Is the Little Pygmy-Possum Cercartetus lepidus extant on the Yorke Peninsula of South Australia?

Pitfall trapping projects at Dhilba Guuranda-Innes National Park in South Australia from 2004 to 2011 resulted in the capture of many Western Pygmy-Possums Cercartetus concinnus. Reviewing the photographs of some of the captured animals, we discovered two possible Little Pygmy-Possums Cercartetus lepidus, captured in December 2006. Although the range extension needs to be formally demonstrated by collecting specimens or tissues, this discovery is extraordinary considering subfossil deposits for the Yorke Peninsula have not revealed C. lepidus. This species is threatened in South Australia and the possible existence of a relict population on the southern Yorke Peninsula requires attention. We recommend the urgent survey of the area for this species, possibly with the help of nest boxes that exclude C. concinnus, and the cessation of prescribed burning or other activities causing vegetation fragmentation until the impacts of these activities on C. lepidus are understood.