Leadbeater’s possum (Gymnobelideus leadbeateri) body weight, environmental and sex variables

We sought to determine if body weight in Leadbeater’s possum (Gymnobelideus leadbeateri) is related to environmental variables and/or sex. Using linear regression modelling, we quantified the influence on body weight of broadscale geographic variables such as latitude and elevation, site-level indicators of forest productivity (forest type, slope, aspect and topographic wetness) and an individual-level variable (sex). We found that body weight was significantly associated with elevation and sex, with individuals being heavier at higher elevations and males (on average) being heavier than females.

本研究旨在探究利德比特负鼠（Leadbeater’s possum，Gymnobelideus leadbeateri）的体重是否与环境变量及（或）性别存在关联。本研究采用线性回归建模方法，量化了大尺度地理变量（纬度、海拔）、样地级森林生产力指标（森林类型、坡度、坡向及地形湿度指数）以及个体水平变量（性别）对其体重的影响。结果表明，该物种的体重与海拔及性别显著相关：海拔越高的个体体重越大，且雄性个体的平均体重显著高于雌性。