1
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Scheele BC, Heard GW, Cardillo M, Duncan RP, Gillespie GR, Hoskin CJ, Mahony M, Newell D, Rowley JJL, Sopniewski J. An invasive pathogen drives directional niche contractions in amphibians. Nat Ecol Evol 2023; 7:1682-1692. [PMID: 37550511 DOI: 10.1038/s41559-023-02155-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 08/09/2023]
Abstract
Global change is causing an unprecedented restructuring of ecosystems, with the spread of invasive species being a key driver. While population declines of native species due to invasives are well documented, much less is known about whether new biotic interactions reshape niches of native species. Here we quantify geographic range and realized-niche contractions in Australian frog species following the introduction of amphibian chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, a pathogen responsible for catastrophic amphibian declines worldwide. We show that chytrid-impacted species experienced proportionately greater contractions in niche breadth than geographic distribution following chytrid emergence. Furthermore, niche contractions were directional, with contemporary distributions of chytrid-impacted species characterized by higher temperatures, lower diurnal temperature range, higher precipitation and lower elevations. Areas with these conditions may enable host persistence with chytrid through lower pathogenicity of the fungus and/or greater demographic resilience. Nevertheless, contraction to a narrower subset of environmental conditions could increase host vulnerability to other threatening processes and should be considered in assessments of extinction risk and during conservation planning. More broadly, our results emphasize that biotic interactions can strongly shape species realized niches and that large-scale niche contractions due to new species interactions-particularly emerging pathogens-could be widespread.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ben C Scheele
- Fenner School of Environment and Society, Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia.
- Macroevolution and Macroecology Group, Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia.
| | - Geoffrey W Heard
- Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Network and Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Science, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Marcel Cardillo
- Macroevolution and Macroecology Group, Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
| | - Richard P Duncan
- Centre for Conservation Ecology and Genomics, University of Canberra, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
| | - Graeme R Gillespie
- Science, Economics and Insights Division, Department of Planning and Environment, Parramatta, New South Wales, Australia
- School of Biosciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Conrad J Hoskin
- College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
| | - Michael Mahony
- School of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia
| | - David Newell
- Faculty of Science and Engineering, Southern Cross University, Lismore, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Jodi J L Rowley
- Australian Museum Research Institute, Australian Museum, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Centre for Ecosystem Science; School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Jarrod Sopniewski
- Fenner School of Environment and Society, Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia
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2
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Reinke BA, Cayuela H, Janzen FJ, Lemaître JF, Gaillard JM, Lawing AM, Iverson JB, Christiansen DG, Martínez-Solano I, Sánchez-Montes G, Gutiérrez-Rodríguez J, Rose FL, Nelson N, Keall S, Crivelli AJ, Nazirides T, Grimm-Seyfarth A, Henle K, Mori E, Guiller G, Homan R, Olivier A, Muths E, Hossack BR, Bonnet X, Pilliod DS, Lettink M, Whitaker T, Schmidt BR, Gardner MG, Cheylan M, Poitevin F, Golubović A, Tomović L, Arsovski D, Griffiths RA, Arntzen JW, Baron JP, Le Galliard JF, Tully T, Luiselli L, Capula M, Rugiero L, McCaffery R, Eby LA, Briggs-Gonzalez V, Mazzotti F, Pearson D, Lambert BA, Green DM, Jreidini N, Angelini C, Pyke G, Thirion JM, Joly P, Léna JP, Tucker AD, Limpus C, Priol P, Besnard A, Bernard P, Stanford K, King R, Garwood J, Bosch J, Souza FL, Bertoluci J, Famelli S, Grossenbacher K, Lenzi O, Matthews K, Boitaud S, Olson DH, Jessop TS, Gillespie GR, Clobert J, Richard M, Valenzuela-Sánchez A, Fellers GM, Kleeman PM, Halstead BJ, Grant EHC, Byrne PG, Frétey T, Le Garff B, Levionnois P, Maerz JC, Pichenot J, Olgun K, Üzüm N, Avcı A, Miaud C, Elmberg J, Brown GP, Shine R, Bendik NF, O'Donnell L, Davis CL, Lannoo MJ, Stiles RM, Cox RM, Reedy AM, Warner DA, Bonnaire E, Grayson K, Ramos-Targarona R, Baskale E, Muñoz D, Measey J, de Villiers FA, Selman W, Ronget V, Bronikowski AM, Miller DAW. Diverse aging rates in ectothermic tetrapods provide insights for the evolution of aging and longevity. Science 2022; 376:1459-1466. [PMID: 35737773 DOI: 10.1126/science.abm0151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Comparative studies of mortality in the wild are necessary to understand the evolution of aging; yet, ectothermic tetrapods are underrepresented in this comparative landscape, despite their suitability for testing evolutionary hypotheses. We present a study of aging rates and longevity across wild tetrapod ectotherms, using data from 107 populations (77 species) of nonavian reptiles and amphibians. We test hypotheses of how thermoregulatory mode, environmental temperature, protective phenotypes, and pace of life history contribute to demographic aging. Controlling for phylogeny and body size, ectotherms display a higher diversity of aging rates compared with endotherms and include phylogenetically widespread evidence of negligible aging. Protective phenotypes and life-history strategies further explain macroevolutionary patterns of aging. Analyzing ectothermic tetrapods in a comparative context enhances our understanding of the evolution of aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beth A Reinke
- Department of Biology, Northeastern Illinois University, Chicago, IL, USA
- Department of Ecosystem Science and Management, Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA, USA
| | - Hugo Cayuela
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Fredric J Janzen
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA
- W.K. Kellogg Biological Station, Michigan State University, Hickory Corners, MI, USA
| | | | - Jean-Michel Gaillard
- Université Lyon 1, Laboratoire de Biométrie et Biologie Evolutive, Villeurbanne, France
| | - A Michelle Lawing
- Department of Ecology and Conservation Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - John B Iverson
- Department of Biology, Earlham College, Richmond, IN, USA
| | - Ditte G Christiansen
- Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Iñigo Martínez-Solano
- Departamento de Biodiversidad y Biología Evolutiva, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, CSIC, Madrid, Spain
| | - Gregorio Sánchez-Montes
- Departamento de Biodiversidad y Biología Evolutiva, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, CSIC, Madrid, Spain
| | - Jorge Gutiérrez-Rodríguez
- Departamento de Biodiversidad y Biología Evolutiva, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, CSIC, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Integrative Ecology, Estación Biológica de Doñana (EBD-CSIC), Seville, Spain
| | - Francis L Rose
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, USA
| | - Nicola Nelson
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Susan Keall
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Alain J Crivelli
- Research Institute for the Conservation of Mediterranean Wetlands, Tour du Valat, Arles, France
| | | | - Annegret Grimm-Seyfarth
- Department Conservation Biology and Social-Ecological Systems, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Klaus Henle
- Department Conservation Biology and Social-Ecological Systems, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Emiliano Mori
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto di Ricerca sugli Ecosistemi Terrestri, Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | | | - Rebecca Homan
- Biology Department, Denison University, Granville, OH, USA
| | - Anthony Olivier
- Research Institute for the Conservation of Mediterranean Wetlands, Tour du Valat, Arles, France
| | - Erin Muths
- US Geological Survey, Fort Collins Science Center, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Blake R Hossack
- US Geological Survey, Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center, Wildlife Biology Program, University of Montana, Missoula, MT, USA
| | - Xavier Bonnet
- Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé, CNRS UMR 7372 - Université de La Rochelle, Villiers-en-Bois, France
| | - David S Pilliod
- US Geological Survey, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, Boise, ID, USA
| | | | | | - Benedikt R Schmidt
- Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
- Info Fauna Karch, Neuchâtel, Switzerland
| | - Michael G Gardner
- College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA, Australia
