Distribution, habitat and conservation status of the rare dusky hopping-mouse, Notomys fuscus (Rodentia : Muridae)

Abstract

The distribution, habitat and conservation status of Notomys fuscus were determined by collating past records of the species and conducting field investigations covering areas of historical distribution and similar habitats. Detailed population sampling was carried out in two geographically distinct locations where populations appeared to be extant. Evidence of N. fuscus was found throughout the Strzelecki Desert east and south of the Strzelecki Creek in South Australia and in an isolated group of dunes south-east of the Diamantina River in south-west Queensland. Populations were located in a variety of sand dune habitats (excepting those dominated by Triodia) throughout these areas, implying that the species is a habitat-generalist with a preference for a sandy substrate. Eight floristic groups were identified from the 66 sites sampled, three of which supported N. fuscus populations. These ranged from extremely degraded dune and sand plain systems in the southern Strzelecki Desert, supporting mostly ephemeral plants, to well-vegetated dunes covered by sandhill canegrass,Zygochloa paradoxa, in south-west Queensland. However, the results suggest that the presence of consolidated dunes and perennial vegetation are important for the maintenance of stable populations. Relatively dense populations of N. fuscus were recorded only in the vicinity of major drainage systems. It is hypothesised that the higher nutrient status of the soils surrounding such systems may be an important factor affecting the distribution of N. fuscus. The study reaffirmed the species’ decline since European settlement of Australia, and recommends that the present vulnerable status of the species (IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC) Rodent Specialist Group) be maintained.

Environmental effects are stronger than human effects on mammalian predator-prey relationships in arid Australian ecosystems

“…Sand dune habitat appears critical for sustaining hopping-mice populations given that their presence declined as the height and density of sand dunes likewise declined ( Fig. 3; see also Moseby et al, 1999). Hopping-mice population trends fluctuated independent of dingo control ( Fig.…”

“…foxes, cats and rabbits). The Strzelecki Desert is the last stronghold of hopping-mice (Lee, 1995;Moseby et al, 1999;Van Dyck and Strahan, 2008), which are an endangered, 'old world' or conilurine rodent (Muridae) with irruptive population cycles typical of many small mammals in arid areas.…”

Ecology and conservation of the northern hopping-mouse and sympatric vertebrates of Groote Eylandt

“…Where their distributions overlap, the differing habitat preferences of hopping-mouse species may facilitate sympatricity by reducing competition for resources (Moseby et al 1999;Watts and Aslin 1981). Habitat partitioning with other rodent species may also occur at the microhabitat scale.…”

“…Notomys cervinus is found on sparsely vegetated gibber plains and clay plans of the Lake Eyre Basin and may utilise pockets of sandy substrates for burrow construction (Breed and Ford 2007;Breed 2008). Notomys fuscus is patchily distributed across a variety of sand dune habitats of the Strzelecki Desert (Moseby et al 1999) and has been observed to utilise or traverse clay pans (Moseby et al 2006). Notomys mitchelli occurs across much of southern Australia's mallee and heath country with deep sandy soils Watts and Aslin 1981).…”

“…ranked hopping-mice as highly susceptible to cat predation based on factors such as their size, behaviour, locomotion and preferred habitat. Introduced herbivores, especially grazing livestock, may degrade habitat, trample burrow systems and compete for food resources (Brandle et al 2008;Moseby et al 1999;Moseby et al 2009;. Land clearing and associated fragmentation of habitat can leave populations of hopping-mice more susceptible to stochastic events .…”