1
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Oro D, Pueyo Y, Bauzà J, Errea MP, Arroyo AI. Long transient response of vegetation dynamics after four millennia of anthropogenic impacts in an island ecosystem. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2022; 28:6318-6332. [PMID: 35950624 PMCID: PMC9804734 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.16363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2022] [Revised: 07/17/2022] [Accepted: 07/23/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Agents of global change commonly have a higher impact on island ecosystem dynamics. In the Mediterranean region, those dynamics have historically been influenced by anthropogenic impacts, for example, the introduction of invasive species and overharvesting of resources. Here, we analysed the spatio-temporal dynamics of vegetation in sa Dragonera island, which experienced a large environmental change ca. 4000 years ago by the arrival of humans. Anthropogenic impacts, such as herbivory by goats and over-logging, ended in the 1970s, while in 2011 the site became the largest Mediterranean island where rats were eradicated. Invasive rats and goats played the ecological role of two endemic species, the cave goat and the giant dormouse, which inhabited the island for more than 5 million years and were rapidly extinct by humans. We used Landsat imagery to explore NDVI as a proxy of vegetation productivity over the years 1984-2021, orthophotos to assess changes in land and vegetation covers and historical plant inventories to study the dynamics in plant diversity. Results showed that those indicators steadily increased both in spring and in summer, while the noise around the trends was partially explained by climate variability. The regime shifts in the temporal dynamics of vegetation productivity suggested a transient from a perturbed to a non-perturbed stable state. Trends in successional dynamics, spatial self-organization and plant diversity also showed the same type of transient dynamics. Historical perturbations related to harvesting (mainly the synergies between goat browsing, burning and forest over-logging) were more important than rat eradication or the influence of climate to explain the vegetation dynamics. Our study shows the transient nature of this small island ecosystem after 4000 years of perturbations and its current path towards vegetation dynamics more controlled by ecological interactions lacking large herbivores and omnivores, drought dynamics and the carrying capacity of the island.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Oro
- Centre d'Estudis Avançats de Blanes CEAB (CSIC)BlanesSpain
| | | | - Joan Bauzà
- Departament de GeografiaUniversitat de les Illes Balears (UIB)PalmaSpain
| | | | - Antonio Ignacio Arroyo
- Centre d'Estudis Avançats de Blanes CEAB (CSIC)BlanesSpain
- Instituto Pirenaico de Ecología (CSIC)ZaragozaSpain
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2
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Ladent E, Leriche A, Thomas B, Millon A. Weak evidence of spatial segregation between the vulnerable southern water vole ( Arvicola sapidus) and the two main invasive mammals of European freshwater ecosystems. ECOSCIENCE 2022. [DOI: 10.1080/11956860.2021.1935583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Emilie Ladent
- Groupe Mammalogique Normand, Épaignes, France
- Aix Marseille Univ, Avignon Univ, CNRS, IRD, IMBE, Marseille, Aix-en-Provence, France
| | - Agathe Leriche
- Aix Marseille Univ, Avignon Univ, CNRS, IRD, IMBE, Marseille, Aix-en-Provence, France
| | | | - Alexandre Millon
- Aix Marseille Univ, Avignon Univ, CNRS, IRD, IMBE, Marseille, Aix-en-Provence, France
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3
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Thomson VA, Wiewel AS, Palmer R, Hamilton N, Algar D, Pink C, Mills H, Aplin KP, Clark G, Anderson A, Herrera MB, Myers S, Bertozzi T, Piper PJ, Suzuki H, Donnellan S. Genetic Insights Into the Introduction History of Black Rats Into the Eastern Indian Ocean. Front Ecol Evol 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2021.786510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Islands can be powerful demonstrations of how destructive invasive species can be on endemic faunas and insular ecologies. Oceanic islands in the eastern Indian Ocean have suffered dramatically from the impact of one of the world’s most destructive invasive species, the black rat, causing the loss of endemic terrestrial mammals and ongoing threats to ground-nesting birds. We use molecular genetic methods on both ancient and modern samples to establish the origins and minimum invasion frequencies of black rats on Christmas Island and the Cocos-Keeling Islands. We find that each island group had multiple incursions of black rats from diverse geographic and phylogenetic sources. Furthermore, contemporary black rat populations on these islands are highly admixed to the point of potentially obscuring their geographic sources. These hybridisation events between black rat taxa also pose potential dangers to human populations on the islands from novel disease risks. Threats of ongoing introductions from yet additional geographic sources is highlighted by genetic identifications of black rats found on ships, which provides insight into how recent ship-borne human smuggling activity to Christmas Island can negatively impact its endemic species.
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4
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Lambert M, Carlisle S, Cain I, Douse A, Watt L. Unexpected involvement of a second rodent species makes impacts of introduced rats more difficult to detect. Sci Rep 2021; 11:19805. [PMID: 34611184 PMCID: PMC8492617 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-98956-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2021] [Accepted: 09/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Rodent predators are implicated in declines of seabird populations, and removing introduced rats, often, but not always, results in the expected conservation gains. Here we investigated the relationship between small mammal (Norway rat, wood mouse and pygmy shrew) abundance and Manx shearwater breeding success on the island of Rum, Scotland, and tested whether localised rodenticide treatments (to control introduced Norway rats) increased Manx shearwater breeding success. We found that Manx shearwater breeding success was negatively correlated with late summer indices of abundance for rats and mice, but not shrews. On its own, rat activity was a poor predictor of Manx shearwater breeding success. Rat activity increased during the shearwater breeding season in untreated areas but was supressed in areas treated with rodenticides. Levels of mouse (and shrew) activity increased in areas treated with rodenticides (likely in response to lower levels of rat activity) and Manx shearwater breeding success was unchanged in treated areas (p < 0.1). The results suggest that, unexpectedly, negative effects from wood mice can substitute those of Norway rats and that both species contributed to negative impacts on Manx shearwaters. Impacts were intermittent however, and further research is needed to characterise rodent population trends and assess the long-term risks to this seabird colony. The results have implications for conservation practitioners planning rat control programmes on islands where multiple rodent species are present.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Lambert
- National Wildlife Management Centre, Animal and Plant Health Agency, Sand Hutton, York, YO41 1LZ, UK. .,Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs, Foss House, 1-2 Peasholme Green, York, YO1 7PX, UK.
