The effects of moonlight on microhabitat use by Antechinus agilis (Marsupialia : Dasyuridae)

This study investigates the effect of lunar illumination on microhabitat us e of Antechinus agilis, an insectivorous, semi-arboreal species of dasyurid marsupial. The study was conducted in tall open forest near Melbourne, Aus tralia, from April to August 1997. Microhabitat was investigated bq use of live trapping and fluorescent pigment tracking. The influence of light on s patial and temporal activity was investigated by comparing microhabitat use in the field at two extremes of moonlight intensity, full and new moon, an d by manipulating light intensity in the field. Antechinus agilis were trap ped in and tracked through dense microhabitats in a greater proportion than was available, although this pattern was evident only in the vegetation st ratum below one metre from the ground. Furthermore, animals did not respond to the microhabitat at the Feint of capture, but responded to a larger mic rohabitat scale radiating 10 m from the trap. However, light intensity appe ars to have little influence on the spatial or temporal activity of A. agil is at this site. Therefore A. agilis appear not to differentially use dense r microhabitats in relation to light intensity. Habitat complexity, prey av ailability, interspecific competition and predation are discussed as possib le reasons why ii. agilis differentially use denser microhabitats.