Dr Murray Logan
Vertebrate Ecology
Phone: 9905 5754
E-mail:
murray.logan@sci.monash.edu.au
Website: http://users.monash.edu.au/~murray
Potential projects:
Diet of Southern Brown Bandicoots
The southern brown bandicoot Isoodon obesulus is a small omnivorous marsupial. Knowledge on the habitat requirements of the southern brown bandicoots is currently sparse and somewhat contradictory. More recent research has indicated that they prefer dense heathland vegetation with sufficient bare ground for digging, however, and yet they also prefer thick sedge vegetation for nesting. Furthermore, little is known about the diets (particularly with respect to seasonality) of these animals. This project would examine the diet of bandicoots in association with the Royal Botanical Gardens, in an effort to better understand the habitat requirements of the threatened southern brown bandicoot.
Re-introduction Ecology
With increasing conflict between humans and wildlife, as well as increasing public concern for animal welfare, increasing numbers of animals are being rehabilitated and released and/or relocated. Whilst there has been occasional research aimed at monitoring the success of released animals, there has not been any research into the impacts on the resident animals. This project would examine the effects of animal releases on the activity patterns of resident con-specifics.
