Table Of ContentNaturalist Notes
Observations of ground activity in Leadbeater’s possum
Gymnobelideus leadbeateri in subalpine snowgum woodland at
Mount Baw Baw, Victoria
Leadbeater’s possum Gymnobelideus leadbeateri nights per session) in December 2012 and Jan¬
is an iconic Australian species and the faunal uary 2013, from different locations within the
emblem of Victoria. The species is declining, resort. Recaptures could be identified by the
however, (Hansen et ah 2009) due primarily to small hole left in the ear from tissue sampling.
habitat loss as a result of logging (Lindenmayer Individual animals could be identified due to
et al 1993). Gymnobelideus leadbeateri is listed differences in weight, behaviour and trap loca¬
as ‘Threatened’ under the Victorian Flora and tion. Some individuals were trapped up to six
Flora and Guarantee Act 1988 and ‘Endangered’ times, with a mean recapture rate of 3.2 times.
under the Commonwealth Environment and Five adults and one juvenile were trapped. One
Biodiversity Protection Act 1999. female (143 g) had a pouch young. The average
Gymnobelideus leadbeateri is a nocturnal spe¬ weight of five adult individuals was 118 grams,
cies that emerges from dens in tree hollows at with the juvenile weighing 75 g.
dusk (Lindenmayer et al. 1991; Lindenmayer The six individuals trapped were from three
and Meggs 1996). Plant exudates (e.g. Acacia locations (nearest neighbour distance of 100—
sap), insect exudates (e.g. psyllid honeydew) 360 m) in snow gum woodland within the
and arthropods are its primary food sources resort. All locations were connected to neigh¬
(Smith 1984). As a result G. leadbeateri is an bouring montane forest via tree canopies. On
arboreal species that rarely forages or moves release, some individuals moved immediately
along the ground (Harley 2006). Gymnobeli¬ into the snowgum canopy. However, others en¬
deus leadbeateri typically is found in montane tered a hollow under a fallen log at the base of a
wet forest with mountain ash Eucalyptus regn- snowgum.
ans as the canopy species at elevations between Trapping was conducted with approval by the
400 and 1200 m (Lindenmayer et al. 1989), al¬ Deakin University Animal Ethics Committee
though a small population inhabits low-lying (G16-2012) and under permit by the Depart¬
swamp gum woodland near Yellingbo (Smalcs ment of Environment and Primary Industries
1994). The species also has been recorded in (permit number 10006414).
subalpine snowgum E. pauciflora woodland at
Discussion
Lake Mountain (Jelinek et al. 1995).
These observations are unusual in that G. lead¬
Observations beateri rarely has been trapped in ground-set
On 11 December 2012, two individual G. lead¬ traps and observed on the ground. Previous
beateri were trapped in ground-set Elliott live studies suggest that G. leadbeateri do not need
traps in the Mount Baw Baw resort (37°50'S, to come to the ground because all of their re¬
146°16'E). Traps were baited with standard source needs are met in the mid- or upper-
small mammal bait (mixture of oats, peanut storey of forests (Smith 1984, Lindenmayer
butter, honey, vanilla essence and linseed oil). and Meggs 1996, Harley 2006). Despite this,
Trapped G. leadbeateri consumed this bait. we repeatedly trapped individuals in ground-
A small piece of ear tissue was sampled from set traps, suggesting that ground visits may
each animal (following a request from Zoos not be uncommon, at least in this habitat type.
Victoria). Individuals were kept in cloth bags Furthermore, after release some individuals
in a quiet location indoors during the day and remained on the ground, moving amongst fall¬
released at dusk at their respective points of en branches and leaf litter. None of these indi¬
capture. viduals appeared to be suffering any ill-effects
An additional four individuals were trapped of trapping that might have resulted in unusual
during subsequent trapping sessions (4 trap behaviour. The woodlands where individuals
Vol 132 (1)2015 21
Naturalist Notes
were trapped had contiguous canopies per¬ research is needed to determine the conserva¬
mitting unrestricted arboreal movement of G. tion importance of this habitat type to the spe¬
leadbeateri over large areas. Although diet has cies. Factors such as distance to and connectiv¬
been studied at lower elevation, little is known ity with montane wet forest, and availability of
about diet in subalpine habitats. In subalpine denning locations and food resources may af¬
snowgum woodland where there is no flow¬ fect both occupancy and population success of
ering mid-storey and potentially a shortage of G. leadbeateri within subalpine woodland.
