The life history of Trichosurus vulpecula hypoleucus (Phalangeridae) in the jarrah forest of south-western Australia

摘要: The common brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula) is noted for its morphological, biological and ecological variability across range. Despite having suffered substantial population declines since European settlement, relatively little has been published on the south-western Australian subspecies, koomal (T. v. hypoleucus). This study reports reproductive general life-history data from an 18-month of a in southern jarrah (Eucalyptus marginata) forest at Chariup (part Perup), near Manjimup, Australia. As one smallest adult males T. hypoleucus averaged 1616 g females 1470 g. Sexual dimorphism also occurred with head length pes length, but not tail length. A single autumn breeding season both 2002 2003, which all bred produced young between February May. onset births was associated end summer drought. Unlike many other Trichosurus populations, no spring pulse or ‘double-breeding’ events were observed. At least 83% pouch survived to emergence. growth rate offspring initially linear, became curvilinear approached asymptote after ~5 months. Most first time when they 1 year old. On basis testis size, matured body condition males, females, changed significantly over followed apparently seasonal pattern their poorest winter best summer. While traits similar those populations hypoleucus, most striking variations included age maturity, extent female fecundity. Further comparisons conspecifics elsewhere Australia New Zealand highlight exhibited by vulpecula Some aspects biology particularly observed arnhemensis northern