Imagine Lord of the Flies, but with tiny Australian carnivores!
For the Mallee Ningaui, this scenario can sometimes be a reality. With its one-year lifespan, there are periods when the species’ population is almost entirely made up of bitey, territorial juveniles.
Matt Haywood/AWCThis marsupial species is known for its ‘spiky, unkempt’ appearance, building secret tunnels, and devouring nearly its bodyweight in insects each night – feats that would make many kids green, hopefully just with envy.
Wayne Lawler/AWCSpeaking of greenery, the Mallee Ningaui relies heavily on spinifex, building their shelters among and beneath the plants. Our research shows that spinifex cover is nearly absent right after a fire but makes a strong comeback, peaking around 20 to 30 years later before declining again after about 70 years. Mallee Ningaui abundance follows this pattern, showing their sensitivity to fire’s effects on their habitat.
Surprisingly though, the species’ genetic diversity can be higher in landscapes subjected to small-scale fires. Researchers hypothesised that this trend reflects the species’ migration to new, unburnt habitats in search of spinifex, resulting in increased intermingling.
This data underscores the crucial importance of AWC’s tailored, science-informed burn programs. By maintaining a patchwork of habitats at different regrowth stages, we’re able to maximise species abundance and diversity.
