Optimising Camera Trap Surveys for the Rocky Landform Specialists of the Mount Isa Inlier, Queensland, Australia

Australia's rocky landforms provide critical habitats for a diverse fauna, yet many regions remain underrepresented in ecological research. The Mount Isa Inlier IBRA bioregion, characterised by extensive rocky landscapes, hosts a community of specialist fauna, yet knowledge gaps hinder conservation and management efforts. Building upon previous research on one rock-dwelling species from the bioregion, the Carpentarian Pseudantechinus (Pseudantechinus mimulus), the aim of this study was to determine the optimum camera trap timing and duration for a further 11 species and provide a framework for conducting targeted research on this community. Field surveys were conducted at 60 camera stations across nine sampling periods over a total survey effort of 21,965 camera-days. We investigated all 11 specialists within single-species, multi-season occupancy models to assess species-specific changes in detection probability in response to sampling period and days since baiting and assessed additional detectability parameters including days since baiting, detection rate, diel activity patterns and lunar illumination. Our results highlight temporal variations in detectability, with the optimum timing and duration of surveys differing between specialists and showcasing varying activity patterns and responses to lunar illumination. While camera traps were effective for most specialists, alternative methods may be required for some species with low detectability. We ultimately summarise our findings into a handy, user-friendly summary table outlining the optimum time of year, survey duration, camera type, hours of operation, lunar illumination scenario and bait type to provide a comprehensive reference to conducting camera trap surveys targeting the community. This paper reflects a growing need for species-specific survey methodologies to enhance efficiency in remote, data-deficient regions such as the Mount Isa Inlier and should be particularly relevant to practitioners seeking to assess population trends and inform long-term conservation efforts.