Swamp wallabies and Tasmanian pademelons show intraspecific preferences for foliage

Abstract

A preliminary experiment is reported in which differences in the palatability of the foliage of individual E. ovata trees were tested, using cafeteria-style experiments with captive swamp wallabies (Wallabia bicolor) and Tasmanian pademelons (Thylogale billardierii). Strong and consistent preferences were shown by both macropod species. These preferences were not correlated with any of the conventional measures of nutritional quality or putative defence compounds often made on Eucalyptus foliage. However, the preferences shown by these macropods correlate strongly with preferences shown by common ringtail possums (Pseudocheirus peregrimis), an interaction which is far better understood. Thus the same chemical factors may influence the palatability of the foliage for all three marsupial species. Continuing research on the relationship between chemical compounds in Eucalyptus foliage and the palatability of the foliage for browsing animals could potentially yield significant advantages in plantation pest management. The utility of near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy as a tool for screening plants for resistance to browsing is also discussed.