Substantial reduction in thermo-suitable microhabitat for a rainforest marsupial under climate change

Increases in mean temperatures caused by anthropogenic climate change increases the frequency and severity of temperature extremes. Although extreme temperature events are likely to become increasingly important drivers of species’ response to climate change, the impacts are poorly understood due mainly to a lack of understanding of species’ physiological responses to extreme temperatures. The physiological response of Pseudochirops archeri (green ringtail possum) to temperature extremes has been well studied, demonstrating that heterothermy is used to reduce evaporative water loss at temperatures ˃30°C. Dehydration is likely to limit survival when animals are exposed to a critical thermal regime of ≥30°C, for ≥5 hours, for ≥4 consecutive days. In this study we use this physiological information to assess P. archeri’s vulnerability to climate change. We identify areas of current thermo-suitable habitat (validated using sightings), then estimate future thermo-suitable habitat for P. arch...