Denning Habits of Common Brushtail Possums, Trichosurus Vulpecula, in New Zealand Lowland Forest.

摘要: Fifty-five T. vulpecula were radio-tracked to 182 den sites on 1987 occasions in the podocarp and mixed hardwood forest of Orongorongo Valley, near Wellington. Most dens (92%) above ground trees, particularly large trees with many clumps perching epiphytes; remainder under fallen logs or dense tangles gorse. Melicytus ramiflorus was most commonly used living tree species. Others Knightia excelsa, Elaeocarpus dentatus, Laurelia novaezealandiae [L. novae-zelandiae] Podocarpus totara. Use not dictated solely by availability. Trees without epiphytes hardly ever used. Each possum 11-15 trees/yr, only occasionally; 3 accounted for 60-75% observations. Males more than females, sexes differed their frequencies use various species, though species Possums changed frequently, average 2 nights 3. Den sharing uncommon, but dens, including those ground, sequentially several (up 9) different possums. Dens mostly autumn winter, possums poor condition after prolonged heavy rain. The implications site choice are discussed, relation as a limiting resource, role transmission bovine tuberculosis. There about 50% chance that would be occupied within probable survival period deposited tuberculosis bacilli.