DOCSLIB.ORG

Dasyurid Marsupial Carnivores of the Wet Tropics No

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Dasyurid Marsupial Carnivores of the Wet Tropics No Tropical Topics A n i n t e r p r e t i v e n e w s l e t t e r f o r t h e t o u r i s m i n d u s t r y Dasyurid marsupial carnivores of the Wet Tropics No. 50 October 1998 Quoll woes Notes from the Quolls, which were common two hundred years ago, have suffered badly* since the arrival of Europeans Editor in Australia. At that time they were considered all too common. Considered ‘one of the settlers’ greatest Dasyurids are true marsupial pests’ and the ‘dreaded enemy of poultry’, bounties carnivores. They are not the only were put on their heads. They were even blamed for marsupials to feed on other animals thwarting initial attempts to introduce rabbits into — bandicoots and striped possums, Australia and poisoned with strychnine as a result. for example, eat a variety of insects — but these animals are omnivores intended for foxes and rabbits, whereas the dasyurids are predatory The persecution of quolls was soon regretted as rabbits, as well as rats and and vehicle accidents (quolls are carnivores and eat relatively little attracted to road kills but have plant material. mice, started to become a nuisance. However, the best natural defence terrible road sense) have all against such pests only suffered taken their toll. Then there are Dasyurids have well-developed further as quolls became incidental introduced predators, such as canines (‘eye’ teeth) and other cats, foxes and dogs which dental features found in other victims of rabbit traps and poisons. Then, to make matters worse; an compete with quolls for food carnivores. They are enthusiastic epidemic (possibly toxoplasmosis, as well as killing them — and expert hunters. Researchers are interestingly the eastern quoll, very wary about handling them — spread by cats) appears to have devastated quoll populations at the which is the most terrestrial of the they are not timid and are not slow end of the last century. quolls, now survives only in fox-free to sink their teeth into a finger. Tasmania. In northern Australia, there is also strong evidence that the cane Much remains to be discovered In more recent times habitat destruction has been the main cause toad is causing quoll declines; frogs about dasyurid distributions. If you of continuing quoll declines as land is feature on the quoll diet but toads find a dead one, such as a road kill, it poison them. However quolls may would be much appreciated if you cleared for agriculture and forestry. Destruction by cattle and rabbits of eventually learn to avoid toads — the could freeze it and send it to the vegetation around creeklines — two animals are found together in Queensland Museum or to any DEH places such as the upper Palmerston office. Please record as much identified as prime breeding areas for northern quolls — is almost certainly and the western Atherton Tableland. information as possible about your having an impact. In arid regions, the find as well as your name, address Researchers are trying to work out and phone number. cessation of traditional Aboriginal burning practices which, in the past, how many quolls remain. If you see Many thanks to Daryn Storch and created good conditions for many one please contact Scott Burnett, PO Mike Trenerry who helped with medium-sized mammals, is thought to Box 394, Glasshouse Mountains, QLD this issue. have affected quoll populations. 4518; Ph: (07) 5496 9266 or Mobile: 0408 963 350; Please note In addition, illegal shooting (mainly e-mail: [email protected] that you are welcome to photocopy around poultry pens), continued Tropical Topics. However, if the text destruction by traps and poisons is reproduced separately it must not be altered and must acknowledge the * The eastern quoll, once plentiful, is now probably extinct on the mainland. It Environmental Protection Agency as is found only in Tasmania (15 percent of its former range). The western quoll, the source. Illustrations must not be once found across most of the continent, is reduced to about 6000 in a corner of reused separately without permission. WA (5 percent of former range) while the northern quoll, which occupied a Please contact the editor (details on band stretching across the north, has been reduced to small pockets (25 the back page) if in doubt. percent of former range). The spotted-tailed quoll is the only species still occupying a reasonable proportion of its former territory, although it is not common. Sex, death and infanticide Dasyurids become sexually mature when about one year old but many males (about 20 percent of dasyurid species) do not last longer than one season. The most extreme example is the antechinuses, where the mating season is a Reproduction risks frantic two-week long and fatal act. Preparation for this may begin several months This particular reproduction strategy beforehand. Studies of brown antechinuses have shown that they spend a — where most, if not all, males die considerable amount of their time in communal nests. Up