Control of feral cats for nature conservation. IV. Population dynamics and morphological attributes of feral cats at Shark Bay, Western Australia

2005 ◽  
Vol 32 (6) ◽  
pp. 489 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeff Short ◽  
Bruce Turner
Keyword(s):  
Functional Response ◽  
Effective Control ◽  
Stable Equilibrium Point ◽  
Feral Cats ◽  
Shark Bay ◽  
Rate Of Increase ◽  
Maximum Sustained Yield ◽  
Biased Sex Ratio ◽  
Pastoral Lease ◽  
Type 3

The dynamics of feral cats (Felis catus) were assessed at Shark Bay at two adjoining sites subject to differing intensities of predator control. The Heirisson Prong conservation reserve (12 km2) was fenced to exclude predators and was subject to intensive control actions, while a portion of the adjoining Carrarang pastoral lease (60 km2) was subject to a lesser level of control. Foxes (Vulpes vulpes) were largely absent at both sites owing to effective control. Densities of cats were highly variable over time, showing strong annual fluctuations over 14 years of records Three independent estimates of peak density were made, varying between 1.5 and 2.8 km–2. Rate of increase was assessed as 0.98 on the pastoral lease and 0.99 on the conservation reserve (to give an approximate doubling of the population every 8.5 months). A logistic model, with K = 1.5 km–2 and r of 0.98, gave a maximum sustained yield of 0.37 cats km–2 year–1 and a harvest rate of >0.6 cats km–2 year–1 for their elimination in 5 years or less (for K = 2.8 km–2, these values increase to 0.69 and >1.05 km–2 year–1 respectively). Harvest outcomes at both sites were consistent with these models. However, the effort required to maintain a given offtake rate increased 6-fold at low cat densities and offtake by trapping as a function of cat density took the form of a Type 3 functional response. The functional response for cat trapping (the offtake with constant effort per unit time) overlaid against the curve of cat productivity suggested a stable equilibrium point at low cat densities (0.07–0.13 cats km–2). Hence, trapping effort needed to be greatly intensified at low cat densities and/or augmented by other methods of control to eradicate cats from the closed system of the reserve. The strongly male-biased sex ratio of captures at the barrier fence suggested high levels of reinvasion from beyond the harvested area of the pastoral lease and this made effective control in this open system difficult.

scholarly journals Seasonal and spatial shifts in feral cat predation on native seabirds vs. non-native rats on Mikura Island, Japan

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarara Azumi ◽  
Yuya Watari ◽  
Nariko Oka ◽  
Tadashi Miyashita
Keyword(s):  
Native Species ◽  
Control Strategies ◽  
Interspecific Interactions ◽  
Rattus Rattus ◽  
Large Body ◽  
Effective Control ◽  
Alternative Prey ◽  
Feral Cat ◽  
Feral Cats ◽  
Invasive Predators

Abstract Understanding how invasive predators impact native species is essential for the development of effective control strategies, especially in insular environments where alternative non-native prey species exist. We examined seasonal and spatial shifts in diet of feral cat Felis silvestris catus focusing on the predation on native streaked shearwaters, Calonectris leucomelas, and introduced rats, Rattus rattus and R. norvegicus, which are alternative prey to shearwaters, on Mikura Island, Japan. Streaked shearwaters breed at low elevations on the island from spring to autumn, whereas rats inhabit the island throughout the year, which makes them an alternative prey when native shearwaters are absent. Fecal analysis revealed that feral cats dramatically shifted their diets from introduced rats in winter to streaked shearwaters in seabird-season in low elevation areas of the island, while cats preyed on rats throughout the year at high altitudes on the island. This finding suggests that feral cats selectively prey on shearwaters. This is probably because of their large body size and less cautious behavior, and because introduced rats sustain the cat population when shearwaters are absent. The number of streaked shearwaters killed was estimated to be 313 individuals per cat per year, which represents an indication of top-down effects of feral cats on streaked shearwaters. Further studies on the demographic parameters and interspecific interactions of the three species are required to enable effective cat management for the conservation of streaked shearwaters on this island.

