position. In the NT, localized extinctions of populations in the southern (arid and semi-arid) parts of the range appear to be occurring (Woinarski et al. 2008). Populations that may be important to the long-term survival of this species have not yet been identified. Habitat The geographic range suggests this species has wide habitat preferences (Menkhorst and Knight 2004). It has been recorded on a range of geological surfaces including sandstone, quartzite, limestone, granite and Volcanics” comprising basalts and “Carson dolerites (Kitchener et al. 1981, Eldridge and Telfer 2008). Landforms include areas of continuous cliff lines, gorges, rocky hills and isolated boulder piles (Lundie-Jenkins and Findlay 1997). The vegetation in and around its rocky haunts includes savannah woodland, monsoon rainforest, acacia shrubland, sandstone heath and spinifex grassland (Eldridge and Telfer 2008). Habitat features may be critical to the survival of this species include rocky substrates with well-developed caves and crevices that provide shelter from predators and hot daytime temperatures. Biology and ecology P. brachyotis shelters in caves, crevices in boulder piles and in cliff collapses during the day; emerging at dusk to forage in nearby vegetation. Their shelters possess a range of vertical and horizontal crevices, but there is no preference for aspect (Telfer and Griffiths 2006), contrasting with temperate rock wallabies that often prefer north-facing shelters. They display strong fidelity to refuge resulting in relatively small recorded home ranges of about 18ha during the dry season (Eldridge and Telfer 2008). Dietary items include grasses, browse, fruit, seeds and yams. Recorded predators include eagles, pythons and dingoes (Eldridge and Telfer 2008). Threats Potential threats include: Introduced predators - Fox predation may occur at the southern edge of its range, although there is no evidence of this yet. Feral cats may also potentially prey on juveniles and sub-adults. Dingoes/dogs may accelerate the disappearance of small populations. Habitat degradation due to the activities of cattle. Altered fire regimes resulting in changes to food plants and shelter from predators. Conservation actions Survey of the distribution and conservation status across its range in northern Australia. Prepare and distribute biosecurity protocols for islands with P. brachyotis to reduce the risk of introduction of exotic species especially predators. Monitor changes in regional and local rock wallaby distribution.
position. In the NT, localized extinctions of populations in the southern (arid and semi-arid) parts of the range appear to be occurring (Woinarski et al. 2008). Populations that may be important to the long-term survival of this species have not yet been identified. Habitat The geographic range suggests this species has wide habitat preferences (Menkhorst and Knight 2004). It has been recorded on a range of geological surfaces including sandstone, quartzite, limestone, granite and “Carson Volcanics” comprising basalts and dolerites (Kitchener et al. 1981, Eldridge and Telfer 2008). Landforms include areas of continuous cliff lines, gorges, rocky hills and isolated boulder piles (Lundie-Jenkins and Findlay 1997). The vegetation in and around its rocky haunts includes savannah woodland, monsoon rainforest, acacia shrubland, sandstone heath and spinifex grassland (Eldridge and Telfer 2008). Habitat features may be critical to the survival of this species include rocky substrates with well-developed caves and crevices that provide shelter from predators and hot daytime temperatures. Biology and ecology P. brachyotis shelters in caves, crevices in boulder piles and in cliff collapses during the day; emerging at dusk to forage in nearby vegetation. Their shelters possess a range of vertical and horizontal crevices, but there is no preference for aspect (Telfer and Griffiths 2006), contrasting with temperate rock wallabies that often prefer north-facing shelters. They display strong fidelity to refuge resulting in relatively small recorded home ranges of about 18ha during the dry season (Eldridge and Telfer 2008). Dietary items include grasses, browse, fruit, seeds and yams. Recorded predators include eagles, pythons and dingoes (Eldridge and Telfer 2008). Threats Potential threats include: Introduced predators - Fox predation may occur at the southern edge of its range, although there is no evidence of this yet. Feral cats may also potentially prey on juveniles and sub-adults. Dingoes/dogs may accelerate the disappearance of small populations. Habitat degradation due to the activities of cattle. Altered fire regimes resulting in changes to food plants and shelter from predators. Conservation actions Survey of the distribution and conservation status across its range in northern Australia. Prepare and distribute biosecurity protocols for islands with P. brachyotis to reduce the risk of introduction of exotic species especially predators. Monitor changes in regional and local rock wallaby distribution.
rock-wallabies-recovery-plan-appendix-1.docx