DOCSLIB.ORG

The Role of Feral Predators in Disrupting Small Vertebrate Communities in Arid South Australia

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
The Role of Feral Predators in Disrupting Small Vertebrate Communities in Arid South Australia The role of feral predators in disrupting small vertebrate communities in arid South Australia Project Summary Project 1.1.4 Brush-tailed Mulgara in the Simpson Desert. Photo: Aaron Greenville Research in Brief Why is the research Strzelecki and Simpson Deserts. Lack of successful dispersal across This project is investigating why needed? non-refuge habitat types appears to native species persist in some Most medium-sized and many small be a limiting factor and will be the refuge areas of South Australia mammal species have fared poorly focus of this research. but not others, and the role of in the wake of early livestock grazing habitat condition and especially practices, successive rabbit plagues, How will the research feral predators in restricting and introduced predators. help? their populations. The kowari and fawn hopping mouse are The threatened kowari and fawn This project will test a series of threatened and other species hopping mouse suffered large range hypotheses about why native such as the plains mouse reductions following European species persist in some refuge areas and crest-tailed mulgara are occupation of Australia and now but not others, the role of habitat restricted in range. appear to be restricted to specific condition, and particularly predators, refuge habitat on vast stony plains in in restricting populations and All species of northern South north-east SA and south-west QLD. their dispersal. Australia are also at risk of fox The lack of shelter for larger predators, and cat predation, less so where such as the red fox and feral cat, and The project will contribute to a predator activity is suppressed further suppression by the dingo, much greater understanding of by dingoes, particularly on vast may work together in providing how predators (feral cat, fox and stony plains where cover is refuges for these species in this area. dingo) interact among themselves inadequate for prolonged and with other disturbance factors cat and fox occupation. However, the kowari population to affect populations of threatened When the impacts of predators has not responded to favourable vertebrates in the arid lands of South are understood, rebuilding seasonal conditions in the same Australia, particularly the stony plains ecological function may be way as other small mammal species, assemblage which features kowari, possible through translocation particularly the functionally similar kultarr, fawn hopping-mouse, sandy of threatened species. crest-tailed mulgara which has inland mouse and periodically the recolonised large areas of the sandy long-haired rat. The improved understandings will undertake population viability analyses inform management strategies to determine the extinction risk of targeted at recovering the populations threatened mammal species. and ranges of threatened species. To determine the ability of the In particular, rebuilding of ecological kowari to recolonise former empty function may be possible through the refuges, we will conduct research translocation of threatened species into dispersal behaviour and survival back to parts of their former range. of kowari using a combination What research activities of trapping and radio-tracking. The team will determine the effects are being undertaken? of the predators, grazing and other The research team will undertake interacting threats that may limit field assessment of small mammal dispersal opportunities for the kowari. communities under differing Lastly, the team will review collected disturbance regimes (grazing and datasets and species records predation) using live-trapping of small to determine historic and current Dingo in Simpson Desert. Photo: William La Marca mammals and camera-based studies distribution; prepare management of herbivore and predator activity. recommendations; review how Who is involved? The project will conduct an analysis threatened species respond when The project is being led by the of long-term survey data to assess management is implemented, University of Sydney who are threatened species responses to and assess the need for collaborating with the South changing environmental conditions, translocations to establish Australian Department for the discover habitat preferences and insurance populations. Environment and Water. Where is the research happening? The research takes place in the stony plains country of arid northern South Australia. When is the research happening? The project will run for three years from 2016 to 2019. Further Information For more information please contact: Robert Brandle [email protected] Kowari in Sturts Stony Desert. Photo: William La Marca This project is supported through funding from the Australian Government’s National Environmental Science Programme..
