Dissertations / Theses: 'Marsupials Ecology'

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Andrew, Deborah. "Ecology of the tiger quoll dasyurus maculatus maculatus in coastal New South Wales." Access electronically, 2005. http://www.library.uow.edu.au/adt-NWU/public/adt-NWU20070501.155009/index.html.

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Van, der Ree Rodney, and mikewood@deakin edu au. "Ecology of arboreal marsupials in a network of remnant linear habitats." Deakin University. School of Ecology and Environment, 2000. http://tux.lib.deakin.edu.au./adt-VDU/public/adt-VDU20050804.104814.

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Linear strips of vegetation set within a less-hospitable matrix are common features of landscapes throughout the world. Depending on location, form and function, these linear landscape elements include hedgerows, fencerows, shelterbelts, roadside or streamside strips and wildlife corridors. In many anthropogenically-modified landscapes, linear strips are important components for conservation because they provide a large proportion of the remaining wooded or shrubby habitat for fauna. They may also function to provide connectivity across the landscape. In some districts, the linear strips form an interconnected network of habitat. The spatial configuration of remnant habitat (size, shape and arrangement) may influence habitat suitability, and hence survival, of many species of plant and animal in modified landscapes. Near Euroa in south-eastern Australia, the clearing and fragmentation of temperate woodlands for agriculture has been extensive and, at present, less than 5% tree cover remains, most of which (83%) occurs as linear strips along roads and streams. The remainder of the woodland occurs as relatively small patches and single isolated trees scattered across the landscape. As an assemblage, arboreal marsupials are woodland dependent and vary in their sensitivity to habitat loss and fragmentation. This thesis focusses on determining the conservation status of arboreal marsupials in the linear network and understanding how they utilise the landscape mosaic. Specifically, the topics examined in this thesis are: (1) the composition of the arboreal marsupial assemblage in linear and non-linear woodland remnants; (2) the status and habitat preferences of species of arboreal marsupial within linear remnants; and (3) the ecology of a population of the Squirrel Glider Petaurus norfolcensis in the linear network, focusing on population dynamics, spatial organisation, and use of den trees. The arboreal marsupial fauna in the linear network was diverse, and comprised seven out of eight species known to occur in the district. The species detected within the strips were P. norfolcensis, the Sugar Glider Petaurus breviceps, Common Brushtail Possum Trichosums vulpecula, Common Ringtail Possum Pseudocheirus peregrinus, Brush-tailed Phascogale Phascogale tapoatafa, Koala Phascolarctos cinereus and Yellow-footed Antechinus Antechinus flavipes. The species not detected was the Feathertail Glider Acrabates pygmaeus. Survey sites in linear remnants (strips of woodland along roads and streams) supported a similar richness and density of arboreal mammals to sites in non-linear remnants (large patches or continuous tracts of woodland nearby). Furthermore, the combined abundance of all species of arboreal marsupials was significantly greater in sites in the linear remnants than in the non-linear remnants. This initial phase of the study provided no evidence that linear woodland remnants support a degraded or impoverished arboreal marsupial fauna in comparison with the nonlinear remnants surveyed. Intensive trapping of arboreal marsupials within a 15 km linear network between February 1997 and June 1998 showed that all species of arboreal marsupial (except A. pygmaeus) were present within the linear strips. Further analyses related trap-based abundance estimates to measures of habitat quality and landscape structure. Width of the linear habitat was significantly positively correlated with the combined abundance of all arboreal marsupials, as well as with the abundance of P. norfolcensis and T. vulpecula. The abundance of T. vulpecula was also significantly positively correlated with variation in overstorey species composition, Acacia density and the number of hollow-bearing trees. The abundance of P. norfolcensis was positively correlated with Acacia density and canopy width, and negatively correlated with distance to the nearest intersection with another linear remnant. No significant variables were identified to explain the abundance of P. tapoatafa, and there were insufficient captures of the remaining species to investigate habitat preferences. Petaurus norfolcensis were resident within the linear network and their density (0.95 -1.54 ha-1) was equal to the maximum densities recorded for this species in continuous forest elsewhere in south-eastern Australia. Rates of reproduction were also similar to those in continuous forest, with births occurring between May and December, a mean natality rate of 1.9, and a mean litter size of 1.7. Sex ratios never differed significantly from parity. Overall, the population dynamics of P. norfolcensis were comparable with published results for the species in contiguous forest, clearly suggesting that the linear remnants currently support a self-sustaining, viable population. Fifty-one P. norfolcensis were fitted with radio transmitters and tracked intermittently between December 1997 and November 1998. Home ranges were small (1.3 - 2.8 ha), narrow (20 - 40 m) and elongated (322 - 839 m). Home ranges were mostly confined to the linear remnants, although 80% of gliders also utilised small clumps of adjacent woodland within farm paddocks for foraging or denning. Home range size was significantly larger at intersections between two or more linear remnants than within straight sections of linear remnants. Intersections appeared to be important sites for social interaction because the overlap of home ranges of members of adjacent social groups was significantly greater at intersections than straight sections. Intersections provided the only opportunity for members of three or more social groups to interact, while still maintaining their territories. The 51 gliders were radiotracked to 143 different hollow-bearing trees on 2081 occasions. On average, gliders used 5.3 den trees during the study (range 1-15), and changed den trees every 4.9 days. The number of den trees used by each glider is likely to be conservative because the cumulative number of den trees continued to increase over the full duration of the study. When gliders shifted between den trees, the mean distance between consecutive den sites was 247 m. Den trees were located throughout a glider's home range, thereby reducing the need to return to a central den site and potentially minimising energy expenditure. Dens were usually located in large trees (mean diameter 88.5 cm) and were selected significantly more often than expected based on their occurrence within the landscape. The overall conclusion of this thesis is that the linear network I studied provides high quality habitat for resident populations of arboreal marsupials. Important factors influencing the suitability of the linear remnants appear to be the high level of network connectivity, the location on soils of high nutrient status, the high density of large trees and an acacia understorey. In highly fragmented landscapes, linear habitats as part of the remaining woodland mosaic have the potential to be an integral component in the conservation of woodland-dependent fauna. The habitat value of linear strips of vegetation should not be underestimated.

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Stewart, Annabelle Greer. "Dibblers on the Jurien islands : the influence of burrowing seabirds and the potential for competition from other species /." Connect to this title, 2006. http://theses.library.uwa.edu.au/adt-WU2007.0066.

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Leiner, Natália Oliveira. "Padrões de uso do espaço em multiplas escalas por roedores e marsupiais de Mata Atlantica." [s.n.], 2009. http://repositorio.unicamp.br/jspui/handle/REPOSIP/316274.

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Orientador: Wesley Rodrigues Silva
Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Biologia
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Resumo: Diversos fatores influenciam os padrões de uso de espaço de pequenos mamíferos, tais como estrutura de hábitat, riscos de predação e período reprodutivo. O objetivo desse estudo foi investigar a influência de tais fatores sobre o uso de espaço de roedores e marsupiais em diferentes escalas. No primeiro capítulo, analisamos a estrutura das comunidades de pequenos mamíferos não-voadores que ocorrem em fragmentos florestais e em áreas em restauração, e investigamos quais componentes do hábitat influenciam a composição de espécies dessas comunidades. De forma geral, os resultados mostraram que a composição de espécies é um reflexo das preferências que as espécies apresentam por determinados componentes do hábitat, de forma que características estruturais da vegetação e sensibilidade das espécies às alterações determinam a estrutura das comunidades de pequenos mamíferos nos hábitats amostrados. No segundo capítulo, testamos a hipótese de que a importância de diferentes fatores na seleção de hábitats por Marmosops incanus e Marmosops paulensis depende da escala de observação, e a hipótese de que o uso de hábitat funciona como um mecanismo para garantir a coexistência dessas duas espécies, de forma que essas espécies devem selecionar diferentes componentes do hábitat e/ou apresentar segregação no uso vertical do espaço. Os resultados demonstraram que ambas as espécies selecionam os fragmentos florestais pela presença de maior complexidade estrutural e sub-bosque denso, variável que também influenciou a distribuição dessas espécies na escala do meso-hábitat. Na escala mais fina, do micro-hábitat, foram detectados padrões contrastantes de seleção para cada espécie. Enquanto M. incanus preferiu locais com maior estruturação vertical entre 0.5 e 1.0 m, M. paulensis não apresentou padrões claros de seleção de hábitat. Esse resultado aponta a influência da escala de observação nos padrões de seleção de hábitat. Apesar das espécies não apresentarem segregação na seleção de componentes do hábitat, houve segregação no uso vertical do espaço e a abundância das espécies foi negativamente correlacionada, apoiando em parte a segunda hipótese. No terceiro capítulo, corroboramos a hipótese de que a cobertura de gramíneas determina o uso de hábitat e os padrões de forrageamento por espécies de roedores. Sugerimos que a seleção por áreas com maior cobertura vegetal está relacionada com a diminuição dos riscos de predação durante o forrageamento. Por fim, no quarto capítulo analisamos a organização espacial de machos e fêmeas de M. paulensis durante o ano. Os resultados indicaram que as fêmeas apresentam uma estratégia territorial que parece estar associada à distribuição e previsibilidade dos recursos alimentares, e não ao período reprodutivo e a presença de filhotes.
Abstract: Several factors may influence habitat selection and spatial organization of small mammals, such as habitat structure, predation risks and reproductive activity. The goal of this study was to evaluate the role of these factors on space use patterns of rodents and marsupials at multiple scales. In the first chapter, we evaluated community structure of non-volant small mammals inhabiting forest fragments and restored sites, and discussed which habitat components influenced species composition of these communities. Our results showed that species composition reflects species habitat selection, in a way that habitat structure and ability to occupy disturbed sites determine species composition and community structure in the sampled habitats. In the second chapter, we evaluated the hypotheses that 1) Marmosops habitat selection is scale dependent and 2) in order to coexist, M. incanus and M. paulensis should partition habitat use, through differential use of habitat components and/or segregation in the use of vertical strata. Both M. incanus and M. paulensis occurred almost exclusively at forest fragments, due to higher structural complexity and the presence of a dense and low understory, which also determined the distribution of these species inside the fragments. At a smaller, mesohabitat scale, both species selected areas providing dense understorey, especially vertical obstruction 0-0.5 m above ground. At a finer, micro-habitat scale, we detected contrasting patterns for each species. At this scale, M. incanus preferred places with higher plant cover and higher vertical obstruction 0.5-1.0 m above ground, while M. paulensis presented no evident pattern of habitat selection. Although our results failed to find selection for different habitat variables between M. incanus and M. paulensis, we found an inverse numerical association between species and segregation in the use of vertical strata, thus partially supporting the second hypothesis. In the third chapter, we confirmed the hypothesis that rodent habitat use and foraging behavior is determined by grass cover. We suggested that small rodents avoid foraging in reduced cover sites due to high perceived predation risks. Finally, the fourth chapter evaluated the spatial organization of M. paulensis males and females. As expected, evidence demonstrated that M. paulensis presents a promiscuous mating system, with females defending territories and males moving between these areas, as a strategy to maximize reproductive success. The occurrence of territoriality in females seems to be determined by the distribution and predictability of food resources, rather than reproductive activity and the presence of young.
Doutorado
Doutor em Ecologia

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Almeida, Marcos Vinicius de 1988. "Aspectos da ecologia populacional de Gracilinanus microtarsus (Mammalia: Didelphidae)." [s.n.], 2014. http://repositorio.unicamp.br/jspui/handle/REPOSIP/315880.

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Orientadores: Sérgio Furtado dos Reis, Eduardo Guimarães Martins
Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Biologia
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Resumo: O objetivo do presente trabalho foi investigar diversos parâmetros de interesse para a ecologia populacional de Gracilinanus microtarsus. Em particular os objetivos foram estimar probabilidade sobrevivência e verificar como a população de G. microtarsus do Cerrado de Mogi Guaçu no estado de São Paulo se comporta com relação ao contínuo de estratégias reprodutivas; estimar taxas de captura e recaptura e verificar se os indivíduos na população do Cerrado de Mogi Guaçu se comportam com relação a chance de ser mais ou menos capturados; estimar o tamanho populacional e verificar se existe variação temporal nesse parâmetro. As estimativas de sobrevivência obtidas para G. microtarsus nesse estudo no Cerrado da Fazenda Campininha no município de Mogi Guaçu em São Paulo variaram entre um mínimo de 0,484 e um máximo de 0,815. A população de G. microtarsus no Cerrado da Fazenda Campininha se comporta do ponto de vista demográfico como semalpara parcial. O tamanho populacional de G. microtarsus na área de cerrado da Fazenda Campininha mostrou-se mais elevado estatisticamente nos meses de maior pluviosidade. As estimativas nesses meses, novembro, dezembro (2005), janeiro e março (2006), variaram de 20 a 30. As estimativas nos meses de dezembro (2005) e janeiro (2006) foram as mais altas com 24 e 31, respectivamente. Nossos dados para o maior tamanho populacional estimado para os meses mais quentes descritos no trabalho, sugerem uma forte influência da estação quente e úmida, onde a oferta de alimentos, principalmente insetos, é maior na região de estudo e é aquela que parece melhor favorecer a reprodução e o desenvolvimento de filhotes da cuíca G. microtarsus
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to investigate aspects of the population ecology of Gracilinanus microtarsus. Specifically, the primary objectives were to estimate the probability of survival and to assess the behavior of the population of G. microtarsus from the Cerrado de Mogi Guaçu in the state of São Paulo with respect the semelparity-iteroparity continuum; to estimate probabilities of capture and recapture; and to estimate population size and temporal variation in this parameter. Estimates of survival varied between 0.484 and 0.815. The population of G. microtarsus in the Cerrado de Mogi Guaçu behaves as partial semelparous. Population size was higher in the months of higher pluviosity
Mestrado
Biodiversidade Animal
Mestre em Biologia Animal

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Pereira, Viviane Morlanes. "Ecologia de pequenos mamíferos (Didelphimorphia e Rodentia) em uma área de caatinga do Rio Grande do Norte." Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido, 2016. http://bdtd.ufersa.edu.br:80/tede/handle/tede/635.

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Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior
The Caatinga biome occurs in the states of the states of Maranhão, Piauí, Ceará, Rio Grande do Norte, Pernambuco, Paraíba, Alagoas, Sergipe, Bahia and Minas Gerais, in Brazil. Despite being the only exclusively Brazilian ecosystem, few resources for research on biodiversity and conservation are devoted to this biome. The generation of knowledge on biodiversity of the Caatinga is essential for establishing effective strategies for management and conservation of species and habitats, particularly in a biome as sensitive and as threatened this one. The present work is divided into two chapters. The first one is an extensive literature review on the occurrence, distribution and chromosomal characteristics of species of small terrestrial mammals recorded in the Caatinga. The second chapter presents data on diversity, ecology and seasonality of a community of small terrestrial mammals (Didelphimorphia and Rodentia) using capture-marking-recapture methods throughout twelve successive months in a well-preserved native forest fragment of Caatinga located at the Experimental Farm Rafael Fernandes from the Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido, Mossoró-RN
O bioma Caatinga ocorre nos estados do Maranhão, Piauí, Ceará, Rio Grande do Norte, Pernambuco, Paraíba, Alagoas, Sergipe, Bahia e Minas Gerais, no Brasil. Apesar de ser o único ecossistema exclusivamente brasileiro, poucos recursos para pesquisas sobre biodiversidade e conservação são voltados para este bioma. A geração de conhecimento sobre a diversidade biológica da Caatinga torna-se essencial para estabelecer estratégias eficazes de gestão e conservação de espécies e habitats, particularmente em um bioma tão sensível e ameaçado como esse. O presente trabalho se divide em dois capítulos e, o primeiro, consiste em uma extensa revisão bibliográfica sobre a ocorrência, distribuição e características cromossômicas das espécies de pequenos mamíferos terrestres que habitam a Caatinga. O segundo capítulo, apresenta dados sobre diversidade, ecologia e sazonalidade de uma comunidade de pequenos mamíferos terrestres (Didelphimorphia e Rodentia) através de um estudo usando o método de captura-marcação-recaptura ao longo de doze meses sucessivos de amostragem em um fragmento de mata nativa de Caatinga bem conservada situada na Fazenda Experimental Rafael Fernandes da Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido, Mossoró-RN
2017-03-24

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Acevedo, Dudley Melissa Judith. "Biology, ecology and ecophysiology of the box jellyfish Carybdea marsupialis (Cnidaria: Cubozoa) = Biologia, ecologia i ecofisiologia de la cubomedusa Carybdea marsupialis (Cnidaria: Cubozoa)." Doctoral thesis, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, 2016. http://hdl.handle.net/10803/403956.

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Over the last years, the sightings of the cubomedusa Carybdea marsupialis have increased in the Mediterranean Sea and this has been linked to an increase in its abundance. Consequently, this phD thesis addresses some questions regarding the possible causes and effects of this phenomenon. Firstly, the taxonomy and distribution of the species have been revised and updated. Moreover, laboratory experiments were conducted to study the development and ecophysiology of this animal. These results were complemented with field studies on the gut contents and trophic markers of C. marsupialis. Finally, the results of a four years monitoring in the coast of Denia (Spain), as well as the sightings of the species reported along the Mediterranean, provided solid evidence on the main factors affecting the distribution of C. marsupialis. Overall, the species seems to be favoured by high nutrient inputs from anthropogenic origin, and other human activities as coastal constructions.
Los avistamientos de la cubomedusa Carybdea marsupialis han aumentado en el Mar Mediterráneo en los últimos años, hecho que ha sido atribuido a un incremento en su abundancia. El objetivo de esta tesis doctoral es responder algunas preguntas relacionadas con las posibles causas y efectos de este fenómeno. En primer lugar, se han actualizado la taxonomía y la distribución de la especie. Además, se han llevado a cabo experimentos relacionados con su desarrollo y ecofisiología. Estos resultados se han complementado con estudios de sus contenidos estomacales y marcadores tróficos en el campo. Finalmente, un monitoreo durante cuatro años en la costa de Denia (España), junto con los avistamientos de esta cubomedusa en el Mediterráneo, han proporcionado evidencias sólidas acerca de los factores principales que afectan la distribución de C. marsupialis. En general, la especie parece verse favorecida por el aporte de nutrientes de origen antropogénico, y por otras actividades humanas como las construcciones costeras.

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Amaral, Heloiza Helena de Oliveira Morelli. "Ecologia de Phthiraptera, Siphonaptera e Acari (Ixodidae) de pequenos roedores e marsupiais do Parque Estadual da Pedra Branca, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil." Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, 2008. https://tede.ufrrj.br/jspui/handle/tede/488.