| | - S Carlisle
- National Wildlife Management Centre, Animal and Plant Health Agency, Sand Hutton, York, YO41 1LZ, UK.,Department of Life Sciences, Anglia Ruskin University, East Road, Cambridge, CB1 1PT, UK
| | - I Cain
- NBC Environment, Federation House, 222 Queensferry Rd, Edinburgh, EH4 2BN, UK
| | - A Douse
- NatureScot, Great Glen House, Leachkin Road, Inverness, IV3 8NW, UK
| | - L Watt
- NatureScot, Rum Reserve Office, Isle of Rum, PH43 4RR, UK
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5
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Morgan ER, Modry D, Paredes-Esquivel C, Foronda P, Traversa D. Angiostrongylosis in Animals and Humans in Europe. Pathogens 2021; 10:1236. [PMID: 34684185 PMCID: PMC8538298 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10101236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2021] [Revised: 09/16/2021] [Accepted: 09/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Lungworms in the genus Angiostrongylus cause disease in animals and humans. The spread of Angiostrongylus vasorum within Europe and the recent establishment of Angiostrongylus cantonensis increase the relevance of these species to veterinary and medical practitioners, and to researchers in parasitology, epidemiology, veterinary science and ecology. This review introduces the key members of the genus present in Europe and their impacts on health, and updates the current epidemiological situation. Expansion of A. vasorum from localized pockets to wide distribution across the continent has been confirmed by a rising prevalence in foxes and increasing reports of infection and disease in dogs, while the list of carnivore and mustelid definitive hosts continues to grow. The tropically distributed rat lungworm A. cantonensis, meanwhile, has been recorded on islands south of Europe, previously the Canary Islands, and now also the Balearic Islands, although so far with limited evidence of zoonotic disease. Other members of the genus, namely, A. chabaudi, A. daskalovi and A. dujardini, are native to Europe and mainly infect wildlife, with unknown consequences for populations, although spill-over can occur into domestic animals and those in zoological collections. The epidemiology of angiostrongylosis is complex, and further research is needed on parasite maintenance in sylvatic hosts, and on the roles of ecology, behaviour and genetics in disease emergence. Improved surveillance in animals and humans is also required to support risk assessments and management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric R. Morgan
- School of Biological Sciences, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast BT9 5DL, UK
| | - David Modry
- Biology Center, Institute of Parasitology, Czech Academy of Sciences, 37005 Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic;
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources/CINeZ, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, 16500 Praha-Suchdol, Czech Republic
- Department of Botany and Zoology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, 61137 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Claudia Paredes-Esquivel
- Applied Zoology and Animal Conservation Group, University of the Balearic Islands, 07122 Palma de Mallorca, Spain;
| | - Pilar Foronda
- University Institute of Tropical Diseases and Public Health, University La Laguna, Tenerife, Canary Islands, 38200 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain;
| | - Donato Traversa
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, 64100 Teramo, Italy;
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6
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Rendall AR, Sutherland DR, Baker CM, Raymond B, Cooke R, White JG. Managing ecosystems in a sea of uncertainty: invasive species management and assisted colonizations. ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS : A PUBLICATION OF THE ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2021; 31:e02306. [PMID: 33595860 DOI: 10.1002/eap.2306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2020] [Revised: 10/22/2020] [Accepted: 11/13/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Managing ecosystems in the face of complex species interactions, and the associated uncertainty, presents a considerable ecological challenge. Altering those interactions via actions such as invasive species management or conservation translocations can result in unintended consequences, supporting the need to be able to make more informed decisions in the face of this uncertainty. We demonstrate the utility of ecosystem models to reduce uncertainty and inform future ecosystem management. We use Phillip Island, Australia, as a case study to investigate the impacts of two invasive species management options and consider whether a critically endangered mammal is likely to establish a population in the presence of invasive species. Qualitative models are used to determine the effects of apex predator removal (feral cats) and invasive prey removal (rabbits, rats, and mice). We extend this approach using Ensemble Ecosystem Models to consider how suppression, rather than eradication influences the species community; and consider whether an introduction of the critically endangered eastern barred bandicoot is likely to be successful in the presence of invasive species. Our analysis revealed the potential for unintended outcomes associated with feral cat control operations, with rats and rabbits expected to increase in abundance. A strategy based on managing prey species appeared to have the most ecosystem-wide benefits, with rodent control showing more favorable responses than a rabbit control strategy. Eastern barred bandicoots were predicted to persist under all feral cat control levels (including no control). Managing ecosystems is a complex and imprecise process. However, qualitative modeling and ensemble ecosystem modeling address uncertainty and are capable of improving and optimizing management practices. Our analysis shows that the best conservation outcomes may not always be associated with the top-down control of apex predators, and land managers should think more broadly in relation to managing bottom-up processes as well. Challenges faced in continuing to conserve biodiversity mean new, bolder, conservation actions are needed. We suggest that endangered species are capable of surviving in the presence of feral cats, potentially opening the door for more conservation translocations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony R Rendall
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, 3220, Australia
- Centre for Integrative Ecology, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, Engineering and the Built Environment, Burwood Campus, Burwood, Victoria, 3125, Australia
| | - Duncan R Sutherland
- Conservation Department, Phillip Island Nature Parks, Cowes, Victoria, 3922, Australia
