The Current and Potential Distribution of the Common Myna Acridotheres tristis in Australia

Abstract

The Bioclimatic Prediction System, BIOCLIM, was used to produce a climate profile for the present distribution of the introduced Common Myna Acridotheres tristis in Australia. This climate profile was then used to predict further areas in Australia which are climatically suitable for colonisation by the Common Myna. Suitable areas were predicted as occurring throughout the eastern regions of Australia from north of Cairns, Queensland, through to south-east South Australia. Further areas predicted as suitable occurred on the gulf peninsulas of South Australia and in the extreme south-west comer of Western Australia. Much of the predicted area occurs in the more intensively settled regions of Australia where considerable suitable habitat for the Common Myna exists. The hypothesis that Common Myna range expansion is limited above latitude 40°S due to unsuitable climate is further supported by this study. Colder regions of south-eastern Australia were also predicted to be unsuitable.