- Evolutionary Biology Unit, South Australian Museum, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Marc Cheylan
- PSL Research University, Université de Montpellier, Université Paul-Valéry, Montpellier, France
| | - Françoise Poitevin
- PSL Research University, Université de Montpellier, Université Paul-Valéry, Montpellier, France
| | - Ana Golubović
- Institute of Zoology, Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Ljiljana Tomović
- Institute of Zoology, Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | | | - Richard A Griffiths
- Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology, School of Anthropology and Conservation, University of Kent, Canterbury, Kent, UK
| | | | - Jean-Pierre Baron
- Ecole normale supérieure, PSL University, Département de biologie, CNRS, UMS 3194, Centre de recherche en écologie expérimentale et prédictive (CEREEP-Ecotron IleDeFrance), Saint-Pierre-lès-Nemours, France
| | - Jean-François Le Galliard
- Ecole normale supérieure, PSL University, Département de biologie, CNRS, UMS 3194, Centre de recherche en écologie expérimentale et prédictive (CEREEP-Ecotron IleDeFrance), Saint-Pierre-lès-Nemours, France
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS, INRA, UPEC, IRD, Institute of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, iEES-Paris, Paris, France
| | - Thomas Tully
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS, INRA, UPEC, IRD, Institute of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, iEES-Paris, Paris, France
| | - Luca Luiselli
- Institute for Development, Ecology, Conservation and Cooperation, Rome, Italy
- Department of Animal and Applied Biology, Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Port Harcourt, Nigeria
- Department of Zoology, University of Lomé, Lomé, Togo
| | | | - Lorenzo Rugiero
- Institute for Development, Ecology, Conservation and Cooperation, Rome, Italy
| | - Rebecca McCaffery
- US Geological Survey, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, Port Angeles, WA, USA
| | - Lisa A Eby
- Wildlife Biology Program, University of Montana, Missoula, MT, USA
| | - Venetia Briggs-Gonzalez
- Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center, University of Florida, Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA
| | - Frank Mazzotti
- Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center, University of Florida, Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA
| | - David Pearson
- Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, Wanneroo, WA, Australia
| | - Brad A Lambert
- Colorado Natural Heritage Program, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - David M Green
- Redpath Museum, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | | | | | - Graham Pyke
- Key Laboratory for Plant Diversity and Biogeography of East Asia, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, CN, Kunming, PR China
- Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | | | - Pierre Joly
- Université de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, ENTPE, UMR5023 LEHNA, Villeurbanne, France
| | - Jean-Paul Léna
- Université de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, ENTPE, UMR5023 LEHNA, Villeurbanne, France
| | - Anton D Tucker
- Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, Parks and Wildlife Service-Marine Science Program, Kensington, WA, Australia
| | - Col Limpus
- Threatened Species Operations, Queensland Department of Environment and Science, Ecosciences Precinct, Dutton Park, QLD, Australia
| | | | - Aurélien Besnard
- CNRS, EPHE, UM, SupAgro, IRD, INRA, UMR 5175 CEFE, PSL Research University, Montpelier, France
| | - Pauline Bernard
- Conservatoire d'espaces naturels d'Occitanie, Montpellier, France
| | - Kristin Stanford
- Ohio Sea Grant and Stone Laboratory, The Ohio State University, Put-In-Bay, OH, USA
| | - Richard King
- Department of Biological Sciences, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL, USA
| | - Justin Garwood
- California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Arcata, CA, USA
| | - Jaime Bosch
- Departamento de Biodiversidad y Biología Evolutiva, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, CSIC, Madrid, Spain
- IMIB-Biodiversity Research Unit, University of Oviedo-Principality of Asturias, Mieres, Spain
- Centro de Investigación, Seguimiento y Evaluación, Sierra de Guadarrama National Park, Rascafría, Spain
| | - Franco L Souza
- Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | - Jaime Bertoluci
- Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Shirley Famelli
- School of Science, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Environmental Research Institute, North Highland College, University of the Highlands and Islands, Thurso, Scotland, UK
| | | | - Omar Lenzi
- Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Kathleen Matthews
- USDA Forest Service (Retired), Pacific Southwest Research Station, Albany, CA, USA
| | - Sylvain Boitaud
- Laboratoire d'Ecologie des Hydrosystèmes Naturels et Anthropisés, Villeurbanne, France
| | - Deanna H Olson
- USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station, Corvallis, OR, USA
| | - Tim S Jessop
- Centre for Integrative Ecology, Deakin University, Waurn Ponds, Geelong, VIC, Australia
| | - Graeme R Gillespie
- Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Palmerston, NT, Australia
| | - Jean Clobert
- Station d'Ecologie Théorique et Expérimentale de Moulis, CNRS-UMR532, Saint Girons, France
| | - Murielle Richard
- Station d'Ecologie Théorique et Expérimentale de Moulis, CNRS-UMR532, Saint Girons, France
| | - Andrés Valenzuela-Sánchez
- Instituto de Conservación, Biodiversidad y Territorio, Facultad de Ciencias Forestales y Recursos Naturales, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile
- ONG Ranita de Darwin, Valdivia, Chile
| | - Gary M Fellers
- US Geological Survey, Western Ecological Research Center, Point Reyes National Seashore, Point Reyes, CA, USA
| | - Patrick M Kleeman
- US Geological Survey, Western Ecological Research Center, Point Reyes National Seashore, Point Reyes, CA, USA
| | - Brian J Halstead
- US Geological Survey, Western Ecological Research Center, Dixon Field Station, Dixon, CA, USA
| | - Evan H Campbell Grant
- US Geological Survey Eastern Ecological Research Center (formerly Patuxent Wildlife Research Center), S.O. Conte Anadromous Fish Research Center, Turners Falls, MA, USA
| | - Phillip G Byrne
- School of Earth, Atmospheric and Life Sciences, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
| | | | | | | | - John C Maerz
- Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Julian Pichenot
- Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne, Centre de Recherche et de Formation en Eco-éthologie, URCA-CERFE, Boult-aux-Bois, France
| | - Kurtuluş Olgun
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science and Arts, Aydın Adnan Menderes University, Aydın, Turkey
| | - Nazan Üzüm
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science and Arts, Aydın Adnan Menderes University, Aydın, Turkey
| | - Aziz Avcı
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science and Arts, Aydın Adnan Menderes University, Aydın, Turkey
| | - Claude Miaud
- PSL Research University, Université de Montpellier, Université Paul-Valéry, Montpellier, France
| | - Johan Elmberg
- Department of Environmental Science and Bioscience, Kristianstad University, Kristianstad, Sweden
| | - Gregory P Brown
- Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Richard Shine
- Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Nathan F Bendik
- Watershed Protection Department, City of Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Lisa O'Donnell
- Balcones Canyonlands Preserve, City of Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | | | | | | | - Robert M Cox
- Department of Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Aaron M Reedy
- Department of Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA
| | - Daniel A Warner
- Department of Biological Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA
| | - Eric Bonnaire
- Office National des Forêts, Agence de Meurthe-et-Moselle, Nancy, France
| | - Kristine Grayson
- Department of Biology, University of Richmond, Richmond, VA, USA
| | | | - Eyup Baskale
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science and Arts, Pamukkale University, Denizli, Turkey
| | - David Muñoz
- Department of Ecosystem Science and Management, Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA, USA
| | - John Measey
- Centre for Invasion Biology, Department of Botany & Zoology, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | - F Andre de Villiers
- Centre for Invasion Biology, Department of Botany & Zoology, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | - Will Selman
- Department of Biology, Millsaps College, Jackson, MS, USA
| | - Victor Ronget
- Unité Eco-anthropologie (EA), Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, CNRS, Université Paris Diderot, Paris, France
| | - Anne M Bronikowski
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA
- W.K. Kellogg Biological Station, Michigan State University, Hickory Corners, MI, USA
| | - David A W Miller
- Department of Ecosystem Science and Management, Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA, USA