Load more

Recommended publications
  • 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]
  • 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]
  • Complement Function and Expression in the Red-Tailed
    Complement Function and Expression in the Red-Tailed Phascogale (Phascogale calura) Oselyne Tsuey Wei Ong B. Med. Sc. (Biomedical Sciences), M. Sc. (Conservation Biology) Submitted for the completion of a Doctor of Philosophy degree at the Western Sydney University October 2016 TABLE OF CONTENTS Table of Figures............................................................................................................. i Table of Tables ............................................................................................................ iv Acknowledgements ...................................................................................................... v Statement of Authentication .................................................................................... vii Preface ....................................................................................................................... viii Publications ................................................................................................................. ix Conference and Seminar Presentations ..................................................................... x Abstract ......................................................................................................................... 1 Introduction .................................................................................................................. 5 1.1 Marsupials as Mammals ......................................................................................... 6 1.1.2 Red-Tailed
    [Show full text]
  • ANSWER KEY for the MAMMAL SEARCH and FIND
    ANSWER KEY: MAMMAL SEARCH AND FIND A) An animal you already know about B) An animal you have never heard of C) An animal whose name starts with the same letter as your name. (You may use the full species name, the general name, or the scientific name for example: Sloth Bear [Ursus ursinus] is okay for the letters S, B and U.) There are multiple answers for many letters, but here is one for each. A anteater B bongo C coati D dibatag E echidna F fanaloka G giraffe H hedgehog I Indian pangolin J jumping mouse K kultarr L llama M mongoose N numbat O okapi P panda Q quoll katytanis.com #AMisclassificationOfMammals © Katy Tanis 2018 ANSWER KEY: MAMMAL SEARCH AND FIND R raccoon S sloth T tamandua U Ursus ursinus (sloth bear) V vicuna W wildebeest X Xenarthran* Y yellow footed rock wallaby Z zorilla *this is a bit of a cheat Xenarthra is the superorder that include anteaters, tree sloths and armadillo. There were 6 in the show. D) 7 spotted animals African civet fanaloka quoll king cheetah common genet giraffe spotted cuscus E) 2 flying animals Chapin's free-tailed bat Bismarck masked flying fox F) 2 swimming animals Southern Right Whale Commerson's Dolphin katytanis.com #AMisclassificationOfMammals © Katy Tanis 2018 ANSWER KEY: MAMMAL SEARCH AND FIND katytanis.com #AMisclassificationOfMammals © Katy Tanis 2018 ANSWER KEY: MAMMAL SEARCH AND FIND G) 2 mammals that lay eggs short beaked echidna western long beaked echidna H) 2 animals that look similar to skunks and are also stinky long fingered trick Zorilla I) 1 animal that smells like buttered
    [Show full text]
  • Small Mammal Population Dynamics and Range Shifts with Climate
    RESOURCES, DATA RESOLUTION AND SMALL MAMMAL RANGE DYNAMICS Nerissa Haby B. Env. Sci. (Hons) A thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy April 2012 Ecology and Evolutionary Biology University of Adelaide, Australia Table of contents Table of contents i Abstract ii Acknowledgements iii Declaration iv How well do existing evaluations of climate change impacts on range Introduction 1 dynamics represent Australian small mammals? Improving performance and transferability of small-mammal species Chapter 1. 8 distribution models Chapter 2. Specialist resources are key to improving small mammal distribution models 22 Scale dependency of metapopulation models used to predict climate change Chapter 3. 35 impacts on small mammals Lessons from the arid zone: using climate variables to predict small mammal Chapter 4. 52 occurrence in hot, dry environments Ecosystem dynamics, evolution and dependency of higher trophic organisms Chapter 5. 69 on resource gradients Conclusion 79 References 89 Appendix 106 Publications associated with this thesis 153 i Abstract Extensive range shift and mass extinctions resulting from climate change are predicted to impact all biodiversity on the basis of species distribution models of wide-spread and data-rich taxa (i.e. vascular plants, terrestrial invertebrates, birds). Cases that both support and contradict these predictions have been observed in empirical and modelling investigations that continue to under-represent small mammal species (Introduction). Given small mammals are primary or higher order consumers and often dispersal limited, incorporating resource gradients that define the fundamental niche may be vital for generating accurate estimates of range shift. This idea was investigated through the influence of coarse to fine resolution, landscape- and quadrat-scale data on the range dynamics of four temperate- and five arid-zone small mammals.
