DOCSLIB.ORG

Conservation of Australian Insectivorous Marsupials

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Conservation of Australian Insectivorous Marsupials Conservation of Australian insectivorous marsupials: biogeography, macroecology and life history Rachael A. Collett BSc Hons A thesis submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at The University of Queensland in 2018 School of Biological Sciences ABSTRACT The insectivorous marsupial Family Dasyuridae is endemic to Australia and Papua New Guinea. Dasyurids have a variety of life history strategies and are found in a wide range of habitats, latitudes and elevations. This makes them useful for exploring life history evolution, biogeographical patterns and macroecological theory. The life history and persistence of dasyurids are thought to be tightly linked to the distribution of their arthropod prey in space and time, but we currently have a limited understanding of the mechanisms. Arthropods are declining globally, and evidence suggests that climate change is already linked to changes in arthropod availability in the northern hemisphere. Understanding the relationship between insectivorous marsupials and their arthropod prey has become particularly important, as in 2018 two species from the dasyurid genus Antechinus were federally listed as endangered, and populations of other dasyurids appear to be declining across Australia. The aim of this thesis was to combine biogeography, macroecology and life history to determine what is influencing the distribution and persistence of Australian insectivorous marsupials from the Family Dasyuridae, with a focus on antechinus species in Queensland. I addressed evolution, rarity patterns and phenological relationships between dasyurid marsupials and their arthropod prey. Chapter 2 investigated how life history traits co-vary and are related to climatic variables, specifically how the evolution of dasyurid life history is related to productivity and predictability, and how environmental drivers are linked to patterns of life history variability. Based on analysis of data on life history characteristics of female dasyurids throughout Australia, there was evidence of two life history axes. The reproductive output axis including litter size and supernumerary young was related to annual rainfall and productivity, while position on the semelparity – iteroparity axis was associated with predictability of rainfall and arthropod availability. These results suggested how climate change might affect dasyurid marsupials and provide a broader understanding of their life history evolution that can be applied in a global context. Previous global and Australian studies have found that population density in mammals is lower in the tropics than at temperate latitudes. Chapter 3 tested whether dasyurids show a latitudinal gradient in population density, focusing on antechinus population density across latitudes and elevations in Queensland. Data from the literature, combined with intensive trapping and arthropod sampling showed that dasyurids were rarest in the tropics i and that antechinus population density was lowest at low latitudes and elevations. Population density was constrained by winter arthropod availability, which was associated with winter rainfall. High elevation sites maintained high arthropod availability throughout the year because they received orographic rainfall. These results help to explain rarity of antechinus species in the seasonal subtropics and tropics, including the Endangered silver-headed antechinus (A. argentus) in central Queensland, and the restricted Atherton antechinus (A. godmani) and rusty antechinus (A. adustus) in far north Queensland. The results also highlight the importance of Australian mountain-tops as refuge areas for insectivorous marsupials. Chapter 4 focused on timing of breeding and distribution of antechinus species across mountains in Queensland. I used the same data collection approaches as in chapter 3 to determine timing of breeding, evolutionary age of antechinus and arthropod availability across elevations and latitudes. The results demonstrated that antechinus in Queensland do not rely solely on photoperiodic cues to trigger breeding. They are able to use local environmental conditions to time breeding so that lactation coincides with timing of peak arthropod availability. Timing of antechinus breeding and flushes in arthropod availability occurred progressively later as elevation increased. More ancient Antechinus species had small ranges on mountain-tops and less flexible breeding seasons. Taken together, these results suggest that in Queensland, ancient antechinus species restricted to high elevations are likely to be most at risk from climate change, if the timing of peak arthropod availability changes. This thesis has contributed to life history, biogeography and macroecology theory at large and small spatial scales. It has enhanced our understanding of the relationship between dasyurid marsupials and their arthropod prey, and provided important information that can help us to deduce why certain dasyurids are rarer than others. ii DECLARATION BY AUTHOR This thesis is composed of my original work, and contains no material previously published or written by another person except where due reference has been made in the text. I have clearly stated the contribution by others to jointly-authored works that I have included in my thesis. I have clearly stated the contribution of others to my thesis as a whole, including statistical assistance, survey design, data analysis, significant technical procedures, professional editorial advice, financial support and any other original research work used or reported in my thesis. The content of my thesis is the result of work I have carried out since the