Scientists are studying the role disease plays in the dramatically declining number of small and medium-sized native mammals in the Northern Territory.
The research project examining the decline in populations of brush-tailed possums, northern brown bandicoots, northern quolls and brush-tailed rabbit rats was discussed at the Australian Veterinary Association's annual conference in Perth on Wednesday.
Andrea Reiss, of Murdoch University, said researchers were looking at a range of diseases involving viruses, bacteria and parasitic illnesses.
Dr Reiss said it was not known if disease was a major threat to declining wildlife populations or whether the declines were due mostly to factors such as changing bushfire regimes or introduced predators such as feral cats.
"But when populations diminish, they are more vulnerable to disease," she told AAP.
Dr Reiss said further research would examine the role of disease in declining mammal populations to gain an understanding of its likely effect in the future.
Researchers are focusing on four sites in the Top End representing stable mammal populations, those with populations undergoing a decline and those with populations expected to soon experience decline.
Dr Reiss said so far they had examined 140 animals ranging in age and said they seemed to be reproducing normally.
She said 94 per cent of the animals appeared to be in good health, but noted that sick animals were less likely to be caught, which had to be a consideration for researchers.
Field work will be completed by the end of the year and there will be further analysis of the data next year, she said.
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