The subfossil fauna of Goat Cave and Prostate Pit Cave, Mundrabilla Station, Nullarbor Plain, Western Australia

WA Museum Records and Supplements | Updated 2 weeks ago

ABSTRACT – The Nullarbor Plain of southern Australia contains a vast karst system, with thousands of caves recording remains of the original fauna before European modification of the Australian landscape and biota. The Nullarbor region records the highest rate of mammal extinction in Australia. We report the results of an expedition to the Nullarbor Plain, with surface collections from Goat and Prostate Pit caves. Goat Cave preserved 25 mammal, six bird, six reptile and three snail taxa and had incredibly well preserved, fully furred, mummified Common Brush-tailed Possums and a Chuditch. Prostate Pit Cave preserved 20 mammal, one bird, seven reptile and four snail taxa. Accumulation of remains in Goat Cave was predominantly due to predation from Australian Masked Owls, while remains in Prostate Pit Cave were accumulated mainly by Dingoes and pitfall trapping. We also report cave use by brushtail possums and Dingoes, and a collection, transport, and preservation methodology for fragile soft-bodied, furred, cave mummies.