Yalarrnga cross-cultural investigation of diet, management history and threats to <i>Petrogale purpureicollis</i>

<p dir="ltr">This project aimed to understand the diet, management history and Yalarrnga perception of threats to the <i>Ngarlingarli Kurri </i>(Purple-necked rock-wallaby, <i>Petrogale purpureicollis</i>) on Yalarrnga Country. The project was instigated through collaboration with the Yalarrnga Country Rangers. The Yalarrnga are obligated to conserve the <i>Ngarlingarli Kurr, </i>as is a culturally significant species, meaning it is entwined with Yalarrnga culture and identity. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with Yalarrnga people to record their biocultural knowledge of the species. <i>S</i>cat content was assessed, using the microhistological analysis, to determine diet at the functional group level. Analyses showed the <i>Ngarlingarli Kurri </i>selected across the functional groups browse, forbs, grasses and <i>Solanum</i><i> </i>spp<i>. </i>even where species cover, presence and richness were low. Micro-histological scat analysis corroborated Yalarrnga knowledge of <i>Ngarlingarli Kurri </i>diet, suggesting that the species browses <i>Walmangu </i>(<i>Solanaceae </i>spp<i>.), </i>spinifex, and a range of other native species, as well as the invasive <i>Cenchrus ciliaris</i>. The threats to the <i>Ngarlingarli Kurri </i>identified by the Yalarrnga were over browsing by introduced herbivores, mining and land use change, predation by native and introduced species, changes in traditional fire regimes and a loss of Yalarrnga management on Country. This project contributes biocultural knowledge to the understanding <i>Ngarlingarli Kurri's </i>ecology.</p>