| | - Christopher M Baker
- School of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, 3010, Australia
- Melbourne Centre for Data Science, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, 3010, Australia
- Centre of Excellence for Biosecurity Risk Analysis, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | - Ben Raymond
- Australian Antarctic Division, Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment, Kingston, Tasmania, 7050, Australia
- Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, 7000, Australia
| | - Raylene Cooke
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, 3220, Australia
| | - John G White
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, 3220, Australia
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7
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Sjodin BMF, Irvine RL, Ford AT, Howald GR, Russello MA. Rattus population genomics across the Haida Gwaii archipelago provides a framework for guiding invasive species management. Evol Appl 2020; 13:889-904. [PMID: 32431741 PMCID: PMC7232760 DOI: 10.1111/eva.12907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2019] [Revised: 11/18/2019] [Accepted: 12/05/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Invasive species have led to precipitous declines in biodiversity, especially in island systems. Brown (Rattus norvegicus) and black rats (R. rattus) are among the most invasive animals on the planet, with eradication being the primary tool for established island populations. The need for increased research for defining eradication units and monitoring outcomes has been highlighted as a means to maximize success. Haida Gwaii is an archipelago ~100 km off the northern coast of British Columbia, Canada, that hosts globally significant breeding populations of seabirds that are at risk due to invasive rats. Here, we paired sampling of brown (n = 287) and black (n = 291) rats across the Haida Gwaii archipelago with genotyping by sequencing (10,770-27,686 SNPs) to investigate patterns of population connectivity and infer levels/direction of gene flow among invasive rat populations in Haida Gwaii. We reconstructed three regional clusters for both species (north, central and south), with proximate populations within regions being largely more related than those that were more distant, consistent with predictions from island biogeography theory. Population assignment of recently detected individuals post-eradication on Faraday, Murchison and the Bischof Islands revealed all were re-invaders from Lyell Island, rather than being on-island survivors. Based on these results, we identified six eradication units constituting single or clusters of islands that would limit the potential for reinvasion, some of which will need to be combined with biosecurity measures. Overall, our results highlight the importance of targeted research prior to conducting eradications and demonstrate a framework for applying population genomics for guiding invasive species management in island systems.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Robyn L. Irvine
- Gwaii Haanas National Park ReserveNational Marine Conservation Area Reserve and Haida Heritage SiteSkidegateBCCanada
| | - Adam T. Ford
- Department of BiologyUniversity of British ColumbiaKelownaBCCanada
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8
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Assessment of rodenticide resistance, eradication units, and pathogen prevalence in black rat populations from a Mediterranean biodiversity hotspot (Pontine Archipelago). Biol Invasions 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s10530-019-02189-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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9
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Affiliation(s)
- Dario Capizzi
- Latium Region Directorate for Natural Capital, Parks and Protected Areas viale del Tintoretto 43200142 Rome Italy
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10
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Voulgaris MD, Karris G, Xirouchakis S, Zaragoza Pedro P, Asimakopoulos AG, Grivas K, Bebianno MJ. Trace metal blood concentrations in Scopoli's shearwaters (Calonectris diomedea) during 2007-2014: A systematic analysis of the largest species colony in Greece. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 691:187-194. [PMID: 31319255 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.07.082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2019] [Revised: 07/04/2019] [Accepted: 07/05/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
In this study, the concentrations of cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni), manganese (Mn) and zinc (Zn) were investigated in the blood of Scopoli's shearwaters (Calonectris diomedea). Blood samples (N=238) were collected from both juvenile and adult individuals during seven breeding seasons between 2007 and 2014, excluding 2013. Sampling was performed in the pristine environment of the Strofades island complex, Greece, where the largest colony of Scopoli's shearwaters is located in the Eastern Mediterranean basin. The median concentrations of the toxic metals, Cd and Pb, were 0.010 and 0.24μg/g (dry weight; dw), respectively, which were in good agreement with previous studies. The median concentrations of Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Zn were 0.18, 1.11, 3.41, 0.29, 0.61, and 22.9μg/g dw, respectively. Inter-annual differences were observed among the concentrations of all assessed metals, except for Ni and Cd, which demonstrated similarities among female individuals. Age-group related differences were observed in both genders for Cd, Cu and Cr, but only among males for Zn. To the best of our knowledge, this is the longest multi-year biomonitoring study of select trace metals that has been conducted thus far on blood samples from Scopoli's shearwater species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marios-Dimitrios Voulgaris
- CIMA, Centre for Marine and Environmental Research, University of Algarve, Campus Gambelas, 8005-135 Faro, Portugal
| | - Georgios Karris
- Department of Environment, Faculty of Environment, Ionian University, Panagoula, GR-29100 Zakynthos, Greece.
| | - Stavros Xirouchakis
- Natural History Museum of Crete, University of Crete, PO Box 2208, GR-71409 Heraklion, Crete, Greece.
| | - Paulo Zaragoza Pedro
- CIMA, Centre for Marine and Environmental Research, University of Algarve, Campus Gambelas, 8005-135 Faro, Portugal.
| | - Alexandros G Asimakopoulos
- Department of Chemistry, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), NO-7491 Trondheim, Norway.
| | - Kostas Grivas
- Biosfaira, Environmental Studies & Wildlife Services, Aidiniou 40, GR-17236 Athens, Greece.
| | - Maria João Bebianno
- CIMA, Centre for Marine and Environmental Research, University of Algarve, Campus Gambelas, 8005-135 Faro, Portugal.
