DIET OF THE MULGARA, DASYCERCUS-CRISTICAUDA (MARSUPIALIA, DASYURIDAE), IN THE SIMPSON DESERT, CENTRAL AUSTRALIA

The diet of the mulgara, Dasycercus cristicauda, from the Simpson Dese rt in Queensland, was analysed using seats collected between 1990 and 1995. Insects, arachnids and rodents were the main classes of prey of D. cristicauda, but reptiles, centipedes and small marsupials were als o consumed. Insects represented 92% by percentage frequency of occurre nce in seats, while rodents represented 33% by percentage frequency. I nvertebrate prey greater than or equal to 6 mm in length and vertebrat e prey occurred frequently in seats, but small prey (1-5 mm), when pre sent, occurred in large numbers. D. cristicauda ate more individual pr ey items in spring and winter than in autumn, and more large-sized pre y in spring than in autumn. In autumn, D. cristicauda consumed mostly insects (100% by frequency) and few rodents (8%), but in winter and sp ring, switched to rodents (38% and 47% respectively) and insects (88% and 93% respectively). Seasonal shifts in diet may reflect changes in the availability of different groups of prey, or changes in prey selec tivity by D. cristicauda in response to costs imposed by seasonal repr oduction. The dietary flexibility of D. cristicauda may allow individu als to occupy stable ranges, and has perhaps also promoted the persist ence of the species in arid areas that have been subjected to changes in land use since European settlement.