A multi-scale approach to modeling the distribution of the Mitchell’s hopping mouse (Notomys mitchellii) and informing its translocation

Anthropogenic global environmental change is having substantial effects on species distributions, persistence, and driving a mass extinction crisis. Understanding what abiotic and biotic factors limit species distributions, and at what scale, is therefore imperative for guiding effective management actions, including conservation translocations. In this study, I used a multi-scale approach, combining species distribution modelling (MaxEnt) and on-ground habitat assessments, to determine what factors (climate, substratum and vegetation) affect the distribution and site occupancy of Mitchell’s hopping mouse (Notomys mitchellii), and in turn broadly assess the translocation suitably of the Little Desert National Park. MaxEnt modelling demonstrated that climate predictors were more influential in determining N. mitchellii distribution at the continental scale, whilst sand was a stronger driver at the regional scale. Occupancy modelling at the local scale, demonstrated a trend towards open habitat below 0.5 m being favoured by N.mitchellii, whilst vegetation diversity did not drive site occupancy. The preferred use of more open habitat by N.mitchellii might be an anti-predator vigilance strategy seen in ecologically similar rodents in other arid ecosystems. Lastly, with consideration of these multi-scale results, the eastern section of the Little Desert National Park appears to contain suitable environmental conditions for a potential translocation of hopping mice. My study demonstrates the importance of employing a multi-scale approach towards understanding the drivers of species distributions and habitat preferences, which may aid in determining suitable locations for conservation translocations.