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3
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Jessop TS, Gillespie GR. Monitoring methods influence native predator detectability and inferred occupancy responses to introduced carnivore management. Wildl Res 2022. [DOI: 10.1071/wr22012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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4
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Ward M, Carwardine J, Yong CJ, Watson JEM, Silcock J, Taylor GS, Lintermans M, Gillespie GR, Garnett ST, Woinarski J, Tingley R, Fensham RJ, Hoskin CJ, Hines HB, Roberts JD, Kennard MJ, Harvey MS, Chapple DG, Reside AE. A national-scale dataset for threats impacting Australia's imperiled flora and fauna. Ecol Evol 2021; 11:11749-11761. [PMID: 34522338 PMCID: PMC8427562 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.7920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2021] [Revised: 06/22/2021] [Accepted: 06/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Australia is in the midst of an extinction crisis, having already lost 10% of terrestrial mammal fauna since European settlement and with hundreds of other species at high risk of extinction. The decline of the nation's biota is a result of an array of threatening processes; however, a comprehensive taxon-specific understanding of threats and their relative impacts remains undocumented nationally. Using expert consultation, we compile the first complete, validated, and consistent taxon-specific threat and impact dataset for all nationally listed threatened taxa in Australia. We confined our analysis to 1,795 terrestrial and aquatic taxa listed as threatened (Vulnerable, Endangered, or Critically Endangered) under Australian Commonwealth law. We engaged taxonomic experts to generate taxon-specific threat and threat impact information to consistently apply the IUCN Threat Classification Scheme and Threat Impact Scoring System, as well as eight broad-level threats and 51 subcategory threats, for all 1,795 threatened terrestrial and aquatic threatened taxa. This compilation produced 4,877 unique taxon-threat-impact combinations with the most frequently listed threats being Habitat loss, fragmentation, and degradation (n = 1,210 taxa), and Invasive species and disease (n = 966 taxa). Yet when only high-impact threats or medium-impact threats are considered, Invasive species and disease become the most prevalent threats. This dataset provides critical information for conservation action planning, national legislation and policy, and prioritizing investments in threatened species management and recovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle Ward
- Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation ScienceThe University of QueenslandSt LuciaQLDAustralia
- School of Earth and Environmental SciencesThe University of QueenslandBrisbaneQLDAustralia
- World Wide Fund for Nature‐AustraliaBrisbaneQLDAustralia
| | | | - Chuan J. Yong
- Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation ScienceThe University of QueenslandSt LuciaQLDAustralia
- School of Earth and Environmental SciencesThe University of QueenslandBrisbaneQLDAustralia
| | - James E. M. Watson
- Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation ScienceThe University of QueenslandSt LuciaQLDAustralia
- School of Earth and Environmental SciencesThe University of QueenslandBrisbaneQLDAustralia
| | - Jennifer Silcock
- Department of Environment and ScienceQueensland HerbariumBrisbaneQLDAustralia
- School of Biological SciencesThe University of QueenslandBrisbaneQLDAustralia
| | - Gary S. Taylor
- School of Biological SciencesAustralian Centre for Evolutionary Biology and BiodiversityThe University of AdelaideAdelaideSAAustralia
| | - Mark Lintermans
- Centre for Applied Water ScienceUniversity of CanberraCanberraACTAustralia
| | - Graeme R. Gillespie
- Flora and Fauna DivisionDepartment of Environment, Parks and Water SecurityNorthern TerritoryPalmerstonSAAustralia
- School of BiosciencesUniversity of MelbourneMelbourneVICAustralia
| | - Stephen T. Garnett
- Threatened Species Recovery HubResearch Institute for the Environment and LivelihoodsCharles Darwin UniversityDarwinNTAustralia
| | - John Woinarski
- Threatened Species Recovery HubResearch Institute for the Environment and LivelihoodsCharles Darwin UniversityDarwinNTAustralia
| | - Reid Tingley
- School of Biological SciencesMonash UniversityClaytonVICAustralia
| | - Rod J. Fensham
- Department of Environment and ScienceQueensland HerbariumBrisbaneQLDAustralia
| | - Conrad J. Hoskin
- College of Science & EngineeringJames Cook UniversityTownsvilleQLDAustralia
| | - Harry B. Hines
- Department of Environment and ScienceQueensland Parks and Wildlife Service and PartnershipsBellbowrieQLDAustralia
- BiodiversitySouth BrisbaneQLDAustralia
| | - J. Dale Roberts
- School of Biological SciencesThe University of Western AustraliaAlbanyWAAustralia
| | - Mark J. Kennard
- Australian Rivers InstituteGriffith UniversityNathanQLDAustralia
- National Environmental Science ProgrammeNorthern Australia Environmental Resources HubDarwinNTAustralia
| | - Mark S. Harvey
- School of Biological SciencesThe University of Western AustraliaAlbanyWAAustralia
- Department of Terrestrial ZoologyWestern Australian MuseumWeslshpool DCWAAustralia
| | - David G. Chapple
- School of Biological SciencesMonash UniversityClaytonVICAustralia
| | - April E. Reside
- Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation ScienceThe University of QueenslandSt LuciaQLDAustralia
- School of Earth and Environmental SciencesThe University of QueenslandBrisbaneQLDAustralia
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5
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Jolly CJ, Smart AS, Moreen J, Webb JK, Gillespie GR, Phillips BL. Trophic cascade driven by behavioral fine‐tuning as naïve prey rapidly adjust to a novel predator. Ecology 2021; 102:e03363. [DOI: 10.1002/ecy.3363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2020] [Revised: 02/04/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Chris J. Jolly
- School of BioSciences University of Melbourne Parkville Victoria3010Australia
| | - Adam S. Smart
- School of BioSciences University of Melbourne Parkville Victoria3010Australia
| | - John Moreen
- Kenbi Rangers Mandorah Northern Territory0822Australia
| | - Jonathan K. Webb
- School of Life Sciences University of Technology Sydney, Broadway Ultimo New South Wales2007Australia
| | - Graeme R. Gillespie
- School of BioSciences University of Melbourne Parkville Victoria3010Australia
- Flora and Fauna Division Department of Environment and Natural Resources Northern Territory Government Berrimah Northern Territory0828Australia
| | - Ben L. Phillips
- School of BioSciences University of Melbourne Parkville Victoria3010Australia
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Stokeld D, Fisher A, Gentles T, Hill BM, Woinarski JCZ, Gillespie GR. No mammal recovery from feral cat experimental exclusion trials in Kakadu National Park. Wildl Res 2021. [DOI: 10.1071/wr21073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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Davies HF, Visintin C, Gillespie GR, Murphy BP. Investigating the effects of fire management on savanna biodiversity with grid‐based spatially explicit population simulations. J Appl Ecol 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.13801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Hugh F. Davies
- NESP Threatened Species Recovery Hub Research Institute for the Environment and LivelihoodsCharles Darwin University Casuarina NT Australia
| | - Casey Visintin
- Quantitative and Applied Ecology Group School of BioSciences University of Melbourne Parkville Vic. Australia
| | - Graeme R. Gillespie
- Department of Environment and Natural Resources Northern Territory Government Berrimah NT Australia
| | - Brett P. Murphy
- NESP Threatened Species Recovery Hub Research Institute for the Environment and LivelihoodsCharles Darwin University Casuarina NT Australia
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8
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Jolly CJ, Webb JK, Gillespie GR, Phillips BL. Training fails to elicit behavioral change in a marsupial suffering evolutionary loss of antipredator behaviors. J Mammal 2020. [DOI: 10.1093/jmammal/gyaa060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Attempts to reintroduce threatened species from ex situ populations (zoos or predator-free sanctuaries) regularly fail because of predation. When removed from their natural predators, animals may lose their ability to recognize predators and thus fail to adopt appropriate antipredator behaviors. Recently, northern quolls (Dasyurus hallucatus; Dasyuromorpha: Dasyuridae) conserved on a predator-free “island ark” for 13 generations were found to have no recognition of dingoes, a natural predator with which they had coevolved on mainland Australia for about 8,000 years. A subsequent reintroduction attempt using quolls acquired from this island ark failed due to predation by dingoes. In this study, we tested whether instrumental conditioning could be used to improve predator recognition in captive quolls sourced from a predator-free “island ark.” We used a previously successful scent-recognition assay (a giving-up density experiment) to compare predator-scent recognition of captive-born island animals before and after antipredator training. Our training was delivered by pairing live predators (dingo and domestic dog) with an electrified cage floor in repeat trials such that, when the predators were present, foraging animals would receive a shock. Our training methodology did not result in any discernible change in the ability of quolls to recognize and avoid dingo scent after training. We conclude either that our particular training method was ineffective (though ethically permissible); or that because these quolls appear unable to recognize natural predators, predator recognition may be extremely difficult to impart in a captive setting given ethical constraints. Our results point to the difficulty of reinstating lost behaviors, and to the value of maintaining antipredator behaviors in conservation populations before they are lost.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chris J Jolly
