| Summary: | Studies of small mammals at Parker River Inlet from 1985-95 have demonstrated the presence of ten species of small mammals. Trapping, spotlighting and incidental sightings have shown that a further 18 species of mammals occur within an area of 200 ha. Pseudomys fumeus and Antechinus minimus, recorded in this survey, are rare and restricted in Victoria. The species richness of the area is related to the heterogeneity of the vegetation, with twelve vegetation types being identified in the study area. The occurrence of the more abundant small mammals, Rattus fuscipes, Rattus lutreolus, Mus musculus and Antechinus swainsonii, is correlated with vegetation structure and floristics. Causes of fluctuations of the populations of the exotic species M. musculus and Rattus rattus are considered. Management recommendations, which reflect the high significance of faunal habitat in the area, are made with the aim of minimising human impact. C1
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