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Murray PJ, Nevard TD. The Ecological Separation of Deer and Domestic, Feral and Native Mammals in Tropical Northern Australia-A Review. Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:1576. [PMID: 38891624 PMCID: PMC11171043 DOI: 10.3390/ani14111576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2024] [Revised: 05/23/2024] [Accepted: 05/24/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
We explored the ecological and historical factors that led to formation of the unique guild of native and introduced mammalian herbivores between 5 and 1000 kg in northern Australia. Following the disappearance of large native herbivores about 46 kya, and until the arrival of Europeans and their livestock, the only herbivorous mammals were mid-sized endemic marsupial macropods, which continued to utilise the same vegetation as their much larger former neighbours. Only one species of contemporary native herbivore has an adult bodyweight approaching 100 kg, and for the past 150-200 years, the total biomass of introduced domestic and wild vertebrate herbivores has massively exceeded that of native herbivorous species. We conclude that the current guild of native and introduced mammalian herbivores differentially utilises the landscape ecologically. However, climate- and anthropogenically related changes due to fire, drought, flooding, predation and introduced weeds are likely to have significant impacts on the trajectory of their relative ecological roles and populations. Given their differing ecological and dietary characteristics, against this backdrop, it is unclear what the potential impact of the dispersal of deer species could have in northern Australia. We hence focus on whether sufficient knowledge exists against which the potential impacts of the range expansion of three deer species can be adequately assessed and have found a dearth of supporting evidence to inform appropriate sustainable management. We identify suitable research required to fill the identified knowledge gaps.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter J. Murray
- School of Agriculture and Environmental Science, University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba, QLD 4350, Australia
| | - Timothy D. Nevard
- The Cairns Institute, James Cook University, Cairns, QLD 4870, Australia;
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2
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Quin MJ, Morgan JW, Murphy NP. Assessing the diet and seed dispersal ability of non-native sambar deer ( Rusa unicolor) in native ecosystems of south-eastern Australia. Ecol Evol 2023; 13:e10711. [PMID: 38034333 PMCID: PMC10682569 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.10711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2023] [Revised: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Understanding the influence of non-native herbivores on ecosystems by means of dietary foraging and seed dispersal is important for understanding how non-native species can alter an invaded landscape, yet requires multiple methodologies. In south-eastern Australia, introduced sambar deer (Rusa unicolor) are rapidly expanding in range and placing native ecosystems at risk through browsing and as vectors for seed dispersal. We simultaneously investigated sambar deer dietary composition and seed dispersal using DNA sequencing and germination trials, from faecal pellets collected in alpine and wet forest ecosystems. This allowed us to contrast the dietary impacts of introduced sambar deer in different environments, and to explore the potential for habitat-specific variation in diet. DNA sequencing of the trnL, ITS2 and rbcL gene regions revealed a diverse plant species dietary composition comprising 1003 operational taxonomic units (OTUs). Sambar deer exhibited intermediate feeder behaviours dominated by forbs in alpine and shrubs in wet forest ecosystems. A large proportion of plant OTUs were considered likely to be native, however, the proportion of exotic species in the diet in both ecosystems was greater than would be expected based on the proportion of exotic species in each of the two landscapes. Seed germination trials indicated that sambar deer can disperse a substantial number of native and exotic species in both alpine and wet forest ecosystems. In alpine ecosystems, an individual sambar deer was estimated to disperse on average 816 (±193) seeds per day during the study period, of which 652 (±176) were exotic. Synthesis and applications. Our results suggest that native plant species comprise the majority of sambar deer diets in Australian ecosystems and that the introduced species is dispersing both native and exotic plant species via endozoochory. However, exotic species seedling germination numbers were significantly higher in alpine ecosystems, and given the large daily movements of sambar deer, represents a significant vector for the spread of exotic plant species. Management of native plant species and vegetation communities of conservation significance, or at risk to sambar deer browsing is of high priority, through either the removal of sambar deer or implementation of exclusion-based methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew J. Quin
