Prevalence of threatened native species in canid scats from coastal and near-coastal landscapes in south-eastern Australia

2010 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 117 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew W. Claridge ◽  
Douglas J. Mills ◽  
Simon C. Barry
Keyword(s):  
Native Species ◽  
Mammal Species ◽  
Study Region ◽  
Terrestrial Mammals ◽  
South Eastern ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Coastal Landscapes ◽  
Wild Dog ◽  
Wild Dogs ◽  
Prey Items

Predator scat analysis was used to infer the potential impact of wild dogs (Canis lupus dingo, C. l. familiaris and hybrids of the two) on threatened native terrestrial mammals in coastal and near-coastal southern New South Wales, Australia. Prey items recorded in wild dog scats were compared with those occurring in scats of the red fox collected at the same study sites. Six threatened mammal species were recorded in either wild dog or fox scats: eastern pygmy possum, grey-headed flying fox, long-nosed potoroo, southern brown bandicoot, white-footed dunnart and yellow-bellied glider. The prevalence of these threatened species in fox scats was significantly higher than in wild dog scats. Otherwise, wild dogs mostly consumed larger prey items such as swamp wallabies and wombats whereas foxes more heavily preyed on small mammals such as antechinus and rats. Our results suggest that foxes are the major threat to threatened mammal species in the study region. Land management agencies in south-eastern mainland Australia should therefore focus on controlling foxes for biodiversity gain.

scholarly journals Aerial baiting and wild dog mortality in south-eastern Australia

2020 ◽  
Vol 47 (2) ◽  
pp. 99 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Ballard ◽  
P. J. S. Fleming ◽  
P. D. Meek ◽  
S. Doak
Keyword(s):  
South Eastern ◽  
Mesic Forest ◽  
Veterinary Medicines ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Lethal Management ◽  
Vertebrate Pests ◽  
Wild Dog ◽  
Wild Dogs ◽  
South Eastern Australia

Abstract ContextWild dogs, including dingoes and dingo cross-breeds, are vertebrate pests when they cause financial losses and emotional costs by harming livestock or pets, threaten human safety or endanger native fauna. Tools for lethal management of these animals currently include aerial baiting with poisoned baits. In New South Wales (NSW), Australia, aerial baiting was previously permitted at a rate of 40 baits km−1 but a maximum rate of 10 baits km−1 was subsequently prescribed by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority. The efficacy of these baiting rates has not been quantified in eastern Australia, undermining the value of the policy and rendering adaptive management efforts difficult, at best. AimTo quantify the mortality rate of wild dogs exposed to aerial baiting at historic and currently approved rates, i.e. 40 baits per kilometre and 10 baits per kilometre, respectively. MethodsWild dog mortality rates were measured at sites in mesic north-eastern NSW, where aerial baiting was applied to control wild dogs and contrasted with sites and individuals where no baiting was undertaken. In total, 132 wild dogs were trapped and fitted with GPS-VHF telemetry collars before annual aerial baiting programs. Collars were used to locate animals after aerial baiting and to determine the fates of individuals. Key results90.6% of collared wild dogs exposed to aerial baiting at 40 baits km−1 died, whereas only 55.3% of those exposed to 10 baits km−1 died (Welsh’s t=4.478, P=0.004, v=6.95). All wild dogs that were not exposed to toxic baits survived during the same periods. ConclusionManagers using aerial baiting to maximise wild dog mortality in mesic south-eastern Australia should use 40 baits km−1 rather than 10 baits km−1. ImplicationsWild dog population reduction for mitigation of livestock and faunal predation requires the application of efficacious control. The currently prescribed maximum aerial baiting rate of 10 baits km−1 is inadequate for controlling wild dog populations in mesic forest environments in NSW.

Powerline Easements: Do They Promote Edge Effects in Eucalypt Forest for Small Mammals?

1997 ◽  
Vol 24 (6) ◽  
pp. 737 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ross L. Goldingay ◽  
Robert J. Whelan
Keyword(s):  
Small Mammals ◽  
Edge Effects ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Vegetative Cover ◽  
Mammal Species ◽  
Terrestrial Mammals ◽  
Eucalypt Forest ◽  
Hair Sampling ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Antechinus Stuartii