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From October 2005 to October 2007, rodents and marsupials were captured at Pedra Branca State Park, Rio de Janeiro, RJ. This research aimed to characterize the vegetation concerning the study area; to check the existence of a correlation between mesoclimate and microclimate in relation to the presence of parasites and hosts; to identify the dynamics of the hosts and parasites population throughout the seasons and verify the stratification of the small rodents and marsupials fauna as well as the ectoparasitarian fauna. Six spaces of capture were highlighted, in different levels of height. Three types of traps were used, Sherman, Tomahowk and Francesinha, with different baits distributed in five transects. A hundred and sixty mammals were captured, 96 specimens of marsupials and 64 of rodents from the following species: Akodon cursor, Oligoryzomys nigripes, Rattus norvergicus, Rattus rattus, Guerlinguetus ingrami, Sphigurus villosus, Didelphis aurita, Marmosops incanus, Micoureus paraguayanus, Metachirus nudicaudatus, Monodelphis americana and Philander frenatus. It was possible to observe that in hotter (July and August) and drier (December, January and February) months, the number of animals captured is much lower. The vegetation present in the collection areas (in the six levels researched) is composed by secondary vegetation in different stages of regeneration. The areas placed in levels 150, 200, 300 and 400 m can be classified as areas at initial and medium stage of regeneration, while, the areas situated in levels 500 and 600 m the classification is of areas at medium to advanced stage of regeneration. The correlation between the environment (relative humidity, temperature and pluviometric index) and the ectoparasites was only significant to the ticks, showing that, the higher the temperature, the higher is the number of ticks. The dominant species is D. aurita (35%). Three hundred and seventy specimens of ectoparasites were collected: 162 fleas, 105 ticks and 103 lice. The parasites found were: Siphonaptera: Adoratopsylla (Adoratopsylla) antiquorum ronnai, Adoratopsylla (Tritopsylla) intermedia intermedia, Polygenis (Polygenis) occidentalis occidentalis, Polygenis (Polygenis) rimatus, Polygenis (Polygenis) steganus, Polygenis (Neopolygenis) atopus, Ctenocephalidae felis felis, Acari (Ixodidae): Amblyomma geayi, Amblyomma longirostre, Amblyomma scutatum, Amblyomma spp., Ixodes amarali, Ixodes auritulus, Ixodes didelphidis, Ixodes loricatus, Ixodes luciae, Ixodes spp., Phthiraptera: Poliplax spinulosa, Hoplopleura sciuricola, Eutrichophilus minor and Eutrichophilus cercolabes. The siphonapterus obtained the highest prevalence coefficient (28,13%) and the highest abundance index (1,01 flea/host). The phthirapters presented the highest mean intensity of parasitism (17,17 lice/host). The correlation between the numbers of rodents captured and the levels was not significant (rs = 0,23, p = 0,6) and for the marsupials the correlation was negative and also not significant (rs = -0,6, p = 0,2). Polygenis (P.) occidentalis occidentalis was found at the highest frequency (20,8%) among the rodents and in relation to the marsupials, Adoratopsylla (T.) intermedia intermedia was the most frequent (77,7%). E. cercolabes presented the highest frequency (91,5%) among lice; among ticks the highest frequency was of Ixodes loricatus.
No per?odo de outubro de 2005 at? outubro de 2007, foram capturados roedores e marsupiais no Parque Estadual da Pedra Branca, Rio de Janeiro, RJ. Este trabalho objetivou caracterizar a vegeta??o da ?rea de estudo; verificar se existe correla??o entre mesoclima e microclima com rela??o ? presen?a de parasitos e hospedeiros; identificar a din?mica das popula??es de hospedeiros e parasitos ao longo das esta??es do ano e verificar a estratifica??o da fauna de pequenos roedores e marsupiais e da fauna ectoparasit?ria. Foram marcados seis pontos de captura, em diferentes cotas. Utilizou-se tr?s tipos de armadilhas, Sherman. Tomahowk e Francesinha, com diferentes iscas e dispostas em cinco transectos. Capturou-se 160 mam?feros, sendo 96 esp?cimes de marsupiais, das esp?cies: Didelphis aurita, Marmosops incanus, Micoureus paraguayanus, Metachirus nudicaudatus, Monodelphis americana e Philander frenatus, e 64 de roedores, das esp?cies: Akodon cursor, Oligoryzomys nigripes, Rattus norvergicus, Rattus rattus, Guerlinguetus ingrami, Sphigurus villosus,. A vegeta??o presente nas ?reas de coleta (nas seis cotas pesquisadas) ? composta por vegeta??o secund?ria em diferentes est?gios de regenera??o. As ?reas situadas nas cotas 150, 200, 300 e 400 metros podem ser classificadas como ?reas que est?o em est?gio de inicial a m?dio de regenera??o, enquanto, as ?reas situadas nas cotas 500 e 600 metros a classifica??o ? de ?reas em est?gio de m?dio a avan?ado de regenera??o. A correla??o entre o ambiente (umidade relativa do ar, temperatura e ?ndice pluviom?trico) e os ectoparasitas s? foi significativa para os carrapatos, demonstrando que, quanto maior a temperatura, maior ? o n?mero de carrapatos. Observou-se que nos meses de julho e agosto (meses mais secos) e nos meses de dezembro, janeiro e fevereiro (mais quentes) o n?mero de animais capturados ? muito baixo. A esp?cie dominante ? D. aurita (35%). Coletou-se 370 esp?cimes de ectoparasitas, sendo: 162 pulgas, 105 carrapatos e 103 piolhos. Os parasitos encontrados foram: Siphonaptera: Adoratopsylla (Adoratopsylla) antiquorum ronnai, Adoratopsylla (Tritopsylla) intermedia intermedia, Polygenis (Polygenis) occidentalis occidentalis, Polygenis (Polygenis) rimatus, Polygenis (Polygenis) steganus, Polygenis (Neopolygenis) atopus, Ctenocephalidae felis felis; Acari (Ixodidae): Amblyomma geayi, Amblyomma longirostre, Amblyomma scutatum, Amblyomma spp., Ixodes amarali, Ixodes auritulus, Ixodes didelphidis, Ixodes loricatus, Ixodes luciae, Ixodes spp.; Phthiraptera: Poliplax spinulosa, Hoplopleura sciuricola, Eutrichophilus minor e Eutrichophilus cercolabes. As pulgas obtiveram o maior coeficiente de preval?ncia (28,13%) e o maior ?ndice de abund?ncia (1,01 pulga/hospedeiro). Os piolhos apresentaram a maior intensidade m?dia de parasitismo (17,17 piolhos/hospedeiro). A correla??o entre o n?mero de roedores capturados e as cotas n?o foi significativa (rs = 0,23, p = 0,6) e para os marsupiais a correla??o foi negativa e tamb?m n?o significativa (rs = -0,6, p = 0,2). Polygenis (P.) occidentalis occidentalis foi encontrada com a maior freq??ncia (20,8%) entre os roedores e em rela??o aos marsupiais, Adoratopsylla (T.) intermedia intermedia foi a mais freq?ente (77,7%). E. cercolabes apresentou a maior freq??ncia (91,5%) entre os piolhos; entre os carrapatos a maior freq??ncia foi de Ixodes loricatus.

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Stewart, Annabelle Greer. "Dibblers on the Jurien islands : the influence of burrowing seabirds and the potential for competition from other species." University of Western Australia. School of Animal Biology, 2007. http://theses.library.uwa.edu.au/adt-WU2007.0066.

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[Truncated abstract] The dibbler, Parantechinus apicalis, is an endangered marsupial that exists on Boullanger, Whitlock and Escape islands off Jurien Bay in Western Australia. The introduced house mouse, Mus domesticus, exists on Boullanger and Whitlock islands, and the King’s skink, Egernia kingii, inhabits Boullanger and Escape islands. The grey-bellied dunnart, Sminthopsis griseoventer, exists on Boullanger Island. Over the last 150 years, the wedge-tailed shearwater, Puffinus pacificus, has colonised the islands to varying degrees. The interaction between dibblers and other island species is not clear. The purpose of this study was to determine the main factors regulating the dynamics of mammals, and in particular dibblers, on the Jurien islands. This was achieved by examining the effect of seabirds, the competitive interactions between species living on the islands, and seasonal changes in the environment. Animals were trapped for a period of 30 months, and their population structure, body condition, longevity, habitat preferences, diet and ecophysiology were examined. The results presented support the theory that by increasing soil nutrient concentrations, burrowing seabirds increase the primary productivity of islands, which has flow on effects to other trophic levels. Densities of seabirds and soil nutrient concentrations were highest on Whitlock Island, intermediate on Escape Island, and lowest on Boullanger Island . . .Thirty-five percent of dibblers on Escape Island were missing their tail or a limb, probably as a result of aggression from King’s skinks. Competition from high numbers of house mice on Boullanger Island, and from high numbers of King’s skinks on Escape Island, may increase the occurrence of male die-off on these islands. The better body condition and greater longevity of dibblers on Whitlock Island, despite high numbers of house mice, suggests that abundant resources are available to sustain both species. This study demonstrates that high densities of seabirds positively affect the population dynamics of mammals on the Jurien islands. Burrowing seabirds appear to influence the dynamics of dibblers more so than competition from house mice or King’s skinks. The findings from this study will assist the Dibbler Recovery Team with future management decisions regarding the viability of dibblers on the Jurien islands, and with decisions regarding the necessity to control house mouse numbers in the presence of native species.

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Bordehore, Cesar. "Studies on the ecology of Carybdea marsupialis (Cubozoa) and jellyfish sting risk management." Doctoral thesis, Universidad de Alicante, 2014. http://hdl.handle.net/10045/45092.

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Programa LIFE Comisión Europea (LIFE NAT 080064 CUBOMED; Ministerio de Agricultura, Alimentación y Medio Ambiente; Fundación Biodiversidad; Dirección General del Agua, Generalitat Valenciana; Fundació Baleària; El Portet de Denia.

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Martins, Eduardo Guimarães. "Ecologia populacional e alimentar de Gracilinanus microtarsus (Marsupialia: Didelphidae)." [s.n.], 2007. http://repositorio.unicamp.br/jspui/handle/REPOSIP/316225.

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Orientador: Sergio Furtado dos Reis
Tese (doutorado): Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Biologia
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Resumo: Gracilinanus microtarsus (Marsupialia: Didelphidae) é um pequeno marsupial de hábitos noturnos e arborícola que habita áreas de Mata Atlântica e Cerrado no Brasil. Os objetivos deste trabalho foram determinar a posição de G. microtarsus ao longo de duas dimensões ecológicas ? estratégia reprodutiva e dieta ? e definir níveis de agregação relevantes à dinâmica populacional da espécie. O estudo foi realizado no período de agosto de 2000 a fevereiro de 2003 em uma área de cerradão localizada no município de Américo Brasiliense, São Paulo. Os dados foram obtidos de indivíduos capturados em uma grade de captura de 3.600 m2. No total, foram capturados 91 indivíduos de G. microtarsus. Os resultados mostraram que os machos apresentam altas taxas de mortalidade após o início do período reprodutivo, indicando que G. microtarsus é melhor descrito como semélparo parcial. Usando as estimativas de sobrevivência e dados adicionais sobre a biologia de G. microtarsus, foi construído um modelo de dinâmica populacional estocástico. Os resultados das simulações desse modelo estocástico mostraram que as probabilidades de quasi-extinção e de extinção de G. microtarsus são sensíveis ao número de indivíduos que sobrevivem à queimadas no cerradão. Quanto à dieta, os resultados mostraram que G. microtarsus é principalmente insetívoro e que sua dieta é significativamente influenciada pelo sexo, estação e recurso alimentar. Além disso, a dieta varia entre indivíduos e a variação interindividual também é influenciada pelo sexo e estação
Abstract: The gracile mouse opossum Gracilinanus microtarsus (Marsupialia: Didelphidae) is a small marsupial with nocturnal and arboreal habits that lives in the Atlantic Rainforest and forested areas of the Cerrado in Brazil. The objectives of this study were to determine the placement of G. microtarsus along two ecological scales, namely, reproductive strategy and diet, as well as to define levels of aggregation relevant to the dynamics of this species. This study was conducted from August 2000 to February 2003 in an area of cerradão located in Américo Brasiliense, São Paulo. Data were collected from individuals captured in a 3,600 m2 trapping grid. A total of 91 individual G. microtarsus was captured. The results showed that males have high mortality rates after the beginning of the mating period, which suggests that G. microtarsus is best described as partially semelparous. Using survival estimates and additional data on the biology of G. microtarsus, it was constructed a stochastic population dynamic model. The results of the simulations showed that quasi-extinction and extinction probabilities of G. microtarsus are sensitive to the number of individuals that survive fires in the cerradão. As for the diet, the results showed that G. microtarsus is primarily insectivorous and that its diet is significantly affected by sex, season, and food resource. Furthermore, diet varies among individuals and the variation also is affected by sex and season
Doutorado
Ecologia
Doutor em Ecologia

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Stapelberg, Franz Heinrich. "Feeding ecology of the Kalahari springbok Antidorcas marsupialis in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, South Africa." Diss., Pretoria : [s.n.], 2007. http://upetd.up.ac.za/thesis/available/etd-04242008-125212.

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Mason, Eugene D. "Ecology and conservation of a new carnivorous marsupial species: The silver-headed Antechinus (Antechinus argentus)." Thesis, Queensland University of Technology, 2018. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/118725/1/Eugene_Mason_Thesis.pdf.

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Since 2012, five new species of carnivorous marsupial Antechinus have been described. One of these, the threatened silver-headed antechinus (Antechinus argentus), has a highly restricted distribution and occurs in low abundance. When the present study commenced, almost nothing was known of the ecology of the species. Therefore, the aim of this research was to provide foundational knowledge by investigating three main components of the species' ecology: 1. diet, 2. life-history, and 3. habitat use. The aims were achieved and the research resulted in a threatened species listing. The present thesis provides necessary recommendations for ongoing conservation management of the species.

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Martins, Eduardo Guimarães. "Ecologia populacional e area de vida da cuica Gracilinanus microtarsus (Marsupialia : Didelphidae) em um cerradão de Americo Brasiliense, São Paulo." [s.n.], 2004. http://repositorio.unicamp.br/jspui/handle/REPOSIP/316230.

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Orientadores: Sergio Furtado dos Reis, Cibele Queiroz da Silva
Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Biologia
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Mestrado

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Hayward, Matt School of Biological Earth &amp Environmental Science UNSW. "The ecology of the quokka (Setonix brachyurus) (Macropodidae: Marsupialia) in the Northern Jarrah Forest of Australia." Awarded by:University of New South Wales. School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Science, 2002. http://handle.unsw.edu.au/1959.4/18768.

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The quokka (Setonix brachyurus Quoy & Gaimard 1830) is a medium-sized, macropodid marsupial that is endemic to the mesic, south-western corner of Australia. While being a tourist icon on Rottnest Island, the species is threatened with extinction. It has been intensively studied on Rottnest Island in the 1960s and 1970s, however very little is known of its ecology on the mainland. Additionally the insular and mainland environments are extremely different suggesting that ecological differences between the two populations are likely. Consequently, this study sought to determine the basic autecology of the quokka and identify what factors have attributed to its threatened conservation status. The northern jarrah forest of Western Australia was selected as the study region due to it being at the northern limit of extant quokka distribution and because it was thought that the factors threatening the quokka would be exacerbated there. Fossil deposits suggest that the quokka originally occupied an area of approximately 49,000 km2 in the south-western corner of Australia. Historical literature show that they were widespread and abundant when Europeans colonised the region in 1829 but a noticeable and dramatic decline occurred a century later. The arrival of the red fox to the region coincided almost exactly with this decline and so it was probably ultimately responsible. Continued predation by both it and the feral cat are likely to have continued the decline, along with habitat destruction and modification through altered fire regimes. Specific surveys and literature searches show that since the 1950s, the area occupied by the quokka has declined by 45% and since 1990 by 29%. Based on the criteria of the IUCN (Hilton-Taylor 2000), the conservation status of the quokka should remain as vulnerable. An endangered status may be more applicable if the quokkas restriction to patches through its existence as a metapopulation is considered. Trapping of eight sites supporting quokka populations in the mid-1990s revealed three sites now locally extinct despite the ongoing, six year old, fox control programme. Another three are at serious risk of extinction. Extant population sizes ranged from one to 36 and population density ranged from 0.07 to 4.3 individuals per hectare. This is considered to be below the carrying capacity of each site. The overall quokka population size in the northern jarrah forest may be as low as 150 adult individuals, of which half are likely to be female. Even the largest extant populations are highly susceptible to stochastic extinction events. This small size was surprising considering the six year old, introduced predator control programme. Historically, the restriction to discrete habitat patches, the occasional inter-patch movement, the lack of correlation between the dynamics of each population and reports of frequent localised extinctions and colonisations suggest that the quokka population once existed as part of a classic metapopulation. The massive decline of the quokka in the 1930s pushed the metapopulation structure into a non-equilibrium state such that today, the extant populations are the terminal remnants of the original classic metapopulation. Wild mainland quokkas breed throughout the year. A significant reduction in the number of births occurs over summer and this coincides with a decline in female body weight. Despite this, the mainland quokka is relatively fecund and is able to wean two offspring per year. The level of recruitment from pouch young to independence was low and this may explain the apparent lack of population increase following the initiation of fox control. A total of 56 trapped quokkas were fitted with a radio collar. Mean home range size for quokkas was 6.39 ha with a core range of 1.21 ha and this was negatively related to population density. Male home ranges were larger than females but not significantly when the sexual size dimorphism was considered. Nocturnal ranges were larger than diurnal ranges reflecting nocturnal departures from the swamp refugia. Home range sizes varied seasonally, probably due to changes in the distance required to move to obtain sufficient nutrients and water over the dry summer compared to the wet winter and spring. Telemetry confirmed trapping results that showed no movement between swamps or populations. Home range centres shifted to the periphery of the swamp following the winter inundation and this may increase the species susceptibility to predation. The lack of dispersal is probably caused by quokka populations existing below carrying capacity and following selection for philopatry under the threat of predation for dispersing individuals. Without dispersal to recolonise or rescue unpopulated patches, the collapse of the original quokka metapopulation appears to have occurred. On a macrohabitat scale, the quokka in the northern jarrah forest is restricted to Agonis swamp shrubland habitats that form in the open, upper reaches of creek systems on the western side of the forest. This restriction was probably initially due to the high water requirements of the quokka but is likely to have been exacerbated by increased predation pressure since the arrival of the fox. On a microhabitat scale, the quokka is a habitat specialist, preferring early seral stage swamp habitats, probably for foraging, as part of a mosaic of old age swamp that provides refuge. Despite the six year old, introduced predator control programme, foxes and cats are still the major cause of mortality to quokkas. Road kills was the other identifiable cause. Individuals alive at the start of the study had an 81% chance of staying alive until the end. The likelihood of dying was minimised by grouping together with conspecifics, maximising home range size and maximising the time spent within the swampy refuge. Current rates of adult and juvenile survivorship should allow population recovery and so it seems pouch young mortality, reflected by low recruitment, has inhibited the anticipated population increase following predator control. The confounding effect of inadequate unbaited controls meant that little statistical evidence was available on the impact of introduced predators on the quokka, however the models provided support for earlier hypotheses of these. The presence of a quokka population at a site was related to the amount of poison baits delivered ??? reflecting predation pressure, the average age of the swamp and a mosaic of early and late seral stages within the swamp habitat. Recently burnt habitat is thought to provide food for quokkas and long unburnt habitat provides refuge from predation.

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CARVALHO, NETO Francisco Geraldo de Carvalho. "Ecologia, assimetria flutuante e dimorfismo sexual em pequenos mamíferos em remanescentes de floresta atlântica do nordeste do Brasil." Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, 2013. https://repositorio.ufpe.br/handle/123456789/10477.

