Resource availability drives variation in a marsupial glider’s home?range size

Numerous studies have detailed the home-range size of a variety species. However, few been able to determine underlying contribution species' traits (e.g. body mass and diet) versus external environment resource availability) on variation in size. We investigated importance availability marsupial, savanna glider (Petaurus ariel), tropical savannas northern Australia. A strong rainfall gradient occurs over region, resulting substantial throughout geographic range P. ariel. To ariel size, we radio-tracked individuals from populations at climatic extremes species’ range, representing areas high low (mean annual rainfall: 1695 mm 1074 mm, respectively). Additionally, conducted spotlight surveys each site population density collated live-trapping data model its range. found an almost 10-fold increase ariel’s seasonal between two study (high 2.5 ha vs. 23.0 ha). Body (67.5 g 101.1 g) (1.1 ha–1 0.2 ha–1) also varied significantly populations, respectively. The mean was larger than any other similar-sized Australian Petaurid top 6% relative mass, terrestrial, omnivorous mammals globally. disproportionately large is most likely driven by within Our findings highlight that when resources are limiting, can far exceed what predicted diet alone.