to 20 unrelated animals after mating — is shared by all of mixed sexes mingle in these nests, moving from one to another, presumably to antechinuses, phascogales, and some familiarise themselves with all possible mates in the neighbourhood. (Later, northern quolls. (There seems to be a females with suckling young always nest alone.) high mortality among northern quoll males which live in areas where The short mating season is well synchronised, apparently stimulated by a certain survival is difficult, whereas those in increase in daylight during the second half of winter (July, in northern Australia). more quoll-friendly areas may live for Males travel extensively between communal nests at this time in a hectic mating two, or occasionally three, years.) frenzy. Time is limited — their bodies have manufactured a finite amount of sperm but it is leaking away in their urine. They are keen to put it to better use so the It is rather a risky strategy. Although pressure is on for a male to mate as early and as frequently as possible in the the removal of virtually all males from short season and thus pass on as many of his genes as possible. He will never the population leaves more resources have another chance. As the mating season wears on, males become ever more for the mother and her young, if frantic as they dash around in search of mates. predation is heavy or weather particularly bad, an entire local When a male does catch a female (literally population could be wiped out if no — by the scruff of the neck) copulation young males survive. In the case of usually lasts for over five hours and even phacogales, where densities are up to 12 hours. If the female tries to naturally low, and their woodland escape she is hauled back into position. habitat often fragmented by farmland, This may serve to reduce competition. there is little chance for an area to be Certainly no other male can have access to recolonised. that female during this time — and perhaps the female subsequently avoids Most quolls, planigales and dunnarts other males for fear the experience will be repeated! are more flexible in their breeding patterns, males lasting to breed several After mating (possibly several times with different partners), times. (The spotted-tailed quoll lives death is almost inevitable for the male. With all his attention and energy for an average of three years and may taken up with sex rather than feeding, survive for up to five.) stress hormones (Corticosteroids) strip his body of protein and fat. The result is Planigales and dunnarts are less a breakdown in the animal’s immune seasonal, the former probably system, and death within two weeks. breeding in late spring and summer Males seen at this time are usually here in the north. Females often balding and in very poor condition. (A produce two litters in a year. Dunnarts very few males may survive in very may produce two or three litters in a favourable circumstances — but only season and some seem to breed all a small minority.) year round. Producing up to 10 young at a time their numbers can increase About a month or so later the females rapidly if conditions are right. give birth, the tiny youngsters Dunnarts have some of the shortest attaching themselves to the mother’s gestation periods of all mammals (12.5 teats. They should be safe there — days for the common dunnart from but studies* have shown that the conception to birth). Marathon men mothers sometimes snack on their Most dasyurids engage in extended young. This is not a random case of mating episodes — apart from the the munchies — it seems that sexual antechinus 12-hour marathons, discrimination is at work. First-time Overproduction spotted-tailed quolls have been mothers seem to kill most of the girls but second time round eat the boys. For some reason many dasyurids recorded taking up to eight hours seem to go for overproduction of and planigales over two hours. There may be a good reason for this. their young. Eastern quolls, for Sons grow faster and larger than example, have been recorded giving daughters, requiring more maternal energy, which is perhaps easier for a younger birth to up to 30 babies, each of mother to cope with. After they are weaned, however, sons leave home, whereas which is no larger than a grain of daughters remain in the area — to eventually compete with their mothers during rice, but since the mother has only the next breeding season. If Mum does survive to the next season (many don’t) six teats only the first six to attach that will definitely be her last.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Felixer™ Grooming Trap Non-Target Safety Trial: Numbats July 2020
