Guide to Introduced Pest Animals of Australia

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter West
Keyword(s):  
Animal Species ◽  
Habitat Preferences ◽  
Local Area ◽  
Pest Species ◽  
Management Information ◽  
Resource Manager ◽  
Teacher Student ◽  
Introduced Pest ◽  
Vertebrate Pest ◽  
Field Naturalist

Australia’s introduced vertebrate pest species cost at least $1 billion annually in economic, environmental and social impacts. The Guide to Introduced Pest Animals of Australia is a comprehensive, practical guide to 60 introduced pest animal species present in Australia, including 27 mammals, 18 birds, nine freshwater fish, two amphibians and four reptiles. It contains descriptive information to identify each species in the field, including distinctive physical characteristics, size, weight, colouration, diet, breeding behaviour, habitat preferences, and information about footprints, dung, scats and audible animal calls. Each species profile is accompanied by practical management information, maps and high-quality photographs – allowing readers to learn about pest species in their local area, what problems they might cause, and what control options exist for management. This guide also contains a number of emerging high-risk pest species that may pose a significant threat to our natural environment, economy, agriculture and human health. Whether you are a farmer, natural resource manager, public land manager, pest controller, teacher, student, field naturalist or wildlife ecologist, this easy-to-use guide will help you identify Australia’s most significant introduced pest animals in your local area.

Now that we have our pest-proof fence, are we safe or trapped?

2012 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 77 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heather Parks ◽  
Kyle Clifton ◽  
Lauren Best ◽  
Bridget Johnson
Keyword(s):  
Invasive Species ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Animal Species ◽  
The Other ◽  
Pest Species ◽  
Native Plant ◽  
Other Hand ◽  
Free Status

PEST-PROOF (exclusion) fences are designed to prevent non-native, predatory and pest species from repopulating an area set aside to protect vulnerable native plant and animal species. Pest-proof fencing provides security from invasive species, but can isolate the native species enclosed within. On one hand, some rare native species exist on the mainland due to the pest-free status achieved through the use of exclusion fences. On the other hand, these reintroduced populations are now isolated a situation where they would not be found naturally (Jamieson et al. 2006). Exclusion fences must be constantly maintained or the sanctuary risks reinvasion. An important question for conservation biologists and managers to answer is therefore — when is exclusion fencing the best option for protecting native species from introduced pests? We have drawn our examples from New Zealand and Australia where progress has been made with regard to the design and utilization of exclusion fences.

scholarly journals Metagenomic discovery and co-infection of diverse wobbly possum disease viruses and a novel hepacivirus in Australian brushtail possums

2019 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Wei-Shan Chang ◽  
John-Sebastian Eden ◽  
William J. Hartley ◽  
Mang Shi ◽  
Karrie Rose ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Disease Virus ◽  
One Health ◽  
Pest Species ◽  
Abnormal Gait ◽  
Viral Aetiology ◽  
Introduced Pest ◽  
The Face ◽  
Case Diagnosis ◽  
Insight Into

Abstract Background Australian brushtail possums (Trichosurus vulpecula) are an introduced pest species in New Zealand, but native to Australia where they are protected for biodiversity conservation. Wobbly possum disease (WPD) is a fatal neurological disease of Australian brushtail possums described in New Zealand populations that has been associated with infection by the arterivirus (Arteriviridae) wobbly possum disease virus (WPDV-NZ). Clinically, WPD-infected possums present with chronic meningoencephalitis, choroiditis and multifocal neurological symptoms including ataxia, incoordination, and abnormal gait. Methods We conducted a retrospective investigation to characterise WPD in native Australian brushtail possums, and used a bulk meta-transcriptomic approach (i.e. total RNA-sequencing) to investigate its potential viral aetiology. PCR assays were developed for case diagnosis and full genome recovery in the face of extensive genetic variation. Results We identified genetically distinct lineages of arteriviruses from archival tissues of WPD-infected possums in Australia, termed wobbly possum disease virus AU1 and AU2. Phylogenetically, WPDV-AU1 and WPDV-AU2 shared only ~ 70% nucleotide similarity to each other and the WPDV-NZ strain, suggestive of a relatively ancient divergence. Notably, we also identified a novel and divergent hepacivirus (Flaviviridae) - the first in a marsupial - in both WPD-infected and uninfected possums, indicative of virus co-infection. Conclusions We have identified marsupial-specific lineages of arteriviruses in mainland Australia that are genetically distinct from that in New Zealand, in some cases co-infecting animals with a novel hepacivirus. Our study provides new insight into the hidden genetic diversity of arteriviruses, the capacity for virus co-infection, and highlights the utility of meta-transcriptomics for disease investigation in a One Health context.

