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Scats can reveal the presence and habitat use of cryptic rock-dwelling macropods

journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-16, 19:41 authored by Telfer, WR, Griffiths, AD, David BowmanDavid Bowman
The rock-dwelling macropod species of the tropics of the Northern Territory, Australia, are behaviourally elusive and difficult to observe in their rugged habitats. Hence, little is understood about their ecology. We evaluated the potential of using scats (faecal pellets) as a survey tool for this faunal assemblage by: (1) developing a key to the scats of the species; (2) examining the rates of loss and decomposition of short-eared rock-wallaby (Petrogale brachyotis) scats in these tropical environments; and (3) comparing the distribution of scats of P. brachyotis with the species' use of space and habitats as determined with radio-telemetry. Classification tree modelling discriminated the scats of the seven macropod species, primarily on the basis of width. The reliability of identification was greatly improved with larger sample sizes and inclusion of a habitat parameter. Rates of scat loss and decay were variable and the greatest losses occurred in the wet season, particularly on sandy soils. Scat censuses underestimated the total area used by P. brachyotis but the distribution of scats showed the same broad pattern of habitat use found by radio-telemetry. We conclude that scats can accurately indicate the presence and habitat preferences of rock-dwelling macropod species. © CSIRO 2006.

History

Publication title

Australian Journal of Zoology

Volume

54

Issue

5

Pagination

325-334

ISSN

0004-959X

Department/School

School of Natural Sciences

Publisher

CSIRO Publishing

Place of publication

Victoria

Repository Status

  • Restricted

Socio-economic Objectives

Social impacts of climate change and variability

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    University Of Tasmania

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