    Felixer™ Grooming Trap Non-Target Safety Trial: Numbats July 2020 Brian Chambers, Judy Dunlop, Adrian Wayne Summary Felixer™ cat grooming traps are a novel and potential useful means for controlling feral cats that have proven difficult, or very expensive to control by other methods such as baiting, shooting and trapping. The South West Catchments Council (SWCC) and the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) plan to undertake a meso-scale trial of Felixer™ traps in the southern jarrah forest where numbats (Myrmecobius fasciatus) are present. Felixer™ traps have not previously been deployed in areas with numbat populations. We tested the ability of Felixer™ traps to identify numbats as a non-target species by setting the traps in camera only mode in pens with four numbats at Perth Zoo. The Felixer™ traps were triggered 793 times by numbats with all detections classified as non-targets. We conclude that the Felixer™ trap presents no risk to numbats as a non-target species. Acknowledgements We are grateful Peter Mawson, Cathy Lambert, Karen Cavanough, Jessica Morrison and Aimee Moore of Perth Zoo for facilitating access to the numbats for the trial. The trial was approved by the Perth Zoo Animal Ethics Committee (Project No. 2020-4). The Felixer™ traps used in this project were provided by Fortescue Metals Group Pty Ltd and Roy Hill Mining Pty Ltd. This trial was supported by the South West Catchments Council with funding through the Australian Government’s National Landcare Program. ii Felixer™ - Numbat Safety Trial
    [Show full text]
  • Spatial Ecology of the Tasmanian Spotted-Tailed Quoll
    Spatial Ecology of the Tasmanian Spotted-Tailed Quoll Shannon Nichole Troy Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science, Flinders University of South Australia Honours, Biological Science, Monash University Submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy School of Biological Sciences University of Tasmania November 2014 Preface Author Declarations Declaration of Originality This thesis contains no material which has been accepted for a degree or diploma by the University or any other institution, except by way of background information and duly acknowledged in the thesis, and to the best of my knowledge and belief no material previously published or written by another person except where due acknowledgement is made in the text of the thesis, nor does the thesis contain any material that infringes copyright. November 2014 Shannon Troy Date Authority of Access This thesis may be made available for loan and limited copying and communication in accordance with the Copyright Act 1968. November 2014 Shannon Troy Date i Preface Author Declarations Statement of Ethical Conduct The research associated with this thesis abides by the international and Australian codes on human and animal experimentation, the guidelines by the Australian Government's Office of the Gene Technology Regulator and the rulings of the Safety, Ethics and Institutional Biosafety Committees of the University. November 2014 Shannon Troy Date ii Preface Acknowledgements Acknowledgements I am very fortunate to have been supervised by a group of outstanding ecologists and wonderful people. Thanks to my primary supervisor, Menna Jones, for the opportunity to undertake a PhD, allowing me to take it in my own direction, providing enthusiasm and support for my ideas, and lots of interesting discussions about predator ecology.
    [Show full text]
  • Lindsay Masters
    CHARACTERISATION OF EXPERIMENTALLY INDUCED AND SPONTANEOUSLY OCCURRING DISEASE WITHIN CAPTIVE BRED DASYURIDS Scott Andrew Lindsay A thesis submitted in fulfillment of requirements for the postgraduate degree of Masters of Veterinary Science Faculty of Veterinary Science University of Sydney March 2014 STATEMENT OF ORIGINALITY Apart from assistance acknowledged, this thesis represents the unaided work of the author. The text of this thesis contains no material previously published or written unless due reference to this material is made. This work has neither been presented nor is currently being presented for any other degree. Scott Lindsay 30 March 2014. i SUMMARY Neosporosis is a disease of worldwide distribution resulting from infection by the obligate intracellular apicomplexan protozoan parasite Neospora caninum, which is a major cause of infectious bovine abortion and a significant economic burden to the cattle industry. Definitive hosts are canid and an extensive range of identified susceptible intermediate hosts now includes native Australian species. Pilot experiments demonstrated the high disease susceptibility and the unexpected observation of rapid and prolific cyst formation in the fat-tailed dunnart (Sminthopsis crassicaudata) following inoculation with N. caninum. These findings contrast those in the immunocompetent rodent models and have enormous implications for the role of the dunnart as an animal model to study the molecular host-parasite interactions contributing to cyst formation. An immunohistochemical investigation of the dunnart host cellular response to inoculation with N. caninum was undertaken to determine if a detectable alteration contributes to cyst formation, compared with the eutherian models. Selective cell labelling was observed using novel antibodies developed against Tasmanian devil proteins (CD4, CD8, IgG and IgM) as well as appropriate labelling with additional antibodies targeting T cells (CD3), B cells (CD79b, PAX5), granulocytes, and the monocyte-macrophage family (MAC387).