Control of Feral Cats for Nature Conservation. I. Field Tests of Four Baiting Methods

1997 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 319 ◽  
Author(s):  
Danielle A. Risbey ◽  
Mike Calver ◽  
Jeff Short
Keyword(s):  
Nature Conservation ◽  
Western Australia ◽  
Field Tests ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Secondary Poisoning ◽  
Feral Cats ◽  
Shark Bay ◽  
Flavour Enhancer

Four methods of baiting were evaluated on a radio-collared population of feral cats on Heirisson Prong, Shark Bay, Western Australia. Dried-meat baits, baiting rabbits to kill cats through secondary poisoning, a fishmeal-based bait and a bait coated in the flavour enhancer Digest were tested. All proved to be ineffective for controlling feral cats. Future research should explore baits more ‘natural’ in appearance and the effect of visual lures, and possibly bait over a larger area to increase the number of cats exposed to baits.

Laboratory studies on the role of an egg predator,Blattisocius tarsalis(Berlese) (Acari: Ascidae), in relation to the natural control ofEphestia Cautella(Walker) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) in Warehouses

1981 ◽  
Vol 71 (4) ◽  
pp. 557-574 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. P. Haines
Keyword(s):  
Adult Life ◽  
Effective Control ◽  
Ephestia Cautella ◽  
Pest Species ◽  
Natural Control ◽  
Adult Life Span ◽  
Rate Of Increase ◽  
Blattisocius Tarsalis ◽  
Lepidoptera Pyralidae

AbstractEffective control ofEphestia cautella(Wlk.) byBlattisocius tarsalis(Berl.) has occasionally been observed in warehouses. It has been postulated that this control is negated by fumigation under sheets, because of differential effects on the moth and its predator, and removal of alternative prey. The biology ofB. tarsaliswas studied at 27°C and 73% RH. On eggs ofE. cautella, development took 5·9 days and there was 7% mortality; on eggs ofTribolium oastaneum(Hbst.), development took 7·4 days and there was 48% mortality. When offered a choice of eggs of the two pest species, the mites very rarely preyed on those ofT. castaneum. The number ofE. cautellaeggs consumed (after correction for partial consumption) was 3·8 (total) by nymphs, 2·4/day by ovipositing females, 1·5/day by non-ovipositing females, and 0·8/day by males. The sex ratio (female: male) was 2·5:1. Adult life-span averaged about 55 days (maximum 153 days), and the oviposition period lasted about 20 days. Females laid up to 5 eggs/day at peak oviposition. The potential rate of increase ofB. tarsalisonE. cautellaeggs was very high, far exceeding that of its prey. These data confirm previous postulates concerning the role ofB. tarsalisin natural control ofE. cautella, and support the hypothesis that fumigation reduces predator-effectiveness. Modification of control regimes might allow greater natural control by the mite and reduce the increasing pest status of the moth.

Using two-sex life tables to determine fitness parameters of four Bactrocera species (Diptera: Tephritidae) reared on a semi-artificial diet

2017 ◽  
Vol 108 (6) ◽  
pp. 707-714 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. Jaleel ◽  
J. Yin ◽  
D. Wang ◽  
Y. He ◽  
L. Lu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Artificial Diet ◽  
Reproductive Rate ◽  
Fruit Flies ◽  
The Other ◽  
Bactrocera Dorsalis ◽  
Effective Control ◽  
Intrinsic Rate Of Increase ◽  
Net Reproductive Rate ◽  
Bactrocera Correcta ◽  
Rate Of Increase

AbstractFruit flies in the genus Bactrocera are global, economically important pests of agricultural food crops. However, basic life history information about these pests, which is vital for designing more effective control methods, is currently lacking. Artificial diets can be used as a suitable replacement for natural host plants for rearing fruit flies under laboratory conditions, and this study reports on the two-sex life-table parameters of four Bactrocera species (Bactrocera correcta, Bactrocera dorsalis, Bactrocera cucurbitae, and Bactrocera tau) reared on a semi-artificial diet comprising corn flour, banana, sodium benzoate, yeast, sucrose, winding paper, hydrochloric acid and water. The results indicated that the larval development period of B. correcta (6.81 ± 0.65 days) was significantly longer than those of the other species. The fecundity of B. dorsalis (593.60 eggs female−1) was highest among the four species. There were no differences in intrinsic rate of increase (r) and finite rate of increase (λ) among the four species. The gross reproductive rate (GRR) and net reproductive rate (R0) of B. dorsalis were higher than those of the other species, and the mean generation time (T) of B. cucurbitae (42.08 ± 1.21 h) was longer than that of the other species. We conclude that the semi-artificial diet was most suitable for rearing B. dorsalis, due to its shorter development time and higher fecundity. These results will be useful for future studies of fruit fly management.

