Diet analysis of mammals, raptors and reptiles in a complex predator assemblage in the Blue Mountains, eastern Australia

2011 ◽  
Vol 59 (5) ◽  
pp. 295 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jack H. Pascoe ◽  
Robert C. Mulley ◽  
Ricky Spencer ◽  
Rosalie Chapple

South-east Australia has a complex predator assemblage which has historically been vulnerable to introduced species. This is the first Australian field study to analyse samples from members of the families Canidae, Dasyuridae, Strigidae, and Varanidae to describe the diet and diet overlap between these predators. Samples were collected opportunistically and hair and bone analysis was used to identify the content of samples. Wild dogs (Canis lupus) and lace monitors (Varanus varius) predominantly consumed large mammalian prey, which contributed to the high level of diet overlap (Ojk = 0.79) between these two species. Foxes (Vulpes vulpes) and spotted-tailed quolls (Dasyurus maculatus) also had a high level of diet overlap (Ojk = 0.76), a result of their diets containing a high proportion of medium-sized mammals. The diet of wild dogs and foxes showed moderate overlap (Ojk = 0.59), and foxes were more likely to prey on species within the critical weight range than on macropods, which made up a high proportion of the diet of wild dogs. These data confirm that significant diet overlap can occur between predators from different taxonomic classes and further investigation of potential competition will be important to ongoing management.

2004 ◽  
Vol 31 (6) ◽  
pp. 639 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew J. Murray ◽  
Robert N. Poore

The spotted-tailed quoll (Dasyurus maculatus) is a threatened marsupial that inhabits forests in eastern Australia. In many of these forests the species is sympatric with populations of wild dogs (Canis lupus dingo, Canis familiaris and hybrids of the two), which are subject to poison-baiting programs. Many of these programs involve dropping meat baits injected with 6 mg of 1080 from helicopters. To date, the effect of this method on populations of spotted-tailed quolls has not been quantified. We carried out a simulated aerial baiting program using meat baits injected with a non-toxic baitmarker, Rhodamine B, which is laid down in the vibrissae of mammals ingesting baits. Of the 16 spotted-tailed quolls subsequently captured, 10 had Rhodamine B in their vibrissae. The potential impact that this level of bait uptake might have on a population of quolls is discussed.


2010 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 23 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alan Robley ◽  
Andrew Gormley ◽  
David M. Forsyth ◽  
Alan N. Wilton ◽  
Danielle Stephens

To investigate movements and habitat selection by wild dogs we attached satellite-linked global positioning system (GPS) units to nine wild dogs (Canis lupus dingo and Canis lupus familiaris) captured in eastern Victoria in summer 2007. Units estimated locations at 30-min intervals for the first six months and then at 480-min intervals for six more months. DNA testing revealed all these wild dogs to be related. Home ranges of males were almost three times larger than those of females (males: 124.3 km2 ± 56.3, n = 4; females: 45.2 km2 ± 17.3, n = 5) and both sexes preferred subalpine grassland, shrub or woodland at the landscape and home-range scales. Wild dogs were recorded more often than expected within 25 m of roads and less often than expected within 25 m of watercourses. Wild dogs displayed higher-velocity movements with shallow turning angles (generally forwards) that connected spatial and temporal clusters comprising slower-velocity, shorter, and sharper turning movements. One wild dog travelled 230 km in 9 days before returning to its home range and another travelled 105 km in 87 days. The home-range sizes reported in this study are much larger than previously reported in south-eastern Australia. This finding, together with previous studies, suggests that the spatial scale at which wild dog management occurs needs to be reconsidered.


