Diet of fallow deer suggests potential for invasion of novel habitats in Tasmania

Thomas R. Guy; Jamie B. Kirkpatrick; Calum X. Cunningham; Tina E. Berry; Kathryn L. Dawkins; Michael M. Driessen; Chris N. Johnson

doi:10.1071/WR23124

RESEARCH ARTICLE (Open Access)

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Diet of fallow deer suggests potential for invasion of novel habitats in Tasmania

Thomas R. Guy

^A ^* , Jamie B. Kirkpatrick ^B , Calum X. Cunningham ^A , Tina E. Berry

^C , Kathryn L. Dawkins

^C , Michael M. Driessen ^B ^D and Chris N. Johnson ^A

+ Author Affiliations

- Author Affiliations

^A School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tas. 7001, Australia.

^B School of Geography, Planning, and Spatial Sciences, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tas. 7001, Australia.

^C eDNA Frontiers, School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Kent Street, Bentley, WA 6102, Australia.

^D Department of Natural Resources and Environment, Hobart, Tas. 7001, Australia.

^* Correspondence to: thomas.guy@utas.edu.au

Handling Editor: Catherine Collins

Wildlife Research 51, WR23124 https://doi.org/10.1071/WR23124

Submitted: 5 October 2023 Accepted: 24 December 2023 Published: 5 February 2024

© 2024 The Author(s) (or their employer(s)). Published by CSIRO Publishing. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC-ND)

Abstract

Context

Understanding the diet of invasive species can inform the potential for their distribution into novel habitats. Fallow deer are well established in the grassy woodlands of central Tasmania, Australia, in environments generally considered to be their optimum habitat. They are also increasing their range. The potential range of fallow deer in Tasmania will depend on their ability to vary their diet to exploit new habitats. Diet flexibility will also determine the ecological impacts that fallow deer might have in novel habitats.

Aims

We compared the diets of fallow deer in a lowland grassy woodland, where deer have been established for over 150 years, with diets of deer in highland woodlands and forest with less grass cover and higher rainfall, where deer have been established for a shorter time (<50 years). We expected that fallow deer in grassy woodlands would mainly eat grass and forbs, and we wanted to know to what extent the diet of deer differed between habitats.

Methods

A metagenomic analysis was performed on fallow deer faecal pellets collected at one lowland and three highland study areas. The method was chosen to maximise information on taxonomic composition of diet and identify plant species that might be affected by deer herbivory to the lowest possible taxonomic level.

Key results

Fallow deer ate a wide variety of plant taxa. Diets varied among study areas. In the lowland study area, deer predominantly ate forbs and grasses. In the highland study area deer were more likely to browse on eucalypts and a variety of shrubs.

Conclusions

Fallow deer in Tasmania have a broad dietary niche. Availability of specific plant taxa is unlikely to limit fallow deer expansion into most new habitats.

Implications

Without stronger management strategies, deer are likely to further increase their range in Tasmania, including into areas with high conservation values. The potential impacts on these areas may be high.

Keywords: Australia, browsing impacts, Dama dama, Eucalyptus, fallow deer, feeding ecology, invasive species, metagenomics, Tasmania, ungulates.

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