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11
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Duron Q, Shiels AB, Vidal E. Control of invasive rats on islands and priorities for future action. CONSERVATION BIOLOGY : THE JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR CONSERVATION BIOLOGY 2017; 31:761-771. [PMID: 27982493 DOI: 10.1111/cobi.12885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2016] [Revised: 11/30/2016] [Accepted: 12/01/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Invasive rats are one of the world's most successful animal groups that cause native species extinctions and ecosystem change, particularly on islands. On large islands, rat eradication is often impossible and population control, defined as the local limitation of rat abundance, is now routinely performed on many of the world's islands as an alternative management tool. However, a synthesis of the motivations, techniques, costs, and outcomes of such rat-control projects is lacking. We reviewed the literature, searched relevant websites, and conducted a survey via a questionnaire to synthesize the available information on rat-control projects in island natural areas worldwide to improve rat management and native species conservation. Data were collected from 136 projects conducted over the last 40 years; most were located in Australasia (46%) and the tropical Pacific (25%) in forest ecosystems (65%) and coastal strands (22%). Most of the projects targeted Rattus rattus and most (82%) were aimed at protecting birds and endangered ecosystems. Poisoning (35%) and a combination of trapping and poisoning (42%) were the most common methods. Poisoning allows for treatment of larger areas, and poison projects generally last longer than trapping projects. Second-generation anticoagulants (mainly brodifacoum and bromadiolone) were used most often. The median annual cost for rat-control projects was US$17,262 or US$227/ha. Median project duration was 4 years. For 58% of the projects, rat population reduction was reported, and 51% of projects showed evidence of positive effects on biodiversity. Our data were from few countries, revealing the need to expand rat-control distribution especially in some biodiversity hotspots. Improvement in control methods is needed as is regular monitoring to assess short- and long-term effectiveness of rat-control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Quiterie Duron
- Institut Méditerranéen de Biodiversité et d'Écologie marine et continentale (IMBE), Aix-Marseille Université, UMR CNRS - IRD - UAPV, Centre IRD Nouméa - BP A5, 98848, Nouméa Cedex, New Caledonia
| | - Aaron B Shiels
- USDA, National Wildlife Research Center, 4101 LaPorte Avenue, Ft. Collins, CO, 80521, U.S.A
| | - Eric Vidal
- Institut Méditerranéen de Biodiversité et d'Écologie marine et continentale (IMBE), Aix-Marseille Université, UMR CNRS - IRD - UAPV, Centre IRD Nouméa - BP A5, 98848, Nouméa Cedex, New Caledonia
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12
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O’Hanlon NJ, Lambert MS. Investigating brown rat Rattus norvegicus egg predation using experimental nests and camera traps. EUR J WILDLIFE RES 2016. [DOI: 10.1007/s10344-016-1063-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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13
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McCreless EE, Huff DD, Croll DA, Tershy BR, Spatz DR, Holmes ND, Butchart SHM, Wilcox C. Past and estimated future impact of invasive alien mammals on insular threatened vertebrate populations. Nat Commun 2016; 7:12488. [PMID: 27535095 PMCID: PMC4992154 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms12488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2015] [Accepted: 07/07/2016] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Invasive mammals on islands pose severe, ongoing threats to global biodiversity. However, the severity of threats from different mammals, and the role of interacting biotic and abiotic factors in driving extinctions, remain poorly understood at a global scale. Here we model global extirpation patterns for island populations of threatened and extinct vertebrates. Extirpations are driven by interacting factors including invasive rats, cats, pigs, mustelids and mongooses, native species taxonomic class and volancy, island size, precipitation and human presence. We show that controlling or eradicating the relevant invasive mammals could prevent 41–75% of predicted future extirpations. The magnitude of benefits varies across species and environments; for example, managing invasive mammals on small, dry islands could halve the extirpation risk for highly threatened birds and mammals, while doing so on large, wet islands may have little benefit. Our results provide quantitative estimates of conservation benefits and, when combined with costs in a return-on-investment framework, can guide efficient conservation strategies. Invasive vertebrates can decimate native species living on islands. Using a model of global extirpation patterns, McCreless et al. identify the types of invasive species most harmful to natives and predict when controlling or eradicating the invasive species is likely to succeed as a conservation strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin E McCreless
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Long Marine Laboratory, University of California Santa Cruz, 100 Shaffer Road, Santa Cruz, California 95060, USA
| | - David D Huff
- Point Adams Research Station, Fish Ecology Division, Northwest Fisheries Science Center, NOAA Fisheries, PO Box 155, Hammond, Oregon 97121, USA
| | - Donald A Croll
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Long Marine Laboratory, University of California Santa Cruz, 100 Shaffer Road, Santa Cruz, California 95060, USA
| | - Bernie R Tershy
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Long Marine Laboratory, University of California Santa Cruz, 100 Shaffer Road, Santa Cruz, California 95060, USA
| | - Dena R Spatz
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Long Marine Laboratory, University of California Santa Cruz, 100 Shaffer Road, Santa Cruz, California 95060, USA.,Island Conservation, 2161 Delaware Avenue, Suite A, Santa Cruz, California 95060, USA
| | - Nick D Holmes
- Island Conservation, 2161 Delaware Avenue, Suite A, Santa Cruz, California 95060, USA
| | - Stuart H M Butchart
- BirdLife International, David Attenborough Building, Pembroke Street, Cambridge CB23QZ, UK.,Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB23EJ, UK
| | - Chris Wilcox
- Marine and Atmospheric Research, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization, Hobart, Tasmania 7000, Australia
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15
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Gérard A, Jourdan H, Millon A, Vidal E. Anti-predator behaviour in a procellariid seabird: Wedge-tailed shearwaters do not respond to the odour of introduced ship rats. AUSTRAL ECOL 2015. [DOI: 10.1111/aec.12252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- A. Gérard