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CAPES
Dentre a grande diversidade de ecossistemas brasileiros está a Floresta Atlântica. Este é um dos biomas com maior riqueza de espécies, dentre as quais estão os pequenos mamíferos como os marsupiais, os morcegos e os roedores. Atualmente, a Floresta Atlântica é um dos biomas mais ameaçados pela intensa destruição de suas florestas, sendo a situação mais grave na sub-região de Pernambuco. As pesquisas ecológicas com pequenos mamíferos são escassas nesta sub-região. Tendo em vista este cenário, o presente trabalho estudou a riqueza e a abundância destes organismos em três remanescentes de Floresta Atlântica na sub-região de Pernambuco: a Estação Ecológica de Tapacurá (Tapacurá) e de Caetés (Caetés) e o Refúgio Ecológico Charles Darwin (Darwin). As amostragens ocorreram em 2012, com o esforço de 15 dias de coleta na estação chuvosa e 15 na estação seca para cada área de estudo. Foram coletados 566 espécimes de 28 espécies, sendo 18 de morcegos, seis de roedores e quatro de marsupiais. Os morcegos foram mais abundantes (n=543), seguido pelos marsupiais (n=12) e roedores (n=11). Darwin apresentou a maior abundância e riqueza de espécies. Os índices de heterogeneidade de Shannon-Wiener, diversidade de Simpson e equitabilidade de Pielou, levando em consideração todas as amostragens, foram de 1,829 nats.indivíduo, 0,718 e 0,549, respectivamente. Os menores valores para os índices de Simpson e de Shannon-Wiener ocorreram em Caetés. Pelo teste de qui-quadrado houve maior abundância de A. planirostris (X2=49,15; p<0,0001) e C. perspicillata (X2=28,113; p<0,0001) na estação seca. Os agrupamentos por Jaccard e Morisita revelaram maior similaridade entre Darwin e Caetés. Em Caetés houve o registro inédito de duas espécies de roedores e uma de marsupial e em Darwin de quatro espécies de marsupiais. Os ambientes mais antropizados (Caetés) e com pouco tempo de recuperação florestal (Tapacurá) foram os que apresentaram a menor diversidade de pequenos mamíferos.

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Camargo, Nicholas Ferreira de. "Uso dos estratos verticais por pequenos mamíferos em formações florestais do cerrado brasileiro : padrões de diversidade, relação com a disponibilidade de recursos, seleção de hábitat e habilidade de locomoção arborícola das espécies." reponame:Repositório Institucional da UnB, 2015. http://dx.doi.org/10.26512/2015.04.T.18600.

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Tese (doutorado)—Universidade de Brasília, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia, 2015.
No presente estudo, investigamos diferentes aspectos da estratificação vertical de pequenos mamíferos em ambientes florestais do Cerrado. Além de descrevermos padrões gerais no uso do espaço vertical de marsupiais e roedores, investigamos possíveis variações na utilização dos estratos verticais (solo, sub-bosque [1-4 m de altura] e dossel [> 7m de altura]) pelos animais, levando em consideração duas diferentes fitofisionomias (mata de galeria e cerradão), estações do ano (seca e chuva) e disponibilidade de recursos (artrópodes e frutos). Além disso, nós comparamos a seleção de hábitat de seis espécies de roedores e três espécies de marsupiais em ambas fitofisionomias, avaliando variáveis relacionadas com a complexidade do hábitat. Para isso, consideramos a microescala (estações de captura), a mesoescala (transecções de estações de captura) e as capturas em cada um dos estratos verticais amostrados. Também descrevemos e comparamos a habilidade de locomoção arborícola de sete espécies de roedores sigmodontíneos do Cerrado. Para tanto, realizamos testes por meio de suportes cilíndricos horizontais (nicho fundamental) e relacionamos os resultados com dados de arborealidade obtidos em campo desses animais (nicho realizado). Das 11 espécies capturadas, o marsupial Caluromys lanatus foi capturado somente no dossel em ambas fitofisionomias. O marsupial Monodelphis americana e o roedor Calomys expulsus em cerradão, e o roedor Proechimys roberti em mata de galeria, foram capturados somente no solo. Dentre as espécies que utilizaram somente o solo e o sub-bosque (em ambas fitofisionomias), estavam os roedores Hylaeamys megacephalus (primariamente terrestre), Oligoryzomys nigripes e O. fornesi (escansoriais). As espécies que utilizaram os três estratos verticais (em diferentes intensidades) foram os marsupiais Didelphis albiventris, Gracilinanus agilis, e os roedores Oecomys cf. roberti e Rhipidomys macrurus. Nossos resultados indicaram que R. macrurus utiliza mais o dossel em cerradão, e que o G. agilis utiliza com maior intensidade o solo e o sub-bosque na estação seca em ambas fitofisionomias. Além disso, verificamos associações entre a utilização dos estratos verticais e a disponibilidade de frutos (G. agilis, O. cf. roberti e R. macrurus), e a biomassa de artrópodes (R. macrurus), coleópteros (O. cf. roberti e R. macrurus) e lepidópteros (G. agilis). Também verificamos que, em mata de galeria, existe a tendência de um acréscimo de espécies quando os diferentes estratos verticais são considerados, e que a diversidade beta entre estratos verticais é maior do que entre áreas. Adicionalmente, nossos resultados de seleção de hábitat indicaram que na microescala, a seleção do hábitat diferiu entre as duas fitofisionomias, e que os animais tenderam a selecionar caraterísticas importantes para a locomoção arborícola (e.g., densidade de lianas em mata e número de estratos verticais em cerradão). Também verificamos que, para a mesoescala, a seleção de variáveis do hábitat foi importante somente no cerradão, onde animais arborícolas selecionaram áreas com maior densidade de ramos. Já os resultados de seleção do hábitat, levando em consideração estratos verticais, indicaram que as espécies que utilizam o dossel e o sub-bosque tendem a selecionar características mais relacionadas à locomoção arborícola (número de estratos verticais e densidade de ramos em cerradão, e densidade de lianas em mata de galeria), enquanto que animais que utilizam o solo selecionaram características relacionadas à proteção contra predadores (principalmente profundidade da serapilheira e densidade de ramos em ambas fitofisionomias). Nossos resultados de habilidade de locomoção de roedores revelaram que animais predominantemente arborícolas apresentaram maiores velocidades em comparação com roedores terrestres. Tal velocidade se deu por meio do aumento da frequência de passos e diminuição do tamanho de passos. Adicionalmente, verificamos uma forte associação entre capturas acima do solo e o tamanho e frequência de passos. Contudo, tais aspectos da habilidade de locomoção tiveram fraca relação com a massa corporal e não tiveram relação com a filogenia das espécies analisadas.
In the present study, we investigated different aspects of vertical stratification of small mammals in forest formations of the Cerrado. In addition to describing general patterns of vertical use by marsupials and rodents, we also investigated possible variations in use of the vertical strata (ground, understory [1-4 m high] and canopy [> 7m high]) by the animals, taking into consideration different two phytophysiognomies (gallery forest and dry woodland - cerradão), seasons (cool-dry and warm-wet) and resource availability (arthropods and fruits). Additionally, we verified habitat selection by six rodents and three marsupials in both forest formations, evaluating variables related to habitat complexity. In this context, we considered the micro-habitat scale (capture stations), the meso-habitat scale (transects of capture stations), and captures in each sampled vertical strata. We also described and compared arboreal locomotion ability of seven sigmodontine rodent species of the Cerrado. For that, we performed tests using horizontal cylindrical supports (fundamental niche), and associated these results with arboreality data of the animals captured in the field (realized niche). Among the 11 captured species, the marsupial Caluromys lanatus was captured, in both physiognomies, only in the canopy. The marsupial Monodelphis americana and the rodent Calomys expulsus were captured in the dry woodland, and the rodent Proechimys roberti in the gallery forest, were captured only on the ground. Among the species that used the ground and understory, were the rodent Hylaeamys megacephalus (mainly terrestrial) and Oligoryzomys nigripes and O. fornesi (scansorials). The species that used the three vertical strata (in different intensities) were the marsupials Didelphis albiventris and Gracilinanus agilis, and the rodents Oecomys cf. roberti and Rhipidomys macrurus. Our results showed that R. macrurus used the canopy more intensely in the dry woodland compared to gallery forest, and G. agilis used the ground and understory in higher intensity in the cool-dry season in both physiognomies. Additionally, we verified a relation between vertical strata utilization and availability of fruits (G. agilis, O. cf. roberti e R. macrurus), and biomass of arthropods (R. macrurus), coleopterans (O. cf. roberti e R. macrurus), and lepidopterans (G. agilis). We also verified that in gallery forest, there is an increase in species considering different vertical strata, and also that beta diversity is higher among strata than among areas. Our results related to habitat selection showed that at micro-habitat scale, habitat selection differed between the two forest formations, and the animals tended to select habitat features that are important for arboreal locomotion (e.g., density of lianas in gallery forest and number of vertical layers in dry woodland). We also verified habitat selection in the meso-habitat scale only in the dry woodland by more arboreal animals, preferring areas with higher density of branches. We also found that animals captured in the canopy and understory tended to select habitat variables more related to arboreal locomotion (number of vertical layers and density of branches in dry woodland, and density of lianas in gallery forest), while animals captured on the ground selected habitat variables more related to protection against predators (mainly litter depth and density of branches in both forest formations). Our results on locomotion ability of rodents showed that arboreal species generally present higher velocities in comparison with terrestrial species. Such velocities were obtained by the animals by increasing stride frequency and decreasing stride length. Additionally, our results also showed a strong association between above-ground captures and stride length and frequency. However, these performance aspects were weakly related to body mass and had no relation to phylogeny of the studied species.

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Hirakuri, Valter Levino. "A comunidade e dieta de pequenos mamíferos em uma área de caatinga no Alto Sertão Sergipano." Pós-Graduação em Ecologia e Conservação, 2013. https://ri.ufs.br/handle/riufs/4444.

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Considering the habitat influence in the occurrence of animal species and feeding ecology as a key factor on community dynamics, the relationship between habitat components and species richness and the abundance of small mammals community were evaluated, as well as the diet characterization of these species at Caatinga‟s area in Sergipe, Brazil. The capture-mark-recapture (CMR) method was applied at the Grota do Angico Natural Monument (MNGA), 100 Sherman‟s® traps were arranged in four sites (dense hiperxerophytic Caatinga) from July 2012 to February 2013. Monthly, the habitat variables and invertebrates availability were measured. Fecal samples were collected for food items identification. Twenty-four individuals belonging to three species, two marsupials (Gracilinanus agilis, N = 17 and Didelphis al-biventris, N = 1) and one rodent (Wiedomys pyrrhorhinus, N = 6) were captured, the recapture rate was 25%. The richness found was lower than other studies described in this biome. High habitat similarity were observed between the study sites, due to the high amount of litter, and the differences among them were influenced by components such as rock, cactus and brome-liads. The only habitat variable that positively influenced the abundance of G. agilis was the amount of bromeliads, there was no such relationship with W. pyrrhorhinus. Thirty seven fecal samples were collected, nine of W. pyrrhorhinus (all male samples) and 28 of G. agilis (11 female samples and 17 male samples). In these two species intake sample were identified eight invertebrates orders (Hymenoptera, Coleoptera, Hemiptera, Lepidoptera, Blattodea, Or-thoptera, Isoptera e Araneae), pulp and seeds were also registered. This is the first study on the feeding habits of W. pyrrhorhinus and G. agilis in Caatinga‟s biome . The two species showed high rates of arthropods intake and the diet composition of marsupial was similar to others studies in Cerrado biome, although in this study the proportions of consumption were higher. There were two food items new records‟ to G. agilis: Blattodea and Pilosocereus gou-nellei (Cactaceae) seeds. No difference was found between the sexes in the diet of G. agilis, however largest consumer of Hymenoptera by males and Orthoptera by females. Besides this study showed that marsupial has opportunistic feeding habits, consuming the more available arthropods orders in the environment.
Considerando a influência do habitat na ocorrência das espécies e a ecologia alimentar como fatores importantes na dinâmica das comunidades, foi avaliada a relação entre os componen-tes do habitat e a riqueza e abundância de pequenos mamíferos e caracterizada a dieta das espécies em uma área de Caatinga no Alto Sertão Sergipano. O estudo foi realizado no Mo-numento Natural Grota do Angico (MNGA), utilizando-se o método de captura-marcação-recaptura (CMR) por meio de 100 armadilhas tipo Sherman®, dispostas em quatro sítios (caa-tinga hiperxerófila densa) de julho de 2012 a fevereiro de 2013. Adicionalmente, mensurou-se mensalmente as variáveis do habitat e a disponibilidade de invertebrados. Além disso, foram coletadas amostras de material fecal para a identificação dos itens alimentares consumidos. Foram capturados 24 indivíduos pertencentes a três espécies, sendo dois marsupiais (Gracili-nanus agilis, N = 17 e Didelphis albiventris, N = 1) e um roedor (Wiedomys pyrrhorhinus, N = 6); com uma taxa de recaptura de 25%. A riqueza desse estudo foi inferior ao descritos em outros trabalhos no bioma. Os sítios apresentaram alta similaridade em relação ao habitat de-vido a elevada quantidade de serrapilheira e as diferenças entre eles foram influenciadas por componentes como rocha, cacto e bromélia. Dentre as variáveis do habitat, apenas a quanti-dade de bromélias influenciou positivamente a abundância de G. agilis e não houve nenhuma relação destas com W. pyrrhorhinus. Foram coletadas 37 amostras de fezes, sendo nove de W. pyrrhorhinus (todas de indivíduos machos) e 28 de G. agilis (11 amostras de fêmeas e 17 de machos). Foram identificadas oito ordens de invertebrados consumidas pelas duas espécies (Hymenoptera, Coleoptera, Hemiptera, Lepidoptera, Blattodea, Orthoptera, Isoptera e Arane-ae), além do registro de polpa e sementes. Esse é o primeiro estudo sobre o hábito alimentar de W. pyrrhorhinus e G. agilis em área de Caatinga. As duas espécies apresentaram elevadas taxas de consumo de artrópodes e a composição da dieta do marsupial se apresentou similar aos demais estudos realizados em Cerrado; porém nesse estudo as proporções de consumo foram superiores. Dois novos registros de itens alimentares para G. agilis foram obtidos: Blat-todea e sementes de Pilosocereus gounellei (Cactaceae). Não constatou-se diferença na dieta entre os sexos de G. agilis, entretanto houve o maior consumo de Hymenoptera por machos e de Orthoptera pelas fêmeas. Além disso, nesse estudo, esse marsupial apresentou um hábito oportunista, consumindo os representantes das ordens que estavam mais disponíveis no ambiente

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19

Monteiro, Filho Emygdio de Araujo. "Biologia reprodutiva e espaço domiciliar de Didelphis albisentris em uma area perturbada na região de Campinas, Estado de São Paulo (Mammalia - Marsupialia)." [s.n.], 1987. http://repositorio.unicamp.br/jspui/handle/REPOSIP/315797.

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Orientador : Augusto Shinya Abe
Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Biologia
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Resumo: O estudo de uma população de gambás de orelha branca (V. albivenrtis), foi desenvolvido em uma área perturbada com cerca de 516000m2 (área A), localizada entre pastos pertencentes à duas fazendas do município de Campinas (Lat. aproximada de 23ºS, Long. aproximada de 47ºW) no estado de são Paulo. A área em questão apresenta-se em nítido processo de sucessão vegetal. Ao longo de um período de 18 meses (19/junho/1984 a 6/novembro/1985) gaiolas de captura iscadas com banana madura foram armadas na área A e em algumas áreas circundantes, num raio de 1500 m, com um total de 2471 armadilhas montadas. De 956 capturas de 11 espécies, cerca de 10%(95 capturas) foram de Videlphis albiventris, tendo sido marcados 48 diferentes indivíduos, onde 30 foram das áreas estudadas e os restantes, de outros locais. Sempre que um animal foi capturado pela primeira vez, vez, foi feita a biometria sendo tomada as medidas de comprimento e largura da cabeça, comprimentos do corpo, pata posterior, orelha e cauda, além da pesagem e da contagem do número de dentes, num total de 25 amostras. Através das medidas obtidas das cabeças, constatou-se não haver dimorfismo sexual quando considerado a relação da largura pelo comprimento. Não houve diferença entre o crescimento corporal (comprimento e peso) de machos e fêmeas, considerando-se jovens e adultos, sendo estes padrões de crescimento semelhantes aos de (V. albivenrtis). Foi também verificado um aumento do peso corporal durante o inverno, com uma conseqüente diminuição ao longo da primavera e verão. Quanto à dentição, foi possível estabelecer uma boa correlação com o peso e, conseqüentemente, com o crescimento corporal. ... Observação: O resumo, na íntegra, poderá ser visualizado no texto completo da tese digital
Abstract: Not informed.
Mestrado
Ecologia
Mestre em Ciências Biológicas

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20

Leiner, Natália Oliveira. "Ecologia alimentar e reprodutiva de Marmosops paulensis (Didelphimorphia : Didelphidae) em uma area de Mata Atlantica no sudeste de São Paulo." [s.n.], 2005. http://repositorio.unicamp.br/jspui/handle/REPOSIP/316291.

