The greater bilby Macrotis lagotis once occupied about 70% of the Australian mainland but is now restricted in occurrence to just 20% of its former range. It is classified as Extinct in New South Wales. We assessed the major components of the diet of a recently re-introduced population of bilbies at Scotia Sanctuary, in western New South Wales, from faecal material collected over a period of 13 months. Animals consumed more invertebrates than green plant material and seeds throughout the study, although there was temporal variation in the presence of these food categories. Five orders of invertebrates were identified, with Coleoptera (beetles) occurring in more than 80% of faecal samples and Isoptera (termites) and Formicidae (ants) in 48% and 40%, respectively. These results identify key components of the diet of the first population of bilbies in New South Wales since the early 20th century and, combined with detailed studies of habitat requirements and prey abundance, should assist with selection of additional sites to expand the distribution of this iconic species further in future.
ABC 2003. Bilby Brothers celebrate. Earthbeat, Radio National. http://www.abc.net.au/rn/science/earth/stories/s849842.htm.
Ashby, E., Lunney, D., Robertshaw, J. and Harden, R. 1990. Distribution and status of bandicoots in New South Wales. Pp. 43-50 in Bandicoots and bilbies, edited by J. H. Seebeck, P. R. Brown, R. L. Wallis and C. M. Kemper. Surrey Beatty and Sons, Sydney.
,
Bandicoots and bilbies
(pg. 43
-50
) Bentley, J. and Schmitz, A. 2004. Translocation proposal for the reintroduction of the greater bilby Macrotis lagotis to Scotia Sanctuary, south western New South Wales. Australian Wildlife Conservancy.
Bice, J. and Moseby, K. 2008. Diets of the re-introduced greater bilby (Macrotis lagotis) and burrowing bettong (Bettongia lesueur) in the Arid Recovery Reserve, northern South Australia. Australian Mammalogy30: 1-12.
,
Diets of the re-introduced greater bilby (Macrotis lagotis) and burrowing bettong (Bettongia lesueur) in the Arid Recovery Reserve, northern South Australia
, Australian Mammalogy
, vol. 30
(pg. 1
-12
) Bradshaw, S. D., Morris, K. D., Dickman, C. R., Withers, P. C. and Murphy, D. 1994. Field metabolism and turnover in the golden bandicoot (Isoodaon auratus) and other small mammals from Barrow Island, Western Australia. Australian Journal of Zoology42: 29-41.
,
Field metabolism and turnover in the golden bandicoot (Isoodaon auratus) and other small mammals from Barrow Island, Western Australia
, Australian Journal of Zoology
, vol. 42
(pg. 29
-41
) Burbidge, A. A., Johnson, K. A., Fuller, P. J. and Southgate, R. I. 1988. Aboriginal knowledge of the mammals of the central deserts of Australia. Australian Wildlife Research15: 9-40.
,
Aboriginal knowledge of the mammals of the central deserts of Australia
, Australian Wildlife Research
, vol. 15
(pg. 9
-40
) Burbidge, A. A. and McKenzie, N. L. 1989. Patterns in the modern decline of Western Australia's vertebrate fauna: causes and conservation implications. Biological Conservation50: 143-198.
,
Patterns in the modern decline of Western Australia's vertebrate fauna: causes and conservation implications
, Biological Conservation
, vol. 50
(pg. 143
-198
) Catling, P. C. 1988. Similarities and contrasts in the diets of foxes, Vulpes vulpes, and cats, Felis catus, relative to fluctuating prey populations and drought. Australian Wildlife Research15: 307-317.
,
Similarities and contrasts in the diets of foxes, Vulpes vulpes, and cats, Felis catus, relative to fluctuating prey populations and drought
, Australian Wildlife Research
, vol. 15
(pg. 307
-317
) Claridge, A. W. and May, T. W. 1994. Mycophagy among Australian mammals. Australian Journal of Ecology19: 251-275.
,
Mycophagy among Australian mammals
, Australian Journal of Ecology
, vol. 19
(pg. 251
-275
) Claridge, A. W., Seebeck, J. H. and Rose, R. 2007. Bettongs, Potoroos and the Musky Rat-Kangaroo.CSIRO Publishing, Collingwood, Victoria.