- Institut Méditerranéen de Biodiversité et d'Écologie marine et continentale (IMBE); Aix-Marseille Université, UMR CNRS - IRD - UAPV, Centre IRD de Nouméa; BP A5, 98848 Nouméa Cedex Nouvelle-Calédonie France
| | - H. Jourdan
- Institut Méditerranéen de Biodiversité et d'Écologie marine et continentale (IMBE); Aix-Marseille Université, UMR CNRS - IRD - UAPV, Centre IRD de Nouméa; BP A5, 98848 Nouméa Cedex Nouvelle-Calédonie France
| | - A. Millon
- Institut Méditerranéen de Biodiversité et d'Écologie marine et continentale (IMBE); Aix-Marseille Université, UMR CNRS - IRD - UAPV, Europôle de l'Arbois; Aix-en-Provence France
| | - E. Vidal
- Institut Méditerranéen de Biodiversité et d'Écologie marine et continentale (IMBE); Aix-Marseille Université, UMR CNRS - IRD - UAPV, Centre IRD de Nouméa; BP A5, 98848 Nouméa Cedex Nouvelle-Calédonie France
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16
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Ruffino L, Zarzoso-Lacoste D, Vidal E. Assessment of invasive rodent impacts on island avifauna: methods, limitations and the way forward. WILDLIFE RESEARCH 2015. [DOI: 10.1071/wr15047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Bird conservation is nowadays a strong driving force for prioritising rodent eradications, but robust quantitative estimates of impacts are needed to ensure cost-effectiveness of management operations. Here, we review the published literature to investigate on what methodological basis rodent effects on island bird communities have been evaluated for the past six decades. We then discuss the advantages and limitations of each category of methods for the detection and quantification of impacts, and end with some recommendations on how to strengthen current approaches and extend our knowledge on the mechanisms of impacts. Impact studies (152 studies considered) emphasised seabirds (67%), black rats (63%) and the Pacific Ocean (57%). Among the most commonly used methods to study rodent impacts on birds were the observation of dead eggs or empty nests while monitoring bird breeding success, and the analyses of rodent diets, which can both lead to misleading conclusions if the data are not supported by direct field evidence of rodent predation. Direct observations of rodent–bird interactions (19% of studies) are still poorly considered despite their potential to reveal cryptic behaviours and shed light on the mechanisms of impacts. Rodent effects on birds were most often measured as a change or difference in bird breeding parameters (74% of studies), while estimates of bird population growth rates (4%) are lacking. Based on the outcomes of this literature review, we highlight the need for collecting unbiased population-level estimates of rodent impacts, which are essential prerequisites for predicting bird population growth scenarios and prioritising their conservation needs. This could be achieved by a more systematic integration of long-term monitoring of bird populations into rodent management operations and modelling bird population dynamics. We also strongly recommend including various complementary methods in impact assessment strategies to unravel complex interactions between rodents and birds and avoid faulty evidence. Finally, more research should be devoted to a better understanding of the cases of non-impacts (i.e. long-term coexistence) and those impacts mediated by mechanisms other than predation and ecosystem-level processes.
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Guerra C, García D, ALcover JA. Unusual foraging patterns of the barn owl,Tyto alba(Strigiformes: Tytonidae), on small islets from the Pityusic archipelago (Western Mediterranean Sea). FOLIA ZOOLOGICA 2014. [DOI: 10.25225/fozo.v63.i3.a5.2014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Carmen Guerra
- Department of Biodiversity and Conservation, Mediterranean Institute for Advanced Studies (CSIC-UIB), C/Miquel Marqués 21, 07190 Esporles, Mallorca, Spain;,
| | - David García
- Islands Biodiversity Research Initiative, C/Son Borràs 14, 07340 Alaró, Mallorca, Spain
| | - Josep Antoni ALcover
- Department of Biodiversity and Conservation, Mediterranean Institute for Advanced Studies (CSIC-UIB), C/Miquel Marqués 21, 07190 Esporles, Mallorca, Spain;,
- Associate Researcher, Department of Mammalogy, American Museum of Natural History, New York, USA
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Hervías S, Ceia FR, Pipa T, Nogales M, de Ybáñez RR, Ramos JA. How important are seabirds in the diet of black rats on islands with a superpredator? ZOOLOGY 2014; 117:171-8. [PMID: 24726532 DOI: 10.1016/j.zool.2013.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2013] [Revised: 12/22/2013] [Accepted: 12/29/2013] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
This study assessed the impact of introduced black rats (Rattus rattus) on Cory's shearwater (Calonectris diomedea borealis) in a multi-invaded insular ecosystem where rats are mesopredators. We hypothesized that black rats should have little impact on Cory's shearwaters in the presence of cats as superpredators. Stomach contents and stable isotope analysis (SIA) in tissues of black rats were analyzed to assess the trophic ecology and the importance of Cory's shearwater in their diet. We also studied the isotopic signature in tissues of house mouse (Mus domesticus) to confirm previous data showing no predation of this species on Cory's shearwaters. For both rodent species, temporal variation in diet composition in response to the availability of seabird prey was evaluated, and short- and long-term consistency in diet was tested using different tissues from the same individual. For black rats a Bayesian isotope mixing model (SIAR) was applied to determine the relative contribution of each prey to the individual diet. SIA of mouse tissues varied between the Cory's shearwater breeding and non-breeding periods. However, no significant differences were found in diet and SIA for black rats. In contrast, individuals of both species showed a strong consistency in diet which apparently benefited their body condition index. Although black rats supplement their diet with Cory's shearwater eggs and chicks (8.3% in stomach contents and 10.6% in the SIAR model), their current impact on the Cory's shearwater population appears to be small, probably due to several factors including the small size of the rat population and a high level of rat predation by cats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Hervías
- Animal Health Department, Veterinary Faculty, Regional Campus of International Excellence "Campus Mare Nostrum", University of Murcia, 30100 Espinardo, Murcia, Spain; Island Ecology and Evolution Research Group (IPNA-CSIC), Astrofísico Francisco Sánchez 3, 38206 La Laguna, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain; Portuguese Society for the Study of Birds, Avenida João Crisóstomo, 18-4°Dto, 1000-179 Lisboa, Portugal.
