The diet of the rare central rock-rat, Zyzomys pedunculatus, was assessed by microscopic analysis of 18 faecal pellet samples collected from four different sites in the west MacDonnell Ranges in the Northern Territory. Samples were collected from the four sites in summer (n = 13), one site in winter (n = 3), and two sites in spring (n = 2). Four major food categories were observed in the samples: seed, leaf, stem and insect. Seed was by far the most dominant food in the overall diet of Z. pedunculatus, making up 72% of identifiable particles, leaf was secondary (21%), while stem and insects contributed only 3% and 4% respectively. Although the sample size was small, no major seasonal shift between seed and invertebrate dominance was evident. Seed dominated the diet in both summer and winter, though winter seed consumption was lower (78% v. 58%). The level of seed consumption in the two spring samples was highly divergent (38% v. 93%), stressing the need for more samples to be collected from dry periods. Lowered rates of seed consumption during winter and in one of the spring samples were accompanied by increases in leaf consumption. Insect consumption remained low across all sampled seasons, suggesting that this species is not an omnivore. Rather, the dominance of seed in the diet suggests that Z. pedunculatus is primarily a granivore, a finding that has implications for the conservation status and management of this little-known species.
The diet of the brush-tailed rabbit-rat (Conilurus penicillatus) was assessed by microscopic analysis of faecal samples from 35 individuals collected from three different sites in the Northern Territory (Garig Gunak Barlu National Park (Cobourg Peninsula), Kakadu National Park and Melville Island) at various times of the year during 2000–02. Seed was the most abundant item in the overall diet of C. penicillatus, making up 68% of identifiable particles, with smaller proportions contributed by leaves (21%), plant stems (8%) and insects (2%). ANOSIM tests revealed no difference in diet between the sexes and seasons, but there was a significant difference in the diet between the sites, with seed material present in 74% of the samples from Cobourg and in 62% and 58% of samples from Kakadu and Melville respectively. Leaf matter was present in 19% of samples from Cobourg and in 26% and 24% of samples from Kakadu and Melville respectively. Stem material was present in only 6% of samples from Cobourg and in 8% and 13% of samples from Kakadu and Melville respectively. Insect matter was present in small quantities across all three sites. The high proportion of seed in the diet suggests that C. penicillatus is primarily granivorous.
Little is known about the biology and ecology of the eastern chestnut mouse (Pseudomys gracilicaudatus), let alone the details of its diet. In this paper, we examined the dietary composition, diversity and variation among individuals of this species in a coastal heathland of New South Wales, by means of microscopic examination of its faecal pellets. From 200 faecal samples, P. gracilicaudatus was found to consume considerable amounts of fungi (20% overall) and insects (over 10% on average). Seed was the most abundant food in its diet from August to February, accounting for 39%, with stem contributing 28% of the diet. Stem was dominant at other times, accounting for 34%, with seed contributing 24%. Although cohort-dependent foraging strategies have been reported in many small mammals, age-dependent foraging only occurred in autumn; sex-dependent foraging was not observed in P. gracilicaudatus. Analysis of dietary diversity (H') and among-individual variation (CVp,) showed that there were significant variations in the diet of P. gracilicaudatus in different seasons and successional stages. Negative association between H' and CVp, for seasons and vegetation succession suggested that individuals of P. gracilicaudatus consumed a range of food items, producing maximum dietary diversity. These results indicate that P. gracilicaudatus is a generalist herbivore, opportunistic in foraging and less specialised in food selection than any other Pseudomys species reported so far.
The diet of the Hastings River mouse (Pseudomys oralis) has been assessed from 90 faecal samples collected from 42 animals in nine different locations in New South Wales. Repeated sampling of individuals over periods of 4-6 days gave consistent results confirming the reliability of the dietary estimation techniques used in this study. No differences were found between males and females when tested at two different sites. Eight dietary items were identified with the mean percentage occurrences for summer and winter, respectively, being: leaf, 45, 77; seed, 44, 12; insect, 7, 2; stem, <l , 7; flower, 2, <l ; pollen, 1, <1; fern sporangia, <1, 1; and fungi, <l , 1. A two-way ANOVA of geographical locality and season (summer v. winter) showed no locality effect, but a strongly significant season effect for leaf (P <0.0001), seed (P <0.0001) and insect (P < 0.007). A similar multivariate two-way ANOVA for overall diet also showed a significant season effect, but no locality effect. The summer co-dominance of leaf and seed shifted to almost complete dominance of the winter diet by leaf material. This differs from the trends in dietary composition of all other species of Pseudomys studied, which broaden their diet in winter to incorporate many different types of food. It is not clear whether this reflects an active choice by P. oralis to select for increased amounts of leaf, or a default selection caused by the lack of alternative dietary items, such as fungi, which are utilised in winter by the other species.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
customersupport@researchsolutions.com
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.