scholarly journals Resposta funcional e capacidade predatória da fase larval de Ceraeochrysa caligata alimentada com Brevicoryne Brassicae

2015 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 61
Author(s):  
Joel Correa Souza ◽  
Wilson José De Melo e Silva Maia ◽  
Jessivaldo Rodrigues Galvão ◽  
Pedro Paulo da Costa Alves Filho ◽  
Antônio Vinicius Corrêa Barbosa
Keyword(s):  
Functional Response ◽  
Larval Stage ◽  
Insect Pest ◽  
Brevicoryne Brassicae ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Effective Control ◽  
Stage Of Development ◽  
Average Intake ◽  
Major Pest ◽  
Predatory Capacity

<p>O pulgão, <em>Brevicoryne brassicae</em> (L.), é uma das principais pragas da cultura da couve. A necessidade de controle de insetos-pragas de forma racional e sustentável tem gerado a busca de medidas efetivas de controle. Objetivou-se estudar a capacidade predatória e a resposta funcional da fase jovem de <em>Ceraeochrysa caligata </em>(Banks)<em> </em>alimentada<em> </em>com o pulgão <em>Brevicoryne Brassicae</em> (L.), usando ninfas de segundo e terceiro instares. Foram utilizadas cinco densidades de presas, com cinco repetições com dois indivíduos por repetição. O Consumo aumentou proporcionalmente em função do estádio de desenvolvimento da larva, sendo significativamente maior no terceiro instar, representando acima de 75% do total. Os consumos médios diário e totais foram de 4,2 e 25,6; 10,2 e 70,2; 38,6 e 549,0 pulgões, para os três instares, respectivamente. Observou para a fase larval 23,4 e 644,8 pulgões. Constatou se duração média de 5,8; 6,7; 13,5 e de 26,0 dias para o primeiro, segundo e terceiro instares e fase larval, respectivamente. Observou se para os três instares e fase larval, um maior consumo em função do aumento da densidade de presas. A duração obtida para o primeiro e terceiro instares e fase larval, um maior consumo em função do aumento da disponibilidade de presas.</p><p><strong><em>Functional response and predatory ability of the larval stage of Ceraeochrysa caligata fed Brevicoryne brassicae</em></strong></p><p><strong>ABSTRACT</strong> - The aphid, <em>Brevicoryne brassicae</em> (L.), is a major pest of cabbage culture. The need for insect pest control in a rational and sustainable manner has generated the search for effective control measures. The objective was to study the predatory capacity and the functional response of the young phase <em>Ceraeochrysa caligata</em> (Banks) fed with the aphid <em>Brevicoryne brassicae</em> (L.), using nymphs of second and third instars. Five prey densities were used, with five replicates with two individuals per replicate. Consumption increased in proportion to the larval stage of development and was significantly higher in the third instar, representing over 75% of the total. The daily and total average intake were 4.2 and 25.6; 10.2 and 70.2; Aphids 549.0 and 38.6 for the three instars, respectively. Observed for the larval stage 23.4 and 644.8 aphids. Found a mean duration of 5.8; 6.7; 13.5 and 26.0 days for the first, second and third instar and larval stage, respectively. Observed to the three instars and larval stage, a higher consumption due to the increase in prey density. The duration obtained for the first and third instar larval stage and a higher consumption due to the increased availability of prey.</p>

scholarly journals Using population genetic tools to develop a control strategy for feral cats (Felis catus) in Hawai'i

2007 ◽  
Vol 34 (8) ◽  
pp. 587 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heidi Hansen ◽  
Steven C. Hess ◽  
David Cole ◽  
Paul C. Banko
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
Invasive Species ◽  
Population Genetics ◽  
Gene Flow ◽  
Population Genetic ◽  
Effective Control ◽  
Feral Cats ◽  
Genetic Tools ◽  
High Gene Flow ◽  
High Gene

