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Moseby KE, Read JL, Tuft K, Van der Weyde LK. Influence of interactive effects on long-term population trajectories in multispecies reintroductions. CONSERVATION BIOLOGY : THE JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR CONSERVATION BIOLOGY 2024; 38:e14209. [PMID: 37877174 DOI: 10.1111/cobi.14209] [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: 08/28/2023] [Revised: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/26/2023]
Abstract
Reintroduced populations are typically considered to progress through establishment, growth, and regulatory phases. However, most reintroduction programs do not monitor intensively enough to test this conceptual model. We studied population indices derived from track activity of 4 threatened species (greater bilby [Macrotis lagotis], burrowing bettong [Bettongia lesueur], greater stick-nest rat [Leporillus conditor], and Shark Bay bandicoot [Perameles bougainville]) over 23 years after multiple reintroductions of each species in arid Australia. We compared population trajectories among species and investigated the effect of time and environmental variables. All species bred immediately after release, and the growth phase lasted 3-16 years, varying markedly among but not within species. The end of the growth phase was characterized by an obvious peak in population density followed by either a catastrophic decline and sustained low density (bettongs), a slow decline to extirpation after 20 years (stick-nest rat), or a slight decline followed by irregular fluctuations (bilby and bandicoot). Minor fluctuations were related to environmental variables, including 12-month cumulative rainfall and lagged summer maximum temperatures. Three of the 4 species did not reach a regulation phase, even after 23 years, possibly due to interspecific competition and trophic cascades triggered by predator removal and multispecies reintroductions. Bilbies and bandicoots exhibited a second growth phase 18 years after reintroduction, likely caused by high rainfall and increased resources following the population crash of overabundant bettongs. Our results suggest that assemblages within multispecies reintroductions demonstrate high variability in population trajectories due to interactive effects. Intensive monitoring to assess population viability may require decades, particularly where multiple species are reintroduced, release sites are confined, and the climate is unpredictable. Intensive monitoring also allows for adaptive management to prevent precipitous population declines. Practitioners should not assume reintroduced species pass through predictable postrelease population phases or that viability is assured after a certain period.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine E Moseby
- The University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Arid Recovery, Roxby Downs, South Australia, Australia
| | - John L Read
- Arid Recovery, Roxby Downs, South Australia, Australia
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
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Van der Weyde LK, Blumstein DT, Letnic M, Tuft K, Ryan-Schofield N, Moseby KE. Can native predators be used as a stepping stone to reduce prey naivety to novel predators? Behav Ecol 2022. [DOI: 10.1093/beheco/arac097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Predator naivety negatively affects reintroduction success, and this threat is exacerbated when prey encounters predators with which they have had no evolutionary experience. While methods have been developed to inculcate fear into such predator-naïve individuals, none have been uniformly successful. Exposing ontogenetically- and evolutionary-naïve individuals first to native predators may be an effective stepping stone to improved responses to evolutionarily novel predators. We focused on greater bilbies (Macrotis lagotis) and capitalized on a multi-year mammalian recovery experiment whereby western quolls (Dasyurus geoffroii) were reintroduced into parts of a large fenced reserve that contained a population of naïve bilbies. We quantified a suite of anti-predator behaviors and measures of general wariness across quoll-exposed and quoll-naive bilby populations. We then translocated both quoll-exposed and quoll-naïve individuals into a large enclosure that contained feral cats (Felis catus) and monitored several behaviors. We found that bilbies can respond appropriately to quolls but found only limited support that experience with quolls better-prepared bilbies to respond to cats. Both populations of bilbies rapidly modified their behavior in a similar manner after their reintroduction to a novel environment. These results may have emerged due to insufficient prior exposure to quolls, inappropriate behavioral tests, or insufficient predation risk during cat exposure. Alternatively, quolls and cats are only distantly related and may not share sufficient similarities in their predatory cues or behavior to support such a learning transfer. Testing this stepping stone hypothesis with more closely related predator species and under higher predation risk would be informative.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leanne K Van der Weyde
- School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales , Sydney, NSW 2052 , Australia
| | - Daniel T Blumstein
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, The University of California , 621 Young Drive South, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1606 , USA
| | - Mike Letnic
- School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales , Sydney, NSW 2052 , Australia
| | - Katherine Tuft
- Arid Recovery , P.O. Box 147 Roxby Downs, SA 5725 , Australia
| | - Ned Ryan-Schofield
- Arid Recovery , P.O. Box 147 Roxby Downs, SA 5725 , Australia
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Adelaide , Adelaide, SA 5005 , Australia
| | - Katherine E Moseby
- School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales , Sydney, NSW 2052 , Australia
- Arid Recovery , P.O. Box 147 Roxby Downs, SA 5725 , Australia
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Stepkovitch B, Kingsford RT, Moseby KE. A comprehensive review of mammalian carnivore translocations. Mamm Rev 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/mam.12304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ben Stepkovitch
- Centre for Ecosystem Science School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences UNSW Sydney New South Wales 2052 Australia
| | - Richard T. Kingsford
- Centre for Ecosystem Science School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences UNSW Sydney New South Wales 2052 Australia
| | - Katherine E. Moseby
- Centre for Ecosystem Science School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences UNSW Sydney New South Wales 2052 Australia
