Researchers in Western Australia are applying advanced DNA analysis techniques to support conservation efforts for Gilbert’s potoroo, one of the world’s rarest marsupials, with fewer than 150 individuals remaining in the wild.

By examining environmental DNA (eDNA) from scat, scientists are able to identify the fungi these marsupials rely on for survival, an essential factor in determining suitable habitats for population recovery.

This non-invasive method allows researchers to study the animals' diets without disturbing them and provides valuable insight into how other fungi-eating mammals like quokkas, quendas, and bush rats share overlapping dietary resources.

Following the species’ rediscovery in 1994, conservationists have faced challenges in captive breeding due to the potoroo’s selective diet, making wild-to-wild translocations vital.

Bushfires in 2015 devastated much of their original habitat, but insurance populations on Bald Island and Waychinicup National Park have safeguarded part of the population.

The research highlights the importance of fungi-eating mammals in ecosystem health, as they aid in soil turnover and fungal spore dispersal, which supports plant growth.

Identifying locations where these mammals coexist can guide the selection of new translocation sites to ensure long-term survival of Gilbert’s potoroo.