Spot on
Research into the ecology of quolls
Al Glen

A male quoll about to be released after measuring its head length. Photo: Clare McArthur

This Spring volunteers are joining scientists in a silent hunt for one of Australia’s most illusive creatures - the endangered Spotted-tailed Quoll.

Backed with Foundation funds, volunteers and Sydney University scientists trace quolls in their natural habitat to research the species’ ecology and to investigate the reasons for the decline of the species.

While there have been distribution surveys in the past, little is known about this native marsupial carnivore which belongs to the same family as the Tasmanian devil. It was once found across much of eastern Australia, but has declined dramatically in abundance and distribution. The destruction of habitat is likely to have caused much of the decline, however, competition from introduced species such as foxes, feral cats and wild dogs may also have contributed.

Competition with foxes

Over a period of two years the survey will investigate diet, home range and habitat use of foxes and quolls living in close proximity. It will also look at the reproductive success and causes of mortality in fox and quoll populations and finally population genetics of quolls.

The study may provide evidence for the belief that foxes are partly responsible for the species’ dramatic decline over the past decades. Foxes and wild dogs impose both competitive and predatory pressure on quolls as they utilise similar prey and habitat and den in similar locations.

A captured quoll is weighed before being measured, tagged and released. Photo: Clare McArthur

Paternity tests for quolls

Scientists and volunteers trap quolls and take DNA samples from young while they are still in the mother’s pouch. These samples will help assess the genetic diversity within the population and enable paternity tests to determine whether some males are more successful at fathering offspring than others.

Quolls, foxes and feral cats in the area are also being monitored by radio-tracking to see whether quolls are excluded from areas of preferred habitat by their introduced rivals. Predators may compete for space as well as for prey, and assessing the diets of quolls, foxes and wild dogs will help to determine the degree of overlap. Preliminary results show that small to medium-sized mammals such as rodents, bandicoots, rabbits and wallabies are important prey for all three species.

Al Glen from Sydney University hopes that this research will lead to a more secure future for this unique species. A basic understanding of the quoll’s ecology, and of the processes, which have led to its decline, is essential to its conservation, and Al’s survey is a first vital step in the right direction.

Find out more about the Spotted-tailed Quoll (DEC pdf file)
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