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Australian Mammalogy Australian Mammalogy Society
Journal of the Australian Mammal Society
REVIEW

Verifying bilby presence and the systematic sampling of wild populations using sign-based protocols – with notes on aerial and ground survey techniques and asserting absence

Richard Southgate A , Martin A. Dziminski B E , Rachel Paltridge C , Andrew Schubert C and Glen Gaikhorst D
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Envisage Environmental Services, PO Box 305, Kingscote, SA 5223, Australia.

B Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, Western Australia, Woodvale Wildlife Research Centre, Locked Bag 104, Bentley Delivery Centre, WA 6983, Australia.

C Desert Wildlife Services, PO Box 4002, Alice Springs, NT 0871, Australia.

D GHD Pty Ltd, 999 Hay Street, Perth, WA 6004, Australia.

E Corresponding author. Email: martin.dziminski@dbca.wa.gov.au

Australian Mammalogy 41(1) 27-38 https://doi.org/10.1071/AM17028
Submitted: 1 May 2017  Accepted: 25 April 2018   Published: 28 June 2018

Abstract

The recognition of sign such as tracks, scats, diggings or burrows is widely used to detect rare or elusive species. We describe the type of sign that can be used to confirm the presence of the greater bilby (Macrotis lagotis) in comparison with sign that should be used only to flag potential presence. Clear track imprints of the front and hind feet, diggings at the base of plants to extract root-dwelling larvae, and scats commonly found at diggings can be used individually, or in combination, to verify presence, whereas track gait pattern, diggings in the open, and burrows should be used to flag potential bilby activity but not to verify presence. A protocol to assess potential activity and verify bilby presence is provided. We provide advice on the application of a plot-based technique to systematically search for sign and produce data for the estimation of regional occupancy. Digging and burrow activity can be readily detected from the air but systematic ground-based assessment to determine the rate of false-presence and false-absence needs to accompany aerial survey. The approach to estimate survey effort to assert bilby absence is also described.

Additional keywords: CyberTracker, detection, Indigenous rangers, marsupial, occupancy, root-dwelling larvae, tracking.


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