Aspects of the ecology of the Atherton antechinus (Antechinus godmani) living in sympatry with the rusty antechinus (A. adustus) in the Wet Tropics, Queensland – a trapping and radio-tracking study

Atherton antechinus, a geographically restricted marsupial, exhibits distinct ecological traits that facilitate coexistence with the sympatric rusty antechinus. This study reveals significant resource partitioning between the two species: Atherton antechinuses primarily forage nocturnally in deep leaf litter and rotting logs, while rusty antechinuses are arboreal and active both day and night. The diet of the Atherton antechinus is dominated by arthropods, with minor inclusion of small vertebrates. Male condition declines for both species during June–July, while free-living young appear in November (rusty) and January (Atherton). Home ranges for Atherton antechinuses span 2.5–5.8 ha for males and 3.6 ha for a female, with females sharing space with multiple males but no same-sex nest sharing observed. The species thrives in contiguous wet tropical upland rainforest with old-growth characteristics, making it vulnerable to climate change impacts.

Smith, G. C., Means, K., & Churchill, S. (2017). Aspects of the ecology of the Atherton antechinus (Antechinus godmani) living in sympatry with the rusty antechinus (A. adustus) in the Wet Tropics, Queensland – a trapping and radio-tracking study. Australian Mammalogy, 40(1), 16–25. https://doi.org/10.1071/am16050