Isoodon macrourus

Movements, Home range and Social organization. Both sexes are solitary. Males and females tolerate each other briefly when females are in estrus, but otherwise interactions are characterized by aggression, chases, and fights. Both sexes produce secretions from glands behind the ears and rub them on ground or vegetation during encounters, perhaps using them as “ keep-away ” signals to reduce likelihood of further encounters. Home ranges relatively small compared with those of its two smaller congeners, averaging 2 - 7 ha (maximum 6 ha) in one study in abandoned pasture-shrubland area and 1 - 5 ha in another study in remnant vegetation within limits of city of Brisbane. Population densities can be correspondingly large, ranging from 0 - 2 ind / ha to 2: 6 ind / ha in New South Wales and southern Queensland, but lower densities of 0 - 05 ind / ha to 0 - 7 ind / ha appear to be more typical in tropical regions. Lower densities, larger ranges and more seasonal breeding in northern compared with southern Australia may reflect less abundant and more strongly seasonal food resources in monsoonal tropics compared with mid-latitude habitats. Corresponding differences in recruitment of young into adult population might be expected between regional areas, but limited evidence suggests that recruitment rates are usually 10 - 15 %. Higher recruitment of young, however, follows disturbances such as fire and mechanical damage to habitat and, as with the Southern Brown Bandicoot (1. obesulus), the life-history strategy of present species has been interpreted as one that allows rapid colonization of newly created habitat.

Sumber: Peramelidae

Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The IUCN Red List. Population trend stable. This bandicoot is not considered to be at currentrisk as it occupies an extensive geographical range, has a large overall population, and occurs in many protected areas. Declines have occurred in drier, inland areas near S edge of range of race torosus. While the species continues to decline owing to development, habitat loss, and changes in fire regimes, and overhunting for bushmeat in New Guinea, the declines are mostly local. The larger size of this bandicoot means that it is at less risk of predation from the feral cat (Felis catus), although it still falls prey to Red Foxes (Vulpes vulpes) and domestic and wild dogs (Canis). Historical declines in inland pastoral areas were not extensive, and these appear to have slowed or halted. All subspecies appear to be secure.

Sumber: Peramelidae