.
B Research Institute for Environment and Livelihoods, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, NT 0909, Australia.
C Eden Hills, SA 5050, Australia.
D Corresponding author. Email: ross.goldingay@scu.edu.au
Australian Journal of Zoology 66(3) 179-184 https://doi.org/10.1071/ZO18028
Submitted: 25 April 2018 Accepted: 15 October 2018 Published: 14 November 2018
Abstract
Effective management of tree-hollow-dependent wildlife is enhanced by detailed knowledge of the trees used for shelter and breeding. We describe the characteristics of 52 den trees and hollows (cavities) used by the yellow-bellied glider (Petaurus australis) in the south-west of its geographic range. We compared the following attributes of den trees to reference trees: tree height, diameter at breast height, hollow entrance height, hollow entrance diameter, cavity diameter, cavity depth, cavity roof height and cavity wall thickness. Dens and reference trees showed a highly significant multivariate difference (P < 0.001), with these variables explaining 64% of the variance. Univariate analyses revealed that hollow entrance height was significantly different between den trees (9.0 ± 0.5 m) and reference trees (5.5 ± 0.3 m). While not significant, den trees tended to have narrower hollow entrances, deeper cavities and thinner walls than reference trees; cavities used by yellow-bellied gliders, on average, measured 36.8 cm deep and 18.0 cm in diameter, and had entrances 10.6 cm in diameter. These observations should assist forest management for this species.
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