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Hollings et al 2016 Ecology.pdf (374.96 kB)

Disease-induced decline of an apex predator drives invasive dominated states and threatens biodiversity

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posted on 2023-05-19, 05:00 authored by Hollings, TA, Menna JonesMenna Jones, Mooney, N, McCallum, H
Apex predators are important in protecting biodiversity through top-down influence on food webs. Their loss is linked with competitive release of invasive mesopredators and species extinctions. The Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii) has experienced severe declines over a 15-yr period as a novel transmissible cancer has spread across its current geographic range. We surveyed the mammalian community, using hair traps, across the spatial extent of the devil's progressive population decline. We found increased activity of alien invasive species (feral cats, black rats), and reduced small and medium-sized native prey species in response to the timing of the decline. In areas of long-term devil decline, invasive species comprised a significantly larger proportion of the community. The results provide evidence that the devil plays a keystone role in Tasmania's ecosystem with their decline linked to a shift toward an invasive state and biodiversity loss in one of Australia's most intact faunal communities.

Funding

Australian Research Council

History

Publication title

Ecology

Volume

97

Pagination

394-405

ISSN

0012-9658

Department/School

School of Natural Sciences

Publisher

Ecological Soc Amer

Place of publication

1707 H St Nw, Ste 400, Washington, USA, Dc, 20006-3915

Rights statement

© 2016 by the Ecological Society of America

Repository Status

  • Open

Socio-economic Objectives

Terrestrial biodiversity

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