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Orientador: Wesley Rodrigues Silva
Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Biologia
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Resumo: Marmosops paulensis [Tate, 1931] (Didelphimorphia: Didelphidae) é uma espécie de marsupial restrita a áreas de floresta atlântica com elevação acima de 800 metros. O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar a influência de variações na disponibilidade de recursos alimentares sobre a dieta, uso do espaço e padrões reprodutivos dos indivíduos desta espécie. O estudo foi realizado entre agosto de 2002 e julho de 2004 no Parque Estadual Intervales (24o16¿S, 48o25¿W), município de Ribeirão Grande, sudeste de São Paulo. Insetos, gastrópodes, aracnídeos, frutos e flores foram encontrados na dieta de M. paulensis. A maior parte dos frutos consumidos pertenceu a espécies pioneiras, sendo que piperáceas (Piper gaudichaudianum e Piper sp.1) foram os frutos mais abundantes na dieta da espécie. A freqüência de frutos na dieta de M. paulensis foi similar durante o ano todo, independente da abundância deste item no ambiente. Flores e artrópodes, entretanto, foram mais freqüentes durante o período de escassez de recursos. O tamanho diário da área de vida dos indivíduos (0,38 ± 0,18 ha), obtido artavés do método do carretel de rastreamento, não foi influenciado pelo sexo nem pela massa corporal. Porém, a abundância de frutos, especialmente de piperáceas, foi responsável por uma redução no tamanho diário da área de vida de M. paulensis. O período reprodutivo de M. paulensis foi altamente sincronizado entre os indivíduos, com a atividade reprodutiva concentrada entre setembro e março. Uma combinação de precipitação, fotoperíodo e disponibilidade de frutos parece regular o início da reprodução. Após o período reprodutivo, a mortalidade dos adultos foi muito alta, de maneira que cada indivíduo de M. paulensis participou de apenas um evento reprodutivo na população estudada. O consumo de frutos foi maior do que previamente esperado, sugerindo que M. paulensis supre parte de suas necessidades energéticas através de carbohidratos presentes nos frutos. Tanto a preferência por piperáceas quanto a redução no tamanho da área de vida diária em função da abundância das mesmas parece ocorrer devido a previsibilidade espacial e temporal destes frutos. Com relação à reprodução, M. paulensis exibe uma estratégia semélpara. A existência desta estratégia somada à alta sincronia reprodutiva dos indivíduos de M. paulensis sugere a atuação do fotoperíodo como peçachave regulando a atividade reprodutiva
Abstract: Marmosops paulensis [Tate, 1931] (Didelphimorphia: Didelphidae) is a small marsupial occurring in montane forests above 800 m in the Brazilian Atlantic forest. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the influence of resource availability on the diet, space use and reproductive patterns of M. paulensis. This study was carried out from August 2002 to July 2004 at Parque Estadual Intervales (24o16¿S, 48o25¿W), an area located in Ribeirão Grande, southeastern Brazil. Insects, gastropods, arachnids, fruits and flowers were found in the diet of M. paulensis. Most fruits consumed by M. paulensis belonged to pioneer plants, and Piper (Piper gaudichaudianum and Piper sp.1) fruits were by far the most consumed. Fruits were regularly consumed year-round, while arthropods and flowers were highly consumed during the food shortage season. Daily home range size estimated using a spool and line device (0.38 ± 0.18 ha) was not influenced by body size or sex. However, fruit abundance, with especial regard to Piper, led to a reduction in the daily movements of M. paulensis. Reproductive activity was highly synchronized and markedly seasonal, occurring from September to March. A combination of rainfall, day length and fruit availability seemed to trigger the reproductive activity of M. paulensis. After the reproductive period, adults suffered a high mortality, in a way that each individual took part in only one reproductive event. Marmosops paulensis seems to rely more on fruits than previously thought and it is possible that they supply part of their energetic requirements through carbohydrates present in fruits. The preference for Piper fruits and their effect on home range size of M. paulensis may be due to the spatio-temporal predictability of these fruits. Regarding reproduction, M. paulensis exhibits a semelparous life-history. This strategy and the high synchrony in the reproductive activity of M. paulensis, suggests that day length acts as a major cue controlling reproduction, once this factor shows a high predictable variation in the study site
Mestrado
Ecologia
Mestre em Ecologia

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21

Coombes, Karen Elizabeth. "The ecology and utilisation of Lumholtz's tree kangaroos Dendrolagus lumholtzi (Marsupialia: Macropodidae), on the Atherton Tablelands, far north Queensland." Thesis, Click here to access, 2005. https://researchonline.jcu.edu.au/40/1/01front.pdf.

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Lumholtz’s tree-kangaroo (Dendrolagus Iumholtzi), one of Australia’s largest folivores and one of only two tree-kangaroo species endemic to Australia and far north Queensland’s Wet Tropics. D. Iumholtzi are most commonly found in the fragmented rainforests that remain within an agricultural matrix in a relatively small area on the Atherton Tablelands. Unfortunately the majority of these fragments are on privately owned land and are not totally protected from clearing, therefore their long-term persistence is threatened by land clearing, further habitat fragmentation and mortality from dogs and cars. Although there have been a few studies on the ecology and habitat use of D. Iumholtzi, our current knowledge is limited. A more comprehensive understanding of spatial and floristic habitat use is essential for the conservation and management of D. Iumholtzi. This study examined the spatial organisation and habitat utilisation of Lumholtz’s tree-kangaroos in a Type lb rainforest fragment on the Atherton Tablelands and compared this to earlier studies (Procter-Gray 1985, Newell 1999). The two previous studies were both undertaken on the same spatially restricted rainforest type (Type Sb) only a couple of hundred metres apart, so this study has provided an important expansion of our understanding of D. Iumholtzi ecology across space and rainforest types. There were no significant effects of rainforest type on the home range sizes of D. Iumholtzi (Procter-Gray 1985, Newell 1999, This study). Male D. Iumholtziin this study held home ranges of 2.1 ± 0.7 ha (90% HM) overlapping that of several females but not other males, and females had exclusive home ranges of 2.1 ± 0.8 ha (90% HM) of a similar size to males. However, there was a large amount of variation in female home range sizes (0.1 —4.9 ha). Body weight did not explain this variation in home range sizes. This study also examined structural and floristic characteristics of the habitat and investigated if these could be used to model D. Iumholtzi habitat usage. The structural and floristic characters measured in this study could not be used to determine the focus of habitat usage. This study has shown that there is a more complex association between D. Iumholtzi and its use of habitat other than the structural characters of the habitat. D. Iumholtzi do select specific tree species, but there are strongly expressed individual preferences, similar to other arboreal folivores. The reasons for these specific choices are currently unclear but D. Iumholtzi are likely to choose trees for foliage characters, such as the levels of nutrients or plant defences, rather than for the species at a taxonomic level. This is also consistent with other arboreal folivores such as koalas and leaf-eating monkeys. The determination of which foliar characters are driving tree species or individual tree choice will require further research. This study tested and rejected a number of previous hypotheses regarding the characteristics determining D. Iumholtzi habitat use. They are not edge specialists, do not prefer regrowth or areas with a large variation in canopy height, or areas with high species diversity or density. The gastrointestinal morphology of D. Iumholtzi shares a number of features with other foregut fermenting folivores. Compared to other macropodids, D. Iumholtzi has a large sacciform forestomach and a large overall stomach capacity, and more similar in size and morphology to that of other arboreal foregut fermenting folivores, such as colobine monkeys. It is likely that these characteristics are adaptive for its diet of rainforest leaves. Lumholtz’s tree-kangaroos can be simply aged using a tooth wear index developed during this study. Aging is essential for establishing demographics, such as age specific mortality and fecundity of populations, currently unknown in D. Iumholtzi. Without the ability to age populations we cannot reliably undertake valuable estimations such as population viability analysis, which require these parameters. Additionally, this study has highlighted that not only one rainforest type is important to D. Iumholtzi and that more emphasis should be made on the preservation and restoration of all rainforest types. Furthermore, it is vital that all rainforest fragments including riparian zones, regrowth and corridors and stepping stones, should be conserved, rehabilitated and areas replanted as D. Iumholtzi habitat, as they are crucial to the species long term survival.

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22

Sano, Nayara Yoshie. "Efeito da suplementação alimentar no uso do espaço pelo marsupial Gracilinanus agilis em fragmentos de Cerradão no Brasil Central." reponame:Repositório Institucional da UnB, 2017. http://repositorio.unb.br/handle/10482/24016.

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Dissertação (mestrado)—Universidade de Brasília, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Departamento de Ecologia, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia, 2017.
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A forma com que animais utilizam uma área proporciona diversas informações ecológicas. Eles utilizam o espaço para encontrar alimento, abrigo e para reprodução, mas estão sujeitos a sofrerem os efeitos de predação, competição e de outras interações bióticas. Estudos geralmente mostram que há uma associação negativa entre o uso do espaço e disponibilidade de recurso, mas poucos estudos neotropicais avaliam o efeito da introdução direta e contínua de alimento em populações naturais. O aumento na oferta de alimento pode causar um aumento da densidade populacional associado com uma diminuição da área de uso, devido a necessidade de se percorrer um menor espaço para conseguir alimento. Uma maior concentração de recurso em determinado estrato também pode direcionar a movimentação dos indivíduos escansoriais em uma escala vertical. Eu investiguei possíveis alterações no uso do espaço, pelo marsupial Gracilinanus agilis, causadas por uma introdução experimental contínua de alimento. Para isso, amostrei quatro áreas de cerradão usando grades de captura e armadilhas no estrato do solo e sub-bosque. Duas dessas áreas tiveram adição de alimento através de comedouros que restringiam a entrada de animais maiores do que as do porte de G. agilis. A área de uso média, estimada pelo método dos Mínimos Polígonos Convexos, foi de 0,202 ha ± 0,02, similar ao encontrado por outros estudos com a espécie e com o gênero. A introdução de alimento não influenciou diretamente a área de uso nem a sobreposição destas entre indivíduos vizinhos. No entanto, essa suplementação alimentar levou a um aumento na densidade das populações e uma redução do uso do solo por esses marsupiais. Para G. agilis, o alimento parece não influenciar primariamente o uso do espaço horizontal. Esses pequenos marsupiais se alimentam principalmente de recursos adensados, o que poderia possibilitar a G. agilis não precisar se deslocar por um espaço muito grande para buscar alimento e levar a uma não-redução do mesmo em função da suplementação alimentar. Uma possível redução na área de uso possibilidade pela complementação alimentar pode ter sido compensada pela necessidade dos indivíduos de se descolarem por uma área maior, devido ao aumento na densidade advindo dessa mesma complementação. Além disso, esses pequenos marsupiais são semélparos promíscuos, o que ressalta a importância da busca por parceiros, que pode ser mais determinante para o uso do espaço do que a busca por alimento.
The way animals use an area provides many ecological information. They use space to find food, shelter and mating partners, besides suffering from the effects of predation, competition, and other biotic interactions. Studies generally show that there is a negative association between home range and resource availability, but there are few studies in the neotropics evaluating the effect of direct and continuous food supplementation on natural populations. The increase in food supply can cause an increase in population densities associated with a decrease in the home range, caused by a reduction in the foraging area needed for obtaining the individual food requirements. A higher concentration of resource in a given stratum can also direct the movement of scansorial individuals on a vertical scale. I investigated possible changes in the use of space by marsupial Gracilinanus agilis caused by a continuous experimental introduction of food. To do so, I sampled four areas of dry woodland using capture grid and live traps in the ground and understory. Two of those areas had food supplementation through feeders which restrict access from bigger animals then G. agilis. The mean area of home range, estimated by the Minimum Convex Polygon method, was 0.202 ha ± 0.02, similar to that found for congeneric species in other studies. The food supplementation did not directly influence home range size or the overlap of individuals’ home range. This supplementation led to an decrease, however, in ground captures of these marsupials. For G. agilis the food supply did not seem to influence home range primarily. These small marsupials feed mainly on aggregated resources, which could enable G. agilis not to move through large distances when foraging and also resulting in a lack of home-range size reduction after food supplementation. A potential reduction in home-range size caused by the food complementation may have been compensated by the need for a larger foraging area caused by the increase in density caused by this same supplementation. In addition, these small marsupials are promiscuous semelparous, which highlights the importance of searching for partners, which may be more determinant for home range than searching for food.

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23

Coombes, Karen Elizabeth. "The ecology and habitat utilisation of Lumholtz's tree-kangaroos, Dendrolagus lumholtzi (Marsupialia: Macropodidae), on the Atherton Tablelands, far north Queensland /." Click here to access, 2005. http://eprints.jcu.edu.au/40/1/01front.pdf.

Full text

Abstract:

Lumholtz’s tree-kangaroo (Dendrolagus Iumholtzi), one of Australia’s largest folivores and one of only two tree-kangaroo species endemic to Australia and far north Queensland’s Wet Tropics. D. Iumholtzi are most commonly found in the fragmented rainforests that remain within an agricultural matrix in a relatively small area on the Atherton Tablelands. Unfortunately the majority of these fragments are on privately owned land and are not totally protected from clearing, therefore their long-term persistence is threatened by land clearing, further habitat fragmentation and mortality from dogs and cars. Although there have been a few studies on the ecology and habitat use of D. Iumholtzi, our current knowledge is limited. A more comprehensive understanding of spatial and floristic habitat use is essential for the conservation and management of D. Iumholtzi. This study examined the spatial organisation and habitat utilisation of Lumholtz’s tree-kangaroos in a Type lb rainforest fragment on the Atherton Tablelands and compared this to earlier studies (Procter-Gray 1985, Newell 1999). The two previous studies were both undertaken on the same spatially restricted rainforest type (Type Sb) only a couple of hundred metres apart, so this study has provided an important expansion of our understanding of D. Iumholtzi ecology across space and rainforest types. There were no significant effects of rainforest type on the home range sizes of D. Iumholtzi (Procter-Gray 1985, Newell 1999, This study). Male D. Iumholtziin this study held home ranges of 2.1 ± 0.7 ha (90% HM) overlapping that of several females but not other males, and females had exclusive home ranges of 2.1 ± 0.8 ha (90% HM) of a similar size to males. However, there was a large amount of variation in female home range sizes (0.1 —4.9 ha). Body weight did not explain this variation in home range sizes. This study also examined structural and floristic characteristics of the habitat and investigated if these could be used to model D. Iumholtzi habitat usage. The structural and floristic characters measured in this study could not be used to determine the focus of habitat usage. This study has shown that there is a more complex association between D. Iumholtzi and its use of habitat other than the structural characters of the habitat. D. Iumholtzi do select specific tree species, but there are strongly expressed individual preferences, similar to other arboreal folivores. The reasons for these specific choices are currently unclear but D. Iumholtzi are likely to choose trees for foliage characters, such as the levels of nutrients or plant defences, rather than for the species at a taxonomic level. This is also consistent with other arboreal folivores such as koalas and leaf-eating monkeys. The determination of which foliar characters are driving tree species or individual tree choice will require further research. This study tested and rejected a number of previous hypotheses regarding the characteristics determining D. Iumholtzi habitat use. They are not edge specialists, do not prefer regrowth or areas with a large variation in canopy height, or areas with high species diversity or density. The gastrointestinal morphology of D. Iumholtzi shares a number of features with other foregut fermenting folivores. Compared to other macropodids, D. Iumholtzi has a large sacciform forestomach and a large overall stomach capacity, and more similar in size and morphology to that of other arboreal foregut fermenting folivores, such as colobine monkeys. It is likely that these characteristics are adaptive for its diet of rainforest leaves. Lumholtz’s tree-kangaroos can be simply aged using a tooth wear index developed during this study. Aging is essential for establishing demographics, such as age specific mortality and fecundity of populations, currently unknown in D. Iumholtzi. Without the ability to age populations we cannot reliably undertake valuable estimations such as population viability analysis, which require these parameters. Additionally, this study has highlighted that not only one rainforest type is important to D. Iumholtzi and that more emphasis should be made on the preservation and restoration of all rainforest types. Furthermore, it is vital that all rainforest fragments including riparian zones, regrowth and corridors and stepping stones, should be conserved, rehabilitated and areas replanted as D. Iumholtzi habitat, as they are crucial to the species long term survival.

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24

Camargo, Anna Carla Lima. "Partição de nicho isotópico por pequenos mamíferos em formações florestais de uma savana neotropical." reponame:Repositório Institucional da UnB, 2016. http://repositorio.unb.br/handle/10482/20769.

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Dissertação (mestrado)—Universidade de Brasília, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Departamento de Ecologia, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia, 2016.
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A diferenciação das espécies quanto aos nichos ecológicos indica os mecanismos que possibilitam a coexistência de espécies similares. Pequenos mamíferos particionam recursos principalmente por meio da segregação nas dimensões alimentares e espaciais. Em florestas, a ocorrência de espécies relacionadas à complexidade estrutural pode resultar em mais nichos ecológicos. O Cerrado (savana neotropical) possui florestas estruturalmente distintas, como cerradão e mata de galeria. Essas características permitem a avaliação da partição de recursos por pequenos mamíferos entre fitofisionomias com comunidades similares, porém complexidades distintas. Usando isótopos estáveis de 13C e 15N, caracterizei a assimilação isotópica das espécies de pequenos mamíferos e comparei a partição de nicho isotópico entre conjuntos similares de espécies presentes nas duas fitofisionomias considerando que a mata de galeria é mais complexa estruturalmente. As espécies em ambas fitofisionomias demonstraram ser onívoras, diferenciando-se na proporção em que assimilam alimentos de origem vegetal e animal. Os marsupiais Didelphis albiventris, Gracilinanus agilis e Caluromys lanatus assimilaram mais artrópodes, enquanto que os roedores Rhipidomys macrurus, Hylaeamys megacephalus e Proechimys roberti assimilaram proporções similares de material vegetal e animal e os roedores Oecomys bicolor e Oligoryzomys nigripes assimilaram uma proporção maior de material vegetal com sinal de plantas C3 e C4. Roedores apresentaram maior amplitude de nicho isotópico em matas de galeria enquanto que marsupiais apresentaram menor amplitude de nicho nessas matas comparado com o cerradão. A comunidade de pequenos mamíferos de cerradão apresentou uma maior amplitude de δ15N (δ15N range), bem como maior amplitude geral e menor sobreposição de nicho isotópico em comparação com a comunidade da mata de galeria. Caluromys lanatus assimilou proporção maior de recursos de origem animal que o esperado, provavelmente devido ao consumo eventual de pequenos vertebrados. O sinal C4 das espécies O. bicolor e O. nigripes evidenciou o possível uso das áreas de campo próximas ou de clareiras nas matas de galeria por essas espécies. A menor amplitude total de nicho isotópico detectada na comunidade de pequenos mamíferos em mata de galeria contrariou minha expectativa inicial. Esse resultado pode ser devido às diferenças nas assinaturas isotópicas das plantas em cada tipo florestal. Apesar de ser menos complexo estruturalmente, o cerradão é mais heterogêneo e pode apresentar diversidade maior de plantas isotopicamente distintas que a mata de galeria. Esse padrão, por sua vez, é refletido na assinatura isotópica de invertebrados e de pequenos mamíferos. As maiores amplitudes de nicho dos roedores em mata de galeria comparada com àquelas apresentadas pelas mesmas espécies em cerradão refletem o consumo de uma diversidade maior de recursos isotopicamente distintos na mata de galeria. Isso indica que esse grupo apresenta maior plasticidade no uso de recursos alimentares que os marsupiais, e que a disponibilidade e diversidade de recursos no ambiente influencia a utilização de recursos e consequentemente a assimilação isotópica pelos pequenos mamíferos de florestas do Cerrado. _______________________________________________________________________________________________ ABSTRACT
The differentiation of species regarding ecological niches indicates the mechanisms that allow the coexistence of similar species. Small mammals partition resources mostly through segregation on both food and spatial dimensions. In forests, the occurrence of species associated with structural complexity may result in more ecological niches. The Cerrado biome (neotropical savanna) possesses structurally distinct forests, such as cerradão (woodland forests) and gallery forests. These distinct characteristics allow comparisons of small-mammal resource partitioning between phytophysiognomies with similar communities but with distinct structural complexities. Using 13C and 15N stable isotopes, I described isotopic assimilation of small-mammal species and compared the partitioning of isotopic niche between similar groups of species that occurred in both forest types, considering that gallery forests are structurally more complex than woodland forests. Species in both phytophysiognomies were omnivores, differing on the proportion at which they assimilate food resources from plant or animal origin. The marsupials Didelphis albiventris, Gracilinanus agilis, and Caluromys lanatus assimilated more arthropods, whereas the rodents Rhipidomys macrurus, Hylaeamys megacephalus, and Proechimys roberti assimilated similar proportions of plant and animal sources; and the rodents Oecomys bicolor and Oligoryzomys nigripes assimilated larger proportions of plant material with isotopic signals from both C3 and C4 plants. Rodents presented larger isotopic niche amplitude in gallery forests, whereas marsupials presented narrower niche amplitude in these forests compared to cerradão. The cerradão small mammal assemblage presented higher δ15N range, increased general isotopic niche (TA) and decreased overlap in comparison to the gallery forest assemblage. Caluromys lanatus assimilated larger proportions of animal-origin resources than expected, probably due to eventual consumption of small vertebrates. The C4 isotopic signature of O. bicolor and O. nigripes species indicated a possible use of nearby grassland areas or forest gaps by these species. The smaller general isotopic niche width that I observed in the gallery forest small-mammal community contradicted my initial expectation. This result may be due to differences on plant isotopic signatures between forest formations. Although less structurally complex, the cerradão is more heterogeneous and may present higher diversity of isotopically distinct plants in comparison to gallery forest. This pattern, in turn, is reflected on invertebrates and small mammals’ isotopic signatures. Increased rodents’ isotopic niches in gallery forests compared to those presented by the same species in cerradão reflect the consumption of a larger diversity of isotopically distinct resources in gallery forest. This indicates a larger plasticity on the use of food resources by this group in comparison to the marsupials and also that both resource availability and diversity influence resource use and consequently isotopic assimilation by small mammals in Cerrado forests.