,
Bettongs, Potoroos and the Musky Rat-Kangaroo
Clarke, K. R. 1993. Non-parametric multivariate analyses of changes in community structure. Australian Journal of Ecology18: 117-143
,
Non-parametric multivariate analyses of changes in community structure
, Australian Journal of Ecology
, vol. 18
(pg. 117
-14
) Cox, M. P. G., Dickman, C. R. and Cox, W. G. 2000. Use of habitat by the black rat (Rattus rattus) at North Head, New South Wales: An observational and experimental study. Austral Ecology25: 375-385.
,
Use of habitat by the black rat (Rattus rattus) at North Head, New South Wales: An observational and experimental study
, Austral Ecology
, vol. 25
(pg. 375
-385
) DEH 2003. Release of bilbies to Venus Bay Conservation Park. Progress Report to June 30th 2003. Department for Environment and Heritage South Australia, Adelaide.
DEH 2005. Review of threatened fauna monitoring on Eyre Peninsula. Department for Environment and Heritage South Australia, Adelaide.
Finlayson, G. R., Vieira, E. M., Priddel, D., Wheeler, R., Bentley, J. and Dickman, C. R. 2008. Multi-scale patterns of habitat use, by re-introduced mammals: a case study using medium-sized marsupials. Biological Conservation141: 320-331.
,
Multi-scale patterns of habitat use, by re-introduced mammals: a case study using medium-sized marsupials
, Biological Conservation
, vol. 141
(pg. 320
-331
) Friend, J. A. 1990. Status of bandicoots in Western Australia. Pp. 73-84 in Bandicoots and bilbies, edited by J. H. Seebeck, P. R. Brown, R. L. Wallis and C. M. Kemper. Surrey Beatty and Sons, Sydney.
,
Bandicoots and bilbies
(pg. 73
-84
) Friend, J. A. and Beecham, B. 2003. Return to Dryandra: Western Shield review - February 2003. Conservation Science Western Australia5: 174-193.
,
Return to Dryandra: Western Shield review - February 2003
, Conservation Science Western Australia
, vol. 5
(pg. 174
-193
) Gibson, L. A. 2001. Seasonal changes in the diet, food availability and food preference of the greater bilby (Macrotis lagotis) in southwestern Queensland. Wildlife Research28: 121-134.
,
Seasonal changes in the diet, food availability and food preference of the greater bilby (Macrotis lagotis) in southwestern Queensland
, Wildlife Research
, vol. 28
(pg. 121
-134
) Gibson, L. A. and Hume, I. D. 2000. Digestive Performance and digesta passage in the omnivorous greater bilby, Macrotis logotis. Journal of Comparative Physiology B: Biochemical. Systemic, and Environmental Physiology170: 457-467
,
Digestive Performance and digesta passage in the omnivorous greater bilby
, Macrotis logotis. Journal of Comparative Physiology B: Biochemical. Systemic, and Environmental Physiology
, vol. 170
(pg. 457
-46
) Gordon, G., Hall, L. S. and Atherton, R. G. 1990. Status of bandicoots in Queensland. Pp. 37-42 in Bandicoots and bilbies., edited by J. H. Seebeck, P R. Brown, R. L. Wallis and C. M. Kemper. Surrey Beatty and Sons, Sydney.
,
Bandicoots and bilbies
(pg. 37
-42
) Johnson, C. N. and Johnson, K. A. 1983. Behaviour of the bilby, Macrotis lagotis (Marsupialia: Thylacomyidae) in captivity. Australian Wildlife Research10: 77-87.
,
Behaviour of the bilby, Macrotis lagotis (Marsupialia: Thylacomyidae) in captivity
, Australian Wildlife Research
, vol. 10
(pg. 77
-87
) Johnson, K. A. 1989. Thylacomyidae Pp. 625-635 in Fauna of Australia Volume 1B Mammalia, edited by D. W. Walton and B. J. Richardson. Government Publishing Service, Canberra.