| | - Filipe R Ceia
- Marine and Environmental Research Center (IMAR/CMA), Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Apartado 3046, 3001-401 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Tânia Pipa
- Portuguese Society for the Study of Birds, Avenida João Crisóstomo, 18-4°Dto, 1000-179 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Manuel Nogales
- Island Ecology and Evolution Research Group (IPNA-CSIC), Astrofísico Francisco Sánchez 3, 38206 La Laguna, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain
| | - Rocío Ruiz de Ybáñez
- Animal Health Department, Veterinary Faculty, Regional Campus of International Excellence "Campus Mare Nostrum", University of Murcia, 30100 Espinardo, Murcia, Spain
| | - Jaime A Ramos
- Marine and Environmental Research Center (IMAR/CMA), Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Apartado 3046, 3001-401 Coimbra, Portugal
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Nam KB, Lee KG, Hwang JW, Yoo JC. Variation in Breeding Burrows of Streaked Shearwaters Breeding in Sasu Island, and Predation Rates by Norway Rats. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014. [DOI: 10.4217/opr.2014.36.1.049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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Rendall AR, Sutherland DR, Cooke R, White J. Camera trapping: a contemporary approach to monitoring invasive rodents in high conservation priority ecosystems. PLoS One 2014; 9:e86592. [PMID: 24599307 PMCID: PMC3943715 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0086592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2013] [Accepted: 01/21/2014] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Invasive rodent species have established on 80% of the world's islands causing significant damage to island environments. Insular ecosystems support proportionally more biodiversity than comparative mainland areas, highlighting them as critical for global biodiversity conservation. Few techniques currently exist to adequately detect, with high confidence, species that are trap-adverse such as the black rat, Rattus rattus, in high conservation priority areas where multiple non-target species persist. This study investigates the effectiveness of camera trapping for monitoring invasive rodents in high conservation areas, and the influence of habitat features and density of colonial-nesting seabirds on rodent relative activity levels to provide insights into their potential impacts. A total of 276 camera sites were established and left in situ for 8 days. Identified species were recorded in discrete 15 min intervals, referred to as ‘events’. In total, 19 804 events were recorded. From these, 31 species were identified comprising 25 native species and six introduced. Two introduced rodent species were detected: the black rat (90% of sites), and house mouse Mus musculus (56% of sites). Rodent activity of both black rats and house mice were positively associated with the structural density of habitats. Density of seabird burrows was not strongly associated with relative activity levels of rodents, yet rodents were still present in these areas. Camera trapping enabled a large number of rodents to be detected with confidence in site-specific absences and high resolution to quantify relative activity levels. This method enables detection of multiple species simultaneously with low impact (for both target and non-target individuals); an ideal strategy for monitoring trap-adverse invasive rodents in high conservation areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony R. Rendall
- Centre for Integrative Ecology, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | | | - Raylene Cooke
- Centre for Integrative Ecology, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- * E-mail:
| | - John White
- Centre for Integrative Ecology, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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Latorre L, Larrinaga AR, Santamaría L. Rats and seabirds: effects of egg size on predation risk and the potential of conditioned taste aversion as a mitigation method. PLoS One 2013; 8:e76138. [PMID: 24058712 PMCID: PMC3776756 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0076138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2013] [Accepted: 08/27/2013] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Seabirds nesting on islands are threatened by invasive rodents, such as mice and rats, which may attack eggs, chicks and even adults. The low feasibility of rat eradications on many islands makes the development of alternate control plans necessary. We used a combination of field experiments on a Mediterranean island invaded by black rats (Rattusrattus) to evaluate (1) the predation risk posed to different-sized seabird eggs and (2), the potential of two deterrent methods (electronic and chemical) to reduce its impact. Rats were able to consume eggs of all sizes (12 to 68 g), but survival increased 13 times from the smallest to the largest eggs (which also had more resistant eggshells). Extrapolation to seabird eggs suggests that the smallest species (Hydrobatespelagicus) suffer the most severe predation risk, but even the largest (Larusmichahellis) could suffer >60% mortality. Nest attack was not reduced by the deterrents. However, chemical deterrence (conditioned taste aversion by lithium chloride) slowed the increase in predation rate over time, which resulted in a three-fold increase in egg survival to predation as compared to both control and electronic deterrence. At the end of the experimental period, this effect was confirmed by a treatment swap, which showed that conferred protection remains at least 15 days after cessation of the treatment. Results indicate that small seabird species are likely to suffer severe rates of nest predation by rats and that conditioned taste aversion, but not electronic repellents, may represent a suitable method to protect colonies when eradication or control is not feasible or cost-effective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucía Latorre
