Ecology and distribution of the long-footed potoroo (Potorous longipes) – a secondary preliminary examination.  F. A. R. Hill and B. E. Triggs.  December 1985.  24 pp. (unpubl.)

SUMMARY

Potorous longipes (long-footed potoroo)^† is a small macropodoid from the forests of East Gippsland. Since the mid-1970's it has been recorded from two localities: the area near Bellbird (37°39'S, 148°50'E), and the upper reaches of the Rodger River (37°20'S, 148°49'E). Trapping and radio-tracking data collected in autumn 1983 at Bellbird indicated that, during this period, P. longipes was sedentary, occupying a home range of approximately 10 ha. It nested in thick clumps of saw-sedge (Gahnia spp.) and wiregrass (Tetrarrhena juncea) which grow on the floodplain and lower slopes at this site. Radio-tracking data and observations of captive animals indicated nocturnal or crepuscular activity, with solitary or paired daytime nesting.

Analysis of scats collected in autumn and summer indicated a heavy reliance on hypogeal and sub-hypogeal fungi, with the ingestion of some monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous plant material. The possible role of fire in influencing the production of sporocarps by the fungi is discussed. There may be a balance between this positive fire-effect and the increase in predation that would be expected to accompany fire. It is suggested that fire, and predation pressure (largely by the introduced fox) may be important determinants of the density of P. longipes. Management implications are discussed.

^†Nomenclature follows Strahan (1980) for mammals and Willis (1970, 1972) for plants.