Journal article
Sharing meals: Predation on Australian mammals by the introduced European red fox compounds and complements predation by feral cats
Biological Conservation, Vol.261, Art. 109284
2021
Abstract
Two introduced carnivores, the European red fox Vulpes vulpes and domestic cat Felis catus, have had, and continue to have, major impacts on wildlife, particularly mammals, across Australia. Based mainly on the contents of almost 50,000 fox dietary samples, we provide the first comprehensive inventory of Australian mammal species known to be consumed by foxes, and compare this with a similar assessment for cats.
We recorded consumption by foxes of 114 species of Australian land mammal (40% of extant species), fewer than consumed by cats (173 species). Foxes are known to consume 42 threatened mammal species (50% of Australia's threatened land mammals and 66% of those within the fox's Australian range). Reflecting the importance of mammals in their diet, foxes are known to consume a far higher proportion of Australian mammal species (40%) than of Australian birds (24%) and reptiles (16%).
Both foxes and cats were most likely to consume medium-sized mammals, with the likelihood of predation by foxes peaking for mammals of ca. 280 g and by cats at ca. 130 g. For non-flying mammals, threatened species had a higher relative likelihood of predation by foxes than non-threatened species. Using trait-based modelling, we estimate that many now-extinct Australian mammal species had very high likelihoods of predation by foxes and cats, although we note that for some of these species, extinction likely pre-dated the arrival of foxes. These two predators continue to have compounding and complementary impacts on Australian mammals. Targeted and integrated management of foxes and cats is required to help maintain and recover the Australian mammal fauna.
Details
- Title
- Sharing meals: Predation on Australian mammals by the introduced European red fox compounds and complements predation by feral cats
- Authors/Creators
- A.M. Stobo-Wilson (Author/Creator) - Charles Darwin UniversityB.P. Murphy (Author/Creator) - Charles Darwin UniversityH.M. Crawford (Author/Creator) - Murdoch UniversityS.J. Dawson (Author/Creator) - Murdoch UniversityC.R. Dickman (Author/Creator) - The University of SydneyT.S. Doherty (Author/Creator) - The University of SydneyP.A. Fleming (Author/Creator) - Murdoch UniversityM.N. Gentle (Author/Creator) - Animal Research InstituteS.M. Legge (Author/Creator) - The University of QueenslandT.M. Newsome (Author/Creator) - The University of SydneyR. Palmer (Author/Creator) - Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and AttractionsM.W. Rees (Author/Creator) - The University of MelbourneE.G. Ritchie (Author/Creator) - Deakin UniversityJ. Speed (Author/Creator)J-M Stuart (Author/Creator) - Murdoch UniversityE. Thompson (Author/Creator) - Deakin UniversityJ. Turpin (Author/Creator) - University of New EnglandJ.C.Z. Woinarski (Author/Creator) - Charles Darwin University
- Publication Details
- Biological Conservation, Vol.261, Art. 109284
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Identifiers
- 991005541897607891
- Copyright
- © 2021 Elsevier Ltd.
- Murdoch Affiliation
- Harry Butler Institute; Centre for Climate-Impacted Terrestrial Ecosystems
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article
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- Citation topics
- 3 Agriculture, Environment & Ecology
- 3.35 Zoology & Animal Ecology
- 3.35.274 Wildlife Ecology
- Web Of Science research areas
- Biodiversity Conservation
- Ecology
- Environmental Sciences
- ESI research areas
- Environment/Ecology