Is the Long-Nosed Potoroo a Facultative Arboreal Species?

Abstract

Arboreality in macropods ranges from fully terrestrial to fully arboreal species, with some functionally arboreal species. Potoroos (Tribe Potoroini) are assumed to be fully terrestrial; however, we document sightings and images of climbing and tree use in long-nosed potoroo (Potorous tridactylus trisulcatus) on French Island, Victoria. Ordination of body mass, head plus body length and tail length of macropods revealed some body forms occurred only in terrestrial species, that overlapped with a zone which also included facultatively arboreal macropods and potoroos, suggesting some degree of arboreality in potoroos could not be excluded based on body form. We conclude that long-nosed potoroos may, in at least some circumstances, climb and forage in trees and propose this could be a foraging strategy, niche exploitation or a predator-avoidance strategy.