Treasure Islands: biosecurity in the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park

Bassett, Imogen E.; Cook, Jeffrey; Buchanan, Finlay; Russell, James C.

doi:10.20417/nzjecol.40.28

Cited by 22 publications

(16 citation statements)

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“…Since the middle of the twentieth century these rat species have been progressively eradicated from the uninhabited offshore islands of New Zealand (Clout and Russell, 2006;Russell and Broome, 2016), and since the start of the twenty-first century controlled widely across the main islands of New Zealand (Brown et al, 2015;Russell et al, 2015). The rat species of European origin (R. norvegicus and R. rattus) have well-documented dispersal capabilities over water and land (Russell et al, 2005;Abdelkrim et al, 2010), indeed R. norvegicus is particularly effective at dispersal by swimming and can cross water gaps of two kilometers, while R. rattus can cross gaps of hundreds of meters (Bassett et al, 2016). Population genetic studies have helped determine the putative origin of rats on islands (Robins et al, 2016), and whether rats discovered on islands following eradication are survivors or reinvaders (Russell et al, 2010).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Phylogeography of Invasive Rats in New Zealand

2019

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Two species of invasive rats (Rattus norvegicus and R. rattus) arrived in New Zealand with Europeans in the mid to late eighteenth and nineteenth century respectively. They rapidly spread across the main islands of New Zealand and its offshore islands, displacing the historically introduced R. exulans. Today both species are widespread although the distribution of the subdominant R. norvegicus is patchy. Tissue samples were obtained from 425 R. rattus and 130 R. norvegicus across the New Zealand archipelago and neighboring islands. We sequenced a standard 545 base pair section of the mitochondrial D-loop in order to construct a modern phylogeography of the two species and to make inference on historical invasion pathways and spread across the country. We found limited diversity in R. norvegicus haplotypes, with two widespread haplotypes across New Zealand and its offshore islands most likely corresponding to two independent invasions, potentially with English and Chinese origins, respectively. In contrast we found widespread diversity in R. rattus haplotypes across New Zealand and its offshore islands, most likely corresponding to at least four independent invasions to the main North and South Islands, Great Barrier Island archipelago, and Stewart Island archipelago. The most common R. rattus haplogroup was found throughout New Zealand and many of its offshore islands, as well as neighboring islands in the Tasman Sea, and has been documented elsewhere across the Pacific, but with European origins. We also found both geographic partitioning and secondary invasions of haplotypes within the main North and South Island. In addition to distinct haplogroups differing by over three base pairs, which exhibit geographical partitioning suggestive of independent invasion events, for both species we also found instances of single base-pair differences within localities, elevating haplotype diversity. The geographical distribution of pelage color morphs also correlates with haplotype distribution, lending further support to the hypothesis and role of independent invasion events.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Phylogeography of Invasive Rats in New Zealand

2019

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“…Some of the associated biosecurity costs-primarily those associated with reinvasion-are seen as relatively consistent across the different eradication methods. For example, despite the strength of an ocean barrier, human-mediated introductions (and reintroductions) are considered a high risk [51] and these introductions often occur in tandem with tourism traffic via equipment and vessels [52]. Island borders and ports must thus either be regulated [52] or in the cases of unmonitored public access borders, islands must be extensively monitored and managed in other ways [51].…”

Section: Economymentioning

confidence: 99%

Sustainability as a Framework for Considering Gene Drive Mice for Invasive Rodent Eradication

et al. 2019

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Gene drives represent a dynamic and controversial set of technologies with applications that range from mosquito control to the conservation of biological diversity on islands. Currently, gene drives are being developed in mice that may one day serve as an important tool for reducing invasive rodent pests, a key threat to island biodiversity and economies. Gene drives in mice are still in development in laboratories, and wild release of modified mice is likely a distant reality. However, technological changes outpace the existing capacity of regulatory frameworks, and thus require integrated governance frameworks. We suggest sustainability—which gives equal consideration to the environment, economy, and society—as one framework for addressing complexity and uncertainty in the governance of emerging gene drive technologies for invasive species management. We explore the impacts of rodent gene drives on island environments, including potential conservation and restoration of island biodiversity. We outline considerations for rodent gene drives on island economies, including impacts on agricultural and tourism losses, and reductions in biosecurity costs. Finally, we address the social dimension as an essential space for deliberation that will be integral to evaluating the potential deployment of gene drive rodents on islands.

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“…The landmark eradication of introduced mammals from Rangitoto-Motutapu Islands also raised the issue of high human-mediated reinvasion risk for a group of islands near the largest city in New Zealand, and prompted the creation of the joint agency Treasure Islands programme in the Hauraki Gulf which Imogen Bassett and colleagues detail in this issue (Bassett et al 2016). Rodent incursions are now intercepted with such reliability that very few lead to full island reinvasions (Masuda & Jamieson 2013).…”

Section: Biosecuritymentioning

confidence: 99%

Fifty years of rodent eradications in New Zealand: another decade of advances

Russell¹,

Broome²

2016

NZ J Ecol

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New Zealand has just passed half a century of rodent eradications on islands. Confirmation of the first rat eradication in New Zealand on Maria Island/Ruapuke coincided with the devastating rat invasion on Big South Cape Island/Taukihepa. We review the early history of rodent management in New Zealand leading up to and including the Big South Cape Island/Taukihepa ship rat invasion, and document the development and implementation of rodent eradication technologies on New Zealand islands up to the present day. In the last decade major advances have been made in multi-species eradications including rodents, community engagement, mouse eradication, transferring techniques to mainland eco-sanctuaries, and developing new tools for rodent management. The challenge of rodent biosecurity to prevent reinvasion which loomed large only a decade ago, is now being addressed through a combination of research and robust management procedures. Increased emphasis is now being placed on documenting species and ecosystem recoveries following rodent eradication. We identify the major challenges to further expansion of rodent eradication throughout New Zealand as working with multiple stakeholders on inhabited islands, efficiencies of scale on very large islands, and the implementation of cost-effective barrier technologies on the New Zealand 'mainland'.

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Treasure Islands: biosecurity in the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park

Cited by 22 publications

References 0 publications

Phylogeography of Invasive Rats in New Zealand

Phylogeography of Invasive Rats in New Zealand

Sustainability as a Framework for Considering Gene Drive Mice for Invasive Rodent Eradication

Fifty years of rodent eradications in New Zealand: another decade of advances

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