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Behs, Daniela. "Influência da heterogeneidade ambiental na composição de comunidades de roedores e marsupiais em áreas de Mata Atlântica, no Sul de Santa Catarina." reponame:Repositório Institucional da UNESC, 2013. http://repositorio.unesc.net/handle/1/1541.

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Dissertação apresentada ao Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Ambientais da Universidade do Extremo Sul Catarinense - UNESC, como requisito parcial para a obtenção do título de Mestre em Ciências Ambientais.
The distribution patterns directly affect the social structure of populations and communities, being one of the main constraints on resources division and in the coexistence of species, responding strongly to seasonal and spatial aspects. The aim of this study was to understand the composition and influence of the seasons in the community of rodents and marsupials and the association of environmental characteristics and availability of arthropods with the distribution of species in four sites (S1, S2, S3, S4) of Atlantic Forest surrounding the Barragem do Rio São Bento, Siderópolis, Santa Catarina. There were four campaigns with five consecutive days of data collection between October 2011 and July 2012. Each site had three trails, equally spaced 50 m, interspersed with live traps on the ground and over 1 m, resulting in an effort of 4080 trap-nights, baited with peanut butter and banana. Furthermore, were installed four pitfalls of 20 L shaped double "Y" per site, with 320 traps-night. By trapping point a pitfall trap was installed to arthropods. The captured mammals were marked with earrings and unidentified species were collected and deposited in the Coleção de Científica de Mamíferos da UFSC. There were 420 captures of 258 individuals belonging to 14 species, Euryoryzomys russatus, Akodon spp. and Philander frenatus were the most abundant. S2 showed higher Shannon’s diversity (H ': 0,8091) and S4 the lowest (H': 0,5123). The Sorensen’s index indicated high similarity between areas. The analysis of non-metric Multidimensional Scaling, with STRESS value of 0.14%, showed clear groupings of species in S4 and in summer and winter. To evaluate the influence of habitat, were considered species with over 10 individuals captured. The first two axes of the Principal Component Analysis explained 69% of the data. In Redundancy Analysis (RDA) Akodon spp. was the only species associated with environmental variables, strongly correlated with open forest areas and lower environmental quality. We recorded 20 orders of arthropods, being Coleoptera, Diptera and Collembola the most abundant, with the highest biomass of invertebrates recorded for S4 and for the summer. The arthropod availability was inversely proportional to capture of rodents and marsupials, confirming patterns observed for Atlantic Forest. There was no significant influence of heterogeneity in the diversity and in the overall composition of the small mammal community. The effort was enough to record the composition of the community, contribute with information on the ecology of the species and increase knowledge of the fauna of rodents and marsupials in the southern state of Santa Catarina.
Os padrões de distribuição influenciam diretamente na estrutura social das populações e comunidade, sendo um dos principais condicionantes na divisão de recursos e na coexistência de espécies, respondendo fortemente aos aspectos sazonais e espaciais. O objetivo deste estudo foi conhecer a composição e influência das estações do ano na comunidade de roedores e marsupiais e verificar a associação das características ambientais de microhabitat e disponibilidade de artrópodes com a distribuição das espécies, em quatro sítios (S1, S2, S3, S4) de Mata Atlântica no entorno da Barragem do Rio São Bento, Siderópolis, Santa Catarina. Foram realizadas quatro campanhas com cinco dias consecutivos de coleta, entre outubro de 2011 e julho de 2012. Cada sítio possuía três trilhas, equidistantes 50 m, com live traps intercaladas no solo e acima de 1 m, resultando num esforço de 4.080 armadilhasnoite, iscadas com banana e pasta de amendoim. Além disso, paralelamente foram instalados quatro pitfalls de 20 L em formato de "Y" duplo por sítio, com 320 armadilhas-noite. Por ponto de armadilha foi instalado um pitfall para artrópodes. Os mamíferos capturados foram marcados com brincos e as espécies não identificadas foram coletadas e depositadas na Coleção Científica de Mamíferos da UFSC. Foram 420 capturas de 258 indivíduos pertencentes a 14 espécies, sendo Euryoryzomys russatus, Akodon spp. e Philander frenatus as mais abundantes. S2 apresentou maior diversidade de Shannon (H’: 0,8091) e S4 a menor (H’: 0,5123). O Índice de Sorensen indicou alta similaridade entre as áreas. A análise de Escalonamento Muldimensional não-métrica com valor de STRESS de 0.14%, demonstrou agrupamentos nítidos de espécies no S4 e nas estações de verão e inverno. Para avaliar a influência do hábitat, foram considerados as espécies com mais de 10 indivíduos capturados. Os dois primeiros eixos da Análise de Componentes Principais explicaram 69% da variação. Na Análise de Redundância (RDA) Akodon spp. foi o único gênero associado com as variáveis ambientais, fortemente relacionado com áreas florestais mais abertas e de menor qualidade ambiental. Foram registradas 20 ordens de artrópodes, sendo Coleoptera, Diptera e Collembola as mais abundantes, tendo a maior biomassa de artrópodes registrada para S4 e para o verão. A disponibilidade de artrópodes foi inversamente proporcional às capturas de roedores e marsupiais, corroborando padrões observados para Mata Atlântica. Não foi encontrada influência significativa da heterogeneidade ambiental na diversidade e composição geral da comunidade de pequenos mamíferos. O esforço foi suficiente para registrar a composição da comunidade, contribuir com informações sobre a ecologia das espécies e ampliar o conhecimento sobre a fauna de roedores e marsupiais no sul do estado de Santa Catarina.

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Rodarte, Raisa Reis de Paula [UNESP]. "Ecologia trófica de pequenos mamíferos não voadores em uma área contínua de Mata Atlântica." Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), 2013. http://hdl.handle.net/11449/99574.

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Ao longo de décadas ecólogos tentam entender quais são os mecanismos que promovem coexistência de espécies. Florestas tropicais abrigam a maior diversidade de pequenos mamíferos do planeta, portanto espécies dentro deste grupo podem compartilhar recursos similares. Nesse trabalho buscamos entender as relações tróficas entre roedores e marsupiais através da análise de isótopos estáveis de carbono e nitrogênio em três áreas contínuas de Mata Atlântica brasileira. Nosso principal objetivo foi compreender como diferentes espécies são capazes de coexistir em uma rica comunidade de pequenos mamíferos em relação a recursos alimentares. Nós verificamos se o tamanho corporal está relacionado às razões isotópicas de carbono e nitrogênio para cada espécie e testamos a hipótese de que espécies de tamanho corpóreo similar apresentam nichos tróficos distintos. Para isso, coletamos amostras de pelos de 57 indivíduos de marsupiais e 204 indivíduos de roedores. Encontramos que roedores apresentam nicho trófico mais amplo com espécies distribuídas em três níveis tróficos (granívoras, onívoras e insetívoras) enquanto os marsupiais estão inseridos em um único nível trófico, alimentando-se exclusivamente de invertebrados. Observamos também alta sobreposição de dieta entre marsupiais e alguns roedores onívoros, provavelmente devido ao consumo de invertebrados e fungos. Em geral, não houve correlação entre o tamanho corporal e os valores isotópicos dos marsupiais, mas para três espécies de roedores (Euryoryzomys russatus, Thaptomys nigrita e Trinomys iheringi) houve correlação significativa entre o tamanho do corpo e um dos isótopos. Para os marsupiais, a dieta por si só não explica a coexistência entre espécies, que parece estar mais relacionada à separação de uso do espaço vertical. Por outro lado, para os...
For many decades ecologists try to understand what the mechanisms that promote species coexistence are. Tropical rainforests support the greatest diversity of small mammals in the world, therefore species within that group may share similar resources. In this paper we seek to understand the trophic relationship between rodents and marsupials through the analysis of stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes within three continuous areas of the Atlantic forest of Brazil. We were particularly interested in understanding how different species are able to coexist in a rich small-mammal community with respect to sharing food resources. We verified if body size is related to carbon and nitrogen stable isotope ratios for each of the species and tested the hypothesis that species with similar body size have distinct trophic niches. We collected hair samples for isotopic analysis from 57 individuals of marsupials and 204 individuals of rodents. We found that rodents have a broad trophic niche with species distributed in three trophic levels (granivores, omnivores and insectivores) while marsupials are mainly within one trophic level, feeding exclusively on invertebrates. We found a strong diet overlap among marsupials and some omnivorous rodents, probably due to consumption of invertebrates and fungi. In general, there was no correlation between body size and isotopic values for marsupials, but for three species of rodents (Euryoryzomys russatus, Thaptomys nigrita and Trinomys iheringi) there was significant correlation between body size and one of the isotopes. For marsupials, diet by itself does not seem to explain species coexistence. Marsupials seem to be more related to different vertical use of space. On the other hand, for rodents diet together with body size was sufficient to elucidate the high number of coexisting species because we could... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)

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Rodarte, Raisa Reis de Paula. "Ecologia trófica de pequenos mamíferos não voadores em uma área contínua de Mata Atlântica /." Rio Claro, 2013. http://hdl.handle.net/11449/99574.

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Orientador: Mauro Galetti Rodrigues
Banca: Marcelo Zacharias Moreira
Banca: Emerson Monteiro Vieira
Resumo: Ao longo de décadas ecólogos tentam entender quais são os mecanismos que promovem coexistência de espécies. Florestas tropicais abrigam a maior diversidade de pequenos mamíferos do planeta, portanto espécies dentro deste grupo podem compartilhar recursos similares. Nesse trabalho buscamos entender as relações tróficas entre roedores e marsupiais através da análise de isótopos estáveis de carbono e nitrogênio em três áreas contínuas de Mata Atlântica brasileira. Nosso principal objetivo foi compreender como diferentes espécies são capazes de coexistir em uma rica comunidade de pequenos mamíferos em relação a recursos alimentares. Nós verificamos se o tamanho corporal está relacionado às razões isotópicas de carbono e nitrogênio para cada espécie e testamos a hipótese de que espécies de tamanho corpóreo similar apresentam nichos tróficos distintos. Para isso, coletamos amostras de pelos de 57 indivíduos de marsupiais e 204 indivíduos de roedores. Encontramos que roedores apresentam nicho trófico mais amplo com espécies distribuídas em três níveis tróficos (granívoras, onívoras e insetívoras) enquanto os marsupiais estão inseridos em um único nível trófico, alimentando-se exclusivamente de invertebrados. Observamos também alta sobreposição de dieta entre marsupiais e alguns roedores onívoros, provavelmente devido ao consumo de invertebrados e fungos. Em geral, não houve correlação entre o tamanho corporal e os valores isotópicos dos marsupiais, mas para três espécies de roedores (Euryoryzomys russatus, Thaptomys nigrita e Trinomys iheringi) houve correlação significativa entre o tamanho do corpo e um dos isótopos. Para os marsupiais, a dieta por si só não explica a coexistência entre espécies, que parece estar mais relacionada à separação de uso do espaço vertical. Por outro lado, para os... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo)
Abstract: For many decades ecologists try to understand what the mechanisms that promote species coexistence are. Tropical rainforests support the greatest diversity of small mammals in the world, therefore species within that group may share similar resources. In this paper we seek to understand the trophic relationship between rodents and marsupials through the analysis of stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes within three continuous areas of the Atlantic forest of Brazil. We were particularly interested in understanding how different species are able to coexist in a rich small-mammal community with respect to sharing food resources. We verified if body size is related to carbon and nitrogen stable isotope ratios for each of the species and tested the hypothesis that species with similar body size have distinct trophic niches. We collected hair samples for isotopic analysis from 57 individuals of marsupials and 204 individuals of rodents. We found that rodents have a broad trophic niche with species distributed in three trophic levels (granivores, omnivores and insectivores) while marsupials are mainly within one trophic level, feeding exclusively on invertebrates. We found a strong diet overlap among marsupials and some omnivorous rodents, probably due to consumption of invertebrates and fungi. In general, there was no correlation between body size and isotopic values for marsupials, but for three species of rodents (Euryoryzomys russatus, Thaptomys nigrita and Trinomys iheringi) there was significant correlation between body size and one of the isotopes. For marsupials, diet by itself does not seem to explain species coexistence. Marsupials seem to be more related to different vertical use of space. On the other hand, for rodents diet together with body size was sufficient to elucidate the high number of coexisting species because we could... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)
Mestre

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Lessa, Leonardo Guimarães. "Ecologia alimentar e estratégias de germinação de sementes consumidas por marsupiais (Didelphimorphia: Didelphidae) em uma área de Cerrado no sudeste do Brasil." Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, 2012. http://www.bdtd.uerj.br/tde_busca/arquivo.php?codArquivo=4009.

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Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior
No Brasil, a Família Didelphidae é composta por 54 espécies com ampla distribuição por diferentes habitats e um padrão de consumo alimentar que pode variar desde espécies mais frugívoras até as mais insetívoras/carnívoras. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a relação entre a dieta de sete espécies de didelfídeos (Caluromys philander, Didelphis albiventris, Gracilinanus agilis, G. microtarsus, Marmosa (Micoureus) paraguayana, Marmosops incanus e Metachirus nudicaudatus) e a seleção de recursos alimentares (artrópodes e frutos) disponíveis. O estudo foi realizado entre novembro de 2009 e outubro de 2011, em uma área de mata ciliar de cerrado no Parque Estadual do Rio Preto, Minas Gerais, Brasil. Artrópodes, frutos, flores e vertebrados foram consumidos em diferentes proporções pelas espécies estudadas. Flores e vertebrados foram consumidos preferencialmente na estação seca e a diversidade da dieta de todas as espécies foi maior durante a estação chuvosa. Nem todos os recursos (artrópodes e frutos) foram consumidos de acordo com sua disponibilidade na área de estudo. Apesar de abundante, Hymenoptera (Formicidade) foi rejeitado por todas as espécies, sendo consumido abaixo de sua disponibilidade local. Os didelfídeos selecionaram frutos de Melastomataceae (Clidemia urceolata e Miconia spp.) e rejeitaram frutos de Rubiaceae, um recurso altamente abundante na área de estudo. Os resultados sugerem que o frequente consumo de um item alimentar pode estar associado tanto com a preferência (seleção) por parte do consumidor, bem como com a disponibilidade local do recurso. A maior parte das sementes, que permaneceram intactas após passagem pelo trato digestório dos animais, não apresentou diferenças significativas em suas taxas de germinação quando comparadas com as sementes do grupo controle e o tempo médio de dormência das sementes consumidas pelos marsupiais variou entre 30 (Cipocereus minensis) e 175 dias (Cordiera sessilis). Gracilinanus agilis e G. microtarsus, que ocorrem em simpatria na área de estudo, apesar de apresentarem uma alta sobreposição de nicho apresentaram diferenças no uso do habitat e na diversidade da dieta.
In Brazil, the family Didelphidae comprises 54 species widely distributed in different habitats and a dietary pattern that can vary from species more frugivorous to the most insectivorous/carnivorous. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the relationship between the diet of seven species of didelphids (Caluromys philander, Didelphis albiventris, Gracilinanus agilis, G. microtarsus, Marmosa (Micoureus) paraguayana, Marmosops incanus e Metachirus nudicaudatus) and the selection of the available food resources (arthropods and fruits). The study was conducted between November 2009 and October 2011 in a riparian area of Cerrado in the Parque Estadual do Rio Preto, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Arthropods, fruits, flowers and vertebrates were consumed in different proportions by the studied species. Flowers and vertebrates were consumed mainly in the dry season and the diversity of the diet of all species was higher during the rainy season. Not all resources (arthropods and fruits) were consumed according to their availability in the study site. Although abundant, Hymenoptera (Formicidade) was rejected by all species being consumed below their local availability. The didelphids selected fruits of Melastomataceae (Miconia and Clidemia urceolata spp.) and rejected fruits of Rubiaceae, a feature highly abundant in the study site. The results suggest that the frequent use of a food item may be associated both with the preference (selection) of the consumers, as well as the local availability of the resource. Most seeds that remained intact after passage through the digestive tract of animals, do not show significant differences in their rates of germination compared with seeds from the control group and the average time of dormancy consumed by marsupials ranged from 30 (Cipocereus minensis) and 175 days (Cordiera sessilis). Gracilinanus agilis and G. microtarsus, which occur sympatrically in the study site, although having a high niche overlap showed differences in habitat use and dietary diversity.

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Araujo, Paula Beatriz de. "Desenvolvimento pós-marsupial e ecologia populacional de Atlantoscia Floridana (van Name, 1940) (Crustacea, Isopoda, Oniscidea) na Reserva Biológia do Lami, Porto Alegre, RS." reponame:Biblioteca Digital de Teses e Dissertações da UFRGS, 2003. http://hdl.handle.net/10183/84907.