,
Fauna of Australia Volume 1B Mammalia
(pg. 625
-635
) Johnson, K. A. and Southgate, R. I. 1990. Present and former status of bandicoots in the Northern Territory. Pp. 85-92 in Bandicoots and bilbies, edited by J. H. Seebeck, P. R. Brown, R. L. Wallis and C. M. Kemper. Surrey Beatty and Sons, Sydney.
,
Bandicoots and bilbies
(pg. 85
-92
) Johnson, K. A. 1995. Bilby. Pp. 186-188 in The Mammals of Australia, edited by R. Strahan. Reed New Holland, Sydney.
,
The Mammals of Australia
(pg. 186
-188
) Keiper, P. and Johnson, C. N. 2004. Diet and habitat preference of the Cape York short-nosed bandicoot (Isoodon obesulus peninsulae) in north-east Queensland. Wildlife Research31: 259-265.
,
Diet and habitat preference of the Cape York short-nosed bandicoot (Isoodon obesulus peninsulae) in north-east Queensland
, Wildlife Research
, vol. 31
(pg. 259
-265
) Lunney, D. 2001. Causes of the extinction of native mammals of the Western Division of New South Wales: an ecological interpretation of the nineteenth century historical record. The Rangeland Journal23: 44-70.
,
Causes of the extinction of native mammals of the Western Division of New South Wales: an ecological interpretation of the nineteenth century historical record
, The Rangeland Journal
, vol. 23
(pg. 44
-70
) Mawson, P. R. 2004. Translocations and fauna reconstruction sites: Western Shield review-February 2003. Conservation Science Western Australia5: 108-121.
,
Translocations and fauna reconstruction sites: Western Shield review-February 2003
, Conservation Science Western Australia
, vol. 5
(pg. 108
-121
) McKenzie, N. L., Burbidge, A. A., Baynes, A., Brereton, R. N., Dickman, C. R., Gordon, G., Gibson, L. A., Menkhorst, P. W., Robinson, A. C., Williams, M. R. and Woinarski, J. C. Z. 2007. Analysis of factors implicated in the recent decline of Australia's mammal fauna. Journal of Biogeography34: 597-611.
,
Analysis of factors implicated in the recent decline of Australia's mammal fauna
, Journal of Biogeography
, vol. 34
(pg. 597
-611
) McRae, P. D. 2004. Aspects of the ecology of the greater bilby, Macrotis lagotis, in Queensland. Master of Science. Thesis, University of Sydney, Sydney.
,
Master of Science. Thesis
Morris, K., Sims, C., Himbeck, K., Christensen, P., Sercombe, N., Ward, B. and Noakes, N. 2004. Project Eden - fauna recovery on Peron Peninsula, Shark Bay: Western Shield review-February 2003. Conservation Science Western Australia5: 202-234.
,
Project Eden - fauna recovery on Peron Peninsula, Shark Bay: Western Shield review-February 2003
, Conservation Science Western Australia
, vol. 5
(pg. 202
-234
) Morton, S. R. 1990. The impact of European settlement on the vertebrate animals of arid Australia: a conceptual model. Proceedings of the Ecological Society of Australia16: 201-213.
,
The impact of European settlement on the vertebrate animals of arid Australia: a conceptual model
, Proceedings of the Ecological Society of Australia
, vol. 16
(pg. 201
-213
) Moseby, K. E. and O'Donnell, E. 2003. Reintroduction of the greater bilby, Macrotis lagotis (Reid) (Marsupialia: Thylacomyidae), to northern South Australia: Survival, ecology and notes on reintroduction protocols. Wildlife Research30: 15-27.
,
Reintroduction of the greater bilby, Macrotis lagotis (Reid) (Marsupialia: Thylacomyidae), to northern South Australia: Survival, ecology and notes on reintroduction protocols
, Wildlife Research
, vol. 30
(pg. 15
-27
) Myers, K., Parer, I. and Richardson, B. J. 1989. Leporidae. Pp. 917-931 in Fauna of Australia, Volume 1B, edited by D. W. Walton and B. J. Richardson. CSIRO Publishing, Melbourne.
,
Fauna of Australia, Volume 1B
(pg. 917
-931
) Pavey, C. 2006. Recovery Plan for the Greater Bilby, Macrotis lagotis 2006-2011. Northern Territory Department of Natural Resources, Environment and the Arts, Alice Springs.