    [Show full text]
  • Kowari Monitoring in Sturts Stony Desert 2008
    Kowari Dasycercus byrnei Distribution Monitoring in Sturts Stony Desert, South Australia, Spring 2007 Peter Canty & Robert Brandle – Science & Conservation, SA Dept Environment & Heritage, 2008 For SA Arid Lands Natural Resources Management Board i Contents Page Summary iii List of Figures, Photos and Tables iv Acknowledgments vi Project Aims 1 Methods 1 Results 8 Discussion 12 Conclusions 14 Recommendations 15 Bibliography 16 Appendices 17 1. The Kowari Habitat Assessment Datasheet 18 2. Satellite Images of Trapsites 19 3. Key Healthy Sand Mound Indicators 25 4. Other Mammal Species Likely to be Confused with Kowaris 43 5. Kowari Survey – Clifton Hills and Pandie Pandie Station December 2007 (Pedler & Read) 47 ii Summary: This paper reports on a presence/absence population status and distribution survey primarily for the Kowari (Dasycercus byrnei) in areas of known or likely habitat in Sturts Stony Desert, north-eastern South Australia. The survey was carried out between 27th August to 11th September 2007 on Mulka, Cowarie, Pandie Pandie, Innamincka and Cordillo Downs pastoral leases. The Kowari’s major habitat areas on Clifton Hills Pastoral Lease were not sampled as access was not approved by the property manager. Monitoring traplines followed typical Kowari survey standards with aluminium box/treadle traps (Elliott Type A) placed 100 metres apart on 10 kilometre long transects sampling ideal habitat over two trap-nights. The only variation from this standard was the pairing of traps at each station, one having bait specifically for Kowaris and other carnivorous species, the other baited for general sampling. Trapping was carried out at 6 locations over 12 nights with an approximate intensity of 400 trap-nights per sample.
    [Show full text]
  • Platypus Collins, L.R
    AUSTRALIAN MAMMALS BIOLOGY AND CAPTIVE MANAGEMENT Stephen Jackson © CSIRO 2003 All rights reserved. Except under the conditions described in the Australian Copyright Act 1968 and subsequent amendments, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, duplicating or otherwise, without the prior permission of the copyright owner. Contact CSIRO PUBLISHING for all permission requests. National Library of Australia Cataloguing-in-Publication entry Jackson, Stephen M. Australian mammals: Biology and captive management Bibliography. ISBN 0 643 06635 7. 1. Mammals – Australia. 2. Captive mammals. I. Title. 599.0994 Available from CSIRO PUBLISHING 150 Oxford Street (PO Box 1139) Collingwood VIC 3066 Australia Telephone: +61 3 9662 7666 Local call: 1300 788 000 (Australia only) Fax: +61 3 9662 7555 Email: [email protected] Web site: www.publish.csiro.au Cover photos courtesy Stephen Jackson, Esther Beaton and Nick Alexander Set in Minion and Optima Cover and text design by James Kelly Typeset by Desktop Concepts Pty Ltd Printed in Australia by Ligare REFERENCES reserved. Chapter 1 – Platypus Collins, L.R. (1973) Monotremes and Marsupials: A Reference for Zoological Institutions. Smithsonian Institution Press, rights Austin, M.A. (1997) A Practical Guide to the Successful Washington. All Handrearing of Tasmanian Marsupials. Regal Publications, Collins, G.H., Whittington, R.J. & Canfield, P.J. (1986) Melbourne. Theileria ornithorhynchi Mackerras, 1959 in the platypus, 2003. Beaven, M. (1997) Hand rearing of a juvenile platypus. Ornithorhynchus anatinus (Shaw). Journal of Wildlife Proceedings of the ASZK/ARAZPA Conference. 16–20 March.
