Continental‐scale analysis of feral cat diet in Australia, prey‐switching and the risk: benefit of rabbit control

Mutze, Greg

doi:10.1111/jbi.12859

Cited by 21 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 19 publications

(34 reference statements)

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Similar inverse relationships across space have been noted between the incidence of rabbits and the FOO for dasyurids and rodents in cat diet (Doherty et al 2015) and with medium‐sized mammals in the diet of dingoes (Doherty et al 2019). On face value, these diet composition data may suggest greater predation pressure on native mammals in areas subjected to rabbit control (Banks et al 1998; but see Mutze 2017), although diet composition data reveal nothing about fox density responses to rabbit control. Predator populations can be sustained at high densities due to an abundance of readily accessible prey (e.g.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Diet of the introduced red fox Vulpes vulpes in Australia: analysis of temporal and spatial patterns

et al. 2021

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The red fox Vulpes vulpes is one of the world’s most widespread carnivores. A key to its success has been its broad, opportunistic diet. The fox was introduced to Australia about 150 years ago, and within 30 years of its introduction was already recognised as a threat to livestock and native wildlife. We reviewed 85 fox diet studies (totalling 31693 samples) from throughout the species’ geographic range within Australia. Mammals were a major component of fox diet, being present in 70 ± 19% of samples across n = 160 locations. Invertebrates (38 ± 26% n = 130) and plant material (26 ± 25% n = 123) were also both staple foods and often the dominant food category recorded. Birds (13 ± 11% n = 137) and reptiles (10 ± 15% n = 132) were also commonly reported, while frogs were scarcely represented (1.6 ± 3.6% n = 111) in fox diet studies. Biogeographical differences reveal factors that likely determine prey availability. Diet composition varied with ecosystem, level of vegetation clearing and condition, and climate zone. Sample type (i.e. stomach versus scat samples) also significantly influenced reporting of diet composition. Livestock and frogs were underrepresented in records based on analysis of scats, whereas small mammals (native rodents, dasyurid marsupials, and bats) were more likely to be recorded in studies of scats than in studies of stomach contents. Diet varied seasonally, reflecting activity patterns of prey species and food availability. This synthesis also captures temporal shifts in fox diet over 70 years (1951–2020), as foxes have switched to consuming more native species in the wake of successful broadscale biological control of the invasive European rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus. Diet analyses, such as those summarised in this review, capture the evidence required to motivate for greater control of foxes in Australia. This synthesis also highlights the importance of integrated pest species management to meet biodiversity conservation outcomes.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Diet of the introduced red fox Vulpes vulpes in Australia: analysis of temporal and spatial patterns

et al. 2021

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…All have focused on intensive predator control throughout large national parks (Sharp et al 2010; Moseby et al 2021). Nonetheless, because those introductions were commenced following the introduction of three biological control agents, lower rabbit numbers and habitat improvement likely contributed to successful project outcomes too (Mutze 2017; Ramsey et al 2020).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Recovering Australia's arid‐zone ecosystems: learning from continental‐scale rabbit control experiments

Finlayson

Taggart

Cooke

2021

Restoration Ecology

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Introduced rabbits are a continuing threat to native Australian flora and fauna. Three interventions using biological control agents, myxomatosis, European rabbit fleas, and rabbit hemorrhagic disease, have reduced rabbit abundance and kept numbers low over the last 70 years. We considered the benefits of biological control for native fauna to put the role of rabbits in influencing vegetation cover, food supply, and predation into better perspective. Numerous examples exist demonstrating increases in native vegetation and the expansion and recovery of native animal populations at landscape scales following intense rabbit suppression. Ongoing research on methods for supplementing the impact of biological control agents and managing introduced predators are needed to restore Australia's arid‐zone ecosystems. However, many biologists and rangeland managers first need to reevaluate the misconception that removing rabbits also introduces other serious and insurmountable problems such as prey‐switching by introduced cats and foxes.

show abstract

“…WWW.IRCF.ORG/REPTILESANDAMPHIBIANSJOURNAL T he serious and negative effects of invasive fauna in Australia are not understated in the scientific literature (Davis et al 2016;Lethbridge 2016;Towerton 2016;Mutze 2017), especially for the Cane Toad (Rhinella marina; Phillips et al 2007;Shine 2010;Jolly et al 2016). Released in a failed attempt to control crop damage attributable to Greyback (Dermolepida sp.)…”

Section: O N S E R V At I O N a N D N At U R A L H I S T O R Ymentioning

confidence: 99%

Asian Black-spined Toads (Duttaphrynus melanostictus) in Australia

2017

RandA

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

With increasing numbers of Asian Black-spined Toads (Duttaphrynus melanostictus) found at Australian seaports and airports since 1999, this species could become Australia’s second invasive toad. Introductions of D. melanostictus have already occurred in other countries, with inadvertent stowaways the principal cause. Three recent incursions have been documented in suburban areas of Sydney and Melbourne.

show abstract

Continental‐scale analysis of feral cat diet in Australia, prey‐switching and the risk: benefit of rabbit control

Cited by 21 publications

References 19 publications

Diet of the introduced red fox Vulpes vulpes in Australia: analysis of temporal and spatial patterns

Diet of the introduced red fox Vulpes vulpes in Australia: analysis of temporal and spatial patterns

Recovering Australia's arid‐zone ecosystems: learning from continental‐scale rabbit control experiments

Asian Black-spined Toads (Duttaphrynus melanostictus) in Australia

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About