Evidence of rapid population decline of the eastern quoll (Dasyurus viverrinus) in Tasmania

Australia’s mammalian fauna has suffered unparalleled extinctions and declines in recent history. Tasmania has remained largely unaffected by these losses; however, marsupial dynamics are changing rapidly and new threats are emerging. Once abundant throughout south-eastern Australia, the eastern quoll (Dasyurus viverrinus) survives only in Tasmania. Until recently, it was considered widespread and common, but it may be undergoing a rapid and severe decline. The aim of this study was to quantify changes in eastern quoll populations over recent years. Data were compiled from statewide spotlight surveys, repeated historic trapping surveys and bycatch records from non-target trapping surveys. Spotlight surveys from 150 sites across Tasmania revealed a 52% reduction in the number of eastern quoll sightings over the 10 years to 2009. Declines of 61–100% were observed in trapping surveys at three study sites compared with trapping conducted 18–31 years earlier. A reduction in trap success was recorded in five of six non-target surveys, with declines of 51–100% over 1–12 years. These results suggest that the eastern quoll can no longer be presumed secure in Tasmania. Urgent management action may be needed to ensure the future conservation of the species in its last remaining stronghold.

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Ophyiulus in Victoria: results of millipede surveys from south-eastern Australia

Proceedings of the Royal Society of Victoria ◽

10.1071/rs15019 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 127 (2) ◽

pp. 69

Author(s):

Briony A. Norton ◽

Linda J. Thomson ◽

Michael A. Nash

Keyword(s):

Species Identification ◽

Preliminary Data ◽

Native Species ◽

South Eastern ◽

Eastern Australia ◽

The Future ◽

South Eastern Australia

The composition and ecology of the millipede fauna of Victoria remain poorly understood. We collected millipedes as part of a series of ecological arthropod surveys across south-eastern Australia, focusing mainly on Victoria. These samples almost exclusively contained millipedes from the introduced order Julida. We pursued species identification of the julids when it became apparent there were species other than the well-recorded Ommatoiulus moreleti (Lucas, 1860) (Portuguese millipede) in the samples. The majority of specimens were O. moreleti, but we also detected at least one species of Cylindroiulus Verhoeff, 1894, as well as an Ophyiulus Berlese, 1884, species, specimens of which have been identified as Ophyiulus cf. targionii. These are the first Ophyiulus records for Victoria to our knowledge. We present preliminary data on the abundance through the year of Ophyiulus. This is the first study to examine this species in Victoria and little is currently known about its likely impact on agriculture or on native species. Monitoring and research of the species in the future is therefore warranted.

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The future for managing fishes in the Murray-Darling Basin, south-eastern Australia

Ecological Management & Restoration ◽

10.1111/emr.12098 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 15 ◽

pp. 1-2 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

John D. Koehn ◽

Craig Copeland ◽

Kasey Stamation

Keyword(s):

South Eastern ◽

Murray Darling Basin ◽

Eastern Australia ◽

The Future ◽

South Eastern Australia

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Occurrence of Angiostrongylus species (Nematoda) in populations of Rattus rattus and Rattus fuscipes in coastal forests of south-eastern Australia

Australian Journal of Zoology ◽

10.1071/zo06061 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 55 (3) ◽

pp. 177 ◽

Cited By ~ 18

Author(s):

Vicki L. Stokes ◽

David M. Spratt ◽

Peter B. Banks ◽

Roger P. Pech ◽

Richard L. Williams

Keyword(s):

Rattus Rattus ◽

Coastal Forests ◽

Intermediate Hosts ◽

South Eastern ◽

The North ◽

Eastern Australia ◽

Wide Range ◽

Rattus Fuscipes ◽

Study Sites ◽

South Eastern Australia

The distributions of the introduced nematode parasite, Angiostrongylus cantonensis, and the native Angiostrongylus mackerrasae in Australia are poorly understood. We sampled rodents and/or their faeces, and intermediate gastropod hosts for the presence of Angiostrongylus species in coastal forests surrounding Jervis Bay in south-eastern Australia. We found A. cantonensis in populations of introduced Rattus rattus in forests to the north of Jervis Bay, and A. mackerrasae in native Rattus fuscipes in forests to the south of Jervis Bay. The apparent geographical separation of these lungworm species may be a consequence of host specificity and negative associations between R. rattus and R. fuscipes that results from interspecific competition. A. cantonensis was regularly found in R. rattus or their faeces across 9 of 12 study sites north of Jervis Bay, and three species of snail common to the area were suitable intermediate hosts. This has potential negative implications for native wildlife and human visitors to these forests, because A. cantonensis infection causes zoonotic disease (neuro-angiostrongyliasis) in humans and a wide range of bird and mammal hosts. Management of pest rodents in the study area is warranted.

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Regional faunal decline - reptile occurrence in fragmented rural landscapes of south-eastern Australia

Wildlife Research ◽

10.1071/wr07010 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 35 (1) ◽

pp. 8 ◽

Cited By ~ 50

Author(s):

Geoff W. Brown ◽

Andrew F. Bennett ◽

Joanne M. Potts

Keyword(s):

Land Use ◽

Environmental Gradient ◽

Population Decline ◽

Native Vegetation ◽

Single Individual ◽

Rural Landscapes ◽

South Eastern ◽

Eastern Australia ◽

The Status ◽

South Eastern Australia

Many species of reptiles are sedentary and depend on ground-layer habitats, suggesting that they may be particularly vulnerable to landscape changes that result in isolation or degradation of native vegetation. We investigated patterns of reptile distribution and abundance in remnant woodland across the Victorian Riverina, south-eastern Australia, a bioregion highly modified (>90%) by clearing for agriculture. Reptiles were intensively surveyed by pitfall trapping and censuses at 60 sites, stratified to sample small (<30 ha) and large (>30 ha) remnants, and linear strips of roadside and streamside vegetation, across the regional environmental gradient. The recorded assemblage of 21 species was characterised by low abundance and patchy distribution of species. Reptiles were not recorded by either survey technique at 22% of sites and at a further 10% only a single individual was detected. More than half (53%) of all records were of two widespread, generalist skink species. Multivariate models showed that the distribution of reptiles is influenced by factors operating at several levels. The environmental gradient exerts a strong influence, with increasing species richness and numbers of individuals from east (moister, higher elevation) to west (drier, lower elevation). Differences existed between types of remnants, with roadside vegetation standing out as important; this probably reflects greater structural heterogeneity of ground and shrub strata than in remnants subject to grazing by stock. Although comparative historical data are lacking, we argue that there has been a region-wide decline in the status of reptiles in the Victorian Riverina involving: (1) overall population decline commensurate with loss of >90% of native vegetation; (2) disproportionate decline of grassy dry woodlands and their fauna (cf. floodplains); and (3) changes to populations and assemblages in surviving remnants due to effects of land-use on reptile habitats. Many species now occur as disjunct populations, vulnerable to changing land-use. The status of reptiles in rural Australia warrants greater attention than has been given to date. Effective conservation of this component of the biota requires better understanding of the population dynamics, habitat use and dispersal capacity of species; and a commitment to landscape restoration coupled with effective ecological monitoring.

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