Diet of mala (Lagorchestes hirsutus) at Uluru–Kata Tjuta National Park and comparison with that of historic free-ranging mala in the Tanami Desert: implications for management and future reintroductions

A study on the diet of mala (Lagorchestes hirsutus), a threatened small macropod, reveals that their dietary range is narrow and consistent across two distinct regions: Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park and the historic Tanami Desert. The research, utilizing fecal pellet analysis, found that mala primarily consume grasses and supplementary foods, with no significant correlation to rainfall patterns. Notably, they exhibit a preference for specific plant species such as Aristida holathera and Eragrostis eriopoda, which should be monitored to assess carrying capacity in reintroduction sites. The findings suggest that botanically diverse areas supporting these plants are optimal for mala conservation efforts.

Clayton, J. A., Pavey, C. R., Vernes, K., & Jefferys, E. (2015). Diet of mala (Lagorchestes hirsutus) at Uluru–Kata Tjuta National Park and comparison with that of historic free-ranging mala in the Tanami Desert: implications for management and future reintroductions. Australian Mammalogy, 37(2), 201–211. https://doi.org/10.1071/am14033