commencement of my higher degree by research candidature and does not include a substantial part of work that has been submitted to qualify for the award of any other degree or diploma in any university or other tertiary institution. I have clearly stated which parts of my thesis, if any, have been submitted to qualify for another award. I acknowledge that an electronic copy of my thesis must be lodged with the University Library and, subject to the policy and procedures of The University of Queensland, the thesis be made available for research and study in accordance with the Copyright Act 1968 unless a period of embargo has been approved by the Dean of the Graduate School. I acknowledge that copyright of all material contained in my thesis resides with the copyright holder(s) of that material. Where appropriate I have obtained copyright permission from the copyright holder to reproduce material in this thesis and have sought permission from co-authors for any jointly authored works included in the thesis. iii LIST OF PUBLICATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS DURING CANDIDATURE Peer Reviewed Papers Collett, R.A.; Baker, A.M. and Fisher, D.O. (2018) Prey productivity and predictability drive different axes of life history variation in carnivorous marsupials. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London B: Biological Sciences, 285(1890), 20181291. Collett, R.A. and Fisher, D.O. (2017) Time-lapse camera trapping as an alternative to pitfall trapping for estimating activity of leaf litter arthropods. Ecology and Evolution, 7(18), 7527–7533. Conference Abstracts Collett, R.A. (2016) Antechinus and their prey on mountainsides. The Australian Mammal Society conference. Alice Springs, NT - September 2016. Collett, R.A. and Fisher D.O. (2017) Camera trapping as an alternative to pitfall trapping to sample prey availability of insectivorous mammals. 12th International Mammological Congress. Perth, WA - July 2017. Collett, R.A. and Fisher D.O. (2017) Rarity and resource availability for insectivorous mammals. Society of Conservation Biology conference. Cartagena, Colombia - August 2017. Collett, RA. (2018) Life history variation and extinction risk of carnivorous marsupials. UQ School of Biological Sciences postgraduate conference. Stradbroke Island, QLD - February 2018. Collett, R.A.; Baker, A.M. and Fisher, D.O. (2018) Prey productivity and predictability drive different axes of life history variation in carnivorous marsupials. The Australian Mammal Society conference. Brisbane, QLD – July 2018. iv PUBLICATIONS INCLUDED IN THIS THESIS No publications included. MANUSCRIPTS INCLUDED IN THIS THESIS Chapter 2: Collett, R.A.; Baker, A.M. and Fisher, D.O. Prey productivity and predictability drive different axes of life history variation in carnivorous marsupials. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London B: Biological Sciences. Contributor Statement of Contribution Rachael Collett Conceived the idea for the study (85%) Analysed the data (95%) Wrote the paper (80%) Diana Fisher Conceived the idea for the study (15%) Wrote and edited the paper (15%) Andrew Baker Wrote and edited the paper (5%) Simon Blomberg Advised statistical analyses and statistical paper revisions (5%) Chapter 3: Collett, R.A.; Baker, A.M. and Fisher, D.O. Winter food availability explains rarity of tropical and lowland species. Contributor Statement of Contribution Rachael Collett Conceived the idea for the study (90%) Analysed the data (100%) v Wrote the paper (85%) Diana Fisher Conceived the idea for the study (10%) Wrote and edited the paper (10%) Andrew Baker Wrote and edited the paper (5%) Eugene Mason Provided data for the study Chapter 4: Collett, R.A.; Baker, A.M. and Fisher, D.O. Do resource pulses drive latitudinal and elevational timing of breeding in the insectivorous marsupial genus Antechinus? Contributor Statement of Contribution Rachael Collett Conceived the idea for the study (90%) Analysed
Load more

Recommended publications
  • 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]
  • Freshwater Fishes
    WESTERN CAPE PROVINCE state oF BIODIVERSITY 2007 TABLE OF CONTENTS Chapter 1 Introduction 2 Chapter 2 Methods 17 Chapter 3 Freshwater fishes 18 Chapter 4 Amphibians 36 Chapter 5 Reptiles 55 Chapter 6 Mammals 75 Chapter 7 Avifauna 89 Chapter 8 Flora & Vegetation 112 Chapter 9 Land and Protected Areas 139 Chapter 10 Status of River Health 159 Cover page photographs by Andrew Turner (CapeNature), Roger Bills (SAIAB) & Wicus Leeuwner. ISBN 978-0-620-39289-1 SCIENTIFIC SERVICES 2 Western Cape Province State of Biodiversity 2007 CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION Andrew Turner [email protected] 1 “We live at a historic moment, a time in which the world’s biological diversity is being rapidly destroyed. The present geological period has more species than any other, yet the current rate of extinction of species is greater now than at any time in the past. Ecosystems and communities are being degraded and destroyed, and species are being driven to extinction. The species that persist are losing genetic variation as the number of individuals in populations shrinks, unique populations and subspecies are destroyed, and remaining populations become increasingly isolated from one another. The cause of this loss of biological diversity at all levels is the range of human activity that alters and destroys natural habitats to suit human needs.” (Primack, 2002). CapeNature launched its State of Biodiversity Programme (SoBP) to assess and monitor the state of biodiversity in the Western Cape in 1999. This programme delivered its first report in 2002 and these reports are updated every five years. The current report (2007) reports on the changes to the state of vertebrate biodiversity and land under conservation usage.
