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Lloyd-Jones LR, Bravington MV, Armstrong KN, Lawrence E, Feutry P, Todd CM, Dorrestein A, Welbergen JA, Martin JM, Rose K, Hall J, Phalen DN, Peters I, Baylis SM, Macgregor NA, Westcott DA. Close-kin mark-recapture informs critically endangered terrestrial mammal status. Sci Rep 2023; 13:12512. [PMID: 37532795 PMCID: PMC10397353 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-38639-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 08/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Reliable information on population size is fundamental to the management of threatened species. For wild species, mark-recapture methods are a cornerstone of abundance estimation. Here, we show the first application of the close-kin mark-recapture (CKMR) method to a terrestrial species of high conservation value; the Christmas Island flying-fox (CIFF). The CIFF is the island's last remaining native terrestrial mammal and was recently listed as critically endangered. CKMR is a powerful tool for estimating the demographic parameters central to CIFF management and circumvents the complications arising from the species' cryptic nature, mobility, and difficult-to-survey habitat. To this end, we used genetic data from 450 CIFFs captured between 2015 and 2019 to detect kin pairs. We implemented a novel CKMR model that estimates sex-specific abundance, trend, and mortality and accommodates observations from the kin-pair distribution of male reproductive skew and mate persistence. CKMR estimated CIFF total adult female abundance to be approximately 2050 individuals (95% CI (950, 4300)). We showed that on average only 23% of the adult male population contributed to annual reproduction and strong evidence for between-year mate fidelity, an observation not previously quantified for a Pteropus species in the wild. Critically, our population estimates provide the most robust understanding of the status of this critically endangered population, informing immediate and future conservation initiatives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luke R Lloyd-Jones
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Data61, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia.
| | - Mark V Bravington
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Data61, Hobart, TAS, 7000, Australia
| | - Kyle N Armstrong
- Environment Institute, University of Adelaide, North Terrace, Adelaide, South Australia, 5005, Australia
| | - Emma Lawrence
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Data61, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Pierre Feutry
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Oceans and Atmosphere, Hobart, TAS, 7000, Australia
| | - Christopher M Todd
- The Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, Western Sydney University, Richmond, NSW, Australia
| | - Annabel Dorrestein
- The Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, Western Sydney University, Richmond, NSW, Australia
| | - Justin A Welbergen
- The Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, Western Sydney University, Richmond, NSW, Australia
| | - John M Martin
- The Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, Western Sydney University, Richmond, NSW, Australia
- Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust, Sydney, NSW, 2000, Australia
- Australian Registry of Wildlife Health, Taronga Conservation Society Australia, Bradleys Head Road, Mosman, NSW, 2088, Australia
| | - Karrie Rose
- Australian Registry of Wildlife Health, Taronga Conservation Society Australia, Bradleys Head Road, Mosman, NSW, 2088, Australia
| | - Jane Hall
- Australian Registry of Wildlife Health, Taronga Conservation Society Australia, Bradleys Head Road, Mosman, NSW, 2088, Australia
| | - David N Phalen
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Science, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia
| | - Isabel Peters
- School of Mathematics and Physics, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Shane M Baylis
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Oceans and Atmosphere, Hobart, TAS, 7000, Australia
| | - Nicholas A Macgregor
- Parks Australia, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia
- Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology (DICE), School of Anthropology and Conservation, University of Kent, Canterbury, CT2 7NR, Kent, UK
| | - David A Westcott
- Land and Water, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Atherton, QLD, 4883, Australia
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2
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Pulscher LA, Peel AJ, Rose K, Welbergen JA, Baker ML, Boyd V, Low‐Choy S, Edson D, Todd C, Dorrestein A, Hall J, Todd S, Broder CC, Yan L, Xu K, Peck GR, Phalen DN. Serological evidence of a pararubulavirus and a betacoronavirus in the geographically isolated Christmas Island flying-fox (Pteropus natalis). Transbound Emerg Dis 2022; 69:e2366-e2377. [PMID: 35491954 PMCID: PMC9529767 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.14579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2021] [Revised: 03/27/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Due to their geographical isolation and small populations, insular bats may not be able to maintain acute immunizing viruses that rely on a large population for viral maintenance. Instead, endemic transmission may rely on viruses establishing persistent infections within hosts or inducing only short-lived neutralizing immunity. Therefore, studies on insular populations are valuable for developing broader understanding of viral maintenance in bats. The Christmas Island flying-fox (CIFF; Pteropus natalis) is endemic on Christmas Island, a remote Australian territory, and is an ideal model species to understand viral maintenance in small, geographically isolated bat populations. Serum or plasma (n = 190), oral swabs (n = 199), faeces (n = 31), urine (n = 32) and urine swabs (n = 25) were collected from 228 CIFFs. Samples were tested using multiplex serological and molecular assays, and attempts at virus isolation to