Observations on the habitat, diet and reproduction of the Kultarr, Antechinomys auritus (formerly A. laniger ‘spenceri’ form) (Marsupialia: Dasyuridae) on Mileura Station, Western Australia

The kultarr is widely distributed in the arid and semi-arid areas of Australia. The diet and habitat preference are described for individuals from a mulga shrubland habitat on Mileura Station in Western Australia. The breeding season of animals from Western Australia is compared with those of south-western Queensland. This study aims to provide insights into the ecology of this Western Australian population during field studies carried out over 3 years from 1980 to 1982. Kultarrs from Mileura Station appeared to select the stony granite plains of the Sherwood land system over the wanderrie plains habitats of the Belele and Ero land systems. A wide range of invertebrates were eaten and spiders, beetles, crickets and cockroaches appear to be an important year-round food source. At Mileura, the breeding season commenced in August and all females captured in September and October were lactating. The later onset of breeding in the kultarr from Western Australia compared to south-western Queensland is attributed to the different climate and habitat composition, and the influence of these on insect abundance.