food resources in the canopies, G. leadbeateri Research on the ecology of the species in sub¬
may need to forage on the ground. alpine woodland is also needed. Our observa¬
Our observations also suggest that in tions suggest that G. leadbeateri can modify
snowgum woodlands, G. leadbeateri may use their behaviour in response to resource avail¬
dens at ground level. After release, some in¬ ability. However, use of the ground stratum
dividuals disappeared into an opening in the increases their risk of predation by invasive
vegetation near the base of a snowgum and animals such as foxes and cats, which occur
did not reappear. This opening was under a throughout the area.
fallen log and surrounded by leaf litter, rocks
References
and vegetation to a height of 60 cm. It led into
Hansen B, Harley D, Lindenmaycr DB and Taylor A (2009)
a network of tunnels, suggesting that it may be Population genetic analysis reveals a long-term decline
the entrance to a den in the base of a snowgum. of a threatened endemic Australian marsupial. Molecular
Ecology 18. 3346-3362.
On further inspection, none of the snowgum Harley D (2006) A role for nest boxes in the conservation of
in the area had hollows except at their bases. Leadbeater s possum (Gynmobelideus leadbeateri). Wildlife
Research 33, 385-395.
These have formed where snowgum trunks lelinek A, Cameron D. Belcher C and Turner L (1995) New
that were burnt by a 1939 fire have rotted and perspectives on the ecology of Lake Mountain: the discov¬
er)' of Leadbeater’s possum, Gymnobelideus leadbeateri
been encompassed by regrowth. The absence of
McCoy in sub-alpine woodland. The Victorian Naturalist
tree hollows in the area, coupled with the fact 112.112-115.
that individuals were regularly trapped on the l.indenmayer DB. Cunningham R, Tanton M and Nix H
(1991) Aspects of the use of den trees by arboreal and
ground in the same location suggests that this scansorial marsupials inhabiting montane ash forests in
was a denning site. Victoria. Australian Journal of Zoology 39, 57-65.
l.indenmayer DB. Lacy R. Thomas V and Clark T (1993) Pre¬
In a study at Lake Mountain, G. leadbeateri
dictions of the impacts of changes in population size and
also were observed foraging near the ground environmental variability on leadbeater s Possum, Gym¬
nobelideus leadbeateri McCoy (Marsupialia: Petauridae)
at the base of snowgums (Steve Smith pers.
using population viability analysis: an application of the
comm.). In addition, some den entrances were computer program VORTEX. Wildlife Research 20, 67-86.
found at ground level amongst rocks and tree Lindenmaycr DB and Meggs R (1996) Use of den trees bv
Leadbeater s possum (Gynmobelideus leadbeateri). Austral¬
roots, although the dens themselves were in¬ ian Journal of Zoology 44,625-638.
side the trunk approximately 1 m above ground Lindenmayer DB, Smith A, Craig S and Lurnsden 1. (1989)
A survey of the distribution of L.eadbeaters possum, Gym¬
(Steve Smith pers. comm.). This suggests that
nobelideus leadbeateri McCoy in the central highlands of
in subalpine environments G. leadbeateri may Victoria. The Victorian Naturalist 106, 174-178.
come to the ground more often than previously Smales I (1994) lhe discovery of Leadbeater’s possum, Gym¬
nobelideus leadbeateri McCoy, resident in a lowland swamp
thought. woodland. The Victorian Naturalist 111, 178-182.
Smith A (1984) Diet of Leadbeaters Possum Gymnobelideus
Consequences leadbeateri (Marsupialia). Australian Wildlife Research 11,
This location record for G. leadbeateri is not 265-273.
unusual. Gytnnobelideus leadbeateri have been
L Beilharz
recorded in the nearby montane wet forest and
D Whisson
also observed denning in the roof of a lodge
within the alpine resort village (resort staff pers.
School of Life and Environmental Sciences,
comm.). Trapping locations were in subalpine Centre for Integrative Ecology,
Deakin University, 221 Burwood Highway,
snowgum woodland with a contiguous canopy
Burwood, Victoria 3125
and within 1 km of montane wet forest. This
confirms that the species can exist and even Corresponding author Lisa Beilharz
Email: lisa.bci!harz@>delwp.vic.gov.au
breed in snowgum woodland although further
22 The Victorian Naturalist
