Prey of the silver-headed antechinus (Antechinus argentus), a new species of Australian dasyurid marsupial
Data(s) |
2015
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Resumo |
The silver-headed antechinus (Antechinus argentus) is one of Australia’s most recently described mammals, and the single known population at Kroombit Tops in south-east Queensland is threatened. Nothing is known of the species’ ecology, so during 2014 we collected faecal pellets each month (March–September) from a population at the type locality to gather baseline data on diet composition. A total of 38 faecal pellets were collected from 12 individuals (eight females, four males) and microscopic analysis of pellets identified seven invertebrate orders, with 70% combined mean composition of beetles (Coleoptera: 38%) and cockroaches (Blattodea: 32%). Other orders that featured as prey were ants, crickets/grasshoppers, butterflies/moths, spiders, and true bugs. Given that faecal pellets could only be collected from a single habitat type (Eucalyptus montivaga high-altitude open forest) and location, this is best described as a generalist insectivorous diet that is characteristic of other previously studied congeners. |
Identificador | |
Publicador |
CSIRO Publishing |
Relação |
DOI:10.1071/AM14036 Mason, Eugene D., Burwell, Chris J., & Baker, Andrew M. (2015) Prey of the silver-headed antechinus (Antechinus argentus), a new species of Australian dasyurid marsupial. Australian Mammalogy, 37(2), pp. 164-169. |
Direitos |
Copyright 2015 Australian Mammal Society |
Fonte |
School of Earth, Environmental & Biological Sciences; Science & Engineering Faculty |
Palavras-Chave | #Dasyuridae, insectivorous diet, Kroombit Tops |
Tipo |
Journal Article |