The Pookila (Pseudomys novaehollandiae) in Queensland: a vulnerable rodent species potentially in decline?

Australian native rodent species have experienced disproportionately high rates of extinction, and many face ongoing declines. The Pookila or New Holland mouse (Pseudomys novaehollandiae), has experienced a marked reduction in range in recent years. While previous research has focused on the southern populations, little is known about the species’ distribution or ecology in Queensland, the northernmost extent of its national range. This research aimed to conduct the first targeted survey of Pookila in Queensland to assess its current distribution within the state. We surveyed previous Pookila capture locations, with over 10,500 trap nights over a 31-month period from 2023 to 2026, detecting just a single individual. These results suggest the species may be experiencing a local population decline, population fluctuations in abundance or fine-scale distribution, or a combination of the two, potentially exacerbated by several threatening processes. Further long-term surveys incorporating additional monitoring techniques to improve the species’ detectability are required to clarify population trends in this state. Our study has implications for the persistence of the species in Queensland and contributes to the growing national concern for the Pookila. Furthermore, it highlights the importance of conducting targeted and continuing surveys for threatened rodent species.