Keeping track of the mammals living on Australia's islands

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2026-03-31 00:01

Australia; WA

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A pair of Australian researchers who have been keeping track of mammal populations on Australia's islands for decades have provided an update on their database. The list, originally published in 1995, now has 2755 records of 177 non-flying mammal species on 687 islands across Australia, including 148 indigenous and 29 introduced species. Native rats, brushtail possums and echidnas are among the species most commonly found on islands, the researchers say, while 36 native species have only been recorded on a single island. The researchers say detailed knowledge of the wildlife on Australia's islands is important as these islands are often used for conservation - relocating species experiencing threats on the mainland to protect them from extinction - and it's important to understand how that might impact the existing ecosystems on these islands.