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RESEARCH ARTICLE
Contents Vol 57(5)

Diet of the squirrel glider in a fragmented landscape near Mackay, central Queensland

Tina Ball A B D , Eddie Adams B and Ross L. Goldingay C
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Central Queensland University, Mackay, Qld 4740, Australia.

B Queensland Parks Wildlife Service, Mackay, Qld 4740, Australia.

C School of Environmental Science & Management, Southern Cross University, Lismore, NSW 2480, Australia.

D Corresponding author. Email: tina.ball@epa.qld.gov.au

Australian Journal of Zoology 57(5) 295-304 https://doi.org/10.1071/ZO08095
Submitted: 11 December 2008  Accepted: 10 August 2009   Published: 12 November 2009

Abstract

We investigated the diet of the squirrel glider (Petaurus norfolcensis) from within a highly fragmented landscape in the northern (tropical) part of its geographic range where information was absent. We analysed 86 faecal samples of 53 gliders from 11 locations and obtained 97 observations of 10 gliders feeding at two locations. Pollen of Eucalyptus/Corymbia was present in 70% and Melaleuca in 20% of faecal samples. Indicators of sap feeding were present in 44% of samples and seeds were present in 14% of samples. Invertebrates, mostly moth larvae, were present in 54% of samples. Observations of gliders feeding revealed that the main food types were invertebrates (36% of observations), nectar and pollen (27% of observations) and sap (26% of observations) of five tree species. Differences in the use of the major food types revealed by the two methods of diet analysis partly reflect site-based differences. Qualitatively, the diet was similar to that described in southern Australia, with confirmation that sap may be important at some locations. Our results reveal the contribution that different tree species make to the diet, which should be used to guide habitat restoration for the squirrel glider in this fragmented landscape.

Additional keywords: Faecal analysis, foraging behaviour, gliding mammal, Petaurus norfolcensis, radio-tracking.


Acknowledgements

Dr Judith Wake is thanked for cosupervising the M.Sc. project from which this study is drawn and for her assistance with statistical analyses. Landholders Maureen Cooper, Steve and Winka Hibble, Bev and Tony Weston, Penelope and Peter McLean, June Barfield, Len and Jennette Thompson, Scott and Katheryn Burdon, John Curran, John and Yvonne Galea, Sunwater, Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, Department of Natural Resources and Mackay City Council are thanked for access to study locations. Irene Champion and Alan Bolin are thanked for providing pollen samples from pressed specimens. Ross Storey from the Department of Primary Industries is acknowledged for providing guidance with the identification of invertebrate remains. This project was conducted with animal ethics approval (03/06-141) from Central Queensland University and under Scientific Permit (WITK01317804) from the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service. The comments of two anonymous referees helped improve this paper.


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