- School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Jonathan K Webb
- School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, Broadway, NSW, Australia
| | - Graeme R Gillespie
- School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Flora and Fauna Division, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Northern Territory Government, Berrimah, NT, Australia
| | - Ben L Phillips
- School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
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9
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Oliver PM, Jolly CJ, Skipwith PL, Tedeschi LG, Gillespie GR. A new velvet gecko (Oedura: Diplodactylidae) from Groote Eylandt, Northern Territory. Zootaxa 2020; 4779:zootaxa.4779.3.10. [PMID: 33055784 DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4779.3.10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Over the last decade, the combination of biological surveys, genetic diversity assessments and systematic research has revealed a growing number of previously unrecognised vertebrate species endemic to the Australian Monsoonal Tropics. Here we describe a new species of saxicoline velvet gecko in the Oedura marmorata complex from Groote Eylandt, a large island off the eastern edge of the Top End region of the Northern Territory. Oedura nesos sp. nov. differs from all congeners in combination of moderate size, and aspects of tail morphology and colouration. It has not been reported from the nearby mainland regions (eastern Arnhem Land) suggesting it may be an insular endemic, although further survey work is required to confirm this. While Groote Eylandt is recognised as a contemporary ecological refuge for declining mammal species of northern Australia, newly detected endemic species suggest it may also be of significance as an evolutionary refuge for many taxa, especially those associated with sandstone escarpments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul M Oliver
- 1Environmental Futures Research Institute, Griffith University, 170 Kessels Rd, Brisbane, Queensland 4121, and Biodiversity and Geosciences Program, Queensland Museum, South Brisbane, Queensland, 4101 Australia.
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10
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Stobo‐Wilson AM, Stokeld D, Einoder LD, Davies HF, Fisher A, Hill BM, Mahney T, Murphy BP, Stevens A, Woinarski JCZ, Rangers B, Warddeken Rangers, Gillespie GR. Habitat structural complexity explains patterns of feral cat and dingo occurrence in monsoonal Australia. DIVERS DISTRIB 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/ddi.13065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Alyson M. Stobo‐Wilson
- NESP Threatened Species Recovery Hub Research Institute for the Environment and Livelihoods Charles Darwin University Darwin NT Australia
- Flora and Fauna Division Department of Environment and Natural Resources Northern Territory Government Darwin NT Australia
| | - Danielle Stokeld
- Flora and Fauna Division Department of Environment and Natural Resources Northern Territory Government Darwin NT Australia
| | - Luke D. Einoder
- Flora and Fauna Division Department of Environment and Natural Resources Northern Territory Government Darwin NT Australia
| | - Hugh F. Davies
- NESP Threatened Species Recovery Hub Research Institute for the Environment and Livelihoods Charles Darwin University Darwin NT Australia
| | - Alaric Fisher
- NESP Threatened Species Recovery Hub Research Institute for the Environment and Livelihoods Charles Darwin University Darwin NT Australia
- Flora and Fauna Division Department of Environment and Natural Resources Northern Territory Government Darwin NT Australia
| | - Brydie M. Hill
- Flora and Fauna Division Department of Environment and Natural Resources Northern Territory Government Darwin NT Australia
| | - Terry Mahney
- Flora and Fauna Division Department of Environment and Natural Resources Northern Territory Government Darwin NT Australia
| | - Brett P. Murphy
- NESP Threatened Species Recovery Hub Research Institute for the Environment and Livelihoods Charles Darwin University Darwin NT Australia
| | - Alys Stevens
- Warddeken Land Management Limited Darwin NT Australia
| | - John C. Z. Woinarski
- NESP Threatened Species Recovery Hub Research Institute for the Environment and Livelihoods Charles Darwin University Darwin NT Australia
| | | | | | - Graeme R. Gillespie
- Flora and Fauna Division Department of Environment and Natural Resources Northern Territory Government Darwin NT Australia
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11
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaime Heiniger
- Flora and Fauna Division; Department of Environment and Natural Resources; Northern Territory Government; Berrimah Northern Territory 0828 Australia
| | - Hugh F Davies
- NESP Threatened Species Recovery Hub; Research Institute for the Environment and Livelihoods; Charles Darwin University; Casuarina Northern Territory Australia
| | - Graeme R. Gillespie
- Flora and Fauna Division; Department of Environment and Natural Resources; Northern Territory Government; Berrimah Northern Territory 0828 Australia
- School of Biosciences; The University of Melbourne; Parkville Victoria Australia
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12
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Gillespie GR, Fukuda Y, McDonald P. Using non-systematically collected data to evaluate the conservation status of elusive species: a case study on Australia’s Oenpelli python. Wildl Res 2020. [DOI: 10.1071/wr19112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
ContextSpecies conservation assessments require information on distribution, habitat requirements and population demography and trends. Uncertain conservation assessments limit effective planning and may lead to poor management decisions. Top-order predators generally receive considerable attention from ecologists and conservation biologists, with the notable exception of large pythons and boas. They are typically elusive and have low population densities, posing challenges for ecological research and monitoring. Ecological and demographic data are lacking for most large snake species and are generally inadequate to properly assess conservation status or to evaluate their broader ecological roles. The Oenpelli python (Simalia oenpelliensis) is Australia’s second-longest snake species, but remains one of the least-known of the world’s pythons.
AimsWe sought to use non-systematically collected data from multiple sources to evaluate Oenpelli python population trends and habitat associations, and to assess its conservation status.
MethodsWe identified a priori biases in data and evaluated their influences on environmental models and temporal variability in reporting patterns. We then used these findings to assess the conservation status of this species, identify knowledge gaps, and refine future survey and monitoring methods.
Key resultsOenpelli python records were strongly associated with monsoon rainforest, sandstone outcrops and perennial streams, irrespective of detection biases. Total area of occupancy was estimated to be 19252km2. Detection patterns were strongly seasonal and associated with periods of low rainfall and low moonlight, informing better-targeted survey and monitoring methods with improved sensitivity.
ConclusionsOenpelli pythons have a highly fragmented distribution owing to their strong association with monsoon rainforest. This habitat is likely to provide more food resources and refuge from high temperatures than are the surrounding savanna woodlands. Detection probability should improve by surveying Oenpelli pythons in September on moonless nights and following periods of high rainfall. Taking a precautionary approach, the Oenpelli python qualifies as Vulnerable under IUCN criteria, supporting its current Red List and Northern Territory Government status.
ImplicationsNon-systematically collected data on poorly known species can be used to improve conservation assessments where there may otherwise be high uncertainty. The present study also highlighted the paucity of ecological knowledge of large iconic snake species globally.