The distribution and abundance of small terrestrial mammals were assessed in forest adjacent to powerline easements at three different sites in New South Wales. At each site, four transects of 300 m length extended into the forest from the edge of the easement. The abundances of two native species (Antechinus stuartii, Rattus fuscipes) did not differ significantly with distance from the easement but abundances differed markedly among sites. Mammals were captured in only one easement where dense vegetation was present. Feral carnivores, which may mediate edge effects on small mammals, were surveyed by using hair-sampling tubes. Cats and dogs were detected only 50–200 m inside the forest. Foxes were not detected by hair-tubes but were observed on two easements. These results suggest that powerline easements may not create edge effects in eucalypt forest for some native mammal species, although further studies are needed to determine the generality of this conclusion. We recommend that easement management should be more benign to native mammals, given the ubiquity of this form of habitat fragmentation. Promotion of dense vegetative cover and habitat linkages within easements could achieve this.

scholarly journals Ophyiulus in Victoria: results of millipede surveys from south-eastern Australia

2015 ◽  
Vol 127 (2) ◽  
pp. 69
Author(s):  
Briony A. Norton ◽  
Linda J. Thomson ◽  
Michael A. Nash
Keyword(s):  
Species Identification ◽  
Preliminary Data ◽  
Native Species ◽  
South Eastern ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
The Future ◽  
South Eastern Australia

The composition and ecology of the millipede fauna of Victoria remain poorly understood. We collected millipedes as part of a series of ecological arthropod surveys across south-eastern Australia, focusing mainly on Victoria. These samples almost exclusively contained millipedes from the introduced order Julida. We pursued species identification of the julids when it became apparent there were species other than the well-recorded Ommatoiulus moreleti (Lucas, 1860) (Portuguese millipede) in the samples. The majority of specimens were O. moreleti, but we also detected at least one species of Cylindroiulus Verhoeff, 1894, as well as an Ophyiulus Berlese, 1884, species, specimens of which have been identified as Ophyiulus cf. targionii. These are the first Ophyiulus records for Victoria to our knowledge. We present preliminary data on the abundance through the year of Ophyiulus. This is the first study to examine this species in Victoria and little is currently known about its likely impact on agriculture or on native species. Monitoring and research of the species in the future is therefore warranted.

scholarly journals Predictive Ecosystem Mapping of South-Eastern Australian Temperate Forests Using Lidar-Derived Structural Profiles and Species Distribution Models

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 93 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melissa Fedrigo ◽  
Stephen B. Stewart ◽  
Stephen H. Roxburgh ◽  
Sabine Kasel ◽  
Lauren T. Bennett ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Species Distribution ◽  
Vegetation Structure ◽  
Species Distribution Models ◽  
Sustainable Forest Management ◽  
Continuous Distribution ◽  
Forest Monitoring ◽  
Distribution Models ◽  
Study Region ◽  
South Eastern ◽  
Eastern Australia

Modern approaches to predictive ecosystem mapping (PEM) have not thoroughly explored the use of ‘characteristic’ gradients, which describe vegetation structure (e.g., light detection and ranging (lidar)-derived structural profiles). In this study, we apply a PEM approach by classifying the dominant stand types within the Central Highlands region of south-eastern Australia using both lidar and species distribution models (SDMs). Similarity percentages analysis (SIMPER) was applied to comprehensive floristic surveys to identify five species which best separated stand types. The predicted distributions of these species, modelled using random forests with environmental (i.e., climate, topography) and optical characteristic gradients (Landsat-derived seasonal fractional cover), provided an ecological basis for refining stand type classifications based only on lidar-derived structural profiles. The resulting PEM model represents the first continuous distribution map of stand types across the study region that delineates ecotone stands, which are seral communities comprised of species typical of both rainforest and eucalypt forests. The spatial variability of vegetation structure incorporated into the PEM model suggests that many stand types are not as continuous in cover as represented by current ecological vegetation class distributions that describe the region. Improved PEM models can facilitate sustainable forest management, enhanced forest monitoring, and informed decision making at landscape scales.

The loss of native terrestrial small mammals in large urban reserves in the Australian Capital Territory

2010 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 36 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. J. Buckmaster ◽  
W. S. Osborne ◽  
N. Webb
Keyword(s):  
Species Composition ◽  
Exotic Species ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Indirect Detection ◽  
Urban Landscapes ◽  
Australian Capital Territory ◽  
Mammal Species ◽  
Detection Techniques ◽  
Australian Capital ◽  
Terrestrial Mammals

Urban development can alter species composition and diversity within an area through biotic homogenization, the introduction of exotic species, and localized extinctions of native species. In this study we examined the composition and diversity of small terrestrial mammals within nature reserves surrounded by urban landscapes and compared this with previous surveys of these reserves and nearby non-urban reserves with similar vegetative and geomorphological characteristics. A combination of live trapping and indirect detection techniques was employed in eight reserves in the Australian Capital Territory and surrounding New South Wales to determine current species composition. Compared with previous studies and the non-urban reserves, the urban reserves appear to have lost two-thirds of their native terrestrial small mammal species in the past 26 years. Exotic species were present in all urban reserves, but were only associated with areas characterized by human-induced disturbance in non-urban reserves. Possible causes of this disparity in native species diversity between urban and non-urban reserves are discussed.

