Conservation ecology and social system of brush-tailed phascogales and yellow-footed antechinus at Hidden Vale

Theme: Biodiversity and conservation science, Ecology genetics and evolution, Zoology and wildlife biology

Description: 

Brush-tailed phascogales and yellow-footed antechinus are insect-eating, arboreal, forest-dependent marsupial species restricted to southern Australia. Phascogales are threatened in most of their range (but not SEQ). Males of both species die after a brief, intense mating season in winter/spring. This highly unusual life history is hypothesized to be related to extreme sperm competition and a lek system has been proposed in antechinus, but the social system during and after the mating season has previously only been inferred indirectly from trapping. At Hidden Vale Research Station, both species are frequent occupants of nest boxes established in 2022-2023. This project will investigate the social system and reproductive behaviour of these species and consequences for conservation through nestbox provision, using cameras inside and outside nest boxes, experimental manipulation of nest box density, and tiny proximity loggers that can record all visits to nest boxes in a set of individually identified animals.

Additional Information: This project is funded by a Hidden Vale Conservation grant. Ideal start date semester 2 2025

Contact: Assoc. Prof. Diana Fisher