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Southwell DM, Einoder LD, Lahoz-Monfort JJ, Fisher A, Gillespie GR, Wintle BA. Spatially explicit power analysis for detecting occupancy trends for multiple species. Ecol Appl 2019; 29:e01950. [PMID: 31187919 DOI: 10.1002/eap.1950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2018] [Revised: 04/09/2019] [Accepted: 05/17/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Assessing the statistical power to detect changes in wildlife populations is a crucial yet often overlooked step when designing and evaluating monitoring programs. Here, we developed a simulation framework to perform spatially explicit statistical power analysis of biological monitoring programs for detecting temporal trends in occupancy for multiple species. Using raster layers representing the spatial variation in current occupancy and species-level detectability for one or multiple observation methods, our framework simulates changes in occupancy over space and time, with the capacity to explicitly model stochastic disturbances at monitoring sites (i.e., dynamic landscapes). Once users specify the number and location of sites, the frequency and duration of surveys, and the type of detection method(s) for each species, our framework estimates power to detect occupancy trends, both across the landscape and/or within nested management units. As a case study, we evaluated the power of a long-term monitoring program to detect trends in occupancy for 136 species (83 birds, 33 reptiles, and 20 mammals) across and within Kakadu, Litchfield, and Nitmiluk National Parks in northern Australia. We assumed continuation of an original monitoring design implemented since 1996, with the addition of camera trapping. As expected, power to detect trends was sensitive to the direction and magnitude of the change in occupancy, detectability, initial occupancy levels, and the rarity of species. Our simulations suggest that monitoring has at least an 80% chance at detecting a 50% decline in occupancy for 22% of the modeled species across the three parks over the next 15 yr. Monitoring is more likely to detect increasing occupancy trends, with at least an 80% chance at detecting a 50% increase in 87% of species. The addition of camera-trapping increased average power to detect a 50% decline in mammals compared with using only live trapping by 63%. We provide a flexible tool that can help decision-makers design and evaluate monitoring programs for hundreds of species at a time in a range of ecological settings, while explicitly considering the distribution of species and alternative sampling methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darren M Southwell
- Quantitive and Applied Ecology Group, School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | - Luke D Einoder
- Flora and Fauna Division, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, P.O. Box 496, Palmerston, Northern Territory, 0831, Australia
| | - Jose J Lahoz-Monfort
- Quantitive and Applied Ecology Group, School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | - Alaric Fisher
- Flora and Fauna Division, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, P.O. Box 496, Palmerston, Northern Territory, 0831, Australia
| | - Graeme R Gillespie
- Flora and Fauna Division, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, P.O. Box 496, Palmerston, Northern Territory, 0831, Australia
| | - Brendan A Wintle
- Quantitive and Applied Ecology Group, School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, 3010, Australia
- Threatened Species Recovery Hub, National Environmental Science Program, School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, 3010, Australia
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14
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15
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Davies HF, Rioli W, Puruntatameri J, Roberts W, Kerinaiua C, Kerinauia V, Womatakimi KB, Gillespie GR, Murphy BP. Estimating site occupancy and detectability of the threatened partridge pigeon (
Geophaps smithii
) using camera traps. AUSTRAL ECOL 2019. [DOI: 10.1111/aec.12755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Hugh F. Davies
- NESP Threatened Species Recovery Hub Research Institute for the Environment and Livelihoods Charles Darwin University Casuarina Northern Territory 0909 Australia
| | - Willie Rioli
- Tiwi Land Council Winnellie Northern Territory Australia
| | | | - Willie Roberts
- Tiwi Land Council Winnellie Northern Territory Australia
| | | | | | | | - Graeme R. Gillespie
- Flora and Fauna Division Department of Environment and Natural Resources Northern Territory Government Berrimah Northern Territory Australia
- School of BioSciences The University of Melbourne Melbourne Victoria Australia
| | - Brett P. Murphy
- NESP Threatened Species Recovery Hub Research Institute for the Environment and Livelihoods Charles Darwin University Casuarina Northern Territory 0909 Australia
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16
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Oberprieler SK, Andersen AN, Gillespie GR, Einoder LD. Vertebrates are poor umbrellas for invertebrates: cross‐taxon congruence in an Australian tropical savanna. Ecosphere 2019. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.2755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Stefanie K. Oberprieler
- CSIRO Tropical Ecosystems Research Centre P.M.B. 44 Winnellie Darwin Northern Territory 0822 Australia
- Research Institute for the Environment and Livelihoods Charles Darwin University Darwin Northern Territory 0909 Australia
- Research School of Biology Australian National University Acton Canberra Australian Capital Territory 2600 Australia
| | - Alan N. Andersen
- CSIRO Tropical Ecosystems Research Centre P.M.B. 44 Winnellie Darwin Northern Territory 0822 Australia
- Research Institute for the Environment and Livelihoods Charles Darwin University Darwin Northern Territory 0909 Australia
| | - Graeme R. Gillespie
- Flora and Fauna Division Department of Environment and Natural Resources P.O. Box 496 Palmerston Northern Territory 0831 Australia
| | - Luke D. Einoder
- Flora and Fauna Division Department of Environment and Natural Resources P.O. Box 496 Palmerston Northern Territory 0831 Australia
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Ringma J, Legge S, Woinarski JC, Radford JQ, Wintle B, Bentley J, Burbidge AA, Copley P, Dexter N, Dickman CR, Gillespie GR, Hill B, Johnson CN, Kanowski J, Letnic M, Manning A, Menkhorst P, Mitchell N, Morris K, Moseby K, Page M, Palmer R, Bode M. Systematic planning can rapidly close the protection gap in Australian mammal havens. Conserv Lett 2019. [DOI: 10.1111/conl.12611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy Ringma
- School of Global, Urban and Social Sciences RMIT Melbourne VIC 3000 Australia
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Western Australia Crawley WA 6009 Australia
- Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Science, University of Queensland St Lucia Qld 4072 Australia
| | - Sarah Legge
- Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Science, University of Queensland St Lucia Qld 4072 Australia
- Fenner School of Environment and Society Australian National University Canberra ACT 2601 Australia
- Research Institute for the Environment and Livelihoods Charles Darwin University Casuarina Northern Territory 0909 Australia
| | - John C.Z. Woinarski
- Research Institute for the Environment and Livelihoods Charles Darwin University Casuarina Northern Territory 0909 Australia
| | - James Q. Radford
- Bush Heritage Australia Melbourne Victoria 8009 Australia
- Research Centre for Future Landscapes La Trobe University Bundoora Victoria 3086 Australia
| | - Brendan Wintle
- The University of Melbourne, School of Biosciences University of Melbourne Parkville VIC 3052 Australia
| | - Joss Bentley
- Ecosystems and Threatened Species NSW Office of Environment and Heritage joss
| | | | - Peter Copley
- Conservation and Land Management Branch Department of Environment Water and Natural Resources Adelaide SA 5001 Australia
| | | | - Chris R. Dickman
- Desert Ecology Research Group School of Life and Environmental Sciences University of Sydney Sydney NSW 2006 Australia
| | - Graeme R. Gillespie
- Flora and Fauna Division Department of Environment and Natural Resources Northern Territory 0828 Australia
| | - Brydie Hill
- Flora and Fauna Division Department of Environment and Natural Resources Northern Territory 0828 Australia
| | - Chris N. Johnson
- School of Natural Sciences & Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Australian Biodiversity and Heritage University of Tasmania Hobart Tasmania 7005 Australia
| | - John Kanowski
- Australian Wildlife Conservancy Subiaco East WA 6008 Australia
| | - Mike Letnic
- Centre for Ecosystem Science University of New South Wales Sydney NSW 2052 Australia
| | - Adrian Manning
- Fenner School of Environment and Society Australian National University Canberra ACT 2601 Australia
| | - Peter Menkhorst
- Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research Department of Environment Land Water and Planning Heidelberg Victoria 3084 Australia
| | - Nicola Mitchell
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Western Australia Crawley WA 6009 Australia
| | - Keith Morris
- Department of Biodiversity Conservation and Attractions Bentley Delivery Centre WA 6983 Australia
| | - Katherine Moseby