determine the presence of paramyxoviruses, betacoronaviruses and Australian bat lyssavirus. Analysis of serological data provides evidence that the species is maintaining a pararubulavirus and a betacoronavirus. There was little serological evidence supporting the presence of active circulation of the other viruses assessed in the present study. No viral nucleic acid was detected and no viruses were isolated. Age-seropositivity results support the hypothesis that geographically isolated bat populations can maintain some paramyxoviruses and coronaviruses. Further studies are required to elucidate infection dynamics and characterize viruses in the CIFF. Lastly, apparent absence of some pathogens could have implications for the conservation of the CIFF if a novel disease were introduced into the population through human carriage or an invasive species. Adopting increased biosecurity protocols for ships porting on Christmas Island and for researchers and bat carers working with flying-foxes are recommended to decrease the risk of pathogen introduction and contribute to the health and conservation of the species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura A. Pulscher
- Faculty of ScienceSydney School of Veterinary ScienceUniversity of SydneySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Alison J. Peel
- Centre for Planetary Health and Food SecurityGriffith UniversityNathanQueenslandAustralia
| | - Karrie Rose
- Australian Registry of Wildlife HealthTaronga Conservation Society AustraliaMosmanNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Justin A. Welbergen
- Hawkesbury Institute for the EnvironmentWestern Sydney UniversityRichmondNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Michelle L. Baker
- Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness, Health and Biosecurity Business UnitCommonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research OrganizationGeelongVictoriaAustralia
| | - Victoria Boyd
- Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness, Health and Biosecurity Business UnitCommonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research OrganizationGeelongVictoriaAustralia
| | - Samantha Low‐Choy
- Centre for Planetary Health and Food SecurityGriffith UniversityNathanQueenslandAustralia
- Office of the Vice ChancellorArts/Education/LawGriffith UniversityBrisbaneQueenslandAustralia
| | - Dan Edson
- Department of AgricultureWater and the EnvironmentCanberraAustralian Capital TerritoryAustralia
| | - Christopher Todd
- Hawkesbury Institute for the EnvironmentWestern Sydney UniversityRichmondNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Annabel Dorrestein
- Hawkesbury Institute for the EnvironmentWestern Sydney UniversityRichmondNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Jane Hall
- Australian Registry of Wildlife HealthTaronga Conservation Society AustraliaMosmanNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Shawn Todd
- Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness, Health and Biosecurity Business UnitCommonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research OrganizationGeelongVictoriaAustralia
| | | | - Lianying Yan
- Department of MicrobiologyUniformed Services UniversityBethesdaMarylandUSA
- Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military MedicineBethesdaMarylandUSA
| | - Kai Xu
- Department of Veterinary BiosciencesCollege of Veterinary MedicineThe Ohio State UniversityColumbusOhioUSA
| | - Grantley R. Peck
- Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness, Health and Biosecurity Business UnitCommonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research OrganizationGeelongVictoriaAustralia
| | - David N. Phalen
- Faculty of ScienceSydney School of Veterinary ScienceUniversity of SydneySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
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Almeida FC, Simmons NB, Giannini NP. A Species-Level Phylogeny of Old World Fruit Bats with a New Higher-Level Classification of the Family Pteropodidae. AMERICAN MUSEUM NOVITATES 2020. [DOI: 10.1206/3950.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Francisca Cunha Almeida
- Instituto de Ecología, Genética y Evolución de Buenos Aires – CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Nancy B. Simmons
- Department of Mammalogy, Division of Vertebrate Zoology, American Museum of Natural History, New York
| | - Norberto P. Giannini
- Department of Mammalogy, Division of Vertebrate Zoology, American Museum of Natural History, New York
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Yang C, Zhu EJ, He QJ, Yi CH, Wang XB, Hu SJ, Wei SJ. Strong genetic differentiation among populations of Cheirotonus gestroi (Coleoptera: Euchiridae) in its native area sheds lights on species conservation. Mitochondrial DNA A DNA Mapp Seq Anal 2020; 31:108-119. [PMID: 32202195 DOI: 10.1080/24701394.2020.1741565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
The long-armed scarab (Cheirotonus gestroi) is an endangered large insect in southwestern China and neighboring countries; however, limited information is available regarding its population genetics, hindering conservation efforts. Therefore, we investigated the population genetic structure and evolutionary history of C. gestroi in southwestern China. Twenty-five haplotypes were obtained from 47 specimens across five populations. The Dawei Mountain (DWS) population differed from other populations by a high genetic distance. Population structure analysis generated three distinct clades, corresponding to Hengduan Mountains (HM), Ailao Mountains (AM), and Dawei Mountains (DM), and high-level genetic diversity was found in two HM populations. Collectively, the strong genetic differentiation among populations might be due to limited gene flow, geographical isolation, and habitat fragmentation. Therefore, while developing a conservation strategy, HM, AM, and DM groups should be defined as separate management units. Additionally, the DWS population should be given priority protection due to its uniqueness and low genetic diversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Yang