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Onley IR, White LC, Moseby KE, Copley P, Cowen S. Disproportionate admixture improves reintroduction outcomes despite the use of low‐diversity source populations: population viability analysis for a translocation of the greater stick‐nest rat. Anim Conserv 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/acv.12812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- I. R. Onley
- Australian Centre for Ancient DNA (ACAD), School of Biological Sciences University of Adelaide Adelaide SA Australia
| | - L. C. White
- Department of Primatology Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology Leipzig Germany
| | - K. E. Moseby
- Centre for Ecosystem Sciences, Earth and Environmental Sciences University of New South Wales Sydney NSW Australia
| | - P. Copley
- South Australian Department for Environment and Water Adelaide SA Australia
| | - S. Cowen
- Biodiversity and Conservation Science, Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions Kensington WA Australia
- School of Biological Sciences University of Western Australia Crawley WA Australia
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McLennan EA, Wise P, Lee AV, Grueber CE, Belov K, Hogg CJ. DNA metabarcoding reveals a broad dietary range for Tasmanian devils introduced to a naive ecosystem. Ecol Evol 2022; 12:e8936. [PMID: 35600680 PMCID: PMC9120209 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.8936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2021] [Revised: 04/26/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Top carnivores are essential for maintaining ecosystem stability and biodiversity. Yet, carnivores are declining globally and current in situ threat mitigations cannot halt population declines. As such, translocations of carnivores to historic sites or those outside the species' native range are becoming increasingly common. As carnivores are likely to impact herbivore and small predator populations, understanding how carnivores interact within an ecosystem following translocation is necessary to inform potential remedial management and future translocations. Dietary analyses provide a preliminary assessment of the direct influence of translocated carnivores on a recipient ecosystem. We used a metabarcoding approach to quantify the diet of Tasmanian devils introduced to Maria Island, Tasmania, a site outside the species' native range. We extracted DNA from 96 scats and used a universal primer set targeting the vertebrate 12S rRNA gene to identify diet items. Tasmanian devils on Maria Island had an eclectic diet, with 63 consumed taxa identified. Cat DNA was detected in 14% of scats, providing the first instance of cats appearing as part of Tasmanian devil diets either via predation or scavenging. Short-tail shearwaters and little penguins were commonly consumed, corresponding with previous surveys showing sharp population declines in these species since the introduction of Tasmanian devils. Our results indicate that the introduction of carnivores to novel ecosystems can be very successful for the focal species, but that commonly consumed species should be closely monitored to identify any vulnerable species in need of remedial management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elspeth A. McLennan
- School of Life and Environmental SciencesUniversity of SydneySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Phil Wise
- Save the Tasmanian Devil ProgramNREHobartTasmaniaAustralia
| | - Andrew V. Lee
- Save the Tasmanian Devil ProgramNREHobartTasmaniaAustralia
| | - Catherine E. Grueber
- School of Life and Environmental SciencesUniversity of SydneySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Katherine Belov
- School of Life and Environmental SciencesUniversity of SydneySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Carolyn J. Hogg
- School of Life and Environmental SciencesUniversity of SydneySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
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Finlayson G, Taggart P, Cooke B. Recovering Australia's arid‐zone ecosystems: learning from continental‐scale rabbit control experiments. Restor Ecol 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/rec.13552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Graeme Finlayson
- Bush Heritage Australia Flinders Lane Melbourne Victoria 3009 Australia
- School of Biological Sciences The University of Adelaide Adelaide South Australia 5005 Australia
- Rabbit Free Australia PO Box 145 Collinswood South Australia 5081 Australia
| | - Patrick Taggart
- Department of Primary Industries NSW Vertebrate Pest Research Unit Queanbeyan New South Wales 2620 Australia
- School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences The University of Adelaide Roseworthy South Australia 5371 Australia
| | - Brian Cooke
- Rabbit Free Australia PO Box 145 Collinswood South Australia 5081 Australia
- Institute for Applied Ecology University of Canberra Bruce Australian Capital Territory 2617 Australia
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Novak BJ, Phelan R, Weber M. U.S. conservation translocations: Over a century of intended consequences. CONSERVATION SCIENCE AND PRACTICE 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/csp2.394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
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Old JM, Stannard HJ. Conservation of quolls (Dasyurus spp.) in captivity – a review. AUSTRALIAN MAMMALOGY 2021. [DOI: 10.1071/am20033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Quolls are carnivorous marsupials in the family Dasyuridae with characteristic white spots. They are distributed throughout Australia and New Guinea, but uncommonly seen due to their mostly nocturnal solitary nature, and large home ranges. All Australian quolls are listed as ‘near threatened’ or ‘endangered’ at state, national and international levels, largely due to human-induced threats. Threats include introduced predators, habitat loss through clearing and modifications including changed fire regimes, disease, human persecution, vehicle collisions and accidental or targeted poisoning by humans and cane toads (Rhinella marina). Conservation efforts that have focussed on reducing introduced predators, and minimising the impact of cane toads, have aided some translocations, hence species recovery in some local areas of Australia has occurred. Where species conservation has required captive breeding for translocation, successful captive management has been crucial. We summarise research conducted in captivity on aspects of birth and development, health and disease, and blood and nutrition parameters of quolls, and suggest future directions for research. Further research on captive and wild quoll populations will benefit future translocations, reintroductions and conservation through increased knowledge, improved maintenance and husbandry of captive colonies, and monitoring of wild populations.
