Book chapter
Reptilian predators: The forgotten majority?
Carnivores of Australia: Past, Present and Future, pp.263-278
Csiro Publishing
2014
Abstract
Reptilian predators such as goannas and pythons are rarely considered by wildlife managers. However, these animals are numerically dominant in much of Australia, consume similar prey to those of mammalian predators, and can have strong ecological impacts on prey communities. We review the similarities and differences between mammalian and reptilian predators, using the terrestrial predator guild in the jarrah forests of Western Australia as a case study. There is extensive dietary niche overlap between various predators in this guild, such as between introduced foxes (Vulpes vulpes) and south-west carpet pythons (Morelia spilota imbricata), while chuditch (Dasyurus geoffroii) are sandwiched between two goanna species (Varanus gouldii and V. rosenbergi) and feral cats (Felis catus). A suite of competitive interactions potentially exist between these predators. Reptilian predators can occur at high density, which offsets their lower metabolic requirements as compared with mammalian carnivores. Together with demonstrated impacts of reptilian predators on faunal communities, this suggests that reptilian predators warrant consideration in predator management programs, and emphasises the importance of managing predator communities without taxonomic bias.
Details
- Title
- Reptilian predators: The forgotten majority?
- Authors/Creators
- Gillian Bryant (Author) - Murdoch University, Centre for Terrestrial Ecosystem Science and SustainabilitySutherland Duncan (Author)
- Contributors
- Alistair Glen (Editor)Christopher Dickman (Editor)
- Publication Details
- Carnivores of Australia: Past, Present and Future, pp.263-278
- Publisher
- Csiro Publishing
- Identifiers
- 991005561069807891
- Murdoch Affiliation
- Centre for Terrestrial Ecosystem Science and Sustainability
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Book chapter
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