    [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]
  • 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]
  • 2236.Full.Pdf
    2236 The Journal of Experimental Biology 215, 2236-2246 © 2012. Published by The Company of Biologists Ltd doi:10.1242/jeb.065516 RESEARCH ARTICLE Flexibility in thermoregulatory physiology of two dunnarts, Sminthopsis macroura and Sminthopsis ooldea (Marsupialia; Dasyuridae) Sean Tomlinson1,*, Philip C. Withers1 and Shane K. Maloney2 1School of Animal Biology, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences and 2School of Anatomy, Physiology and Human Biology, Faculty of Life and Physical Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Crawley 6009 WA, Australia *Author for correspondence ([email protected]) SUMMARY Stripe-faced dunnarts (Sminthopsis macroura) and Ooldea dunnarts (S. ooldea) were acclimated for 2weeks to ambient temperature (Ta) regimes of 12–22°C, 18–28°C and 25–35°C, and then measured for standard, basal (BMR) and maximum (MMR) metabolic rate using flow-through respirometry. Sminthopsis macroura maintained a stable body temperature under all experimental Ta and acclimation regimes. Although its BMR was not statistically different between the three acclimation regimes, the lower end of the thermoneutral zone (TNZ) shifted from 30°C under the 18–28°C and 12–22°C acclimation regimes to 35°C under the 25–35°C acclimation regime. MMR increased significantly at the cooler acclimation regimes. EWL increased at Ta35°C, compared with lower Ta, in all acclimation regimes, but an increase in evaporative water loss (EWL) at Ta10°C observed in cool acclimations did not occur at the 25–35°C regime. In contrast, S. ooldea had variable body temperature between experimental Ta in all acclimation regimes, but no acclimational shift in TNZ, which was between 30 and 35°C.
    [Show full text]
  • An Investigation Into Factors Affecting Breeding Success in The
    An investigation into factors affecting breeding success in the Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii) Tracey Catherine Russell Faculty of Science School of Life and Environmental Science The University of Sydney Australia A thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy 2018 Faculty of Science The University of Sydney Table of Contents Table of Figures ............................................................................................................ viii Table of Tables ................................................................................................................. x Acknowledgements .........................................................................................................xi Chapter Acknowledgements .......................................................................................... xii Abbreviations ................................................................................................................. xv An investigation into factors affecting breeding success in the Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii) .................................................................................................. xvii Abstract ....................................................................................................................... xvii 1 Chapter One: Introduction and literature review .............................................. 1 1.1 Devil Life History ...................................................................................................
    [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]
  • Spotted Tailed Quoll (Dasyurus Maculatus)
    Husbandry Guidelines for the SPOTTED-TAILED QUOLL (Tiger Quoll) (Photo: J. Marten) Dasyurus maculatus (MAMMALIA: DASYURIDAE) Author: Julie Marten Date of Preparation: February 2013 – June 2014 Western Sydney Institute of TAFE, Richmond Course Name and Number: Captive Animals Certificate III (18913) Lecturers: Graeme Phipps, Jacki Salkeld, Brad Walker DISCLAIMER Please note that this information is just a guide. It is not a definitive set of rules on how the care of Spotted- Tailed Quolls must be conducted. Information provided may vary for: • Individual Spotted-Tailed Quolls • Spotted-Tailed Quolls from different regions of Australia • Spotted-Tailed Quolls kept in zoos versus Spotted-Tailed Quolls from the wild • Spotted-Tailed Quolls kept in different zoos Additionally different zoos have their own set of rules and guidelines on how to provide husbandry for their Spotted-Tailed Quolls. Even though I researched from many sources and consulted various people, there are zoos and individual keepers, researchers etc. that have more knowledge than myself and additional research should always be conducted before partaking any new activity. Legislations are regularly changing and therefore it is recommended to research policies set out by national and state government and associations such as ARAZPA, ZAA etc. Any incident resulting from the misuse of this document will not be recognised as the responsibility of the author. Please use at the participants discretion. Any enhancements to this document to increase animal care standards and husbandry techniques are appreciated. Otherwise I hope this manual provides some helpful information. Julie Marten Picture J.Marten 2 OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY RISKS It is important before conducting any work that all hazards are identified.
    [Show full text]