Use of sap trees by the yellow-bellied glider in the Shoalhaven region of New South Wales

This study examined the use of sap trees by yellow-bellied gliders (Petauru s australis) at 33 sites scattered through approximately 10 000 ha of fores t. In all, 62 grey gum (Eucalyptus punctata) trees were assessed during sev en visits over a 2-year period for use by gliders in sap feeding (either cu rrently or during the previous month). About 40% of trees had been used pri or to each visit, indicating a very high pattern of use. About 29% of trees were used prior to many visits while 18% were not used at all. Gliders mad e small incisions on trees, apparently to test their suitability for sap fe eding. These test incisions were seen several times on all the sap trees th at remained unused during this study. They were made on about 60% of trees that were not used for sap feeding within the month prior to a visit. At 23 of the 33 sites, test incisions were also observed on E. punctata non-sap trees. These observations show that gliders actively check sap trees and no n-sap trees. This study confirms the importance of sap trees to the yellow- bellied glider and highlights the need for further research that aims to id entify the key parameters of these trees to which gliders respond. This wou ld greatly facilitate the management and conservation of the yellow-bellied glider.