scholarly journals Interspecific and Geographic Variation in the Diets of Sympatric Carnivores: Dingoes/Wild Dogs and Red Foxes in South-Eastern Australia

PLoS ONE ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. e0120975 ◽  
Author(s):  
Naomi E. Davis ◽  
David M. Forsyth ◽  
Barbara Triggs ◽  
Charlie Pascoe ◽  
Joe Benshemesh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Geographic Variation ◽  
Red Foxes ◽  
South Eastern ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Sympatric Carnivores ◽  
Wild Dogs ◽  
South Eastern Australia

Skinks and burrowing crayfish as prey items of the Eastern Yellow Robin Eopsaltria australis in south-eastern Australia

2016 ◽  
Vol 33 ◽  
pp. 57-60 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valerie La May ◽  
Martin O’Brien ◽  
Con Boeke ◽  
Kathy Costello ◽  
Geoff Park ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Eastern ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Prey Items ◽  
South Eastern Australia

Potential competition between two top-order predators following a dramatic contraction in the diversity of their prey base

2011 ◽  
Vol 61 (1) ◽  
pp. 29-47 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raylene Cooke ◽  
Rohan Bilney ◽  
John White
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Management ◽  
Mammalian Species ◽  
Dietary Overlap ◽  
Study Region ◽  
Terrestrial Mammals ◽  
Potential Competition ◽  
European Settlement ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Significant Divergence ◽  
Potential Resource

AbstractTwo sympatric native top-order predators, the sooty owl (Tyto tenebricosa tenebricosa) and powerful owl (Ninox strenua) coexist throughout much of their range in south-eastern Australia. Following European settlement, however, major changes in resource availability for these predators potentially resulted in increased competition, especially for food. This study examined ecological attributes of both species, including intersexual differences in the sooty owl, potential resource partitioning and whether competition may be occurring. Dietary overlap was high between female sooty owls and powerful owls (0.90), compared to overlap between male sooty owls and powerful owls (0.67), with three mammalian species contributing over 74% of their diets. Sooty and powerful owls coexisted throughout the study region, regularly roosting within the same vegetation types, and in similar locations, although microhabitat differences were apparent. Sooty owls displayed aseasonal breeding, although a peak in fledging in spring coincided with powerful owl breeding. Both species exclusively nested in similar size mountain grey gums (Eucalyptus cypellocarpa), however, hollow characteristics differed slightly. Significant divergence along a single niche dimension was not detected between powerful and sooty owls, as they had similar diets, habitat usage and activity times, potentially resulting in competition. Reproductive output was low for both species, however, the degree to which competitive interactions influenced this remains unknown. To minimise potential competition, longterm feral predator control and improved habitat management is recommended to increase the density and diversity of small terrestrial mammals, as this should result in diversification of the sooty owl diet, reducing dietary overlap with powerful owls.

Dung burial by native and introduced dung beetles (Scarabaeidae)

1994 ◽  
Vol 45 (8) ◽  
pp. 1799 ◽  
Author(s):  
M Tyndale-Biscoe
Keyword(s):  
Introduced Species ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Dung Beetle ◽  
Dung Beetles ◽  
South Eastern ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
South Eastern Australia

The quantity of dung buried and shredded by dung beetles at four sites in south-eastern Australia was found to be positively correlated with the dry weight (biomass) of beetles in the pads. Each of the four sites has two abundant native species of dung beetles, and one to five well-established introduced species present. At Uriarra, where only one introduced species is common, a mean of 7 . 2 l � 1.94% (1990-91) and 6.01�1.31% (1991-92) of the dung was buried per week. At Fyshwick, with two common introduced species of dung beetles, 22.27� 4.03% (1990-91) and 12 04�2 72% (1991-92) of the dung was buried per week. Braidwood, with four introduced species, had a mean of 15.81� 2.82% (1991-92) weekly dung buried, and Araluen, with five introduced species, had 30.18�8- 73% (1992-93) dung buried per week. Dung beetle numbers were low at all sites during the first half of 1991-92 season due to a drought throughout the region. Dung shredding averaged less than 12% over the seasons at all sites, but fluctuated from 0 to 70%, depending mainly on beetle numbers in the dung pads on individual occasions. Increasing numbers of exotic dung beetles throughout the pastoral areas of Australia should result in increased amounts of dung buried and shredded, with correspondingly increased benefits to Australian agriculture.

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