    [Show full text]
  • Northern Quoll ©
    Species Fact Sheet: Northern quoll © V i e w f i n d e r Nothern quoll Dasyurus hallucatus The northern quoll is a medium-sized carnivorous marsupial that lives in the savannas of northern Australia. It is found from south-eastern Queensland all the way to the northern parts of the Western Australian coast. Populations have declined across much of this range, particularly as a result of the spread of the cane toad. Recent translocations to islands in northern Australia free from feral animals have had some success in increasing populations on islands Conservation status The World Conservation Union (IUCN) Redlist of Threatened Species: Lower risk – near threatened Australian Government - Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 : Endangered Did you know? Western Australia. They have been associated with the de - mise of a number of native species. • Although they are marsupials, female northern quolls do not have a pouch. At the start of the Conservation action breeding season the area around the nipples becomes enlarged and partially surrounded by a Communities, scientists and governments are working flap of skin. The young (usually six in a litter) live together to coordinate the research and management here for the first eight to 10 weeks of their lives. effort. The Threatened Species Network, a community- • Almost all male northern quolls die at about one based program of the Australian Government and WWF- year old, not long after mating. Australia, recently provided funding for Traditional Owners to survey Maria Island in the Northern Territory for northern Distribution and habitat quolls. On Groote Eylandt, the most significant island for northern quolls, a TSN Community Grant is providing funds Northern quolls live in a range of habitats but prefer rocky to help quarantine the island from hitch-hiking cane toads areas and eucalypt forests.
    [Show full text]
  • The Hunter and Biodiversity in Tasmania
    The Hunter and Biodiversity in Tasmania The Hunter takes place on Tasmania’s Central Plateau, where “One hundred and sixty-five million years ago potent forces had exploded, clashed, pushed the plateau hundreds of metres into the sky.” [a, 14] The story is about the hunt for the last Tasmanian tiger, described in the novel as: “that monster whose fabulous jaw gapes 120 degrees, the carnivorous marsupial which had so confused the early explorers — a ‘striped wolf’, ‘marsupial wolf.’” [a, 16] Fig 1. Paperbark woodlands and button grass plains near Derwent Bridge, Central Tasmania. Source: J. Stadler, 2010. Biodiversity “Biodiversity”, or biological diversity, refers to variety in all forms of life—all plants and animals, their genes, and the ecosystems they live in. [b] It is important because all living things are connected with each other. For example, humans depend on living things in the environment for clean air to breathe, food to eat, and clean water to drink. Biodiversity is one of the underlying themes in The Hunter, a Tasmanian film directed by David Nettheim in 2011 and based on Julia Leigh’s 1999 novel about the hunt for the last Tasmanian Tiger. The film and the novel showcase problems that arise from loss of species, loss of habitat, and contested ideas about land use. The story is set in the Central Plateau Conservation Area and much of the film is shot just south of that area near Derwent Bridge and in the Florentine Valley. In Tasmania, land clearing is widely considered to be the biggest threat to biodiversity [c, d].