- Laboratory of Spatial Ecology, Mediterranean Institute for Advanced Studies (C.S.I.C.-U.I.B.), Esporles, Mallorca, Balearic Islands, Spain
- * E-mail:
| | - Asier R. Larrinaga
- Laboratory of Spatial Ecology, Mediterranean Institute for Advanced Studies (C.S.I.C.-U.I.B.), Esporles, Mallorca, Balearic Islands, Spain
| | - Luis Santamaría
- Laboratory of Spatial Ecology, Mediterranean Institute for Advanced Studies (C.S.I.C.-U.I.B.), Esporles, Mallorca, Balearic Islands, Spain
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Tracking through life stages: adult, immature and juvenile autumn migration in a long-lived seabird. PLoS One 2013; 8:e72713. [PMID: 23977344 PMCID: PMC3745401 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0072713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2013] [Accepted: 07/15/2013] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Seasonal long-distance migration is likely to be experienced in a contrasted manner by juvenile, immature and adult birds, leading to variations in migratory routes, timing and behaviour. We provide the first analysis of late summer movements and autumn migration in these three life stages, which were tracked concurrently using satellite tags, geolocators or GPS recorders in a long-ranging migratory seabird, the Scopoli's shearwater (formerly named Cory's shearwater, Calonectrisdiomedea) breeding on two French Mediterranean islands. During the late breeding season, immatures foraged around their colony like breeding adults, but they were the only group showing potential prospecting movements around non-natal colonies. Global migration routes were broadly comparable between the two populations and the three life stages, with all individuals heading towards the Atlantic Ocean through the strait of Gibraltar and travelling along the West African coast, up to 8000 km from their colony. However, detailed comparison of timing, trajectory and oceanographic conditions experienced by the birds revealed remarkable age-related differences. Compared to adults and immatures, juveniles made a longer stop-over in the Balearic Sea (10 days vs 4 days in average), showed lower synchrony in crossing the Gibraltar strait, had more sinuous pathways and covered longer daily distances (240 km.d(-1) vs 170 km.d(-1)). Analysis of oceanographic habitats along migratory routes revealed funnelling selection of habitat towards coastal and more productive waters with increasing age. Younger birds may have reduced navigational ability and learn progressively fine-scale migration routes towards the more profitable travelling and wintering areas. Our study demonstrates the importance of tracking long-lived species through the stages, to better understand migratory behavior and assess differential exposure to at-sea threats. Shared distribution between life stages and populations make Scopoli's shearwaters particularly vulnerable to extreme mortality events in autumn and winter. Such knowledge is key for the conservation of critical marine habitats.
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Bourgeois K, Ouni R, Pascal M, Dromzée S, Fourcy D, Abiadh A. Dramatic increase in the Zembretta Yelkouan shearwater breeding population following ship rat eradication spurs interest in managing a 1500-year old invasion. Biol Invasions 2013. [DOI: 10.1007/s10530-013-0419-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Anthropogenic subsidies mitigate environmental variability for insular rodents. Oecologia 2012; 172:737-49. [PMID: 23223862 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-012-2545-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2010] [Accepted: 11/23/2012] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
The exogenous input of nutrients and energy into island systems fuels a large array of consumers and drives bottom-up trophic cascades in island communities. The input of anthropogenic resources has increased on islands and particularly supplemented non-native consumers with extra resources. We test the hypothesis that the anthropogenic establishments of super-abundant gulls and invasive iceplants Carpobrotus spp. have both altered the dynamics of an introduced black rat Rattus rattus population. On Bagaud Island, two habitats have been substantially modified by the anthropogenic subsidies of gulls and iceplants, in contrast to the native Mediterranean scrubland with no anthropogenic inputs. Rats were trapped in all three habitats over two contrasting years of rainfall patterns to investigate: (1) the effect of anthropogenic subsidies on rat density, age-ratio and growth rates, and (2) the role of rainfall variability in modulating the effects of subsidies between years. We found that the growth rates of rats dwelling in the non-subsidized habitat varied with environmental fluctuation, whereas rats dwelling in the gull colony maintained high growth rates during both dry and rainy years. The presence of anthropogenic subsidies apparently mitigated environmental stress. Age ratio and rat density varied significantly and predictably among years, seasons, and habitats. While rat densities always peaked higher in the gull colony, especially after rat breeding in spring, higher captures of immature rats were recorded during the second year in all habitats, associated with higher rainfall. The potential for non-native rats to benefit from anthropogenic resources has important implications for the management of similar species on islands.