- Department of Ecology, Environment and EvolutionLa Trobe UniversityBundooraVictoriaAustralia
- College of Science and EngineeringJames Cook UniversityDouglasQueenslandAustralia
| | - John W. Morgan
- Department of Ecology, Environment and EvolutionLa Trobe UniversityBundooraVictoriaAustralia
- Research Centre for Applied Alpine EcologyLa Trobe UniversityBundooraVictoriaAustralia
| | - Nicholas P. Murphy
- Department of Ecology, Environment and EvolutionLa Trobe UniversityBundooraVictoriaAustralia
- Research Centre for Applied Alpine EcologyLa Trobe UniversityBundooraVictoriaAustralia
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3
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Hampton JO, Pain DJ, Buenz E, Firestone SM, Arnemo JM. Lead contamination in Australian game meat. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:50713-50722. [PMID: 36797390 PMCID: PMC10104915 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-25949-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 04/16/2023]
Abstract
Lead-based ammunition (gunshot and bullets) frequently leaves small lead fragments embedded in the meat of wild-shot game animals. Australia produces several commercial game meat products from wild animals harvested with lead-based ammunition and has a growing population of recreational hunters. However, no studies have previously investigated the frequency of lead fragments or lead concentrations in Australian game meat. We examined 133 Australian minced game meat items of four types for evidence of lead contamination. Samples were meat from kangaroos (Macropus and Osphranter spp.; n=36) and Bennett's wallabies (Notamacropus rufogriseus; n=28) sold for human consumption, and deer ('venison'; multiple spp.; n=32) and stubble quail (Coturnix pectoralis; n=37) harvested for private consumption by recreational hunters. All packages were studied by digital radiography to detect the presence of radio-dense fragments, assumed to be lead fragments from ammunition. Visible fragments were absent in commercially available kangaroo products, but were present in 4%, 28% and 35% of wallaby, venison and quail, respectively. Mean meat lead concentrations (mg/kg wet weight) were 0.01 ± 0.01 for kangaroo, 0.02 ± 0.01 for wallaby, 0.12 ± 0.07 for venison, and 1.76 ± 3.76 for quail. The Australian food standards threshold for livestock meat (0.1 mg/kg w.w.) was not exceeded by any kangaroo or wallaby products but was exceeded by 53% and 86% of venison and quail, respectively. Radiography only detected 35% of samples that were above the food safety threshold. While average lead concentrations in commercially available macropod (kangaroo and wallaby) meat were low, those in recreationally harvested game meat may pose health risks for hunters and associated consumers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordan O Hampton
- Faculty of Science, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia.
- Harry Butler Institute, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia, 6150, Australia.
| | - Deborah J Pain
- Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 3QZ, UK
| | - Eric Buenz
- Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology, Nelson, 7010, New Zealand
| | - Simon M Firestone
- Faculty of Science, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia
| | - Jon M Arnemo
- Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management, Faculty of Applied Ecology and Agricultural Sciences, Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, Koppang, Norway
- Department of Wildlife, Fish and Environmental Studies, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Umeå, Sweden
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Lamperty T, Chiok WX, Khoo MDY, Amir Z, Baker N, Chua MAH, Chung YF, Chua YK, Koh JJ, Lee BPY, Lum SKY, Mendes CP, Ngiam J, ODempsey A, Png KGC, Sophie AR, Tan L, Teo R, Thomas N, Tianjiao L, Tze‐Ming BL, Loo AHB, Wardle DA, Luskin MS. Rewilding in Southeast Asia: Singapore as a case study. CONSERVATION SCIENCE AND PRACTICE 2023. [DOI: 10.1111/csp2.12899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/17/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Therese Lamperty
- Asian School of the Environment Nanyang Technological University Singapore
- Department of Biology University of Washington Seattle Washington, DC USA
| | - Wen Xuan Chiok
- Asian School of the Environment Nanyang Technological University Singapore
| | - Max D. Y. Khoo
- National Parks Board Singapore Botanic Gardens Singapore
| | - Zachary Amir
- Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Science University of Queensland Brisbane Australia
| | | | - Marcus A. H. Chua
- Department of Biological Science National University of Singapore Singapore
- Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum National University of Singapore Singapore
| | - Yi Fei Chung
- National Parks Board Singapore Botanic Gardens Singapore
- School of Applied Science, Republic Polytechnic Singapore
| | - Yen Kheng Chua
- National Parks Board Singapore Botanic Gardens Singapore
| | - Joshua J.‐M. Koh