    [Show full text]
  • Information to Users
    INFORMATION TO USERS This manuscript has been reproduced from the microfilm master. UMI films the text directly from the original or copy submitted. Thus, some thesis and dissertation copies are in typewriter face, while others may be from any type o f computer printer. The quality of this reproduction is dependent upon the quality of the copy submitted. Broken or indistinct print, colored or poor quality illustrations and photographs, print bleedthrough, substandard margins, and improper alignment can adversely afreet reproduction. In the unlikely event that the author did not send UMI a complete manuscript and there are missing pages, these will be noted. Also, if unauthorized copyright material had to be removed, a note will indicate the deletion. Oversize materials (e.g., maps, drawings, charts) are reproduced by sectioning the original, beginning at the upper left-hand comer and continuing from left to right in equal sections with small overlaps. Each original is also photographed in one exposure and is included in reduced form at the back of the book. Photographs included in the original manuscript have been reproduced xerographically in this copy. Higher quality 6” x 9” black and white photographic prints are available for any photographs or illustrations appearing in this copy for an additional charge. Contact UMI directly to order. UMI A B ell & Howell Iiiformation Company 300 North Zeeb Road, Ann Arbor MI 48106-1346 USA 313/761-4700 800/521-0600 University of Oklahoma Graduate College A Geography of Extinction: Patterns in the Contraction of Geographic Ranges A Dissertation SUBMITTED TO THE GRADUATE FACULTY in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy By Robert B.
    [Show full text]
  • Mammals of the Avon Region
    Mammals of the Avon Region By Mandy Bamford, Rowan Inglis and Katie Watson Foreword by Dr. Tony Friend R N V E M E O N G T E O H F T W A E I S L T A E R R N A U S T 1 2 Contents Foreword 6 Introduction 8 Fauna conservation rankings 25 Species name Common name Family Status Page Tachyglossus aculeatus Short-beaked echidna Tachyglossidae not listed 28 Dasyurus geoffroii Chuditch Dasyuridae vulnerable 30 Phascogale calura Red-tailed phascogale Dasyuridae endangered 32 phascogale tapoatafa Brush-tailed phascogale Dasyuridae vulnerable 34 Ningaui yvonnae Southern ningaui Dasyuridae not listed 36 Antechinomys laniger Kultarr Dasyuridae not listed 38 Sminthopsis crassicaudata Fat-tailed dunnart Dasyuridae not listed 40 Sminthopsis dolichura Little long-tailed dunnart Dasyuridae not listed 42 Sminthopsis gilberti Gilbert’s dunnart Dasyuridae not listed 44 Sminthopsis granulipes White-tailed dunnart Dasyuridae not listed 46 Myrmecobius fasciatus Numbat Myrmecobiidae vulnerable 48 Chaeropus ecaudatus Pig-footed bandicoot Peramelinae presumed extinct 50 Isoodon obesulus Quenda Peramelinae priority 5 52 Species name Common name Family Status Page Perameles bougainville Western-barred bandicoot Peramelinae endangered 54 Macrotis lagotis Bilby Peramelinae vulnerable 56 Cercartetus concinnus Western pygmy possum Burramyidae not listed 58 Tarsipes rostratus Honey possum Tarsipedoidea not listed 60 Trichosurus vulpecula Common brushtail possum Phalangeridae not listed 62 Bettongia lesueur Burrowing bettong Potoroidae vulnerable 64 Potorous platyops Broad-faced
    [Show full text]
  • Wildlife Matters Wildlife Conservancy
    australian wildlife matters wildlife conservancy Spring 2009 Pungalina reveals one of Australia’s rarest mammals Carpentarian Pseudantechinus 2 australian saving australia’s threatened wildlife wildlife Pictograph conservancy Welcome to the Spring 2009 edition of Wildlife Matters. As this edition goes to print, we are in the process of fi nalising the acquisition of Bowra (see pages 4-5), a 14,000 the awc mission hectare property located in the heart of the Mulga Lands in Queensland. Bowra will The mission of Australian Wildlife Conservancy be our 21st sanctuary, bringing the AWC network to more than 2.56 million hectares (AWC) is the effective conservation of all (6.3 million acres). Australian animal species and the habitats in While the overall scale of the portfolio is impressive, it is not the number of properties or which they live. To achieve this mission, our hectares that really count. A more accurate measure of the value of the portfolio is the actions are focused on: number of species and ecosystems that occur within the AWC estate. In this respect, • Establishing a network of sanctuaries the statistics are even more impressive – for example, around 80% of all Australian which protect threatened wildlife and terrestrial bird species and over 60% of all terrestrial mammal species occur on one or ecosystems: AWC now manages 20 more of our sanctuaries. sanctuaries covering over 2.56 million The fact that our portfolio captures such a high percentage of Australia’s wildlife species hectares (6.3 million acres). refl ects a deliberate, science-based strategy to ensure that AWC invests in properties • Implementing practical, on-ground of the highest environmental value.