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Lewison R, Oro D, Godley B, Underhill L, Bearhop S, Wilson RP, Ainley D, Arcos JM, Boersma PD, Borboroglu PG, Boulinier T, Frederiksen M, Genovart M, González-Solís J, Green JA, Grémillet D, Hamer KC, Hilton GM, Hyrenbach KD, Martínez-Abraín A, Montevecchi WA, Phillips RA, Ryan PG, Sagar P, Sydeman WJ, Wanless S, Watanuki Y, Weimerskirch H, Yorio P. Research priorities for seabirds: improving conservation and management in the 21st century. ENDANGER SPECIES RES 2012. [DOI: 10.3354/esr00419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 127] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
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Banks PB, Hughes NK. A review of the evidence for potential impacts of black rats (Rattus rattus) on wildlife and humans in Australia. WILDLIFE RESEARCH 2012. [DOI: 10.1071/wr11086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
The black rat (Rattus rattus) is among the world’s worst invasive species, having spread across the globe in close association with the spread of human settlement. It is the source of some of the worst diseases affecting humans and is thought to have had a devastating impact on native wildlife, especially in island ecosystems. Black rat is likely to have arrived in Australia with the first European settlers, making it among the first of many alien species to invade the continent, and it is now widespread. Yet, its impacts on local wildlife have largely been overlooked. Here, we review the potential for black rat impacts in Australia in terms of its role as a source of disease and threats to wildlife and humans. We first summarise the global evidence for black rat impacts as background to the potential threats it poses and then focus specifically on emerging evidence available for Australian systems. We found a significant gap in our understanding of the ecology of black rats and the ecological role that it plays in Australia. This is despite its role as a source of a diverse range of diseases affecting humans and wildlife and its actions as a predator and competitor of native wildlife in Australia and elsewhere.
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Russell JC, Ruffino L. The influence of spatio-temporal resource fluctuations on insular rat population dynamics. Proc Biol Sci 2011; 279:767-74. [PMID: 21775327 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2011.1121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Local spatio-temporal resource variations can strongly influence the population dynamics of small mammals. This is particularly true on islands which are bottom-up driven systems, lacking higher order predators and with high variability in resource subsidies. The influence of resource fluctuations on animal survival may be mediated by individual movement among habitat patches, but simultaneously analysing survival, resource availability and habitat selection requires sophisticated analytical methods. We use a Bayesian multi-state capture-recapture model to estimate survival and movement probabilities of non-native black rats (Rattus rattus) across three habitats seasonally varying in resource availability. We find that survival varies most strongly with temporal rainfall patterns, overwhelming minor spatial variation among habitats. Surprisingly for a generalist forager, movement between habitats was rare, suggesting individuals do not opportunistically respond to spatial resource subsidy variations. Climate is probably the main driver of rodent population dynamics on islands, and even substantial habitat and seasonal spatial subsidies are overwhelmed in magnitude by predictable annual patterns in resource pulses. Marked variation in survival and capture has important implications for the timing of rat control.
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Affiliation(s)
- James C Russell
- Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA.
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Pisanu B, Caut S, Gutjahr S, Vernon P, Chapuis JL. Introduced black rats Rattus rattus on Ile de la Possession (Iles Crozet, Subantarctic): diet and trophic position in food webs. Polar Biol 2010. [DOI: 10.1007/s00300-010-0867-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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Coll M, Piroddi C, Steenbeek J, Kaschner K, Ben Rais Lasram F, Aguzzi J, Ballesteros E, Bianchi CN, Corbera J, Dailianis T, Danovaro R, Estrada M, Froglia C, Galil BS, Gasol JM, Gertwagen R, Gil J, Guilhaumon F, Kesner-Reyes K, Kitsos MS, Koukouras A, Lampadariou N, Laxamana E, López-Fé de la Cuadra CM, Lotze HK, Martin D, Mouillot D, Oro D, Raicevich S, Rius-Barile J, Saiz-Salinas JI, San Vicente C, Somot S, Templado J, Turon X, Vafidis D, Villanueva R, Voultsiadou E. The biodiversity of the Mediterranean Sea: estimates, patterns, and threats. PLoS One 2010; 5:e11842. [PMID: 20689844 PMCID: PMC2914016 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0011842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 567] [Impact Index Per Article: 40.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2010] [Accepted: 06/10/2010] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The Mediterranean Sea is a marine biodiversity hot spot. Here we combined an extensive literature analysis with expert opinions to update publicly available estimates of major taxa in this marine ecosystem and to revise and update several species lists. We also assessed overall spatial and temporal patterns of species diversity and identified major changes and threats. Our results listed approximately 17,000 marine species occurring in the Mediterranean Sea. However, our estimates of marine diversity are still incomplete as yet-undescribed species will be added in the future. Diversity for microbes is substantially underestimated, and the deep-sea areas and portions of the southern and eastern region are still poorly known. In addition, the invasion of alien species is a crucial factor that will continue to change the biodiversity of the Mediterranean, mainly in its eastern basin that can spread rapidly northwards and westwards due to the warming of the Mediterranean Sea. Spatial patterns showed a general decrease in biodiversity from northwestern to southeastern regions following a gradient of production, with some exceptions and caution due to gaps in our knowledge of the biota along the southern and eastern rims. Biodiversity was also generally higher in coastal areas and continental shelves, and decreases with depth. Temporal trends indicated that overexploitation and habitat loss have been the main human drivers of historical changes in biodiversity. At present, habitat loss and degradation, followed by fishing impacts, pollution, climate change, eutrophication, and the establishment of alien species are the most important threats and affect the greatest number of taxonomic groups. All these impacts are expected to grow in importance in the future, especially climate change and habitat degradation. The spatial identification of hot spots highlighted the ecological importance of most of the western Mediterranean shelves (and in particular, the Strait of Gibraltar and the adjacent Alboran Sea), western African coast, the Adriatic, and the Aegean Sea, which show high concentrations of endangered, threatened, or vulnerable species. The Levantine Basin, severely impacted by the invasion of species, is endangered as well. This abstract has been translated to other languages (File S1).
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Coll
- Institut de Ciències del Mar, Scientific Spanish Council (ICM-CSIC), Barcelona, Spain.
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Ruffino L, Vidal E. Early colonization of Mediterranean islands by Rattus rattus: a review of zooarcheological data. Biol Invasions 2010. [DOI: 10.1007/s10530-009-9681-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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