- Department of Biological Science National University of Singapore Singapore
| | | | - Shawn K. Y. Lum
- Asian School of the Environment Nanyang Technological University Singapore
| | - Calebe P. Mendes
- Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Science University of Queensland Brisbane Australia
- Natural Sciences & Science Education National Institute of Education Singapore
| | - Jonathan Ngiam
- National Parks Board Singapore Botanic Gardens Singapore
| | | | - Kenny G. C. Png
- Asian School of the Environment Nanyang Technological University Singapore
| | - Adia R. Sophie
- Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Science University of Queensland Brisbane Australia
| | - Lorraine Tan
- National Parks Board Singapore Botanic Gardens Singapore
| | - Robert Teo
- National Parks Board Singapore Botanic Gardens Singapore
| | - Noel Thomas
- National Parks Board Singapore Botanic Gardens Singapore
| | - Li Tianjiao
- National Parks Board Singapore Botanic Gardens Singapore
| | | | | | - David A. Wardle
- Asian School of the Environment Nanyang Technological University Singapore
| | - Matthew Scott Luskin
- Asian School of the Environment Nanyang Technological University Singapore
- Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Science University of Queensland Brisbane Australia
- Forest Global Earth Observatory—Center for Tropical Forest Science Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute Seattle Washington, DC USA
- School of Biological Sciences University of Queensland Brisbane Australia
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Hampton JO, Specht AJ, Pay JM, Pokras MA, Bengsen AJ. Portable X-ray fluorescence for bone lead measurements of Australian eagles. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 789:147998. [PMID: 34051503 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.147998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Revised: 05/07/2021] [Accepted: 05/20/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Lead (Pb) toxicity from ammunition has been shown to be a threat to scavenging birds across the globe. Toxic levels of lead have recently been found in Australia's largest bird of prey, the wedge-tailed eagle (Aquila audax), through inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) analysis of liver and bone samples. However, ICP-MS is consumptive (causing damage to archived specimens), time-consuming, and expensive. For these reasons, portable X-ray fluorescence (XRF) devices have been optimized to measure bone lead in North American avian species, humans, and other environmental samples. In this study, we assessed portable XRF for bone lead measurement in Australian raptors in two parts. First, we validated the method using tissues from wedge-tailed eagles from Tasmania (A. a. fleayi), analysing bone samples taken from sites on the femur immediately adjacent to sites for which we had ICP-MS data (n = 89). Second, we measured lead via portable XRF in the skulls of wedge-tailed eagles from south-eastern mainland Australia (A. a. audax) collected during a criminal prosecution (n = 92). Portable XRF bone lead measurement demonstrated an excellent correlation with ICP-MS results using root-transformed regression (R2 = 0.88). Calculated equivalent ICP-MS values revealed that greater than 50% of the eagles from mainland Australia had elevated lead levels (>10 mg/kg) and 13% had severe lead exposure (>20 mg/kg). Our results support previous studies of North American avian species and suggest that portable XRF could be a useful and inexpensive option for measurement of bone lead in Australian scavenger species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordan O Hampton
- Game Management Authority, Melbourne, Victoria 3000, Australia; School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia 6150, Australia.
| | - Aaron J Specht
- Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, United States
| | - James M Pay
- University of Tasmania, Churchill Ave, Hobart, Tasmania 7005, Australia
| | - Mark A Pokras
- Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Tufts University, N. Grafton, MA, United States
| | - Andrew J Bengsen
- Vertebrate Pest Research Unit, NSW Department of Primary Industries, Orange, NSW 2800, Australia
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Watter K, Thomas E, White N, Finch N, Murray PJ. Aging Sambar (
Rusa unicolor)
Using Cementum Annuli and Eruption and Wear: Implications for Predicting Populations. WILDLIFE SOC B 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/wsb.1216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kurt Watter
- School of Agriculture and Food Sciences The University of Queensland, Gatton Campus 4343 Australia
| | - Elaine Thomas
- Parks Victoria, Mount Beauty Victoria 3699 Australia
| | - Neil White
- The University of Queensland, QAAFI Toowoomba 4350 Australia
| | - Neal Finch
- School of Agriculture and Food Sciences The University of Queensland, Gatton Campus 4343 Australia
| | - Peter J. Murray
- School of Agriculture and Food Sciences The University of Queensland, Gatton Campus 4343 Australia
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