2012 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
pp. 211 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lee Allen ◽  
Mark Goullet ◽  
Russell Palmer

Dingoes and other wild dogs (Canis lupus dingo and hybrids) are generalist predators that consume a wide variety of different prey species within their range. Little is known, however, of the diets of dingoes in north-eastern Australia where the potential for impacts by dingoes exists. Recently new information has been provided on the diets of dingoes from several sites in Queensland, Australia, significantly adding to the body of published knowledge on ecosystems within this region. Further information on the diet of dingoes in north-eastern Australia is added from 1460 scats collected from five sites, representing tropical savannahs, tropical offshore islands (and a matched mainland area), dry sclerophyll forests and peri-urban areas on the fringe of Townsville. Macropods, possums and bandicoots were found to be common prey for dingoes in these areas. Evidence suggested that the frequency of prey remains in scats can be an unreliable indicator of predation risk to potential prey and it was found that novel and unexpected prey species appear in dingo diets as preferred prey become unavailable. The results support the generalisation that dingoes prefer medium- to large-sized native prey species when available but also highlight the capacity for dingoes to exploit populations of both large and small prey species that might not initially be considered at risk from predation based solely on data on scats.


2011 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 79 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. A. Brook ◽  
A. S. Kutt

The dingo (Canis lupus dingo and hybrids) is the top mammalian predator on the Australian mainland and is thought to control and suppress populations of native herbivores and smaller mesopredators, including the introduced feral cat (Felis catus). Dingoes have been persecuted as a threat to domestic livestock, and local population decreases have been linked to increasing mesopredator populations, which in turn may cause the decline of small native mammals. There is little data on the dingo’s dietary composition in northern Australia. We examined the diet of dingoes in north-eastern Queensland via scat collection and analysis. A total of 178 scats were examined between 1994 and 2000, comprised of 185 prey items and representing 21 discrete prey types. Native mammal prey was the most frequent dietary component (69.7%), with large- to medium-sized macropods (Macropus spp. and Wallabia bicolor) present in the majority of samples (51.1%). Critical Weight Range species were found in 18.0% of the records. Introduced species such as the European hare/rabbit (Lepus capensis/Oryctolagus cuniculus) and cattle (Bos taurus) were found in smaller amounts (14.6 and 10.1%, respectively). These results suggest that dingoes prey considerably on large- to medium-sized macropods in our study area (north-eastern Australia). Dingo diet tends to differ regionally where dingoes prey on native species that are locally common or abundant. Finally, the diets of the dingo and feral cat do not appear to considerably overlap in our study area, which may have implications for mesopredator suppression.


2007 ◽  
Vol 34 (6) ◽  
pp. 461 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rob J. Hunt ◽  
David J. Dall ◽  
Steven J. Lapidge

Application of synthetic fermented egg (SFE), via aerosol, to the surface of bait stations increased site visitation by wild dogs and foxes when compared with the use of buried baits alone. An associated increase in bait uptake by foxes at SFE-treated bait stations was observed when compared with bait uptake at untreated stations, although this effect diminished with time, possibly due to the use of non-lethal baits leading to the discovery of all bait stations and the habituation of animals to sites of reward. Bait uptake by wild dogs, although limited, occurred only at stations treated with SFE. Use of an aerosol based form of SFE allowed an ease of field application not previously associated with the use of synthetic lures.


2005 ◽  
Vol 32 (8) ◽  
pp. 673 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gerhard Körtner ◽  
Peter Watson

In eastern Australia, the spotted-tailed quoll (Dasyurus maculatus) is the species thought to be most likely at risk from aerial baiting with compound 1080 to control wild dogs (Canis lupus familiaris and C. l. dingo). Although it is known that quolls occasionally die of 1080 poisoning, the broader impact on populations remains unresolved. We therefore assessed the impact of a regular aerial baiting campaign on a population of spotted-tailed quolls. Baiting with 1080 meat baits was conducted by the local Wild Dog Control Association and followed the same procedure as in previous years with the exception that the biomarker, rhodamine B, was added to the baits. Prior to the baiting, 36 quolls were trapped and fitted with mortality radio-collars; 31 of these collars were still functional at the time of baiting. Quolls were monitored from a helicopter and on the ground until retrapped 5–9 weeks after baiting. Transmitters were then removed and a sample of vibrissae was taken for rhodamine B analysis. Carcasses found were analysed for 1080. Predator numbers were assessed before and after baiting using track pads across trails. Among the initial 36 radio-collared quolls, nine mortalities were recorded during the course of the study (seven after baiting). Only one of the nine deaths could be directly attributed to 1080 poisoning. In addition, vibrissae from five of the 35 individuals sampled after baiting were marked with rhodamine B, indicating that these individuals had consumed bait, and survived. Consequently, mortality attributable to this particular aerial baiting campaign was low, apparently because few quolls ate bait and most of those that did survived. Track counts for predators indicated a significant decrease in dog and fox numbers after baiting. Cat activity remained unchanged and the number of quoll tracks increased.