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A espécie de isópodo terrestre Atlantoscia floridana (van Name, 1940) tem uma distribuição geográfica conhecida desde os Estados Unidos (Flórida) até o norte da Argentina. No Estado do Rio Grande do Sul a espécie é registrada em muitas localidades, tanto em áreas urbanas como não urbanas. O presente trabalho apresenta dados sobre o desenvolvimento pós-marsupial e ecologia populacional de A. floridana. As amostragens foram obtidas de ABR/00 a OUT/01 na Reserva Biológica do Lami, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul. Para o estudo do desenvolvimento pós-marsupial, fêmeas ovígeras foram mantidas separadamente em pequenos potes a uma temperatura de 20˚ C ( ±1˚ C). Depois do nascimento cada recém-nascido (manca I) foi mantido separadamente de maneira a observar as mudas subseqüentes. Em um período de aproximadamente 12 horas os animais realizaram a primeira muda. O estágio de manca II durou 9,16 ± 1,57 dias, enquanto manca III durou um período 9,96 ± 1,05 dias. O crescimento foi observado através das medidas da largura do cefalotórax. Os três estágios de manca são descritos, ilustrados e comparados com o adulto. As principais características diagnósticas entre as mancas I, II e III são apresentadas, bem como as coordenadas b/c e d/c dos noduli laterales. De maneira a estudar a diferenciação e tamanho da maturidade sexual, os juvenis foram mantidos em laboratório e medidos da mesma forma como apresentado acima. Os estágios juvenis foram observados e o desenvolvimento dos poros genitais femininos e da genitália masculina foram descritos. Com base na menor fêmea ovígera, a maturidade sexual foi estimada em 1,04mm de largura do cefalotórax. Para os machos uma relação morfométrica entre a largura do cefalotórax e o comprimento da papila genital indicou a maturidade sexual em 0,7mm de largura do cefalotórax. Seis e três estágios juvenis foram reconhecidos para fêmeas e machos, respectivamente. Os machos atingem a maturidade com a idade de um mês e meio e as fêmeas, em torno dos três meses. A curva de crescimento para A. floridana é apresentada com base em dados de campo. Os animais capturados foram sexados, tiveram a largura do cefalotórax medida e o crescimento foi analisado através do modelo de von Bertalanffy. A curva de crescimento para machos e fêmeas é descrita pelas respectivas equações: Wt = 1,303 [1 - e –0,00941 (t + 50,37)] and Wt = 1,682 [1 - e –0,0575 (t + 59,13)]. As curvas mostraram crescimento diferencial entre os sexos com as fêmeas atingindo maior W∝ com uma taxa de crescimento menor. Com a curva de crescimento foi também possível estimar a expectativa de vida para machos e fêmeas. Um total de 7.833 indivíduos foi amostrado ao longo do período de 19 meses. Destes, 2.792 eram machos, 3.400 fêmeas e 1.691 eram mancas. Houve uma diferença significativa entre o tamanho de machos e de fêmeas coletados em 2000 e 2001, com um tamanho médio menor no segundo ano devido a ausência de indivíduos nas classes de maior tamanho. A densidade populacional variou ao longo das estações; a população mínima foi de 131 indivíduos, a máxima 1.040 e a média de 450 m-2. A proporção sexual operacional favoreceu os machos e não mostrou mudança com as estações. Com base na presença de fêmeas ovígeras e pós-ovígeras ao longo do ano, a reprodução é considerada contínua. Contudo, o pico da reprodução ocorre no outono e na primavera. As fêmeas ovígeras foram medidas (CW=largura do cefalotórax) e o número de ovos foi contado. A fecundidade (F) variou de 5 a 23 ovos (x = 11,18 ± 3.64) por fêmea e é expressa pela regressão F= -18,48 + 22,59 CW, com a largura do cefalotórax variando de 1,04 a 1,68 mm. A mortalidade no marsúpio foi somente 0,91% e a produção de ovos na primavera foi 588 m –2 e durante o outono, 660 m–2. O recrutamento ocorreu em todos os meses e ovos, embriões e mancas marsupiais também estiveram presentes durante todo o ano. Atlantoscia floridana é a espécie de isópodo terrestre dominante na área de estudo, sendo a característica mais notável o seu investimento reprodutivo.
The terrestrial isopod Atlantoscia floridana (van Name, 1940) is known to occur from U.S.A. (Florida) to Argentina. In the southernmost Brazilian State, Rio Grande do Sul, the species is recorded in many localities, urban and non-urban areas. This work provides data on postmarsupial development and ecology of A. floridana. Samplings were taken from APR/00 to OCT/01 at the Reserva Biológica do Lami, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul. Regarding the study of postmarsupial development, ovigerous females were reared separately in small containers at 20˚ C (±1˚ C). After hatching, the first stages, manca I, was reared separately in order to observe the subsequent moults. After about 12 hours the animals underwent the first moult. Manca II stage lasts 9.16 ± 1.57 days while manca III 9.96 ± 1.05 days. Growth was observed through measurements of cephalothorax width. The three manca stages were described, illustrated, and compared with the adults. The main distinguishing characteristics among mancas I, II and III were presented as well as the b/c and d/c coordinates of the noduli laterales. In order to study the sexual differentiation and size at onset of sexual maturity, juveniles were reared and measured as explained above. The juvenile stages were observed and the development of female genital pores and male genitalia of different juvenile stages described. On the basis of the smallest ovigerous female, sexual maturity was estimated in 1.04mm of cephalothorax width. For males, a morphometric relationship between cephalothorax width and genital papilla length allowed to estimate sexual maturity in 0.7mm of cephalothorax width. Six and three juvenil stages was recognized for females and males, respectively. Males attain maturity with the age of one month and a half and females around three months. The growth curve for A. floridana was presented based on field data. Captured individuals were sexed and had their cephalothorax width measured, with the data analyzed with von Bertalanffy´s model. The growth curves for males and females are described, respectively, by the equations: Wt = 1.303 [1 - e -0.00941 (t + 50.37)] and Wt = 1.682 [1 - e -0.00575 (t + 59.13)]. The curves showed differential growth between the sexes, where females reach a higher W∝ with a slower growth rate. Based on growth curve it was also possible to estimate life expectancy for males and females. A total of 7,833 individuals were sampled along a period of 19 months. Of these, 2,792 were males, 3,400 females and 1,691 were mancas. There was a significant difference between the size of both, males and females collected in 2000 and 2001, which had a smaller average size on the second year because of an absence of individuals on the larger size classes. Population density varied along the seasons; the minimum population was 131 individuals, the maximum 1,040 and the average 450 m-2. The operational sex ratio favoured males and showed no changes with season. Based on the presence of ovigerous and post-ovigerous females throughout the year, reproduction is considered continuous. However, the reproduction peak occurs during autumn and spring. Ovigerous females were measured (CW=cephalothorax width) and the number of eggs was counted. Fecundity (F) varied from 5 to 23 eggs (x=11.18±3.64) per female, and was expressed by the regression F=-18.48+22.59 CW, with the female cephalothorax width varying from 1.04 to 1.68 mm. Marsupial mortality was only 0.91% and egg production in spring was 588 m–2 and during autumn, 660 m–2. Recruitment occurs in all months and eggs, embryos and marsupial mancas are also present all year round. Atlantoscia floridana is the dominant species among terrestrial isopods in the study area, the most remarkable characteristic being its reproductive investment.

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Gray, Emma L. "Ecology and status of a new species of carnivorous marsupial, the Black-Tailed Dusky Antechinus (A. Arktos) and its relationship with a sympatric congener, the Brown Antechinus (A. Stuartii)." Thesis, Queensland University of Technology, 2017. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/112503/1/Emma_Gray_Thesis.pdf.

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Since 2012, the number of described species in the carnivorous marsupial genus Antechinus has increased by 50%. The present thesis aimed to collect and analyse fundamental ecological data for one newly described species, the black-tailed dusky antechinus, Antechinus arktos, about which virtually nothing was known. Population ecology and geographic range of the species was used to determine conservation status. The foundational ecological information detailed in this thesis concerning breeding biology, diet, activity patterns and optimal detection methods, will assist in planning future conservation initiatives of this endangered marsupial.

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Palma, Alexandre Ramlo Torre. "Separação de nichos entre pequenos mamiferos da Mata Atlantica." [s.n.], 1996. http://repositorio.unicamp.br/jspui/handle/REPOSIP/315849.

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Orientador: Eleonore Zulnara Freire Setz
Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Biologia
Made available in DSpace on 2018-07-21T20:03:18Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Palma_AlexandreRamloTorre_M.pdf: 6473737 bytes, checksum: b9a8ec7f5d9efdc84cb80b916be70c8b (MD5) Previous issue date: 1996
Resumo: A separação de nicho entre espécies de pequenos mamíferos é baseada em diferenças na dieta, na distribuição vertical na distribuição horizontal (seleção de habitat e de microhabitat) e no período de atividade. Até o presente, poucos trabalhos foram feitos a respeito da separação de nicho entre roedores e marsupiais de Mata Atlântica. Conduzi este estudo na Reserva Florestal da Companhia Vale do Rio Doce, em Linhares - ES. Montei três grades incluindo três habitats da Mata Atlântica. Cada grade possuía armadilhas em dois estratos (chão e sub-bosque). Medi 18 variáveis de microhabitat para descrever a arquitetura da vegetação. Capturei nove espécies: Didelphis marsupialis, Marmosops incanus, Marmosa murina, Gracilinanus microtarsus, Monodelphis aff. americana, Oryzomys megacephalus, Proechimys iheringi, Boloys lasiurus e Rhipidomys sp.. As análises das fezes indicam a divisão destas espécies em duas guildas: os roedores trugívoros-onívoros e os marsupiais insetívoros-onívoros. Os roedores podem ser divididos em dois grupos com base na distribuição vertical: cursoriais e arboricolas. A maioria dos marsupiais foi classificada como semi-arboricola. A maioria das espécies foi seletiva a nível de habitat, mas oportunista a nível de microhabitat. A seleção de habitats diferentes provavelmente é um mecanismo de coexistência importante para os marmosídeos semi-arborícolas. Durante o período seco, os marmosídeos sintópicos convergiram quanto à distribuição horizontal e divergiram quanto à distribuição vertical. As maiores evidências de competição inter-específica ocorreram entre os marmosídeos semi-arboricolas e no habitat intermediário
Abstract: Niche segregation among small mammal species is based on differences in diet, in vertical distribution, in horizontal distribution (habitat and microhabitat selection) and in activity período Only a few studies on niche segregation among smalI mammal species were done in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. This study was conducted at RFCVRD, at Linhares - ES. I set three trapping grids in three habitats in the Atlantic Forest. In alI grids I set live traps in two strata: on the ground and in the understory (1 to 2 m high). To deseríbe the vegetation architecture I measured 18 microhabitat variables in each grid. I trapped nine species: Dide/phis marsupia/is, Marmosops incanus, Marmosa murina, Graci/inanus microtarsus, Monode/phis aff. americana, Oryzomys megacepha/us, Proechimys iheringi, Bolomys lasiurus and Rhipidomys sp.. Analysis of fecal samples showed that these species can be divided in two guilds: the frugivore-omnivore rodents and the insectivore-omnivore marsupiais. Rodents may be subdivided in two groups based in their vertical distribution: terrestrial and arboreal ones. Most marsupiais were scansorial. Most small mammal species were selective in habitat scale, but opportunistic in microhabitat scale. Habitat selecpon played an important role in the ecological separation among the marmosid marsupiais. During the dry season, sintopic marmosid species diverged in relation to their vertical distribution, but converged in relation to their horizontal distribution. The strongest evidences for interspecific competition were found among the scansorial marmosids and at the intermediate habitat
Mestrado
Ecologia
Mestre em Ciências Biológicas

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Papi, Bernardo Silveira. "Uso do espaço do marsupial Caluromys philander (Didelphimorphia, Didelphidae) no Parque Nacional da Serra dos Órgãos - Rio de Janeiro, Brasil." Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, 2011. http://www.bdtd.uerj.br/tde_busca/arquivo.php?codArquivo=3135.

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Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Rio de Janeiro
Uso do espaço é um padrão bem estudado em ecologia. Entretanto, formação de área de vida e posição relativa dos abrigos com área de uso são pouco estudados, principalmente para marsupiais didelfídeos. Dentre estes animais, podemos destacar Caluromys philander, devido ao seu baixo registro em armadilhas na Mata Atlântica e características peculiares dentro do grupo, como seu desenvolvimento, longevidade e hábito alimentar. Neste estudo foram investigadas as formações das áreas de uso destes animais através da comparação com seus movimentos diários, e a posição dos seus abrigos dentro das suas áreas de uso. Para isso foram monitorados seis indivíduos de C. philander através de colares rádio transmissores. Estes indivíduos se deslocaram em média 534 153 m por noite. Além disso, apresentaram área diária de 9548 3591 m e área de vida de 2,8 0,4 ha. Noventa e sete por cento das áreas diárias apresentaram sobreposição entre si, com média de 19,4% de sobreposição. Não houve diferença nos locais dos abrigos dos indivíduos monitorados, dentro dos seus Mínimos Polígonos Convexos. Entretanto, estes mesmos abrigos não estiveram localizados nas áreas de maior intensidade de uso. A média de abrigos utilizados por indivíduo foi de 6,3 (3-10) com utilização média de 2,9 (1-17) vezes em cada abrigo, sendo que 48% das vezes os animais só possuíram um registro em cada abrigo, demonstrando baixa fidelidade. Entretanto, dois indivíduos apresentaram diferença de utilização entre seus abrigos, com três destes sendo mais utilizados que os outros. O trabalho sugere que os indivíduos de C. philander monitorados apresentam área de vida propriamente dita (restrita), onde ocorrem as sobreposições entre suas áreas diárias. C. philander utilizam mais de um abrigo em suas vidas, trocando com frequência de abrigos, apesar de alguns destes abrigos poderem ser mais utilizados que outros. Além disso, os abrigos destes animais não são localizados nas suas áreas de maior intensidade de uso.
Use of space is a well studied topic in ecology. However, the structuring of the home range and shelters position, have not received enough attention, especially for didelphid marsupials. One of these, Caluromys philander, is an interesting species because of its low record in traps studies in the Atlantic Forest and its unique characteristics among marsupials related to development, longevity and feeding habits. The present study analyses how daily movements can contribute to the home range formation and how the shelters are positioned within the home range of these animals. Six individuals of C. philander were equipped with radio transmitters necklaces and followed during the night. These individuals moved 534 153 m in average per night. They also had daily ranges of 9548 3591 m and home ranges of 2.8 0.4 ha. There was a 97% overlap between days, with an average of 19.4%. There was no difference in shelters positions and Minimum Convex Polygon areas, although these same shelters were not located in the areas with the greatest use intensity. The average number of shelters used per individual was 6.3 (3-10), with an average of 2.9 (1-17) records per shelter, where shelters were used only one time in 47% of the cases, suggesting low shelter fidelity of these animals. However, two individuals showed difference of shelters use, with three of those being used more than the others. Therefore, I conclude that these individuals of C. philander have real home ranges, where they concentrate their daily movements. C. philander uses more than one shelter in its life, changing shelters frequently, although some shelters can be more used than others. Forthermore, shelters were not located in the areas with the greatest use intensity.

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Cruz, Arthur Oliveira da. "Uso do espaço por Gracilinanus agilis (Didelphimorphia) e Wiedomys pyrrhorhinus (Rodentia) em área de caatinga no alto sertão sergipano." Universidade Federal de Sergipe, 2016. https://ri.ufs.br/handle/riufs/4465.

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Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES
Studies on communities of small mammals (rodents and marsupials) show different patterns on both selection and use of space in relation to diet, age, and seasonality, among others. To evaluate these standards, spool-and-line technique can provide information about the movement, vertical stratification and the use of shelters and nests by animals. The aim of this study was to evaluate the usage area and selection of microhabitat by Gracilinanus agilis (Didelphimorphia) and Wiedomys pyrrhorhinus (Rodentia) in Monumento Natural Grota do Angico (MNGA), between the cities of Canindé de São Francisco and Poço Redondo, both in Sergipe state. The study was conducted by using Sherman traps to capture the animals, and spool-and-line technique to characterize the movement of these animals in two areas of shrub caatinga vegetation of MNGA, between December/2014 and September/2015. For each individual, data were obtained on the daily home range (AUD), tortuosity of the movement (TORT), index of vertical use (VU) and ground use (%SOLO). The sample for microhabitat selection and availability was performed with ground and canopy cover data and vertical foliar obstruction only to dry period. We evaluated 44 routes (27 G. agilis and 17 W. pyrrhorhinus) representing 2451.42 m of traced line. No differences were found in the movement variables between the dry and rainy seasons for both species (p> 0.0919). Males and females of G. agilis and W. pyrrhorhinus also did not show difference for these variables (p> 0.0643). Comparing the two species, the only difference was on the vertical use (p = 0.0050). Only W. pyrrhorhinus females showed microhabitat selection during daily movement (p <0.0001). Regarding the daily home range (AUD), G. agilis presented, in general, a larger area than W. pyrrhorhinus. Low values of tortuosity (TORT) could be associated with the low population density of these species in the area. The difference in the vertical use (VU) was expected since G. agilis is reported as a scansorial species while W. pyrrhorhinus is preferably arboreal. In general, the absence of habitat selection by sampled environmental variables suggests that G. agilis and W. pyrrhorhinus may be performing this selection on the mesohabitat scale.
Estudos sobre comunidades de pequenos mamíferos (roedores e marsupiais) demonstram diferentes padrões na utilização e seleção do espaço em relação à dieta, idade e sazonalidade, entre outros. Para avaliar estes padrões, a utilização de carretéis de rastreamento pode fornecer informações sobre a movimentação, estratificação vertical e o uso de abrigos e ninhos pelos animais. O presente trabalho teve por objetivo avaliar a área de uso e seleção de microhabitat por Gracilinanus agilis (Didelphimorphia) e Wiedomys pyrrhorhinus (Rodentia) no Monumento Natural Grota do Angico (MNGA), entre os municípios de Canindé de São Francisco e Poço Redondo em Sergipe. O estudo foi conduzido através da utilização de armadilhas Sherman, para a captura dos indivíduos, e de carretéis de rastreamento para a caracterização do movimento desses animais em duas áreas de caatinga arbustiva arbórea do MNGA entre dezembro/2014 e setembro/2015. Foram obtidos dados sobre a área de uso diário (AUD), tortuosidade do movimento (TORT), uso do estrato vertical (VU) e uso do solo (%SOLO) para cada indivíduo. A amostragem da seleção e disponibilidade de microhabitat foi realizada com dados de cobertura do solo e de copa e obstrução foliar vertical apenas para a seca. Foram avaliados 44 trajetos (27 de G. agilis e 17 de W. pyrrhorhinus), totalizando 2.451,42 m de linha rastreada. Não foram encontradas diferenças nas variáveis de movimento entre as estações seca e chuvosa para as duas espécies (p>0,0919). Machos e fêmeas de G. agilis e de W. pyrrhorhinus também não apresentaram diferenciação nessas variáveis (p>0,0643). Comparando-se as duas espécies, houve diferença apenas no uso do estrato vertical (p=0,0050). Apenas as fêmeas de W. pyrrhorhinus evidenciaram selecionar o microhabitat durante o movimento diário (p<0,0001). Em relação ao tamanho da área de uso (AUD), G. agilis apresentou, no geral, uma área maior que W. pyrrhorhinus. Baixos valores de tortuosidade (TORT) encontrados podem ser associados à baixa densidade populacional dessas espécies na área. A diferença na utilização do estrato vertical (VU) era esperada, uma vez que G. agilis é reportado como uma espécie escansorial enquanto W. pyrrhorhinus é preferencialmente arborícola. A ausência, no geral, de seleção do habitat pelas variáveis ambientais amostradas sugere que G. agilis e W. pyrrhorhinus podem estar realizando essa seleção na escala de mesohabitat.

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Eymann, Jutta. "Management of urban common brushtail possums (Trichosurus vulpecula)." Doctoral thesis, Australia : Macquarie University, 2007. http://hdl.handle.net/1959.14/6.

