Resource pulses, switching trophic control, and the dynamics of small mammal assemblages in arid Australia

Letnic, Mike; Story, Paul; Story, Georgeanna; Field, Judith; Brown, Oliver J. F.; Dickman, Chris R.

doi:10.1644/10-mamm-s-229.1

Cited by 68 publications

(65 citation statements)

References 68 publications

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“…, Letnic et al. , ). For the majority of species, however, native rodents have appeared to attract disproportionately less research focus than other taxa, a conclusion mirrored in a recent review for studies across the globe (Verde Arregoitia ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The good, the bad, and the ugly: which Australian terrestrial mammal species attract most research?

Fleming

Bateman

2016

Mammal Review

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The Australian mammalian fauna is marked by high endemism and evolutionary distinctiveness and comprises monotreme, marsupial, and eutherian (‘placental’) native species. It has suffered the highest extinction rate of any mammalian fauna in any global region; surviving species are threatened by competition and predation from a range of introduced mammal species, and receive low levels of conservation‐oriented funding compared with species in many other countries. We investigated research foci on this unique fauna by using species h‐indices (SHI), and identified both taxonomic bias and subject bias in research effort and research impact for 331 Australian terrestrial mammal species. Species broadly fell into categories we labelled as the ‘good’, the ‘bad’, and the ‘ugly’. The majority of studies on monotremes and marsupials (the ‘good’) are directed towards their physiology and anatomy, with a smaller ecological focus. By contrast, introduced eutherians (the ‘bad’) have attracted greater attention in terms of ecological research, with greater emphasis on methods and technique studies for population control. Despite making up 45% of the 331 species studied, native rodents and bats (the ‘ugly’) have attracted disproportionately little study. While research on invasive species is directed towards problem solving, many Australian native species of conservation significance have attracted little research effort, little recognition, and little funding. Current global and national conservation funding largely overlooks non‐charismatic species, and yet these species may arguably be most in need of scientific and management research effort.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The good, the bad, and the ugly: which Australian terrestrial mammal species attract most research?

Fleming

Bateman

2016

Mammal Review

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“…Long-term studies of the dynamics of native rodents in Australian arid systems have found that rainfall has a significant impact on their distribution and population abundance (Dickman et al 1999;Letnic et al 2004Letnic et al , 2011Dickman 2005, 2006;Greenville et al 2009). Species such as the plains mouse (Pseudomys australis), and the sandy inland mouse (P. hermannsburgensis) increased in numbers following significant rainfall events and underwent population crashes during drought (Masters 1993;Southgate and Masters 1996;Dickman 2005, 2006;Letnic et al , 2011Greenville et al 2009Greenville et al , 2012.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Species such as the plains mouse (Pseudomys australis), and the sandy inland mouse (P. hermannsburgensis) increased in numbers following significant rainfall events and underwent population crashes during drought (Masters 1993;Southgate and Masters 1996;Dickman 2005, 2006;Letnic et al , 2011Greenville et al 2009Greenville et al , 2012. These population fluctuations related to increased food supply and resource depletion, respectively, impacting on reproduction and recruitment (Predavec 1994;Brandle and Moseby 1999;Letnic and Dickman 2006).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Long-term fluctuations in distribution and populations of a threatened rodent (Pseudomys novaehollandiae) in coastal woodlands of the Otway Ranges, Victoria: a regional decline or extinction?

2018

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Abstract. Since European settlement Australian native rodents have experienced dramatic extinctions and declines. We investigated long-term population and distribution changes during 1981-2003, and known or potential causal factors of decline in the vulnerable New Holland mouse (Pseudomys novaehollandiae). We found that populations (n = 8) were extant for 1-6 years and were predominantly small, localised and extinction prone. High-density populations occurred after above-average rainfall but declined precipitously during drought. Wildfire resulted in the extirpation of some populations, while others survived in unburnt refugia. We propose that post-fire vegetation (3-7 years) contemporaneous with aboveaverage rainfall delivered productive habitat resulting in both a population irruption, and recovery after wildfire. Population declines occurred in drought periods. Recent trapping at 42 sites (2013-17) failed to record any New Holland mice. The species has not been recorded since 2003. Recovery is unlikely without intensive management, focussed on remnant or reintroduced populations, including protection from habitat fragmentation and inappropriate fire regimes. Prevention of extinction of the species throughout its southern range will require similar management strategies.

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“…Contributions to this Special Feature by Dickman et al (2011) and Letnic et al (2011) provide illuminating perspectives on the dynamics of small mammals in aridlands of Australia. Dickman et al (2011) consider the importance of refugia for several species of small mammals, which exhibit ''boom or bust'' dynamics in spinifex grasslands of the central Simpson Desert of Australia.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A similar conclusion was reached by Thibault et al (2010) for Chihuahuan Desert small mammals. Letnic et al (2011) address the question of dramatic fluctuations in small mammals of Australian aridlands using meta-analysis. They analyzed small mammal populations at 8 widely separated sites and determined that rainfall-driven resource pulses can result in switching trophic control from predominantly bottom-up (i.e., limiting due to resource availability, and ultimately, rainfall) to eventually top-down (i.e., due to predation).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Small mammal community structure and dynamics in aridlands: overall patterns and contrasts with Southern Hemispheric systems

2011

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Resource pulses, switching trophic control, and the dynamics of small mammal assemblages in arid Australia

Cited by 68 publications

References 68 publications

The good, the bad, and the ugly: which Australian terrestrial mammal species attract most research?

The good, the bad, and the ugly: which Australian terrestrial mammal species attract most research?

Long-term fluctuations in distribution and populations of a threatened rodent (Pseudomys novaehollandiae) in coastal woodlands of the Otway Ranges, Victoria: a regional decline or extinction?

Small mammal community structure and dynamics in aridlands: overall patterns and contrasts with Southern Hemispheric systems

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