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

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.

The Value of Countryside Elements in the Conservation of a Threatened Arboreal Marsupial Petaurus norfolcensis in Agricultural Landscapes of South-Eastern Australia—The Disproportional Value of Scattered Trees

“…The squirrel glider is a nocturnal, arboreal, gliding marsupial in the Family Petauridae. It is a medium-sized possum weighing between 190–300 g and which feeds on invertebrates, insect exudates, sap of trees and shrubs, and pollen and nectar [33] – [35] . The species is listed as threatened in three of the four Australian states in which it is found (Victoria – Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 ; South Australia – National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972 ; New South Wales – Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995 ; and Queensland – no formal listing).…”

Conserving and restoring endangered southern populations of the Squirrel Glider (Petaurus norfolcensis) in agricultural landscapes

“…The diet of Squirrel Gliders includes invertebrates and plant and insect exudates (Sharpe & Goldingay 1998;Holland et al 2007;Ball et al 2010;Dobson et al 2013). Southern populations of the Squirrel Glider appear to be more reliant than other populations of the species on homopterous insect exudates, particularly lerps (carbohydrate-rich protective coverings produced by psyllid insects; Menkhorst & Collier 1987;Holland et al 2007), spending the majority of their time feeding within the canopy of Eucalyptus trees (Crane et al 2012).…”

Genome-Wide SNPs Detect Hybridisation of Marsupial Gliders (Petaurus breviceps breviceps × Petaurus norfolcensis) in the Wild

“…Reproduction in P. breviceps and P. norfolcensis occurs year round with no separation of breeding seasons [ 22 ], increasing the potential of congener mating. Additionally, both species feed on similar sap, pollen, nectar, and invertebrate species [ 20 , 23 , 24 ]. This means that P. breviceps and P. norfolcensis can seek to occupy the same habitat fragment, especially if habitat fragmentation imposes pressure on interspecies competition.…”