The Broad-toothed Rat Mastacomys fuscus in Victoria: an update on research, occurrence records and future threats.

The Broad-toothed Rat (BTR) Mastacomys fuscus is a native murid rodent found in high rainfall areas of NSW, ACT, Victoria and Tasmania. It is classed as Vulnerable in each state, the ACT and by the Commonwealth. It is herbivorous, feeding on grasses (especially Poa spp.) and sedges. In Victoria, it occurs from sea level to the Alpine National Park but in patches and generally in low numbers. There were few scientific reports on BTRs in Australia until the 1960s when fossil and sub-fossil remains of the species were reported from several locations, including western Victoria and south-eastern South Australia, suggesting the species was once more widespread than it is today. Research in the 1960s described the habitat and biology of the BTR in Kosciuszko National Park and in 1971 a significant paper added several new locations of living BTR colonies in Victoria. Subsequent work located more sites, but little was published until the last 20 years, when threats to the future of the species and a reduction in its distribution were described. The BTR has thus undergone cycles of apparent abundance and occurrence. Climate change and other anthropogenic threats make the future survival of the BTR in Victoria uncertain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]