- Arid Recovery Roxby Downs 5725 Australia
- University of NSW Sydney NSW 2052 Australia
| | - Manda Page
- Department of Biodiversity Conservation and Attractions Bentley Delivery Centre WA 6983 Australia
| | - Russell Palmer
- Department of Biodiversity Conservation and Attractions Woodvale WA 6026 Australia
| | - Michael Bode
- School of Mathematical Sciences Queensland University of Technology Brisbane QLD 4000 Australia
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18
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Einoder LD, Southwell DM, Lahoz-Monfort JJ, Gillespie GR, Fisher A, Wintle BA. Correction: Occupancy and detectability modelling of vertebrates in northern Australia using multiple sampling methods. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0206373. [PMID: 30335847 PMCID: PMC6193721 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0206373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
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Einoder LD, Southwell DM, Lahoz-Monfort JJ, Gillespie GR, Fisher A, Wintle BA. Occupancy and detectability modelling of vertebrates in northern Australia using multiple sampling methods. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0203304. [PMID: 30248104 PMCID: PMC6152866 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0203304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2018] [Accepted: 08/18/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding where species occur and how difficult they are to detect during surveys is crucial for designing and evaluating monitoring programs, and has broader applications for conservation planning and management. In this study, we modelled occupancy and the effectiveness of six sampling methods at detecting vertebrates across the Top End of northern Australia. We fitted occupancy-detection models to 136 species (83 birds, 33 reptiles, 20 mammals) of 242 recorded during surveys of 333 sites in eight conservation reserves between 2011 and 2016. For modelled species, mean occupancy was highly variable: birds and reptiles ranged from 0.01–0.81 and 0.01–0.49, respectively, whereas mammal occupancy was lower, ranging from 0.02–0.30. Of the 11 environmental covariates considered as potential predictors of occupancy, topographic ruggedness, elevation, maximum temperature, and fire frequency were retained more readily in the top models. Using these models, we predicted species occupancy across the Top End of northern Australia (293,017 km2) and generated species richness maps for each species group. For mammals and reptiles, high richness was associated with rugged terrain, while bird richness was highest in coastal lowland woodlands. On average, detectability of diurnal birds was higher per day of surveys (0.33 ± 0.09) compared with nocturnal birds per night of spotlighting (0.13 ± 0.06). Detectability of reptiles was similar per day/night of pit trapping (0.30 ± 0.09) as per night of spotlighting (0.29 ± 0.11). On average, mammals were highly detectable using motion-sensor cameras for a week (0.36 ± 0.06), with exception of smaller-bodied species. One night of Elliott trapping (0.20 ± 0.06) and spotlighting (0.19 ± 0.06) was more effective at detecting mammals than cage (0.08 ± 0.03) and pit trapping (0.05 ± 0.04). Our estimates of species occupancy and detectability will help inform decisions about how best to redesign a long-running vertebrate monitoring program in the Top End of northern Australia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luke D. Einoder
- Flora and Fauna Division, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia
- * E-mail:
| | - Darren M. Southwell
- Quantitive and Applied Ecology Group, School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - José J. Lahoz-Monfort
- Quantitive and Applied Ecology Group, School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Graeme R. Gillespie
- Flora and Fauna Division, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia
| | - Alaric Fisher
- Flora and Fauna Division, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia
| | - Brendan A. Wintle
- Quantitive and Applied Ecology Group, School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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Greenville AC, Burns E, Dickman CR, Keith DA, Lindenmayer DB, Morgan JW, Heinze D, Mansergh I, Gillespie GR, Einoder L, Fisher A, Russell-Smith J, Metcalfe DJ, Green PT, Hoffmann AA, Wardle GM. Biodiversity responds to increasing climatic extremes in a biome-specific manner. Sci Total Environ 2018; 634:382-393. [PMID: 29627562 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.03.285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2017] [Revised: 03/22/2018] [Accepted: 03/23/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
An unprecedented rate of global environmental change is predicted for the next century. The response to this change by ecosystems around the world is highly uncertain. To address this uncertainty, it is critical to understand the potential drivers and mechanisms of change in order to develop more reliable predictions. Australia's Long Term Ecological Research Network (LTERN) has brought together some of the longest running (10-60years) continuous environmental monitoring programs in the southern hemisphere. Here, we compare climatic variables recorded at five LTERN plot network sites during their period of operation and place them into the context of long-term climatic trends. Then, using our unique Australian long-term datasets (total 117 survey years across four biomes), we synthesize results from a series of case studies to test two hypotheses: 1) extreme weather events for each plot network have increased over the last decade, and; 2) trends in biodiversity will be associated with recent climate change, either directly or indirectly through climate-mediated disturbance (wildfire) responses. We examined the biodiversity responses to environmental change for evidence of non-linear behavior. In line with hypothesis 1), an increase in extreme climate events occurred within the last decade for each plot network. For hypothesis 2), climate, wildfire, or both were correlated with biodiversity responses at each plot network, but there was no evidence of non-linear change. However, the influence of climate or fire was context-specific. Biodiversity responded to recent climate change either directly or indirectly as a consequence of changes in fire regimes or climate-mediated fire responses. A national long-term monitoring framework allowed us to find contrasting species abundance or community responses to climate and disturbance across four of the major biomes of Australia, highlighting the need to establish and resource long-term monitoring programs across representative ecosystem types, which are likely to show context-specific responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron C Greenville
- Long Term Ecological Research Network, Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Network, Australia; Desert Ecology Research Group, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
| | - Emma Burns
- Long Term Ecological Research Network, Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Network, Australia; Fenner School of Environment and Society, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
| | - Christopher R Dickman
- Long Term Ecological Research Network, Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Network, Australia; Desert Ecology Research Group, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - David A Keith
- Long Term Ecological Research Network, Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Network, Australia; Centre for Ecosystem Science, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, Sydney, University of New South Wales, Australia; NSW Office of Environment and Heritage, Hurstville, New South Wales, Australia
| | - David B Lindenmayer
- Long Term Ecological Research Network, Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Network, Australia; Fenner School of Environment and Society, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
| | - John W Morgan
- Long Term Ecological Research Network, Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Network, Australia; Research Centre for Applied Alpine Ecology, Department of Ecology, Environment and Evolution, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Dean Heinze
- Long Term Ecological Research Network, Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Network, Australia; Research Centre for Applied Alpine Ecology, Department of Ecology, Environment and Evolution, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Ian Mansergh
- Long Term Ecological Research Network, Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Network, Australia; Research Centre for Applied Alpine Ecology, Department of Ecology, Environment and Evolution, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Graeme R Gillespie
- Long Term Ecological Research Network, Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Network, Australia; Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia; School of BioSciences, Bio21 Institute, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Luke Einoder
- Long Term Ecological Research Network, Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Network, Australia; Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia
| | - Alaric Fisher
- Long Term Ecological Research Network, Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Network, Australia; Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia
