FRUITS, SEEDS, AND FLOWERS IN THE DIET OF BRUSHTAIL POSSUMS, TRICHOSURUS-VULPECULA, IN LOWLAND PODOCARP MIXED HARDWOOD FOREST, ORONGORONGO VALLEY, NEW-ZEALAND

Seasonal and annual variations in fruits, seeds, and flowers eaten by possums in lowland podocarp/mixed hardwood forest, as revealed by faecal analysis, were recorded for 6 years (1978-84). Possums ate fleshy fruits of almost all such species available on the study area. Fruits of Corynocarpus laevigatus, Elaeocarpus dentatus, Knightia excelsa, Macropiper excesum, Melicytus ramiflorus, Pennantia corymbosa, and Urticaferox were eaten each year, and those of Carpodetus serratus, Collospermum hastatum, and Passiflora tetranda whenever they were available. Flowers of Knightia excelsa and the introduced gorse, Ulex europaeus, also contributed substantially to their diet. Many other fruits, seeds, and flowers were eaten in small amounts. Consumption of various fruit species was generally dependent on their availability in the forest, but a few species were preferentially browsed or avoided. Fluctuations in timing and intensity of flowering and fruiting were reflected in the amounts and seasonal occurrence of flowers and fruits eaten by possums. Possums also acted as both seed predators and seed dispersers. The partial replacement of leaves in the diet by fruits was associated with the build up of body fat reserves in late summer and autumn.