    [Show full text]
  • MORNINGTON PENINSULA BIODIVERSITY: SURVEY and RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS Design and Editing: Linda Bester, Universal Ecology Services
    MORNINGTON PENINSULA BIODIVERSITY: SURVEY AND RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS Design and editing: Linda Bester, Universal Ecology Services. General review: Sarah Caulton. Project manager: Garrique Pergl, Mornington Peninsula Shire. Photographs: Matthew Dell, Linda Bester, Malcolm Legg, Arthur Rylah Institute (ARI), Mornington Peninsula Shire, Russell Mawson, Bruce Fuhrer, Save Tootgarook Swamp, and Celine Yap. Maps: Mornington Peninsula Shire, Arthur Rylah Institute (ARI), and Practical Ecology. Further acknowledgements: This report was produced with the assistance and input of a number of ecological consultants, state agencies and Mornington Peninsula Shire community groups. The Shire is grateful to the many people that participated in the consultations and surveys informing this report. Acknowledgement of Country: The Mornington Peninsula Shire acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders as the first Australians and recognises that they have a unique relationship with the land and water. The Shire also recognises the Mornington Peninsula is home to the Boonwurrung / Bunurong, members of the Kulin Nation, who have lived here for thousands of years and who have traditional connections and responsibilities to the land on which Council meets. Data sources - This booklet summarises the results of various biodiversity reports conducted for the Mornington Peninsula Shire: • Costen, A. and South, M. (2014) Tootgarook Wetland Ecological Character Description. Mornington Peninsula Shire. • Cook, D. (2013) Flora Survey and Weed Mapping at Tootgarook Swamp Bushland Reserve. Mornington Peninsula Shire. • Dell, M.D. and Bester L.R. (2006) Management and status of Leafy Greenhood (Pterostylis cucullata) populations within Mornington Peninsula Shire. Universal Ecology Services, Victoria. • Legg, M. (2014) Vertebrate fauna assessments of seven Mornington Peninsula Shire reserves located within Tootgarook Wetland.
    [Show full text]
  • Phascogale Calura) Corinne Letendre, Ethan Sawyer, Lauren J
    Letendre et al. BMC Zoology (2018) 3:10 https://doi.org/10.1186/s40850-018-0036-3 BMC Zoology RESEARCHARTICLE Open Access Immunosenescence in a captive semelparous marsupial, the red-tailed phascogale (Phascogale calura) Corinne Letendre, Ethan Sawyer, Lauren J. Young and Julie M. Old* Abstract Background: The red-tailed phascogale is a ‘Near Threatened’ dasyurid marsupial. Males are semelparous and die off shortly after the breeding season in the wild due to a stress-related syndrome, which has many physiological and immunological repercussions. In captivity, males survive for more than 2 years but become infertile after their first breeding season. Meanwhile, females can breed for many years. This suggests that captive males develop similar endocrine changes as their wild counterparts and undergo accelerated aging. However, this remains to be confirmed. The health status and immune function of this species in captivity have also yet to be characterized. Results: Through an integrative approach combining post-mortem examinations, blood biochemical and hematological analyses, we investigated the physiological and health status of captive phascogales before, during, and after the breeding season. Adult males showed only mild lesions compatible with an endocrine disorder. Both sexes globally maintained a good body condition throughout their lives, most likely due to a high quality diet. However, biochemistry changes potentially compatible with an early onset of renal or hepatic insufficiency were detected in older individuals. Masses and possible hypocalcemia were observed anecdotally in old females. With this increased knowledge of the physiological status of captive phascogales, interpretation of their immune profile at different age stages was then attempted.