- Key Lab Forest Disaster Warning and Control Yunnan, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming, China.,Yunnan Academy of Biodiversity, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming, China
| | - En-Jiao Zhu
- Key Lab Forest Disaster Warning and Control Yunnan, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming, China.,Yunnan Academy of Biodiversity, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming, China
| | - Qiu-Ju He
- Key Lab Forest Disaster Warning and Control Yunnan, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming, China
| | - Chuan-Hui Yi
- Key Lab Forest Disaster Warning and Control Yunnan, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming, China.,Yunnan Academy of Biodiversity, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming, China
| | - Xu-Bo Wang
- Yunnan Academy of Biodiversity, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming, China
| | - Shao-Ji Hu
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of International Rivers and Transboundary Eco-security, Yunnan University, Kunming, China.,Institute of International Rivers and Eco-security, Yunnan University, Kunming, China
| | - Shu-Jun Wei
- Institute of Plant and Environmental Protection, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Beijing, China
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Ali JR, Aitchison JC, Meiri S. Redrawing Wallace’s Line based on the fauna of Christmas Island, eastern Indian Ocean. Biol J Linn Soc Lond 2020. [DOI: 10.1093/biolinnean/blaa018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Abstract
Based on a comprehensive literature survey, we determined the sources of the terrestrial vertebrate species on Christmas Island, asking where they originated relative to Wallace’s Line (the southern end of the divide lies 1100 km to the east, where the Lombok Strait adjoins the eastern Indian Ocean). The two bats, Pipistrellus murrayi and Pteropus natalis, are from the west. Concerning the endemic and ‘resident’ bird species, one is from the west (Collocalia natalis), four are from the east (Accipiter fasciatus, Egretta novaehollandiae, Falco cenchroides and Ninox natalis) and the other 15 are ambiguous or indeterminate. Most of the land-locked species are also from the east: rodents Rattus macleari and Rattus nativitatis, and squamates Cryptoblepharus egeriae, Emoia nativitatis and Lepidodactylus listeria. Additionally, two have westerly origins (Crocidura trichura and Cyrtodactylus sadleiri), one is ambiguous (Emoia atrocostata) and another is unknown (Ramphotyphlops exocoeti). West-directed surface currents that flow across the eastern Indian Ocean towards Christmas Island would have facilitated most of the land-animal colonizations. We therefore suggest that Wallace’s Line be redrawn such that the landmass is placed on the Australasian side of this fundamental biogeographical boundary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason R Ali
- Department of Earth Sciences, University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, China
| | - Jonathan C Aitchison
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Australia
| | - Shai Meiri
- School of Zoology, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- The Steinhardt Museum of Natural History, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
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Todd CM, Westcott DA, Rose K, Martin JM, Welbergen JA. Slow growth and delayed maturation in a Critically Endangered insular flying fox ( Pteropus natalis). J Mammal 2018; 99:1510-1521. [PMID: 30538341 PMCID: PMC6283735 DOI: 10.1093/jmammal/gyy110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2018] [Accepted: 08/24/2018] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Flying foxes (family Pteropodidae) have distinct life histories given their size, characterized by longevity, low reproductive output, and long gestation. However, they tend to decouple the age at which sexual maturity is reached from the age at which they reach adult dimensions. We examined growth, maturation, and reproduction in the Critically Endangered Christmas Island flying fox (Pteropus natalis) to determine the timing of sex-specific life cycle events and patterns of growth. We estimated that juvenile growth in forearm length and body mass increased at a mean rate of 0.029 ± 0.005 mm/day and 0.33 ± 0.07 g/day for both males and females alike. Using these growth rates, we determined that the birth of pups occurs between December and March, with young becoming volant between June and August. The age at maturation for P. natalis is one of the oldest among all bat species. Juvenile males began to mature 15 months after birth and reached maturity 27 months after birth. Females reached maturity 24 months after birth at a significantly smaller body mass (3.6%) and forearm length (1.4%) than males. Significant sexual dimorphism and bimaturation was observed, with juvenile males being 1.5% and adult males being 1.9% larger on average than females for skeletal dimensions only. Growth and maturation are even slower in P. natalis than in the few other Pteropus species studied to date. The slow growth and delayed maturation of P. natalis imply slower potential population growth rates, further complicating the recovery of this Critically Endangered single-island endemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher M Todd
- The Hawkesbury institute for the Environment, Western Sydney University, Richmond, New South Wales, Australia
| | - David A Westcott
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Land and Water, Maunds St. Atherton, Queensland, Australia
| | - Karrie Rose
- Taronga Conservation Society Australia, Australian Registry Wildlife Health, Mosman, New South Wales, Australia
| | - John M Martin
- Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust, Mrs Macquaries Road, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Justin A Welbergen
- The Hawkesbury institute for the Environment, Western Sydney University, Richmond, New South Wales, Australia
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