Mammals of the Reef Hills State Forest in North-eastern Victoria.  M. A. Macfarlane, B. L. Walters and G. C. Suckling.  April 1982.  18 pp. (unpubl.)

SUMMARY

A study of the mammals of the Reef Hills State Forest, near Benalla in North-eastern Victoria, was conducted during 1980. The study identified those mammal species present in each major floristic association and determined for which of these mammals the forest was an important habitat.

Four major floristic associations were identified and each of these contained a rich mammal fauna. Seventeen native and six introduced mammal species were detected in the forest. Of these species, the forest was considered to be an important habitat for the tuan (Phascogale tapoatafa (Meyer)), yellow-footed antechinus (Antechinus flavipes (Waterhouse)), eastern grey kangaroo (Macropus giganteus (Shaw)) and all of the forest bats (Chiroptera) (seven species located). The forest was also considered to be a possible important habitat for the squirrel glider (Petaurus norfolcensis (Kerr)), which was not located during this study but apparently has been recorded in the past.

Present management practises were found to be generally compatible with the conservation of the mammal species considered important for the forest. The implications of possible future management options for these species are discussed.

Also published:

Macfarlane, M.A., Walters, B.L. and Suckling, G.C. (1982)  Mammals of the Reef Hills State Forest in North-eastern Victoria.  For. Comm. Vic., For. Tech. Pap. 29: 15-24.