The diet of the long-footed potoroo (Potorous longipes)

The diet of the long-footed potoroo Potorous longipes was studied at logged and unlogged sites in East Gippsland and northeastern Victoria. Most data were for two sites in East Gippsland, with the logged site (Bellbird) havin g the most samples. Faecal material collected between 1993 and 1995 at Bell bird comprised 91.2 +/- 4.4% fungal remains, with no significant seasonal v ariation, in contrast to all other dietary studies of Australian mycophagou s mammals. There were, however, significant differences in the composition of the fungi consumed seasonally and between years. One genus of fungus, Me sophellia, constituted on average 40% of all spores found in seats at Bellb ird and was the most seasonally variable. Mesophellia spores were least com mon in seats in winter 1993 and autumn/winter 1994 but most common in winte r 1995. The high occurrence of Mesophellia in seats at Bellbird reflected t he disturbed nature of the site. Fungal species requiring deep, friable soi ls and a deep litter layer were more commonly represented at comparatively undisturbed sites.