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Managing the brush-tailed phascogale (<em>Phascogale tapoatafa tapoatafa</em>) in the disturbed landscape of central Victoria
Thesis   Open access

Managing the brush-tailed phascogale (Phascogale tapoatafa tapoatafa) in the disturbed landscape of central Victoria

William Terry
Southern Cross University
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Southern Cross University
2025
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.25918/thesis.580
Appears in  Recent Southern Cross PhD Theses
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Abstract

Phascogale Tree hollows Artificial hollow Arboreal mammal
Widespread removal of large old trees has resulted in landscapes globally being depleted of natural tree hollows contributing to the extinction of wildlife species dependent on tree hollows for refuge and/or breeding. In Australia, more than 300 species of terrestrial vertebrates rely on tree hollows. The slow time that it takes for tree hollows to form means that an interim approach is required to address deficiencies in their abundance. Detailed knowledge of patterns of tree hollow use is critical for managing hollow-dependent species. This thesis investigates the tree hollow requirements of the threatened brush-tailed phascogale (Phascogale tapoatafa tapoatafa) within the regrowth forests of central Victoria as a way of understanding whether tree hollow abundance is deficient in some landscapes. I begin by using species distribution modelling to predict the impact of future climate scenarios on phascogales across eastern Australia, which could influence the locations where conservation measures are best conducted for this species. Second, radio-telemetry was employed to investigate patterns of hollow use by phascogales. Third, I investigated the use of artificial hollows (paired nest boxes and chainsaw-carved hollows) to inform potential management interventions. Fourth, I investigated if hollow-using mammals would prefer more thermally protective hollows when provided with a choice. Inland sugar gliders (Petaurus notatus) were the focus because phascogales were observed too infrequently. My fifth and final study investigated the preferences by phascogales and sugar gliders to pairs of large and small chainsaw hollows. The key findings of my thesis were: (1) brush-tailed phascogales could potentially suffer significant declines in climatically suitable habitat under a high warming climate; (2) phascogales disproportionately selected dead trees for nesting, despite their limited availability, and showed a preference for hollows with narrow entrances but large cavities; (3) chainsaw hollows were frequently occupied, including for breeding, and outperformed nest boxes in terms of use, though I identified some maintenance challenges relating to moisture accumulation and callous regrowth; (4) sugar gliders showed a preference for chainsaw hollows over nest boxes throughout the year, suggesting any influence of thermal properties are not restricted to summer and (5) low use of chainsaw hollows by phascogales despite high visitation rates suggests evaluation of the existing tree hollow resource prior to any intervention should be fundamental to any artificial hollow programs. These findings demonstrate that effective conservation requires a multi-layered approach: protecting remaining natural resources, innovating restoration methods, and planning for the challenges of climate change. My research has filled some gaps in knowledge, but further research is needed to refine artificial hollow interventions.

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