The fossil distribution of the eastern pygmy-possum Cercartetus nanus.

Abstract

A review of the literature on Cercartetus nanus at 12 fossil sites in NSW. The accumulating agents involved were owls and mammalian predators.

Fossil Occurrences of Cercartetus Nanus (Marsupialia: Burramyidae) in South Australia

“…It is unlikely that modern C. nanus populations are present but so far undetected at the south-east tip because of the widespread habitat clearance in that area since European settlement. This is despite the presence of fossil and modern records of C. nanus just over the border in the far south-west of Victoria (Harris and Goldingay 2005).…”

“…The occurrence of C. nanus at ~279 ka at Cathedral Cave is particularly significant. These fossils are considerably older than those known from Victoria (Pyramids Cave ~33 ka) (Harris and Goldingay 2005) and Tasmania (Warreen ~ 25 ka) (Harris and Garvey submitted), and have implications for future palaeobiogeographical understanding of this species.…”

“…The latter two predators can be immediately eliminated as likely accumulators of C. nanus on the basis that they are unlikely to hunt diminutive prey (see also Smith 1972;Wells et al 1984). However, the other listed predatory mammals could be responsible for at least some vertebrate bone (including remains of C. nanus) recovered from Cathedral Cave and other sites (see also Harris and Goldingay 2005; Harris and Garvey submitted).…”

“…However, it remains entirely possible that more than one owl species was involved during the long period of deposition of the small vertebrate bone in Victoria Fossil Cave. That is, barn owl T. alba, sooty owl T. tenebricosa, barking owl Ninox connivens and/or southern boobook N. novaseelandiae may have been involved to varying degrees as these owl species occur in SA, utilise caves, and are known to prey on C. nanus (see Harris & Goldingay 2005;Harris & Garvey submitted) and other small vertebrates (Higgins 1999). The powerful owl N. strenua also occurs in SA, but is unlikely to have contributed to the assemblages as it rarely roosts in caves (Higgins 1999).…”

“…Certainly, much less is known of C. nanus populations in SA compared with the eastern states, and at present even basic data on C. nanus distribution and life history in SA are lacking. This study contributes some information on C. nanus palaeodistribution in SA, and builds upon the work of Harris & Goldingay (2005) and Harris & Garvey (in press). The aims were to: (1) map the point occurrences of fossil and sub-fossil C. nanus; (2) relate these localities to its modern distribution in SA; (3) document the reported ages for the fossil material; and (4) identify the agent/s reportedly involved in their accumulation.…”