No evidence that brushtail possums (Trichosurus vulpecula) forage on dung beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) in New Zealand

Additional species of exotic dung beetle have been approved for unconditional release onto New Zealand pastures by New Zealand's Environmental Protection Authority. We investigated whether brushtail possums (Trichosurus vulpecula) forage on dung beetles; such behaviour could have implications for efforts to control bovine tuberculosis in New Zealand. The gut contents of possums trapped on farmland adjacent to pastures with abundant Mexican dung beetles (Copris incertus) were screened for dung beetle parts. While high proportions of grass in possum guts (up to 80% of total contents) indicated extensive foraging activity on pasture, no dung beetle parts were recovered. With no evidence that possums use dung beetles as a food source, we conclude that releases of additional dung beetle species are unlikely to alter possum foraging behaviour. © 2014 © 2014 Landcare Research New Zealand Ltd.