THE LEPIDOPTERA OF BERMUDA: THEIR FOOD PLANTS, BIOGEOGRAPHY, AND MEANS OF DISPERSAL

1991 ◽  
Vol 123 (S158) ◽  
pp. 3-105 ◽  
Author(s):  
D.C. Ferguson ◽  
D.J. Hilburn ◽  
B. Wright
Keyword(s):  
North America ◽  
Long Range ◽  
Food Plants ◽  
Caribbean Region ◽  
Pest Species ◽  
Eastern United States ◽  
The North ◽  
Introduced Pest ◽  
Norfolk Island ◽  
Dispersal Capability

AbstractThe 183 species of Lepidoptera recorded from Bermuda are discussed with respect to their world distribution, origin, long-range dispersal capability, host plants, nomenclature, and the circumstances of their occurrence in Bermuda; most are illustrated. Fifty-nine species are reported from Bermuda for the first time; Oenobotys invinacealis Ferguson (Pyralidae) and Tetanolita mynesalis inaequalis Ferguson (Noctuidae) are described as new. Four new genus–species combinations and four new synonymies are proposed.The Bermuda islands have a distressed fauna dominated by introduced pest species and migrants from the North American mainland and Caribbean Region. About 125 of the 183 recorded species are thought to be established residents; the remainder are assumed to be vagrants. Of approximately 50 resident species identified as probably indigenous, 11 species and three subspecies are endemic, and one of these, Semiothisa ochrifascia (Warren), is believed extinct.All Bermudian Lepidoptera are of American origin except the few introduced Old World species that are nearly cosmopolitan. Like Norfolk Island, Australia, Bermuda has a supersaturated lepidopterous fauna — more recorded species than its land area might support, which can be explained only by a high incidence of migrants and transients. This migratory component is explained relative to long-range movements of the same or congeneric species elsewhere; and hypotheses are proposed concerning the natural history of long-range dispersal in eastern North America and the ability of these moths to reach Bermuda. From a list of 113 species of Lepidoptera identified as frequent south–north migrants on the mainland, 76 are recorded from Bermuda. These include 38 of the 40 best-known cutworm moths of the eastern United States. It is argued that such moths reach Bermuda repeatedly without man's assistance and must regularly travel similar distances in North America.

scholarly journals Metagenomic discovery and co-infection of diverse wobbly possum disease viruses and novel hepaciviruses in Australian brushtail possums

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wei-Shan Chang ◽  
John-Sebastian Eden ◽  
William J. Hartley ◽  
Mang Shi ◽  
Karrie Rose ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Disease Virus ◽  
Pest Species ◽  
Abnormal Gait ◽  
Viral Aetiology ◽  
Introduced Pest ◽  
The Face ◽  
Distinct Lineage ◽  
Case Diagnosis ◽  
Insight Into

AbstractBackgroundAustralian brushtail possums (Trichosurus vulpecula) are an introduced pest species in New Zealand, but native to Australia where they are protected for biodiversity conservation. Wobbly possum disease (WPD) is a fatal neurological disease of Australian brushtail possums described in New Zealand populations that has been associated with infection by the arterivirus (Arteriviridae) wobbly possum disease virus (WPDV-NZ). Clinically, WPD-infected possums present with chronic meningoencephalitis, choroiditis and multifocal neurological symptoms including ataxia, incoordination, and abnormal gait.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective investigation to characterise WPD in native Australian brushtail possums, and used a bulk meta-transcriptomic approach (i.e. total RNA-sequencing) to investigate its potential viral aetiology. PCR assays were developed for case diagnosis and full genome recovery in the face of extensive genetic variation.ResultsWe identified a distinct lineage of arteriviruses from archival tissues of WPD-infected possums in Australia, termed wobbly possum disease virus AU1 and AU2. Phylogenetically, WPDV-AU1 and WPDV-AU2 shared only ∼70% nucleotide similarity to each other and the WPDV-NZ strain, suggestive of a relatively ancient divergence. Notably, we identified a novel and divergent hepacivirus (Flaviviridae) - the first in a marsupial - in both WPD-infected and uninfected possums, indicative of virus co-infection.ConclusionsWe have identified a distinctive marsupial-specific lineage of arteriviruses in mainland Australia that is genetically distinct from that in New Zealand, in some cases co-infecting animals with a novel hepacivirus. Our study provides new insight into the hidden genetic diversity of arteriviruses, the capacity for virus co-infection, and highlights the utility of meta-transcriptomics for disease investigation and surveillance in a One Health context.