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Thesis by publication -- 8 co-authored articles.
Thesis (PhD)--Macquarie University, Division of Environmental and Life Sciences, Department of Biological Sciences.
Includes bibliographical references.
Preface -- Management issues of urban common brushtail possums (Trichosurus vulpecula): a loved or hated neighbour -- Effects of deslorelin implants on reproduction in the common brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula) -- Brushtail possums (Trichosurus vulpecula) in metropolotan Sydney: population biology and response to contraceptive implants -- Strategic survey for Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum in the common brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula) from urban Sydney, Australia -- Leptospirosis serology in the common brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula) from urban Sydney, Australia -- Conclusions.
The common brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula) is indeed a common inhabitant of many Australian citites, and one of the few marsupials that has adapted well to the urban environment. Their close proximity to people provides a great opportunity to experience native wildlife in the backyard, however, their utilization of house roofs, bold behaviour and appetite for garden plants often leads to conflict with householders. Population numbers are sufficiently high to require ongoing management to minimise negative impacts for humans and brushtail possums alike in a socially acceptable manner. The aim of this thesis was to identify current management issues and address the need for improved and novel management strategies. The potential of slow-release implants, containing the GnRH agonist deslorelin, as a contraceptive agent for brushtail possums was tested on a captive population. Males appeared resistant to treatment, but deslorelin was found to inhibit reproduction in female brushtail possums for at least one breeding season, making it a promising tool to control fertility in some wild populations. A further aim was to trial deslorelin implants on a wild urban population, to collect more information about the urban biology of this species and to point out issues which have previously not been addressed. Close proximity and interaction of urban brushtail possums with humans and their domestic animals can increase the risk of disease exposure and transmission and influence the health of wild populations. Serosurveys showed that animals were readily exposed to Leptospira spp. and Toxoplasma gondii. This thesis also provides the first data on brushtail possum dispersal in urban areas, knowledge which is highly relevant to the development of management strategies such as fertility control. The findings from this research broaden our knowledge about urban brushtail possums and should assist wildlife authorities in developing alternative or improved management procedures.
Mode of access: World Wide Web.
xxv, 287 p. ill., maps

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Oakwood, Meri. "The ecology of the Northern Quoll, Dasyurus hallucatus." Phd thesis, 1997. http://hdl.handle.net/1885/110023.

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The ecology of the Northern Quoll (Dasyurus hallucatus) was studied at Kapalga Research Station in Kakadu National Park, Northern Territory between August 1992 and May 1995. D. hallucatus is a nocturnal carnivorous marsupial (Dasyuridae) which is sexually dimorphic with the males weighing on average 760g (maximum 1120g) and the females 460g. Since European settlement in Australia, this species has declined from a broad band across northern Australia to several disjunct populations. Most of the decline has occurred in the extensive lowland savanna habitat, leaving remnant populations in dissected rocky plateaux such as Carnarvon Gorge (Qld) and the north-west Kimberley region (WA). This study was conducted in lowland savanna, where the continued survival of D. hallucatus populations appears to be the most tenuous. The aims were to investigate the life history and ecological requirements of the species to elucidate possible reasons for decline. D. hallucatus was opportunistic in den use, using mainly hollows in trees, rock crevices, and logs but also termite mounds and burrows in accordance with availability. Females used rock crevices more often than males, whereas males used logs more often. Each individual used many dens and shifted every night. Individuals of both sexes denned solitarily. Diet was also opportunistic. D. hallucatus was omnivorous, virtually always including insects in the diet but also consuming a wide range of vertebrates and fleshy fruits when they were most abundant. Plant consumption peaked in the late-wet to early dry season (March-April), vertebrate consumption peaked in the mid-dry season (July-August) and invertebrate consumption peaked during the late-dry to wet season (September-February). Both sexes showed a similar pattern of seasonal variation. However, females consumed less vertebrates than males during May-June in one year. Juvenile weaning and dispersal coincided with the wet season, when invertebrates were most prevalent. There was no difference detected between adult and juvenile diet. D. hallucatus appears to forage predominantly on the ground and suitable prey was present in all habitats in the study area (open forest, woodland, rocky hills and riparian). D. hallucatus exhibited a highly synchronous breeding cycle. Within the study population in a given year, there was little variation in the timing of reproductive events, with the onset of each event usually occurring within a week for all individuals. Mating occurred late May/early June each year. Males at this site demonstrated complete post-mating mortality, consequently adult males were totally absent from the Kapalga study site from September-October each year. Since weight was an unreliable indicator of age, it is possible that males in all previously studied D. hallucatus populations may also breed only once. Male mortality may have a similar aetiology to die-off in the semelparous Antechinus species. Males become anaemic, infested with ectoparasites and lose condition and weight. However, unlike Antechinus spp., there was no evidence that ulceration caused the anaemia in D. hallucatus. Additionally, D. hallucatus testes did not senesce, so males could be capable of breeding again if they survived to a second mating season. Perhaps this species is an example of the evolution of semelparity in progress. For a species of this body size, D. hallucatus has a remarkably short lifespan with all males and most females only surviving for a single breeding season. The maximum recorded age for wild males was 17 months and for females, 37 months. A single litter of 5-8 young attached to each female's teats in mid-late June. Litters of first year females were predominantly male, whereas litters of older females were female-biased. Crown-rump length increased linearly with respect to time from 0-60 days after birth. The young remained in the pouch for about 9 weeks and were deposited in nursery dens in mid-late August. During the nursery period, females used more termite mounds and less log dens than during the rest of the year. It is likely that the young were not fully capable of thermoregulation when first deposited in dens since the mothers built simple nests of dry leaves and grass during the first four weeks after deposition. Unlike other Dasyurus species _which use one nursery den, D. hallucatus mothers shifted the juveniles to different nursery dens every few nights, although shifting less often than during the rest of the year. Mothers did not forage when moving the young to a new den. Mothers stayed with their young in the den during the day. Each night, mothers would leave to forage and generally returned once or twice during the night for an average of 50 minutes each visit during the early nursery denning period decreasing to 30 minutes in the late nursery period. Adult and juvenile scats were observed deposited at den entrances mainly during October-November, just before the young became independent. This may be for hygiene, or as a signal to assist the young relocate the nursery den after their first foraging forays. Weaning was gradual, beginning in late October and ending mid-December. The young dispersed in December-February, at an age of 6-8 months. The mean distance between successive dens of resident females was at its maximum at this time, this may be to assert their occupancy of an area by monitoring and scent-marking. Female D. hallucatus appeared to be territorial with essentially nonoverlapping denning areas and a home range of about 35 hectares. Male home range may be similar in size to females prior to the mating season, but expanded during the mating season to over 100 hectares, overlapping with several female ranges and with numerous other male ranges. Males were found in all habitats whereas females preferred rocky hills. During the mating period, males adopted a roving strategy, regularly visiting several distant females in rapid succession, presumably to monitor the onset of oestrus. Females were visited by several males. This intense physical effort by males during the mating period is likely to be a major contributor to their physiological decline and subsequent die-off after the mating period. The marked sexual dimorphism of D. hallucatus may be the result of selection for larger, wider ranging males in a promiscuous mating system and for energetically more efficient smaller females, as females rear the young alone. There was no evidence that toxoplasmosis or any other disease was a major contributor to Northern Quoll decline in this region. The main proximate cause of mortality for both sexes was predation by dingoes, cats, snakes and an owl. Large numbers of males were also killed by motor vehicles during their extensive travels during the mating period. Most females died during the late dry season, after fires (which burn 55% of lowland savanna in Kakadu each year) have removed much of the ground cover. Rocky habitat appeared to be preferred by females and those occupying this habitat were more likely to survive to a second breeding season. No instances of predation of Northern Quolls were recorded on the rocky hills, this may be due to a greater number of refuge sites or lower predator presence. It is suggested that the decline of D. hallucatus in lowland savanna may follow land management practices (such as extensive fire, grazing and clearing) that increase the vulnerability of D. hallucatus to predators.

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Brown, Meredeth. "Socioecology and phylogeography of the Yellow-bellied Glider (Petaurus australis)." 2006. http://hdl.handle.net/2440/38807.

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Marsupials have complex and interesting socioecology and life history strategies that differ quite markedly to much - studied eutherian mammals. However, the socioecology and life history strategies of a number of Australian marsupials are most often observed only within the context of a much larger study on their ecology. My aim was to study, using a combination of behavioural observations and molecular DNA techniques, aspects of the socioecology of a population of yellow - bellied gliders ( Petaurus australis ) in Rennick State Forest, south - western Victoria. Petaurid gliders feed on plant and insect exudates, pollen / nectar and arthropods. Yellow - bellied gliders are arboreal, rare, nocturnal and cryptic, have persistent pair bonds, are territorial and exist in low population densities. In particular, I sought to confirm that the Rennick population of yellow - bellied gliders maintained a predominantly monogamous mating system. I also sought to confirm that the timing of reproduction in this population of yellow - bellied gliders would be seasonal, and timed to coincide with peaks in the abundances of two indices of protein food resources ( i.e. flowering and bark shed ). In a more broadscale study, I sought to examine the geographic distribution of mitochondrial haplotyes and morphological variation of the yellowbellied glider throughout its range. Polymorphic microsatellite loci are the choice of genetic marker for fine - scale studies, such as relatedness and paternity. Microsatellite loci had previously only been characterised and optimised for Petaurus norfolcensis ( squirrel gliders ). However, close inspection of the GenBank sequences revealed the presence of replicates differing only by sequencing errors. A panel of seven polymorphic tetranucleotide loci in Petaurus breviceps ( sugar gliders ) and three polymorphic trinucleotide loci in P. australis were isolated and optimised. Five P. breviceps loci were polymorphic in P. norfolcensis and two were polymorphic in P. australis. Only one P. australis locus was variable in P. breviceps and P. norfolcensis. No locus showed a deficit in heterozygotes according to Hardy - Weinberg expectations, and the large number of alleles for some of the loci confirmed their usefulness for studies in relatedness and paternity. A number of Australian arboreal marsupials have been reported to show monogamous and polygynous mating systems in different populations, but previous studies have not included genetic analyses to confirm the observations. My aim was to test the hypothesis that monogamy was the predominant mating system in a population of yellow - bellied gliders ( Petaurus australis ) in south - western Victoria. Home range overlap, cohesiveness of pairs, rates of den site co - occupancy and location of den trees within the home ranges of 13 gliders were determined via radio - tracking. A monogamous social system predominated, demonstrated by extensive home range overlap between cohabiting adult males and females ( 40 - 100 % ) and little home range overlap between adjacent territories ( < 7 % ). Males spent approximately 55 % of their active time within 25m of their female partners and 55 - 85 % of their sleeping time in dens with their female partner. The paternity of all juveniles within the population was analysed using five microsatellite DNA markers. Of 37 individuals genotyped, 12 of 13 juveniles could be attributed to the resident adult male. My results suggest that social monogamy equates with genetic monogamy in this population of yellow - bellied gliders. Mammalian taxa living in seasonal environments usually coincide energy - demanding reproductive activities with the seasonal availability of food resources. However, few studies on arboreal marsupial taxa in Australia have focussed upon the interplay of forest phenology and the timing of breeding. This study examined forest phenology in a temperate environment, and the timing of reproduction the yellow - bellied glider. I captured adult females once per month between August 2001 and August 2003 to determine reproductive condition, and monitored indicators for two key food resources over the same period. Flowering phenology ( as an index of pollen availability ) was assessed in 170 manna gum ( Eucalyptus viminalis ) and brown stringybark ( E. baxteri ) trees, while bark shed ( as an index of arthropod availability ) was assessed in 45 manna gum, the only eucalypt species at this site that sheds it bark. Aseasonal reproduction was indicated within this population of gliders, as distributions of births were not statistically different from random. However, yellow - bellied gliders did exhibit distinct birth peaks in spring, summer and winter, when data were combined for both years. The temporal distributions of flowering for both eucalypt species were statistically different from random, indicating seasonal availability of nectar and pollen. Peak flowering occurred in summer for brown stringybark, and autumn for manna gum in both years, although for manna gum peak abundance of flowers was one month earlier in the second year. While the temporal distribution of bark shed on the trunks of trees did not differ from random, it did show seasonality on the main and outer branches, peaking in summer and declining thereafter. Thus, it appears that yellow - bellied gliders breed aseasonally in a predictable, seasonal environment. However, yellow - bellied gliders have a reliance on the complex temporal interplay of different seasonal food resources. Subspecific status has often been used as a surrogate for conservation unit, but does not always reflect intra - specific lineages with different evolutionary histories. One contentious case of subspecific classification occurs in the yellow - bellied glider, a marsupial species showing considerable decline in population size and requiring conservation management. Our aim was to assess the current subspecific status of populations and define units of conservation using a combination of phylogeographical analyses of mitochondrial DNA and morphological analyses. Analyses of the mitochondrial ND4 gene provided evidence for significant phylogeographic structure within yellow - bellied gliders. Isolated populations in north Queensland ( NQ ) and Victoria / South Australia were genetically distinct from populations in New South Wales and southern Queensland. Morphological analyses provided little evidence for discrimination of populations, although NQ specimens were generally smaller in size compared to southern forms. My analyses do not support the classification of subspecies, P. a. reginae, for the original type specimen from southern Queensland. Taking into account other behavioural and ecological data, and the disjunct distribution of NQ populations from southern populations, I propose that the NQ population represents a distinct Evolutionarily Significant Unit, a lineage showing highly restricted gene flow with the rest of the species.
http://library.adelaide.edu.au/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=1281000
Thesis (Ph.D.)--School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, 2006.

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Davey, Stuart McDonald. "The environmental relationships of arboreal marsupials in a eucalypt forest : a basis for Australian forest wildlife management." Phd thesis, 1989. http://hdl.handle.net/1885/142232.

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Youngentob, Kara Nicole. "Where the wild things are : identifying factors influencing the distribution and abundance of arboreal mammals." Phd thesis, 2009. http://hdl.handle.net/1885/151556.

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Woolnough, Andrew Paul. "The feeding ecology of the northern hairy-nosed wombat, Lasiorhinus krefftii (Marsupialia: Vombatidae)." Thesis, 1998. https://researchonline.jcu.edu.au/27494/1/27494_Woolnough_1998_thesis.pdf.

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The northern hairy-nosed (NHN) wombat, Lasiorhinus krefftii, is critically endangered. It is restricted to a single population at Epping Forest National Park (EFNP) in semi-arid central Queensland. Apart from critically endangered status, the NHN wombat is unique among the larger grazing mammals because of its semi-fossorial lifestyle. This study investigated the feeding ecology of the NHN wombat, a key component in understanding the ecology of this species. Epping Forest National Park is a tropical savanna. The burrows of the NHN wombat are associated with alluvial sands of a ancient streambed and an open eucalypt woodland. The rainfall at EFNP is seasonal but irregular, and the study was conducted in four years of below average rainfall. The seasonal trends in rainfall result in variation in the quality and quantity of forage available to the NHN wombat. Fundamental to this thesis was measurement of temporal variability in the forage available to the NHN wombat. Forage quantity was monitored by the BOTANAL technique, allowing quantification of forage attributes including species composition, biomass and ground cover. In addition, primary productivity was monitored during the same period. Forage quality was measured by Near Infra-red Spectrometry (NIRS), calibrated to standard laboratory procedures. This technique allowed precise and reliable measurements of attributes of forage quality. These attributes included total nitrogen concentration, concentration of fibre (neutral detergent fibre, acid detergent fibre and acid-lignin), concentration of carbohydrates (water soluble carbohydrates), in vitro dry-matter digestibility (IVDMD) and organic matter content. The biomass and species composition of forage available to the NHN wombat was dominated by the introduced grass Cenchrus ciliaris (83.1 ± 6.4% of the total biomass). Of the native grasses, Enneapogon spp., Aristida spp. and Chrysopogon fallax dominated the biomass and species composition. In addition, the sedge Fimbristylis dichotoma occurred frequently, despite contributing little to the overall biomass. The diversity of forbs at EFNP was high, dominated by Waltheria indica, Salsola kalii and species of the Malvaceae. However, forbs represented only a minor component of the biomass and total species composition. Overall the biomass of the forage available to the NHN wombat was high, above 1000 kg.ha⁻¹ (dry matter) year round. Primary productivity was positively correlated with rainfall. The quality of forage species showed considerable temporal variation, with total nitrogen concentration in particular having a positive correlation with rainfall. Generally, the nutritional quality of the forage was poor, with seasonal variability in the concentration of nitrogen (range 0.3 to 2.5% of dry matter), concentration of fibre (range for neutral detergent fibre 54.9 to 86.8% of dry matter) and IVDMD (range 22.6 to 57.7% of dry matter). How the NHN wombat responded to such poor quality forage, both behaviourally and physiologically, was investigated. Estimating the species composition of the diet of the NHN wombat is a key issue in an understanding of its feeding ecology. However, techniques used to describe the diets of herbivores have often been questioned for their precision. Consequently three methods were used to estimate the composition of the diet of the NHN wombat: stable carbon isotope analysis, conventional histological analysis and long-chain alkane analysis. Stable carbon isotope analysis partitioned the diet into plants consumed that had a C₃ photosynthetic pathway (essentially forbs) or a C₄ photosynthetic pathway (tropical grasses). Using faecal samples and hair samples (representative of assimilated carbon incorporated into body tissue), it was determined that the diet of the NHN wombat consisted primarily of tropical grasses, but this approach could not describe the botanical composition of the diet. Analysis of epidermal residues and the concentration of long-chain alkanes in faeces were used to estimate the species composition of the diet. Conventional histological techniques compare the cell patterns of epidermal fragments in the faeces with a reference collection of epidermal patterns of plants available to the herbivore. Long-chain alkane analysis, however, takes advantage of the relatively indigestible wax component of the epidermis of plants consumed by the herbivore. One of the chemical components of the epidermal wax is long-chain alkanes (C₂₅ to C₃₆), each plant species with its own unique signature of alkanes. By comparing the patterns of long-chain alkanes in the faeces with a reference collection of plants available to the herbivore, through a least-squares optimisation procedure, an estimate of the composition of the diet could be generated. The diet of the NHN wombat was dominated by Aristida spp. (20.6 ± 6.0% of epidermal residues), Enneapogon spp. (17.2 ± 6.3% of epidermal residues) and C. ciliaris (14.5 ± 5.5% of epidermal residues), and to a lesser extent by W. indica (2.0 ± 2.0% of epidermal residues) and F. dichotoma (1.9 ± 1.6% of epidermal residues). Unidentifiable epidermal fragments were the largest component of the diet determined by the histological technique (40.4 ± 13.2% of epidermal residues). The NHN wombat exhibited little temporal variation in the plants it consumes, suggesting it is a generalist in its forage choice. However, both the histological technique and the long-chain alkane analysis have limitations. Despite these limitations, the estimation of the diet of the NHN wombat in this study is the best possible with current methods. Body composition of the NHN wombat was investigated by estimating levels of total body fat by Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA). The method of BIA was successfully calibrated on the southern hairy-nosed (SHN) wombat, Lasiorhinus latifrons, using stable isotopes of water and chemical analysis of the carcasses of SHN wombats. Multiple linear regression models using BIA plethysmograph measurements (resistance and impedance) and total body mass, were successful in predicting body fat (r² = 0.90, S.E. = 1.99) and total body water (r² = 0.90, S.E. = 1.64). Once calibrated, the BIA was applied to the NHN wombat. The NHN wombat maintained a relatively constant level of total body fat (7.6 ± 3.5% of total body mass) despite seasonal variability in the quality of available forage. However, there was some evidence to suggest that altered states of body composition (e.g. the storage of body fat) may be of considerable importance to females during lactation. The behaviour and activity of the NHN wombat were investigated by radio telemetry with data loggers incorporated into the collar packages. The three- channel data logger measured activity, intensity of light and temperature, with a recording schedule of one record from the three channels every 5 minutes and a data storage capacity of 1 Mb. The ranging behaviour of the NHN wombat was conservative, with core home-ranges averaging only 6.8 ± 3.8 ha (70% harmonic mean activity contour). Likewise, the activity of the NHN wombat was also conservative. The mean number of bouts of activity in a twenty-four hour period was just 25.2 ± 11.1 with each bout lasting on average 7.6 ± 2.2 minutes. Bouts of activity occur both above-ground and within the burrow, although the significance of activities within the burrow is unknown. When above-ground, the NHN wombat maintained low levels of activity, rarely undertaking behaviour that resulted in high measurements of activity. Above-ground activity was positively correlated with rainfall, and hence the quality and quantity of the forage. When rainfall was high, activity was low. However, the ambient temperature may also impose important limitations on the behaviour and activity of the NHN wombat. The habitat of the NHN wombat was shared by the eastern grey kangaroo, Macropus giganteus. The female adult body size of the eastern grey kangaroo is equivalent to the female adult body size of the NHN wombat allowing a comparison of aspects of their feeding ecology. Both herbivores have a preference for grasses with the species composition of their diets overlapping by more than 90%. Unlike the NHN wombat, the eastern grey kangaroo is not reliant on burrows. Following rainfall, the eastern grey kangaroo population declines in response to more favourable forage conditions beyond the boundaries of EFNP. They then return to EFNP as the quality and quantity of forage on surrounding pastoral properties decline. Although the density of eastern grey kangaroos is generally low on EFNP (seasonal range of 0.4 ± 0.6 to 16.9 ± 12.3 animals.km⁻²), the similarities in forage and habitat preference indicate that there is potential for competition of food resources. In summary, the lifestyle of the NHN wombat is one of extreme energy conservation, through its relationship with burrows, conservative behaviour and high digestive efficiency. The NHN is able to cope with the seasonally fluctuating savanna of northern Australia. The drought conditions encountered during this study resulted in a forage resource that was generally poor in quality. Despite possible nutrition restrictions, the NHN wombat exhibited little variation in its body composition or body condition throughout the study period. Therefore, the NHN wombat should be regarded as an extraordinary herbivore, well-suited to its semi-arid habitat.