| | - Jeremy Russell-Smith
- Long Term Ecological Research Network, Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Network, Australia; Darwin Centre for Bushfire Research, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia
| | - Daniel J Metcalfe
- Long Term Ecological Research Network, Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Network, Australia; CSIRO Ecosystem Sciences, Tropical Forest Research Centre, Atherton, Queensland, Australia
| | - Peter T Green
- Long Term Ecological Research Network, Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Network, Australia; Department of Ecology, Environment and Evolution, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Ary A Hoffmann
- Long Term Ecological Research Network, Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Network, Australia; School of BioSciences, Bio21 Institute, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Glenda M Wardle
- Long Term Ecological Research Network, Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Network, Australia; Desert Ecology Research Group, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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21
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Robinson NM, Scheele BC, Legge S, Southwell DM, Carter O, Lintermans M, Radford JQ, Skroblin A, Dickman CR, Koleck J, Wayne AF, Kanowski J, Gillespie GR, Lindenmayer DB. How to ensure threatened species monitoring leads to threatened species conservation. Ecol Manag Restor 2018. [DOI: 10.1111/emr.12335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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22
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Davies HF, McCarthy MA, Firth RSC, Woinarski JCZ, Gillespie GR, Andersen AN, Rioli W, Puruntatameri J, Roberts W, Kerinaiua C, Kerinauia V, Womatakimi KB, Murphy BP. Declining populations in one of the last refuges for threatened mammal species in northern Australia. AUSTRAL ECOL 2018. [DOI: 10.1111/aec.12596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Hugh F. Davies
- Quantitative and Applied Ecology Group The University of Melbourne Parkville Victoria 3010 Australia
| | - Michael A. McCarthy
- Quantitative and Applied Ecology Group The University of Melbourne Parkville Victoria 3010 Australia
| | - Ronald S. C. Firth
- Research Institute for the Environment and Livelihoods Charles Darwin University Casuarina Northern Territory Australia
- Strategen Environmental Subiaco Western Australia Australia
| | - John C. Z. Woinarski
- NESP Threatened Species Recovery Hub Research Institute for the Environment and Livelihoods Charles Darwin University Casuarina Northern Territory Australia
- Flora and Fauna Division Department of Environment and Natural Resources Northern Territory Government Berrimah Northern Territory Australia
| | - Graeme R. Gillespie
- Flora and Fauna Division Department of Environment and Natural Resources Northern Territory Government Berrimah Northern Territory Australia
- School of BioSciences The University of Melbourne Parkville Victoria Australia
| | - Alan N. Andersen
- NESP Threatened Species Recovery Hub Research Institute for the Environment and Livelihoods Charles Darwin University Casuarina Northern Territory Australia
| | - Willie Rioli
- Tiwi Land Council Winnellie Northern Territory Australia
| | | | - Willie Roberts
- Tiwi Land Council Winnellie Northern Territory Australia
| | | | | | | | - Brett P. Murphy
- NESP Threatened Species Recovery Hub Research Institute for the Environment and Livelihoods Charles Darwin University Casuarina Northern Territory Australia
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Legge S, Woinarski JCZ, Burbidge AA, Palmer R, Ringma J, Radford JQ, Mitchell N, Bode M, Wintle B, Baseler M, Bentley J, Copley P, Dexter N, Dickman CR, Gillespie GR, Hill B, Johnson CN, Latch P, Letnic M, Manning A, McCreless EE, Menkhorst P, Morris K, Moseby K, Page M, Pannell D, Tuft K. Havens for threatened Australian mammals: the contributions of fenced areas and offshore islands to the protection of mammal species susceptible to introduced predators. Wildl Res 2018. [DOI: 10.1071/wr17172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Context Many Australian mammal species are highly susceptible to predation by introduced domestic cats (Felis catus) and European red foxes (Vulpes vulpes). These predators have caused many extinctions and have driven large distributional and population declines for many more species. The serendipitous occurrence of, and deliberate translocations of mammals to, ‘havens’ (cat- and fox-free offshore islands, and mainland fenced exclosures capable of excluding cats and foxes) has helped avoid further extinction. Aims The aim of this study was to conduct a stocktake of current island and fenced havens in Australia and assess the extent of their protection for threatened mammal taxa that are most susceptible to cat and fox predation. Methods Information was collated from diverse sources to document (1) the locations of havens and (2) the occurrence of populations of predator-susceptible threatened mammals (naturally occurring or translocated) in those havens. The list of predator-susceptible taxa (67 taxa, 52 species) was based on consensus opinion from >25 mammal experts. Key results Seventeen fenced and 101 island havens contain 188 populations of 38 predator-susceptible threatened mammal taxa (32 species). Island havens cover a larger cumulative area than fenced havens (2152km2 versus 346km2), and reach larger sizes (largest island 325km2, with another island of 628km2 becoming available from 2018; largest fence: 123km2). Islands and fenced havens contain similar numbers of taxa (27 each), because fenced havens usually contain more taxa per haven. Populations within fences are mostly translocated (43 of 49; 88%). Islands contain translocated populations (30 of 139; 22%); but also protect in situ (109) threatened mammal populations. Conclusions Havens are used increasingly to safeguard threatened predator-susceptible mammals. However, 15 such taxa occur in only one or two havens, and 29 such taxa (43%) are not represented in any havens. The taxon at greatest risk of extinction from predation, and in greatest need of a haven, is the central rock-rat (Zyzomys pedunculatus). Implications Future investment in havens should focus on locations that favour taxa with no (or low) existing haven representation. Although havens can be critical for avoiding extinctions in the short term, they cover a minute proportion of species’ former ranges. Improved options for controlling the impacts of cats and foxes at landscape scales must be developed and implemented.
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Stokeld D, Fisher A, Gentles T, Hill B, Triggs B, Woinarski JCZ, Gillespie GR. What do predator diets tell us about mammal declines in Kakadu National Park? Wildl Res 2018. [DOI: 10.1071/wr17101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Context
Small- and medium-sized native mammals have suffered severe declines in much of northern Australia, including within protected areas such as Kakadu National Park. Several factors have been implicated in these declines but predation, particularly by feral cats (Felis catus), has been identified as potentially the most direct cause of decline for many species.
Aims
We evaluated how prey frequency changed in cat and dingo scats in Kakadu from the early 1980s to 2013–15, with this period spanning a severe decline in the small- and medium-sized mammal fauna.
Methods
Chi-square test of independence and Fisher’s exact test were used to compare prey frequencies between dingoes and cats, and among years to assess significance of temporal change.
Key results
Small-sized native mammals were the prey item occurring at the highest frequency in scats for both dingoes and cats in the 1980s. Prey content in dingo and cat scats differed in the 2010s with macropods predominating in the scats of dingoes, and medium-sized native mammals predominating in cat scats. The frequency of occurrence of small-sized native mammals declined in both dingo and cat scats between the 1980s and 2010 sampling periods, while the frequency of occurrence of medium-sized native mammals remained constant in dingo scats and increased in cat scats.
Conclusions
Small mammals were a major component of the diets of both dingoes and cats in Kakadu in the 1980s, when small mammals were much more abundant. Despite marked reduction from the 1980s to the 2010s in the capture rates of both small- and medium-sized native mammals, some species continue to persist in the diets of cats and dingoes at disproportionally high frequencies. Both predators continue to exert predatory pressure on mammal populations that have already experienced substantial declines.
Implications
Although predation by feral cats is a major threat to small- and medium-sized native mammals, dingoes may also play an important role in limiting their recovery. Disturbance from fire and grazing by introduced herbivores has been shown to augment predatory impacts of feral cats on native mammals. Predation more generally, not just by feral cats, may be exacerbated by these disturbance processes. Management programs that solely focus on mitigating the impact of feral cats to benefit threatened species may be inadequate in landscapes with other significant disturbance regimes and populations of predators.
