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Moore HA, Dunlop JA, Jolly CJ, Kelly E, Woinarski JCZ, Ritchie EG, Burnett S, van Leeuwen S, Valentine LE, Cowan MA, Nimmo DG. A brief history of the northern quoll (Dasyurus hallucatus): a systematic review. AUSTRALIAN MAMMALOGY 2021. [DOI: 10.1071/am21002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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Legge S, Smith JG, James A, Tuft KD, Webb T, Woinarski JCZ. Interactions among threats affect conservation management outcomes: Livestock grazing removes the benefits of fire management for small mammals in Australian tropical savannas. CONSERVATION SCIENCE AND PRACTICE 2019. [DOI: 10.1111/csp2.52] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Legge
- Australian Wildlife ConservancyMornington Sanctuary Derby Western Australia Australia
- Fenner School of Environment & SocietyThe Australian National University Canberra Australian Capital Territory Australia
- Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation ScienceUniversity of Queensland St Lucia Queensland Australia
- Research Institute of Environment and LivelihoodsCharles Darwin University Casuarina Northwest Territories Australia
| | - James G. Smith
- Australian Wildlife ConservancyMornington Sanctuary Derby Western Australia Australia
| | - Alex James
- Australian Wildlife ConservancyMornington Sanctuary Derby Western Australia Australia
| | - Katherine D. Tuft
- Australian Wildlife ConservancyMornington Sanctuary Derby Western Australia Australia
- Arid Recovery Roxby Downs South Australia Australia
| | - Terry Webb
- Australian Wildlife ConservancyMornington Sanctuary Derby Western Australia Australia
| | - John C. Z. Woinarski
- Research Institute of Environment and LivelihoodsCharles Darwin University Casuarina Northwest Territories Australia
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McGregor HW, Cliff HB, Kanowski J. Habitat preference for fire scars by feral cats in Cape York Peninsula, Australia. WILDLIFE RESEARCH 2016. [DOI: 10.1071/wr16058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Context Feral cats are implicated in the decline of terrestrial native mammals across northern Australia. Research in the Kimberley region of north-western Australia found feral cats strongly selected for fire scars when hunting, suggesting that intensifying fire regimes will have severe consequences for declining prey species. Aims We tested the generality of cat–fire interaction beyond the Kimberley, by measuring habitat selection of feral cats in relation to fire scars and habitat types in north-eastern Australia. Methods Our study was conducted at Piccaninny Plains Wildlife Sanctuary, Cape York Peninsula. We live-captured feral cats during the dry season of 2015, released them with GPS collars set to record fixes at 15-min intervals, and recaptured cats 4 months later. We created dynamic habitat maps of vegetation types, fire and wetlands, and compared cat habitat selection using discrete choice modelling. We also measured cat density from arrays of camera traps and examined cat diet by analysis of stomach contents. Key results We obtained GPS movement data from 15 feral cats. Feral cats selected strongly for recent fire scars (1 or 2 months old), but avoided fire scars 3 months old or older. Three long-distance movements were recorded, all directed towards recent fire scars. Cats also selected for open wetlands, and avoided rainforests. Density of cats at Piccaninny Plains was higher than recorded elsewhere in northern Australia. All major vertebrate groups were represented in cat diet. Conclusions We showed that feral cats in north-eastern Australia strongly select for recent fire scars and open wetlands. These results are consistent with those from the Kimberley. Together, these studies have shown that amplified predation facilitated by loss of cover is likely to be a fundamental factor driving mammal decline across northern Australia. Implications Reducing the frequency of intense fires may indirectly reduce the impact of feral cats at a landscape scale in northern Australia. We also suggest that managers target direct cat control towards open wetlands and recently burnt areas, which cats are known to favour.
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