Pizzuto, T. A., Finlayson, G. R., Crowther, M. S. and Dickman, C. R. 2007. Microhabitat use of the brush-tailed bettong (Bettongia penicillata) and burrowing bettong (B. lesueur) in semi-arid New South Wales: implications for reintroduction programs. Wildlife Research34: 271-279.
,
Microhabitat use of the brush-tailed bettong (Bettongia penicillata) and burrowing bettong (B. lesueur) in semi-arid New South Wales: implications for reintroduction programs
, Wildlife Research
, vol. 34
(pg. 271
-279
) Smyth, D. R. and Philpott, C. M. 1968. Field notes on rabbit bandicoots, Macrotis lagotis Reid (Marsupialia), from central Western Australia. Transactions of the Royal Society of South Australia92: 3-14.
,
Field notes on rabbit bandicoots, Macrotis lagotis Reid (Marsupialia), from central Western Australia
, Transactions of the Royal Society of South Australia
, vol. 92
(pg. 3
-14
) Southgate, R., Palmer, C., Adams, M., Masters, P., Triggs, B. and Woinarski, J. 1996. Population and habitat characteristics of the golden bandicoot (Isoodon auratus) on Marchinbar Island, Northern Territory. Wildlife Research23: 647-664.
,
Population and habitat characteristics of the golden bandicoot (Isoodon auratus) on Marchinbar Island, Northern Territory
, Wildlife Research
, vol. 23
(pg. 647
-664
) Southgate, R. and Carthew, S. M. 2006. Diet of the bilby (Macrotis lagotis) in relation to substrate, fire and rainfall characteristics in the Tanami Desert. Wildlife Research33: 507-519.
,
Diet of the bilby (Macrotis lagotis) in relation to substrate, fire and rainfall characteristics in the Tanami Desert
, Wildlife Research
, vol. 33
(pg. 507
-519
) Southgate, R. I. 1990. Distribution and abundance of the greater bilby, Macrotis lagotis Reid (Marsupialia: Peramelidae). Pp. 293-302 in Bandicoots and bilbies, edited by J. H. Seebeck, P. R. Brown, R. I. Wallis and C. M. Kemper. Surrey Beatty and Sons, Sydney.
,
Bandicoots and bilbies
(pg. 293
-302
) Southgate, R. I., Bellchambers, K., Romanow, K. A. and Whitfield, S. 1994. Reintroduction of the greater bilby. Conservation Commission of the N. T, Vol I. p 95
Troughton, E. 1962. Furred animals of Australia. (9th ed). Angus and Robertson, Sydney.
,
Furred animals of Australia
Troughton, E. Le G. 1932. A revision of the rabbit- bandicoots. Family Permaelidae, genus Macrotis. Australian Zoologist7: 219-236.
,
A revision of the rabbit- bandicoots. Family Permaelidae, genu
, Macrotis. Australian Zoologist
, vol. 7
(pg. 219
-236
) Vieira, E. M., Finlayson, G. R. and Dickman, C. R. 2007. Habitat use and density of numbats (Myrmecobius fasciatus) reintroduced in an area of mallee vegetation, New South Wales. Australian Mammalogy29: 17-23.
,
Habitat use and density of numbats (Myrmecobius fasciatus) reintroduced in an area of mallee vegetation, New South Wales
, Australian Mammalogy
, vol. 29
(pg. 17
-23
) Watts, C. H. S. 1969. Distribution and habits of the rabbit bandicoot. Transactions of the Royal Society of South Australia93: 135-141.
,
Distribution and habits of the rabbit bandicoot
, Transactions of the Royal Society of South Australia
, vol. 93
(pg. 135
-141
) Westbrooke, M. E., Miller, J. D. and Kerr, M. K. C. 1998. The vegetation of the Scotia 1: 100 000 map sheet, western New South Wales. Cunninghamia5: 665-684.
,
The vegetation of the Scotia 1: 100 000 map sheet, western New South Wales
, Cunninghamia
, vol. 5
(pg. 665
-684
)
This content is only available as a PDF.