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25
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Jolly CJ, Kelly E, Gillespie GR, Phillips B, Webb JK. Out of the frying pan: Reintroduction of toad-smart northern quolls to southern Kakadu National Park. AUSTRAL ECOL 2017. [DOI: 10.1111/aec.12551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Christopher J. Jolly
- School of Biosciences; University of Melbourne; Parkville Victoria 3010 Australia
| | - Ella Kelly
- School of Biosciences; University of Melbourne; Parkville Victoria 3010 Australia
| | - Graeme R. Gillespie
- School of Biosciences; University of Melbourne; Parkville Victoria 3010 Australia
- Flora and Fauna Division; Department of Land Resource Management; NT Government; Berrimah Northern Territory Australia
| | - Ben Phillips
- School of Biosciences; University of Melbourne; Parkville Victoria 3010 Australia
| | - Jonathan K. Webb
- School of Life Sciences; University of Technology Sydney; Sydney New South Wales Australia
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Davies HF, McCarthy MA, Firth RSC, Woinarski JCZ, Gillespie GR, Andersen AN, Geyle HM, Nicholson E, Murphy BP. Top‐down control of species distributions: feral cats driving the regional extinction of a threatened rodent in northern Australia. DIVERS DISTRIB 2016. [DOI: 10.1111/ddi.12522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Hugh F. Davies
- Quantitative and Applied Ecology Group The University of Melbourne Parkville Melbourne Vic. 3010 Australia
| | - Michael A. McCarthy
- Quantitative and Applied Ecology Group The University of Melbourne Parkville Melbourne Vic. 3010 Australia
| | - Ronald S. C. Firth
- Research Institute for the Environment and Livelihoods Charles Darwin University Darwin NT 0909 Australia
- 360 Environmental West Leederville Perth WA 6007 Australia
| | - John C. Z. Woinarski
- Threatened Species Recovery Hub National Environmental Science Programme Research Institute for the Environment and Livelihoods Charles Darwin University Casuarina Darwin NT 0810 Australia
| | - Graeme R. Gillespie
- Flora and Fauna Division Department of Land Resource Management Berrimah NT 0820 Australia
- School of BioSciences The University of Melbourne Parkville Melbourne Vic. 3010 Australia
| | - Alan N. Andersen
- CSIRO Land & Water Flagship Tropical Ecosystems Research Centre Winnellie NT 0822 Australia
| | - Hayley M. Geyle
- Threatened Species Recovery Hub National Environmental Science Programme Research Institute for the Environment and Livelihoods Charles Darwin University Casuarina Darwin NT 0810 Australia
- Deakin University Burwood Melbourne Vic. 3125 Australia
| | | | - Brett P. Murphy
- Threatened Species Recovery Hub National Environmental Science Programme Research Institute for the Environment and Livelihoods Charles Darwin University Casuarina Darwin NT 0810 Australia
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Slade B, Parrott ML, Paproth A, Magrath MJL, Gillespie GR, Jessop TS. Assortative mating among animals of captive and wild origin following experimental conservation releases. Biol Lett 2015; 10:20140656. [PMID: 25411380 DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2014.0656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Captive breeding is a high profile management tool used for conserving threatened species. However, the inevitable consequence of generations in captivity is broad scale and often-rapid phenotypic divergence between captive and wild individuals, through environmental differences and genetic processes. Although poorly understood, mate choice preference is one of the changes that may occur in captivity that could have important implications for the reintroduction success of captive-bred animals. We bred wild-caught house mice for three generations to examine mating patterns and reproductive outcomes when these animals were simultaneously released into multiple outdoor enclosures with wild conspecifics. At release, there were significant differences in phenotypic (e.g. body mass) and genetic measures (e.g. Gst and F) between captive-bred and wild adult mice. Furthermore, 83% of offspring produced post-release were of same source parentage, inferring pronounced assortative mating. Our findings suggest that captive breeding may affect mating preferences, with potentially adverse implications for the success of threatened species reintroduction programmes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brendan Slade
- Department of Zoology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Marissa L Parrott
- Wildlife Conservation and Science, Zoos Victoria, Parkville, Victoria 3056, Australia
| | - Aleisha Paproth
- Department of Zoology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia Wildlife Conservation and Science, Zoos Victoria, Parkville, Victoria 3056, Australia
| | - Michael J L Magrath
- Wildlife Conservation and Science, Zoos Victoria, Parkville, Victoria 3056, Australia
| | - Graeme R Gillespie
- Department of Zoology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Tim S Jessop
- Department of Zoology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
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Bloomfield RC, Gillespie GR, Kerswell KJ, Butler KL, Hemsworth PH. Effect of partial covering of the visitor viewing area window on positioning and orientation of zoo orangutans: A preference test. Zoo Biol 2015; 34:223-9. [PMID: 25716803 DOI: 10.1002/zoo.21207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2014] [Revised: 02/02/2015] [Accepted: 02/09/2015] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
The window of the visitor viewing area adjacent to an animal platform in an orangutan enclosure was altered to produce three viewing treatments in a randomized controlled experiment. These treatments were window uncovered, left side of the window covered or right side of the window covered. Observations were conducted on the orangutans present on the platform, and on their location (left or right side), and orientation (towards or away from the window) while on the platform. The partial covering of the window had little effect on the proportion of time orangutans spent on the viewing platform, or on the direction they faced when on the platform. When the orangutans were facing towards the window, and the right side was uncovered, irrespective of whether the left side was covered, they spent about three quarters of the time on the right side, suggesting a preference for the right side of the platform. However, when the right side was covered and the left side uncovered, the animals facing towards the window spent only about a quarter of the time on the right side, that is, they spent more time on the uncovered side. The results suggest that the orangutans have a preference to position themselves to face the window of the visitor viewing area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel C Bloomfield
- Animal Welfare Science Centre, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | | | - Keven J Kerswell
- Animal Welfare Science Centre, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Kym L Butler
- Animal Welfare Science Centre, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Primary Industries (Victoria), Biometrics Group, Hamilton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Paul H Hemsworth
- Animal Welfare Science Centre, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
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Stokeld D, Frank ASK, Hill B, Choy JL, Mahney T, Stevens A, Young S, Rangers D, Rangers W, Gillespie GR. Multiple cameras required to reliably detect feral cats in northern Australian tropical savanna: an evaluation of sampling design when using camera traps. Wildl Res 2015. [DOI: 10.1071/wr15083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Context
Feral cats are a major cause of mammal declines and extinctions in Australia. However, cats are elusive and obtaining reliable ecological data is challenging. Although camera traps are increasingly being used to study feral cats, their successful use in northern Australia has been limited.
Aims
We evaluated the efficacy of camera-trap sampling designs for detecting cats in the tropical savanna of northern Australia. We aimed to develop a camera-trapping method that would yield detection probabilities adequate for precise occupancy estimates.
Methods
First, we assessed the influence of two micro-habitat placements and three lure types on camera-trap detection rates of feral cats. Second, using multiple camera traps at each site, we examined the relationship between sampling effort and detection probability by using a multi-method occupancy model.
Key results
We found no significant difference in detection rates of feral cats using a variety of lures and micro-habitat placement. The mean probability of detecting a cat on one camera during one week of sampling was very low (p = 0.15) and had high uncertainty. However, the probability of detecting a cat on at least one of five cameras deployed concurrently on a site was 48% higher (p = 0.22) and had a greater precision.
Conclusions
The sampling effort required to achieve detection rates adequate to infer occupancy of feral cats by camera trap is considerably higher in northern Australia than has been observed elsewhere in Australia. Adequate detection of feral cats in the tropical savanna of northern Australia will necessitate inclusion of more camera traps and a longer survey duration.
Implications
Sampling designs using camera traps need to be rigorously trialled and assessed to optimise detection of the target species for different Australian biomes. A standard approach is suggested for detecting feral cats in northern Australian savannas.
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31
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Gillespie GR, Hollis GJ. Distribution and habitat of the spotted tree-frog, Litoria spenceri Dubois (Anura : Hylidae), and an assessment of potential causes of population declines. Wildl Res 1996. [DOI: 10.1071/wr9960049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
An extensive survey of the distribution and abundance of the spotted tree frog, Litoria spenceri, was
conducted throughout its range in the Central and Eastern Highlands of Victoria and parts of New South
Wales and the Australian Capital Territory between November 1991 and April 1994. Of the 64 streams
surveyed, Litoria spenceri was recorded along 16, 15 in Victoria and one in New South Wales. The species
was located along six streams in which it had not been recorded before, but could not be found along four
streams in which it had previously been recorded. The survey failed to detect L. spenceri at historical sites
on four other streams but located it elsewhere along those streams. Frogs were located predominantly in
association with rocky banks adjacent to fast flowing water. Most populations occurred in dissected
mountainous country, generally in areas with limited access and disturbance. Analysis of disturbance
histories at individual sites and within catchments supporting the species indicates an association between
the contraction in distribution and a number of human disturbances to forest and riparian habitats.
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