2006 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 101 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. S. Glen ◽  
A. R. Fay ◽  
C. R. Dickman

In the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales the diets of sympatric foxes (Vulpes vulpes) and dogs (Canis lupus) were determined from analysis of oportunitically collected scats. Mammalian prey dominated the diet of both species but foxes had a more diverse diet than dogs. The red-necked pademelon (Thylogale thetis) had the highest occurrence in both predators. the northern brown bandicoot (Isoodon macrourus) was the second most common prey of the fox but did not occur in dog scats. Swamp wallaby (Wallabia bicolor) was more common in dog scats than fox scats.


Author(s):  
Anna Gogojewicz ◽  
Barbara Pospieszna ◽  
Jakub Bartkowiak ◽  
Ewa Śliwicka ◽  
Joanna Karolkiewicz

Windsurfing is a demanding activity that requires a high level of physical fitness as well as appropriate training and nutritional strategies. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the dietary intake of amateur windsurfers and consider possible dietary mistakes. This field study was conducted among 10 Polish male amateur windsurfers (aged 22 ± 2 years, mean training experience of 9.5 ± 4 years). Dietary intake was assessed using a standardized 3-day food record. The total energy expenditure of each participant was estimated using a mobile fitness application. The daily energy supply in assessed portions of the windsurfers’ food was lower than the estimated demand during the competition. The contribution of macronutrients to the total energy intake adhered to those guidelines, but not with the ones recommended for athletes practicing extreme sports. Daily fluid consumption was insufficient. In the windsurfers’ diet, we noticed low consumption of vitamin D and calcium, while cholesterol, sodium, potassium, and phosphorus intake was too high. Nutritional practices of amateur windsurfers during the competitive period do not comply with current sports nutrition guidelines. The results suggest that windsurfers are in need of nutritional education and dietary counseling in order to meet macronutrient intake targets.


1999 ◽  
Vol 79 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Harri ◽  
J. Mononen ◽  
J. Sepponen

Farmed silver foxes were allowed to choose between four standard farm cages, each of which was equipped with a different floor material: plastic-coated wire mesh (WM); dry wood (DW); dry sand (DS); and wet wood (WW) or icy sand (IS). Six males and six females were placed in the test environment singly in winter; and the same individuals, again in spring. The use of the different floors was videorecorded and analysed from the tapes for active periods and resting period on 5 or 6 d. Resting consisted of 14–20 separate bouts d−1, occupying 58–62% of the total 24 h. In winter, the active periods of the animal’s day were spent as follows: DW (34%) = DS (33%) > IS (17%) = WM (15%). The resting periods were spent as follows: DW (59%) > WM (26%) = DS (15%) > IS (1%). In spring, the order of active time was DS (36%) > DW (25%) = WW (24%) > WM (15%) and of resting time was DW (51%) > WM (19%) = WW (16%) = DS (15%). Different individuals preferred different floors, leading to large variance in the group means. This high variation may suggest a low level of priority in general but a high level of priority within individuals. Although solid floors were highly preferred when dry, they were least preferred when wet or icy. Key words: Preference test, wire-mesh floor, solid floor, wet floor, resting place, Vulpes vulpes


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