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McLean, Amanda Louise. "Conservation biology of an endangered semi-arid marsupial, the sandhill dunnart (Sminthopsis psammophila)." Thesis, 2015. http://hdl.handle.net/2440/99090.

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Australia has one of the highest rates of extinction in the world, particularly for mammals of the arid zone. Arid and semi-arid species are subject to a number of threatening processes, including predation from introduced cats (Felis catus) and foxes (Vulpes vulpes), land clearance for agriculture, changing fire regimes post-European settlement and, more recently, increased mining activities and climate change. Unfortunately, the biology, life history and population dynamics of many semi-arid zone mammal species are little known, making effective management and conservation problematic, particularly for those that are considered rare and endangered. One such species is the nationally endangered sandhill dunnart (Sminthopsis psammophila). The species is known from only a small number of individuals inhabiting three disjointed populations; two in South Australia and one in Western Australia. In order to conserve this species, ecological knowledge is required to predict how it is likely to respond to current and future threats, and accordingly what type of management actions are needed to ensure its persistence. This study used a combination of ecological and genetic information from a population in a semi-arid environment to investigate: 1) the influence of a variable environment on the life history and population dynamics of S. psammophila during a high and low rainfall year; 2) broad- and fine-scale genetic diversity and connectivity across the species’ range and within a population and 3) habitat preferences of the species and the influence rainfall and time since fire may have on the habitat preferences. One core population west of the Middleback Ranges on the Eyre Peninsula, South Australia, was trapped for two years during a capture-mark-recapture study comprising 23,529 trap nights. Eleven sites were established within an area of approximately 24,000 ha. The vegetation in the region consists of open mallee with an understorey of spinifex (Triodia spp.) and a diverse range of shrubs. Tissue samples were taken from individuals caught to examine the fine-scale genetic diversity and connectivity within the study area using 16 newly developed microsatellite markers. Additional tissue samples from the remaining two core populations were collected through collaborations to study the historical connectivity across the species’ range using a combination of microsatellite markers and mitochondrial control region sequence data. The broad scale genetic analyses revealed that the three known core populations of S. psammophila are genetically differentiated, but do not show evidence of long-term population isolation. Within the core population the fine-scale genetic analyses and capture-mark-recapture data indicated that both males and females are relatively mobile with no significant genetic structure amongst 107 samples evident within the 24,000 ha study area. In addition, no significant sex-biased dispersal was detected, suggesting it is advantageous for both males and females to disperse from their natal areas. The study found that the presence and abundance of S. psammophila at sites was influenced by rainfall events. During the low rainfall year significantly fewer S. psammophila were caught and a higher proportion of individuals were transients. The changes in the population were attributed to a decreased survival rate of dispersing juveniles and second year adults, most likely caused by reduced food (invertebrates) availability during the low rainfall year. In addition, the breeding season may have been delayed or reduced in response to fewer food resources during that year. S. psammophila was found to be positively associated with the number of logs and vertical habitat complexity and negatively associated with the average height of spinifex (Triodia spp.). These associations likely reflect a preference for areas with increased protection from predators and increased foraging opportunities. We did not detect an effect of time since fire on the presence of S. psammophila. However, resident females were observed favouring sites with slightly higher spinifex density during the low rainfall year. This may suggest a preference for areas that provide increased foraging opportunities in microsites, such as areas where leaf litter accumulates, during low resource years. The relatively high mobility in this species appears to be an adaptation to a system with variable food resources; individuals need to be mobile in order to track food pulses created by rainfall through the landscape. Therefore large areas of suitable habitat will need to be protected in order to maintain a viable S. psammophila population. The preference of S. psammophila for complex understorey suggests that recently burnt vegetation may be unsuitable for the species. Limiting large scale wildfires will be required to protect the species in the future, especially if climate change leads to an increase in the severity and frequencies of wildfires. The findings from this study have been made available to the Sandhill Dunnart Recovery Team and have contributed to the development of an effective conservation management plan for S. psammophila, both regionally and nationally.
Thesis (Ph.D.) (Research by Publication) -- University of Adelaide, School of Biological Sciences, 2015.

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Hayward, Matt. "The ecology of the quokka (Setonix brachyurus) (Macropodidae: Marsupialia) in the Northern Jarrah Forest of Australia /." 2002. http://www.library.unsw.edu.au/~thesis/adt-NUN/public/adt-NUN20030325.154836/index.html.

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Taggart, Patrick Leo. "Ecology of Cat-borne Parasitoses in Australia." Thesis, 2019. http://hdl.handle.net/2440/119825.

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Cat-borne parasitoses have substantial impacts on livestock, wildlife and human health worldwide. Toxoplasma gondii, Sarcocystis gigantea and S. medusiformis are all cat-borne parasites that share similar biology and ecology, and cause the diseases toxoplasmosis and macroscopic ovine sarcocystosis. I aimed to study the ecology of these cat-borne parasitoses to develop a better understanding of what ecological factors influenced their ability to cycle within an ecosystem. However, it was first necessary to find a study ecosystem where these parasitoses thrived. Using abattoir surveillance data I mapped the occurrence of macroscopic ovine sarcocystosis in the skeletal muscles of sheep across South Australia. Sarcocystosis was highly clustered on Kangaroo Island compared to the South Australian mainland. Second, I investigated if Toxoplasma infection in sheep was associated with macroscopic ovine sarcocystosis to see if I could provide indirect evidence for the clustering of Toxoplasma infection in sheep on Kangaroo Island. Toxoplasma infection was highly prevalent in sheep on the island (56.8%) and was associated with macroscopic ovine sarcocystosis in the oesophagus, but not in skeletal muscles, at the animal- and farm-level. By surveying macropods on Kangaroo Island and the adjacent mainland, I showed that Toxoplasma infection was also higher in western grey kangaroos on the island (20.4%) than on the mainland (0%). This suggested that these parasitoses are well established and thrive on Kangaroo Island and that the island is an appropriate ecosystem in which to study the ecology of these cat-borne parasitoses. Pushing my mapping analyses further, I identified environmental characteristics positively associated with higher densities of sarcocystosis affected locations. The occurrence of sarcocystosis increased at locations with low soil pH and high clay content. I then examined the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma in rodents (Mus musculus and Rattus fuscipes), brushtail possums (Trichosurus vulpecula) and koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) to explore the impact of the ecology of these species on their risk of infection. Toxoplasma seroprevalence in all species was found to be negligible, suggesting that the intermediate host’s lifespan, feeding ecology and niche influence the parasite’s ability to cycle. To investigate how much cat (Felis catus) abundance may explain the occurrence of these cat-borne parasitoses, I conducted a camera trap survey in both regions and estimated their relative abundance using a simultaneous standardised approach. Cat abundance on the island was estimated to be over ten times higher than that on the adjacent mainland. I suggest that high cat abundance is the primary reason for the high occurrence of cat-borne parasitoses in sheep and macropods on the island, although the ecology of the intermediate host likely influences the ability of the parasites to cycle in these populations. I recommend that the control of cats should be the most effective and acceptable intervention to control these two cat-borne parasitoses in ecosystems where they occur frequently.
Thesis (Ph.D.) -- University of Adelaide, School of Animal & Veterinary Sciences, 2019

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Palmeirim, Ana Filipa Mateus Ramos Marques 1987. "Ecologia de repouso do marsupial semi-aquático Chironectes minimus em rios de mata atlântica no Sudeste do Brasil." Master's thesis, 2010. http://hdl.handle.net/10451/8428.

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Tese de mestrado. Biologia (Biologia da Conservação). Universidade de Lisboa, Faculdade de Ciências, 2010
A estrutura, uso, distribuicao e seleccao de abrigos diurnos utilizados pela cuica d’agua, Chironectes minimus (Zimmermann 1780), foram estudados em rios de Mata Atlantica no Sudeste do Brasil. Para tal, procedeu-se a captura, por armadilhagem, e monitorizacao, por radio-telemetria, de 14 individuos adultos. Os abrigos, identificados por esta tecnica, foram caracterizados sempre que possivel. Durante o periodo de estudo, que abrange duas amostragens (Leite 2009 - Julho de 2005 a Outubro de 2008; Presente estudo - Marco de 2009 a Maio de 2010), localizaram-se 36 abrigos, dos quais 26 foram caracterizados. Estes dados foram analisados com recurso a modelos lineares generalizados mistos. Sao pela primeira vez detalhadas as caracteristicas estruturais de abrigos da cuica d’agua. A maioria destes abrigos apresentou substrato pedregoso e nao se verificaram indicios de participacao activa na sua construcao. Em media, cada individuo usou 4,2 abrigos com 2,9 utilizacoes cada um. Registaram-se situacoes de partilha do mesmo abrigo por mais de um individuo (n=5). Em geral, os abrigos apresentaram um padrao de distribuicao agrupado. Verificou-se a seleccao de segmentos de rio com floresta conservada em seu redor. Os dados apresentados apontam para uma reduzida disponibilidade de abrigos na area de estudo e, consequentemente, para o seu papel como recurso limitante da populacao local. A distribuicao espacial dos mesmos pode ser explicada principalmente pela proximidade as areas de alimentacao. A seleccao de segmentos com floresta conservada em redor do rio reflecte a elevada sensibilidade desta especie a perturbacao humana e constitui um resultado importante no estabelecimento de medidas adequadas a sua gestao.
The study of the structure, use, spatial distribution and selection of diurnal shelters by the water opossum Chironectes minimus (Zimmermann, 1780) was carried out in Atlantic Rainforest streams, southeastern Brazil. Fourteen individuals were captured, by trapping, and monitored by radio-telemetry. During the study period, which comprises two sampling periods (Leite 2009 – July 2005 to October 2008; present study – March 2009 to May 2010), were located 36 shelters, from which 26 were characterized. The data were analyzed using generalized linear mixed models. For the first time the structural features of water opossum’s shelters are described in detail. Most of them were made of rocks and there was no evidence of building. On average, each individual used 4.2 diurnal shelters with 2.9 utilizations each one. The use of the same diurnal shelter by more than one individual was recorded at the same and at different times. In general, the diurnal shelters showed a clumped distribution pattern. In order to establish their shelters, the narrower river segments were preferred and the segments with preserved forest in its vicinities were probably selected. The analysis of its use suggests a reduced availability of that resource in the study area. The spatial distribution can be explained by the proximity to the foraging areas. The preference by narrower river segments might be mainly related with the potential higher food availability. The probable selection of segments with preserved forest in its vicinities shows the high sensibility of this species to human disturbance, which constitutes an important result to guide adequate management measures.

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Burnett, Scott Edward. "Ecology and conservation status of the northern spot-tailed quoll, Dasyurus maculatus with reference to the future of Australia's marsupial carnivores." Thesis, 2001. https://researchonline.jcu.edu.au/17435/1/01front.pdf.

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The Spot-tailed quoll Dasyurus maculatus is a member of the carnivorous marsupial family, Dasyuridae, and is the largest marsupial carnivore on the Australian mainland. D. maculatus occurs in Tasmania and along the eastern seaboard of Australia as far north as south-east Queensland with a disjunct population in the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area in north Queensland. Despite being one of the very first Australian mammals to be encountered by Europeans, the ecology of D. maculatus is very poorly known. This dearth of knowledge is worrying given the documented reduction in its geographic range and its listing as threatened or endangered in all mainland states in which it occurs. This study was thus undertaken with the intention of (a), documenting the species' ecology and (b),using this data to elucidate the reasons behind its endangered status and to chart a course for the species recovery. Fieldwork was conducted between 1992 and 1994 inclusive, solely within the Wet Tropics Area of north Queensland. However, the results are relevant throughout the species' range. The ecology of D. maculatus was studied using capture-mark-recapture, radio-telemetry, mapping of latrine sites, scat analysis and quantification of the prey community. The distribution and abundance of the species within north Queensland was documented by accessing sighting records from a range of unpublished sources including Government Departments, local naturalists and from the community at large, and by field survey. The conservation status of the species was assessed by, (a) conducting Population Viability Analysis, (b) noting changes in the species distribution and abundance, (c) identifying weaknesses in the species life-history strategy and, (d) identification of those phylogenetic, behavioural and environmental factors which expose the species to extinction within the short and long term. Twenty-four female and 26 male D. maculatus were captured a total of 186 times during this study. The species was found to occur at low densities (approx. 1 individual of each sex per 3km2). Mating occurred during the winter months (June- September) and the average litter size was 5.2. No female was known to breed in more than two successive seasons. Spot-tailed quolls specialised on mammalian prey but showed very little preference for any of the available mammalian prey. The species is highly mobile; one male travelled over six kilometres in 24hr and one female travelled 1km in 3hr. Five radio-collared females occupied discrete and non-overlapping home ranges of up to 11km2. Quolls use roads as latrine sites, and densities of scats of up 30 km-1 of road were not uncommon. Historically, D. maculatus was found throughout the latitudinal range of the Wet Tropics area, however, it appears to have become extinct in the southern Wet Tropics in the 1940' s. It is currently known from eight isolated populations on mountaintops or tablelands in the Wet Tropics and is apparently restricted to rainforest above 700m asl. The total population of the species in the Wet Tropics Area is estimated to be less than 1000 individuals. I propose that the endangerment of D. maculatus throughout its mainland Australian range can be attributed to its life-history strategy and population ecology which render populations susceptible to extinction through relatively low increases of extrinsic mortality, and its behaviour which exposes individual quolls to the agents of extrinsic mortality. The short-term recovery of quoll populations is thus dependent upon reducing that extrinsic mortality. This can be achieved through education, revised wild dog baiting guidelines and in some instances control of Eutherian carnivore populations. Risk analysis shows that Eutherian carnivores can contribute to the extinction of Quoll populations through predation and competition. This effect is further exacerbated by life-history differences between Quolls and Eutherian carnivores which mean that populations of the Eutherians are intrinsically more persistent under conditions of low recruitment or elevated extrinsic mortality, than those of the Spot-tailed Quoll. In the longer term, I suggest that the survival of Quolls, and the radiation of Australian marsupial carnivores in general, is severely threatened by Australia's Eutherian carnivore fauna.

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Bos, Darren Gerhard. "Resource use and preference of the southern ningaui, Ningaui yvonneae (Dasyuridae : Marsupialia), in the Middleback Ranges, South Australia / Darren G Bos." 2003. http://hdl.handle.net/2440/22019.

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"July 2003"
Bibliography: leaves 108-121.
iv, 133 leaves : ill. ; 30 cm.
Title page, contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University Library.
This study focused on the the use of resources by the small nocturnal species Ningaui yvonneae, with particular reference to diet and habitat.
Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Discipline of Environmental Biology, 2003

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46

Bos, Darren Gerhard. "Resource use and preference of the southern ningaui, Ningaui yvonneae (Dasyuridae : Marsupialia), in the Middleback Ranges, South Australia / Darren G Bos." Thesis, 2003. http://hdl.handle.net/2440/22019.

Full text

Abstract:

"July 2003"
Bibliography: leaves 108-121.
iv, 133 leaves : ill. ; 30 cm.
This study focused on the the use of resources by the small nocturnal species Ningaui yvonneae, with particular reference to diet and habitat.
Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Discipline of Environmental Biology, 2003

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47

Goudberg, Nicole Joanna. "The feeding ecology of three species of North Queensland Upland rainforest ringtail possums, Hemibelideus lemuroides, Pseudocheirus herbertensis and Pseudocheirus archeri (marsupialia: petauridae)." Thesis, 1990. https://researchonline.jcu.edu.au/24106/1/01front.pdf.

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The feeding behaviour of three species of upland rainforest ringtail possums (Hemibelideus lemuroides, Pseudocheirus herbertensis and P. archeri) was studied in the field for 30 months in 1982, 1983 and 1985. They were found to be selective folivores, choosing diverse diets that changed with the phenology of favoured food species. Mature leaves constituted the bulk of the diet of P. archeri and H. lemuroides, while P. herbertensis ate more young leaves. Tree species and seasonal food items (young leaves, fruits, flowers) were not exploited in the same proportion in which they occurred. Rather, condensed tannin and fibre content determined whether they were included in the diet. Protein was not an important correlate to species feeding preferences although P. herbertensis selected a higher protein diet than the other species. H. lemuroides selected for a low fibre diet, and P. archeri selected for high fibre. Both P. herbertensis and P. archeri preferred to feed on continuously leafing tree species. The diets of all three species became more specialized during the more difficult dry season, and became increasingly opportunistic during the wet season when there was more suitable food available. Foods were partitioned almost completely at the species and item levels. No interference competition for food between or within the three possum species was ever observed. The field energy requirements of P. herbertensis and H. lemuroides were determined by the doubly labelled water method during September-October 1985 (spring). Although both rainforest species have a similar food intake, H. lemuroides uses more energy for free existence than P. herbertensis, and obtains extra energy from a significantly higher quality diet than P. herbertensis. Behavioural adaptations reduce the energy needs of all three species.

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Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Marsupials Ecology'

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