    [Show full text]
  • Factsheet: a Threatened Mammal Index for Australia
    Science for Saving Species Research findings factsheet Project 3.1 Factsheet: A Threatened Mammal Index for Australia Research in brief How can the index be used? This project is developing a For the first time in Australia, an for threatened plants are currently Threatened Species Index (TSX) for index has been developed that being assembled. Australia which can assist policy- can provide reliable and rigorous These indices will allow Australian makers, conservation managers measures of trends across Australia’s governments, non-government and the public to understand how threatened species, or at least organisations, stakeholders and the some of the population trends a subset of them. In addition to community to better understand across Australia’s threatened communicating overall trends, the and report on which groups of species are changing over time. It indices can be interrogated and the threatened species are in decline by will inform policy and investment data downloaded via a web-app to bringing together monitoring data. decisions, and enable coherent allow trends for different taxonomic It will potentially enable us to better and transparent reporting on groups or regions to be explored relative changes in threatened understand the performance of and compared. So far, the index has species numbers at national, state high-level strategies and the return been populated with data for some and regional levels. Australia’s on investment in threatened species TSX is based on the Living Planet threatened and near-threatened birds recovery, and inform our priorities Index (www.livingplanetindex.org), and mammals, and monitoring data for investment. a method developed by World Wildlife Fund and the Zoological A Threatened Species Index for mammals in Australia Society of London.
    [Show full text]
  • Impact of Fox Baiting on Tiger Quoll Populations Project ID: 00016505
    Impact of fox baiting on tiger quoll populations Project ID: 00016505 Final Report to Environment Australia and The New South Wales National Parks and Wildlife Service Gerhard Körtner and Shaan Gresser Copyright G. Körtner Executive Summary: The NSW Threat Abatement Plan for Predation by the Red Fox (TAP) identifies foxes as a major threat to the survival of many native mammals. The plan recommends baiting with compound 1080 (sodium monofluoroacetate) because it appears to be the most effective fox control measure. However, the plan also recognises the risk for tiger quolls as a non-target species. Although the actual impact of 1080 fox baiting on tiger quoll populations has not been assessed, this assumed risk has resulted in restrictions on the use of 1080 which render fox baiting programs labour intensive and expensive and which may compromise the effectiveness of the fox control. The aim of this project is to determine whether these precautions are necessary by measuring tiger quoll mortality during fox baiting programs using 1080. The project has been identified as a priority action (Obj. 2, action 5) of the TAP. Three experiments were conducted in north-east NSW between June 2000 and December 2001. Overall 78 quolls were trapped and 56 of those were fitted with mortality radio-transmitters. Baiting procedure followed Best Practice Guidelines (TAP) except that there was no free-feeding and baits were only surface buried. These modifications aimed to increase the exposure of quolls to bait. 1080 baits (3 mg / bait; Foxoff®) incorporating the bait marker Rhodamine B were deployed for 10 days along existing trails.
    [Show full text]
  • Ba3444 MAMMAL BOOKLET FINAL.Indd
    Intot Obliv i The disappearing native mammals of northern Australia Compiled by James Fitzsimons Sarah Legge Barry Traill John Woinarski Into Oblivion? The disappearing native mammals of northern Australia 1 SUMMARY Since European settlement, the deepest loss of Australian biodiversity has been the spate of extinctions of endemic mammals. Historically, these losses occurred mostly in inland and in temperate parts of the country, and largely between 1890 and 1950. A new wave of extinctions is now threatening Australian mammals, this time in northern Australia. Many mammal species are in sharp decline across the north, even in extensive natural areas managed primarily for conservation. The main evidence of this decline comes consistently from two contrasting sources: robust scientifi c monitoring programs and more broad-scale Indigenous knowledge. The main drivers of the mammal decline in northern Australia include inappropriate fi re regimes (too much fi re) and predation by feral cats. Cane Toads are also implicated, particularly to the recent catastrophic decline of the Northern Quoll. Furthermore, some impacts are due to vegetation changes associated with the pastoral industry. Disease could also be a factor, but to date there is little evidence for or against it. Based on current trends, many native mammals will become extinct in northern Australia in the next 10-20 years, and even the largest and most iconic national parks in northern Australia will lose native mammal species. This problem needs to be solved. The fi rst step towards a solution is to recognise the problem, and this publication seeks to alert the Australian community and decision makers to this urgent issue.
    [Show full text]