The Gilbert\u2019s potoroo was rediscovered in 1994 in Western Australia\u2019s Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve after more than a century of presumed extinction. Now, the species\u2019 future depends on a combination of genetic management, habitat restoration, and an in-depth understanding of its unique reliance on underground fungi. Scientists are working to bolster its population by introducing animals to new locations and creating \u201cinsurance populations\u201d to safeguard against catastrophic events.<\/p>\n
Fungi as a Lifeline<\/p>\n
Unlike most mammals, Gilbert\u2019s potoroo survives primarily on fungi, particularly truffles, which makes its habitat critical to its survival. According to a study from Edith Cowan University and the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, the potoroo\u2019s diet is almost entirely composed of fungi, a food source that is becoming increasingly difficult to find due to environmental changes. This diet was a key focus of a study that used environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding to identify the specific types of fungi <\/a>the potoroo consumes, as well as how its diet overlaps with other mycophagous species like the quokka and quenda.<\/p>\n The research, published in Biodiversity and Conservation<\/a>, revealed that Gilbert\u2019s potoroo shares some dietary resources with these species, though it has a more specialized and diverse fungal diet. Scientists recommend using the presence of these co-existing species as indicators of suitable habitat for future translocation efforts. With the ongoing threat of habitat loss and climate change, understanding the potoroo\u2019s dietary needs is key to selecting areas where its populations can thrive.<\/p>\n The Role of Insurance Populations<\/p>\n As the Gilbert\u2019s potoroo\u2019s habitat shrinks, researchers have taken drastic measures to ensure its survival. In 2005, conservationists established insurance populations on Bald Island and in a fenced enclosure at Waychinicup National Park to provide a safety net against threats like bushfires and predation. These populations turned out to be vital when a bushfire devastated the original habitat at Two Peoples Bay in 2015, destroying 90% of the habitat and killing 15 potoroos.<\/p>\n