Occurrence of pygmy possums,Cercartetus lepidusandC. nanus, and their nest sites in logged and unlogged dry and wet eucalypt forest in Tasmania

Cercartetus lepidus (Diprotodontia: Burramyidae)

“…Cercartetus lepidus may build a dome-shaped nest of bark fibers well secluded in a tree cavity, stump, hollow log, or similar retreat (Duncan and Taylor 2001;Green 1993;Hickman and Hickman 1960;Slater 1992;Wakefield 1963).…”

“…Because C. lepidus is diminutive, secretive, and difficult to detect, many records are from accidental discovery rather than systematic survey (Green 1979). Spotlighting is occasionally successful for detection of this species (Andrews 1967) but pitfall trapping is regarded as more effective (Barritt 1978;Cockburn et al 1979;Conole 1996;Coventry and Dixon 1984;Duncan and Taylor 2001).…”

“…Population characteristics.-Very little research has been undertaken on free-ranging populations of Cercartetus lepidus (Duncan and Taylor 2001;Ward 1992). Because C. lepidus is diminutive, secretive, and difficult to detect, many records are from accidental discovery rather than systematic survey (Green 1979).…”

“…Recorded movements by individuals are up to 280 m between recaptures in different trapping seasons (Duncan and Taylor 2001;Ward 1992). There is no quantitative information on the size of the home range in this species.…”

Palaeodistribution of pygmy-possums in Tasmania

“…On the mainland, the status of C. lepidus and C. nanus varies throughout their respective ranges from "Common" to "Vulnerable" (see Tulloch 2004). In Tasmania, the current status of both burramyids is recognised as "not threatened", but this is based on incomplete information and is in need of review (Duncan & Taylor 2001, Munks et al 2004.…”