Population viability analysis shows spotted-tailed quolls may be vulnerable to competition
A. S. Glen A B C and C. R. Dickman A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Institute of Wildlife Research, School of Biological Sciences A08, University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia.
B Present address: Landcare Research, PO Box 69040, Lincoln 7640, New Zealand.
C Corresponding author. Email: glena@landcareresearch.co.nz
Australian Mammalogy 35(2) 180-183 https://doi.org/10.1071/AM12045
Submitted: 19 October 2012 Accepted: 7 April 2013 Published: 8 May 2013
Abstract
Competition between carnivores can strongly affect their behaviour, abundance and distribution. Recent analyses suggest a strong likelihood of competition between eutherian predators and the endangered spotted-tailed quoll (Dasyurus maculatus), although experiments are required to confirm this. If competition does occur, what are its likely effects on the long-term survival of spotted-tailed quoll populations? We used population viability analysis (PVA) to predict the fate of a hypothetical quoll population under various scenarios of competition. PVA showed that spotted-tailed quoll populations may be susceptible to extinction when faced with high densities of competitors. Model scenarios simulating exploitation competition and/or intraguild killing greatly reduced the population’s probability of survival, leading in the worst-case scenario to almost certain extinction.
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