Overview
Topic status: In progress
In 2011, a new species of small marsupial was discovered right on our doorstep: the upper Samford Valley, north-west Brisbane. With this addition, there are now 3 species of the Genus Antechinus known to occur in or around Brisbane’s D’Aguilar National Park: the Subtropical Antechinus, known from rainforests and wetter forest remnants; the Yellow-footed Antechinus, known from a broad range of drier forest types; and the newly discovered Buff-footed Antechinus, which apparently occurs in similar habitat to its yellow-footed sister species. To date, however, we know of only one location where Buff- and Yellow-footed Antechinus co-occur. Subtropical Antechinus may exclude Yellow-footed Antechinus from some wetter closed forest areas, but the distributional relationships between these two species and the newly recognised buff-footed Antechinus are unknown. The purpose of this summer project is to more clearly understand distribution patterns of the three species, by trapping in various locations and habitat types in and surrounding D’Aguilar National Park, during the annual summer dispersal phase of juvenile antechinus.
Research activities
The project will involve a month of live Elliott trapping throughout north-west Brisbane within and around D’Aguilar National Park (Mid Jan to Mid-Feb). For each individual captured, the following will be recorded: habitat type, species identification, sex, weight, head-body length, tail length, ear length, foot length, maturation and breeding status (of females). An ear clip will be taken for genetic assessment in a parallel project; all antechinus will be released after measurement.
Expected Outcomes
The research should provide important baseline information about distribution patterns within and among the three Antechinus species in greater Brisbane, with a view to better understand their habitat preferences.
Duration of project
6 weeks total; Mid-January to Mid-February trapping every other day – total about 15 days trapping; setting and clearing, with assistance of one or two other researchers, approx. 150 traps at each of 10 locations; Mid-February to End-February analysis/write-up.
Number of hours
The student will need a drivers licence; averaging approximately 3 hours work per day during the four weeks of trapping, and approximately 5 hours per day during the two weeks of literature review, analysis and write-up. The student is not required to work on week-ends.
- Study level
- Vacation research experience scholarship
- Supervisors
- QUT
- Organisational unit
Science and Engineering Faculty
- Research area
- Contact
- Please contact the supervisor for enquiries.
Dr Andrew Baker
