Living with fire: Ecology and genetics of the dasyurid mammal Dasykaluta rosamondae

Research output: ThesisDoctoral Thesis

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Abstract

Dasyurids, typically mesic forest-dwelling marsupials with ‘fast’ life histories (short life-spans, large litters), have largely escaped Australia’s extensive mammal declines. My study of the arid-endemic dasyurid Dasykaluta rosamondae confirmed it is cathemeral (having no prescriptive activity pattern), with obligately semelparous males and polyandrous females. Populations were larger on long unburnt, high Triodia-cover sites than on recently burnt, low Triodia-cover sites. Microsatellite markers demonstrated fine-scale genetic structuring existed up to 8 km, with no evidence of broader scale structuring. My data show that, despite living in the arid zone, D. rosamondae are successful, similar to other well-studied dasyurids.
Original languageEnglish
QualificationDoctor of Philosophy
Awarding Institution
  • The University of Western Australia
Supervisors/Advisors
  • Fisher, Diana, Supervisor, External person
  • Roberts, Dale, Supervisor
  • Tomkins, Joseph, Supervisor
  • Mills, Harriet Rachel, Supervisor
Thesis sponsors
Award date7 Mar 2018
DOIs
Publication statusUnpublished - 2018

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