    [Show full text]
  • Terrestrial Native Mammals of Western Australia
    TERRESTRIALNATIVE MAMMALS OF WESTERNAUSTRALIA On a number of occasionswe have been asked what D as y ce r cus u ist ica ud q-Mul Aara are the marsupialsof W.A. or what is the scientiflcname Anlechinusfla.t,ipes Matdo given to a palticular animal whosecommon name only A n t ec h i nus ap i ca I i s-Dlbbler rs known. Antechinusr osemondae-Little Red Antechinus As a guide,the following list of62 speciesof marsupials A nteclt itus mqcdonneIlens is-Red-eared Antechi nus and 59 speciesof othersis publishedbelow. Antechinus ? b ilar n i-Halney' s Antechinus Antec h in us mqculatrJ-Pismv Antechinus N ingaui r idei-Ride's Nirfaui - MARSUPALIA Ningauirinealvi Ealev's-KimNinsaui Ptaiigole*fuilissima beiiey Planigale Macropodidae Plani gale tenuirostris-Narrow-nosed Planigate Megaleia rufa Red Kangaroo Smi nt hopsis mu rina-Common Dulnart Macropus robustus-Etro Smin t hop[is longicaudat.t-Long-tailed Dunnart M acr opus fu Ii g inos,s-Western Grey Kangaroo Sminthops is cras sicaudat a-F at-tailed Dunnart Macrcpus antilo nus Antilope Kangaroo S-nint hopsi s froggal//- Larapinla Macropu"^agi /rs Sandy Wallaby Stnintllopsirgranuli,oer -Whire-railed Dunnart Macrcpus rirra Brush Wallaby Sninthopsis hir t ipes-Hairy -footed Dunnart M acro ptrs eugenii-T ammar Sminthopsiso oldea-^f r oughton's Dunnart Set oni x brac ltyuru s-Quokka A ntec h inomys lanrger-Wuhl-Wuhl On y ch oga I ea Lng uife r a-Kar r abul M.yr nte c o b ius fasc ialrls-N umbat Ony c hogalea Iunq ta-W \rrur.g Notoryctidae Lagorchest es conspic i Ilat us,Spectacied Hare-Wallaby Notorlctes
    [Show full text]
  • Mulgara Husbandry Ma
    Husbandry Guidelines Mulgara (Dasycercus cristicauda) Alice Springs Desert Park 2007 Compiled by Wes Caton CONTENTS: TAXONOMY.....................................................................................................................1 Common Name................................................................................................1.1 Classifacation...................................................................................................1.2 A.S.M.P. Category...........................................................................................1.3 I.U.C.N. Category............................................................................................1.4 O.H.&S. Category...........................................................................................1.5 Studbook Keeper.............................................................................................1.6 NATURAL HISTORY......................................................................................................2 Family..............................................................................................................2.1 DISTRIBUTION...............................................................................................................3 Map...................................................................................................................3.1 Habitat .............................................................................................................3.2 MORPHOMETRICS........................................................................................................4
    [Show full text]