The diet of the New Holland mouse, Pseudomys novaehollandiae (Waterhouse) in Victoria

The New Holland mouse (Pseudomys novaehollandiae) is found in disjunct popu lations in coastal southeastern Australia. This study assessed the diet of the species at four locations (Anglesea, Loch Sport, Providence Ponds and W ilsons Promontory) in Victoria, southern Australia, where it is very rare i n abundance and distribution. Overall, P. novaehollandiae was found to cons ume considerable amounts of dicotyledon leaf (27%), fungi (19%), invertebra te (17%) and seed (14%). There was no significant difference in diet betwee n males and females. Seasonal variations in the percentage of dicotyledon l eaf and fungi consumed were recorded. There were also significant differenc es between localities in the consumption of fungi, root and invertebrate ma terial. Dicotyledon leaf was the most commonly consumed food item at Angles ea, Providence Ponds and Wilsons Promontory, while fungi was the most impor tant at Loch Sport. The dietary differences between localities are likely t o be related to important habitat factors including vegetation floristics a nd successional age. The results indicate that P. novaehollandiae is an omn ivore with an opportunistic foraging strategy.