Conservation-oriented manipulations of coarse woody debris affect its value as habitat for spruce-infesting bark and ambrosia beetles (Coleoptera: Scolytinae) in northern Sweden

2006 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
pp. 174-185 ◽  
Author(s):  
Therese Johansson ◽  
Heloise Gibb ◽  
Jacek Hilszczański ◽  
Roger B Pettersson ◽  
Joakim Hjältén ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Boreal Forests ◽  
Woody Debris ◽  
Habitat Preferences ◽  
Pest Species ◽  
Northern Sweden ◽  
Trypodendron Lineatum ◽  
Opposite Pattern ◽  
Pest Outbreaks ◽  
Stand Type ◽  
Window Traps

Many species of Scolytinae are pests in boreal forests, so factors that affect their abundance are of great interest to forestry. Using emergence and window traps we examined the effects of stand type and substrate characteristics on the abundance of spruce-infesting Scolytinae in northern Sweden. Several species of Scolytinae (Crypturgus subcribrosus, Hylastes cunicularius, Hylurgops palliatus, Pityogenes chalcographus, Polygraphus punctifrons) were captured in greater numbers on snags than on untreated logs. Log exposure also had a significant effect on some species, H. palliatus and Trypodendron lineatum were more abundant in window traps on artificially shaded logs than on naturally shaded or untreated logs. Significantly fewer Dryocoetes autographus, H. palliatus,Hylurgops glabratus, andH. cunicularius were captured on burned logs than on untreated logs. Stand type clearly affected several species, P. chalcographus emerged in greater numbers on clearcuts than in mature managed and old-growth stands, and D. autographus,H. glabratus, and T. lineatum showed the opposite pattern. Historical records suggest that pest outbreaks are rare in northern Sweden; however, improved knowledge of the habitat preferences of potential pest species in this region will allow us to take the necessary precautions against outbreaks, whilst leaving sufficient dead wood to support intact saproxylic assemblages.

scholarly journals A historical review of Australian aerial vertebrate pest control, targeting dingoes and wild dogs 1946 - 2019

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Justine Philip
Keyword(s):  
Native Species ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Historical Review ◽  
Meat Industry ◽  
Pest Species ◽  
Target Species ◽  
World War ◽  
Introduced Pest ◽  
Wild Dog ◽  
The Impact

This paper examines the history of aerial baiting in Australia since the first operations commenced in 1946, initially targeting the dingo ( Canis dingo ). It was believed that dingo populations had proliferated during the Second World War, and posed a threat the re-emerging wool and meat industry. New technologies took advantage of skilled air force pilots, and the surplus of aircraft available post World War 2, to commence an inexpensive, sustained and landscape wide approach to pest management. Aerial baiting has continued to develop as a technology since this time. However, it was 21 years before Australia started the first comprehensive research trial into its efficacy in controlling the target species. The results of these tests that commenced in 1968 were an overwhelming failure. More tests in the 1970s had similar results, yet the broad-scale poisoning of pest species from the air continued. The application of aerial baiting in dingo/wild dog control is believed to have a temporal effect, anecdotally achieving short-term goals towards reducing livestock losses from predation. There is no conclusive data, however, to support this claim. The true impact of aerial baiting on target and non-target native species, and ecosystem function, is potentially great. It is not possible to gain accurate data on the impact of these programs due to the inaccessible nature of the terrain and/or lack of funding for before-after-control-impact (BACI) research and analysis. However, it is possible to conclude from reviewing historical and contemporary land baiting trials, that there is reason to be greatly concerned. Aerial campaigns originally designed to protect agricultural interests have been re-deployed in recent conservation programs, designed to protect biodiversity and to eradicate an increasing number of introduced “pest” species. A review of the scientific and historical data raises concerns about the ethics, inefficiencies, indefinable impacts, and high uptake of baits by non-target species, throughout aerial baiting operations in agricultural and conservation zones. The report concludes that the impact of aerial baiting is essentially incalculable, and potentially environmentally hazardous. The risks of these programs have been greatly understated in published reports and reviews over the past 70 years.

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