A conservation paradox: endangered and iconic flightless kagu (Rhynochetos jubatus) apparently escape feral cat predation

Palmas, Pauline; Jourdan, Hervé; Debar, Léo; Bourguet, Édouard; Rigault, Frédéric; Bonnaud, Elsa; Vidal, Éric

doi:10.20417/nzjecol.44.1

Cited by 3 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 32 publications

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“…However, having all these characteristics of vulnerability does not necessarily mean that a native bird becomes prey. The large and flightless kagu ( Rhynochetos jubatus ), an endemic bird of New Caledonia, is not consumed by feral cats despite its clear ‘victim’ profile [71]. This is possibly explained by its development of defensive behaviour that has proven to be effective against cats.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

When origin, reproduction ability and diet define the role of birds in invasions

Marino

Bellard

2023

Proc. R. Soc. B.

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The ecological impacts of invasive alien species (IAS) are increasingly documented; however, they are usually studied through the lens of either the IAS or the affected species (IAS-threatened species). A clear understanding of how both protagonists of biological invasions are characterized is still lacking. We investigated the morphology, life history and ecology of birds involved in biological invasions. Evaluating the distribution of 450 IAS-threatened birds and 400 alien birds in a functional space, we found that both groups retained various strategies. Aliens had larger clutches and were more likely to be herbivores than IAS-threatened and worldwide birds, while IAS-threatened birds were more insular endemic from the Australia region than alien and worldwide birds. IAS-threatened species showed opposite strategies to aliens regarding traits related to diet, origin and reproduction. Further comparing traits associated with impact magnitude, we found that even if aliens were mostly herbivorous, those with high impact had more a generalist behaviour and an animal-based diet compared to aliens with low impact. By emphasizing differences relating to the distribution of bird groups in a functional space, we opened new opportunities to identify the role of birds in biological invasions.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

When origin, reproduction ability and diet define the role of birds in invasions

Marino

Bellard

2023

Proc. R. Soc. B.

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“…Because cats in the natural areas of these two islands have access only to R. exulans , which has a lower biomass (smaller in size and mass) than does R. rattus (Atkinson 1985; Atkinson and Towns 2005; Shiels et al . 2014), they may need to secure additional food resources by hunting more alternative prey (Turner and Bateson 2014; Palmas et al . 2020 b ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…R. exulans might be less accessible to cats on Ua Huka and Rimatara, because R. exulans appears to be more arboreal in native forests when black rats are absent (Marples 1955; McCartney 1970; Twibell 1973). Furthermore, R. rattus -free islands are more likely to offer richer diversity and availability of native naïve species (especially birds) that constitute very easy prey for opportunistic cats (Seitre and Seitre 1992; Turner and Bateson 2014; Palmas et al . 2020 b ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Interestingly, they exhibited a broader trophic niche in Rimatara and Ua Huka (the two islands free of R. rattus), with higher FOs for secondary prey (birds, arthropods, squamates and fishes). Because cats in the natural areas of these two islands have access only to R. exulans, which has a lower biomass (smaller in size and mass) than does R. rattus (Atkinson 1985;Atkinson and Towns 2005;Shiels et al 2014), they may need to secure additional food resources by hunting more alternative prey (Turner and Bateson 2014;Palmas et al 2020b). R. exulans might be less accessible to cats on Ua Huka and Rimatara, because R. exulans appears to be more arboreal in native forests when black rats are absent (Marples 1955;McCartney 1970;Twibell 1973).…”

Section: Feral Cat Dietmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Introduced rat assemblage affects feral cat threat to biodiversity in French Polynesian islands

Palmas,

Meyer,

Chailler

et al. 2023

Wildlife Res.

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Context Invasive feral cats strongly threaten native fauna on islands worldwide. The impact of feral cat populations is assumed to be higher in the presence of introduced rodents and may also vary according to an island’s rodent species assemblage. Aims This study assessed feral cat impacts on island biodiversity in French Polynesian islands harbouring differing assemblages of rat species, by investigating their abundance and trophic ecology. Methods We focused on the following six human-inhabited islands of three archipelagos in French Polynesia (South Pacific) with differing rat species assemblages: Tahiti and Moorea, Ua Huka and Tahuata, Rurutu and Rimatara. We studied (1) cat abundance, by setting up camera traps during 15 consecutive days to provide an abundance index, the general index (GI) or mean number of virtual captures per camera per occasion, and (2) cat diet, by performing macroscopic analyses of scat samples to determine the frequency of occurrence (FO) of prey categories. Key results Our study showed previously unreported patterns of cat-abundance index for the Society archipelago, with a GI of 0.30 ± 0.12 in Tahiti and 0.02 ± 0.02 in Moorea; for the Marquesas, with a GI of 0.75 ± 0.20 in Ua Huka and 0.20 ± 0.06 in Tahuata; and for the Austral, with a GI of 0.06 ± 0.04 in Rurutu and 0.19 ± 0.05 in Rimatara. Feral cats are shown to prey strongly on introduced rodents (FO = 91.3%), arthropods (37.8%), squamates (18.6%) and birds (13.3%) in our study sites. FO of birds are particularly high in Rimatara (31.9%) and Ua Huka (16.8%). Conclusions We demonstrated that feral cats represent a serious threat to biodiversity in French Polynesian islands, with 15 species preyed on, including eight endemic birds, four of them being considered threatened by the IUCN Red List. Surprisingly, relative abundances of feral cats were higher both on islands harbouring only one rat species (Ua Huka, with only Rattus exulans) and on islands free of black rats. This finding raises questions regarding the ‘hyperpredation’ hypothesis for multi-invaded island ecosystems. Implications This study on islands with differing assemblages of introduced rodents demonstrated the need for invasive predator studies in multi-invaded ecosystems, so as to improve bird conservation and guide management strategies and site prioritisation.

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Predatory cue use in flush responses of a colonial nesting seabird during polar bear foraging

et al. 2022

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A conservation paradox: endangered and iconic flightless kagu (Rhynochetos jubatus) apparently escape feral cat predation

Cited by 3 publications

References 32 publications

When origin, reproduction ability and diet define the role of birds in invasions

When origin, reproduction ability and diet define the role of birds in invasions

Introduced rat assemblage affects feral cat threat to biodiversity in French Polynesian islands

Predatory cue use in flush responses of a colonial nesting seabird during polar bear foraging

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