Endangered marsupial predator shows resilience to infrequent fire in the absence of introduced predators

Background Fire regimes have been altered substantially in contemporary times. Understanding how populations respond to fire, as well as with interacting threats, is critical to developing strategic conservation management programs. Aims The main impacts of fire on northern quolls (Dasyurus hallucatus) are the destruction of resources and increase in predation pressure. We aimed to better understand the relative impact of these indirect effects by exploring northern quoll responses to fire in the absence of introduced predators. Methods In this study, we examine the population responses of northern quolls and common rock rats (Zyzomys argurus; a popular prey item) to a large wildfire that occurred in the absence of other key threatening processes. Key results There were no differences in northern quoll body condition, sex ratios, or female survival estimates before and after the fire. Rock rat capture rates declined substantially after the fire. Conclusions These findings suggest that in the absence of predation by invasive species, high density northern quoll populations in high quality habitat may exhibit resilience to infrequent wildfire. Implications Effective management of introduced predators is likely to promote northern quoll persistence. Further experimental interrogation is required to reveal causal drivers of northern quoll responses to fire, and to refine a suitable fire regime.