Population genetics can provide information about the demographics and dynamics of invasive species that is beneficial for developing effective control strategies. We studied the population genetics of feral cats on Hawai‘i Island by microsatellite analysis to evaluate genetic diversity and population structure, assess gene flow and connectivity among three populations, identify potential source populations, characterise population dynamics, and evaluate sex-biased dispersal. High genetic diversity, low structure, and high number of migrants per generation supported high gene flow that was not limited spatially. Migration rates revealed that most migration occurred out of West Mauna Kea. Effective population size estimates indicated increasing cat populations despite control efforts. Despite high gene flow, relatedness estimates declined significantly with increased geographic distance and Bayesian assignment tests revealed the presence of three population clusters. Genetic structure and relatedness estimates indicated male-biased dispersal, primarily from Mauna Kea, suggesting that this population should be targeted for control. However, recolonisation seems likely, given the great dispersal ability that may not be inhibited by barriers such as lava flows. Genetic monitoring will be necessary to assess the effectiveness of future control efforts. Management of other invasive species may benefit by employing these population genetic tools.

The Lateral Coring Data of Fine Layering Water Injection in the Development Area of Xingnan

2014 ◽  
Vol 962-965 ◽  
pp. 305-308
Author(s):  
Bao Ping Liu
Keyword(s):  
Evaluation Method ◽  
Saturated Hydrocarbon ◽  
Water Injection ◽  
High Water ◽  
Effective Control ◽  
Microscopy Imaging ◽  
Strong Basis ◽  
Rate Of Increase ◽  
Remaining Oil ◽  
The Impact

Daqing Oilfield has entered the high water cut development period, inter-plane layers, the inner layer of contradiction, multi-well, multi-layer high water, the remaining oil is highly fragmented. To mitigate the production decline, the need for sophisticated test stratified water injection technology, give full play to the advantages of each technology, and effective control of the natural decline rate and an average annual rate of increase water effectively tap the potential of residual oil. Use coring technology, rock pyrolysis technique, interpretation and evaluation method for logging flooded layer chromatography and saturated hydrocarbon fluorescence microscopy imaging technology created by the impact of a small reservoir heterogeneity can be intuitive, accurate evaluation of the remaining oil, applied sidewall coring data injection wells can profile, low oil shutoff and potential aquifer fracturing provide a strong basis.

scholarly journals Modelling prey consumption and switching by UK grey seals

2013 ◽  
Vol 71 (1) ◽  
pp. 81-89 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sophie Smout ◽  
Anna Rindorf ◽  
Philip S. Hammond ◽  
John Harwood ◽  
Jason Matthiopoulos
Keyword(s):  
Functional Response ◽  
Prey Species ◽  
Prey Availability ◽  
Prey Consumption ◽  
Prey Abundance ◽  
Generalist Predators ◽  
Commercial Fish ◽  
Predator Pit ◽  
Estimation Of Missing Data ◽  
Type 3

Abstract Smout, S., Rindorf, A., Hammond, P. S., Harwood, J., and Matthiopoulos, J. Modelling prey consumption and switching by UK grey seals. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 71: . Grey seals (Halichoerus grypus) are adaptable generalist predators whose diet includes commercial fish species such as cod. Consumption by the seals may reduce the size of some fish stocks or have an adverse effect on stock recovery programmes, especially because predation may trap sparse prey populations in a “predator pit”. To assess the likely impact of such effects, it is important to know how consumption and consequent predation mortality respond to the changing availability of prey. We present a model of grey seal consumption as a function of the availability of multiple prey types [a Multi-Species Functional Response (MSFR)]. We fit this MSFR to data on seal diet and prey availability (based on the overlap between the distributions of predators and prey). Bayesian methodology was employed to account for uncertainties in both dependent and independent variables, improve estimation convergence by the use of informative priors, and allow the estimation of missing data on prey availability. Both hyperbolic (Type 2) and sigmoidal (Type 3) functional response models were fitted to the data and the Type 3 model was clearly favoured during model selection, supporting the conclusion that seal–prey encounter rates change with prey abundance (sometimes referred to as “switching”). This suggests that some prey species may be vulnerable to predator pit effects. The fitted model reproduced contrasts in diet observed between different regions/years and, importantly, added information to the prior distributions of prey abundance in areas where the availability of some prey species (such as sandeels) was not known. This suggests that the diet of predators such as seals could provide information about the abundance and distribution of prey in areas that are not covered by fisheries and research surveys.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document