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Robinson NM, Blanchard W, MacGregor C, Brewster R, Dexter N, Lindenmayer DB. Finding food in a novel environment: The diet of a reintroduced endangered meso-predator to mainland Australia, with notes on foraging behaviour. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0243937. [PMID: 33332425 PMCID: PMC7746155 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0243937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2020] [Accepted: 11/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Translocated captive-bred predators are less skilled at hunting than wild-born predators and more prone to starvation post-release. Foraging in an unfamiliar environment presents many further risks to translocated animals. Knowledge of the diet and foraging behaviour of translocated animals is therefore an important consideration of reintroductions. We investigated the diet of the endangered meso-predator, the eastern quoll Dasyurus viverrinus. We also opportunistically observed foraging behaviour, enabling us to examine risks associated with foraging. Sixty captive-bred eastern quolls were reintroduced to an unfenced reserve on mainland Australia (where introduced predators are managed) over a two year period (2018, 2019). Quolls were supplementary fed macropod meat but were also able to forage freely. Dietary analysis of scats (n = 56) revealed that quolls ate macropods, small mammals, birds, invertebrates, fish, reptiles and frogs, with some between-year differences in the frequency of different diet categories. We also observed quolls hunting live prey. Quolls utilised supplementary feeding stations, indicating that this may be an important strategy during the establishment phase. Our study demonstrated that, in a novel environment, captive-bred quolls were able to locate food and hunt live prey. However, foraging was not without risks; with the ingestion of toxic substances and foraging in dangerous environments found to be potentially harmful. Knowledge of the diet of reintroduced fauna in natural landscapes is important for understanding foraging behaviour and evaluating habitat suitability for future translocations and management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natasha M. Robinson
- Fenner School of Environment and Society, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
- National Environmental Science Program, Threatened Species Recovery Hub, Fenner School of Environment and Society, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
- * E-mail:
| | - Wade Blanchard
- Fenner School of Environment and Society, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
| | - Christopher MacGregor
- Fenner School of Environment and Society, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
- National Environmental Science Program, Threatened Species Recovery Hub, Fenner School of Environment and Society, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
| | - Rob Brewster
- Rewilding Australia, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Nick Dexter
- Booderee National Park, Jervis Bay, Jervis Bay Territory, Australia
| | - David B. Lindenmayer
- Fenner School of Environment and Society, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
- National Environmental Science Program, Threatened Species Recovery Hub, Fenner School of Environment and Society, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
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Moyses J, Hradsky B, Tuft K, Moseby K, Golding N, Wintle B. Factors influencing the residency of bettongs using one-way gates to exit a fenced reserve. AUSTRAL ECOL 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/aec.12898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jessie Moyses
- School of Biosciences; University of Melbourne; Parkville Victoria 3010 Australia
- NESP Threatened Species Recovery Hub; University of Melbourne; Melbourne Victoria Australia
| | - Bronwyn Hradsky
- School of Biosciences; University of Melbourne; Parkville Victoria 3010 Australia
- NESP Threatened Species Recovery Hub; University of Melbourne; Melbourne Victoria Australia
| | | | - Katherine Moseby
- Arid Recovery; Roxby Downs South Australia Australia
- University of New South Wales; Sydney New South Wales Australia
| | - Nicholas Golding
- NESP Threatened Species Recovery Hub; University of Melbourne; Melbourne Victoria Australia
| | - Brendan Wintle
- School of Biosciences; University of Melbourne; Parkville Victoria 3010 Australia
- NESP Threatened Species Recovery Hub; University of Melbourne; Melbourne Victoria Australia
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