Unforeseen consequences of a misidentified rodent: case study from the Archipelago of the Recherche, Western Australia
Andrew A. Burbidge A G , Ian Abbott B , Sarah Comer C , Emma Adams D , Oliver Berry E and Kate E. Penwarden F
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A 87 Rosedale Street, Floreat, WA 6014, Australia.
B 1 Caddy Avenue, West Leederville, WA 6007, Australia.
C Department of Environment and Conservation, 120 Albany Highway, Albany, WA 6330, Australia.
D Department of Environment and Conservation, 92 Dempster Street, Esperance, WA 6450, Australia.
E CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research, Private Mail Bag 5, Wembley, WA 6913, Australia and Invasive Animals Cooperative Research Centre/School of Animal Biology, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia.
F School of Animal Biology, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia.
G Corresponding author. Email: amburbidge@westnet.com.au
Australian Mammalogy 34(1) 55-58 https://doi.org/10.1071/AM11004
Submitted: 3 February 2011 Accepted: 21 June 2011 Published: 7 November 2011
Abstract
Since 1953, it has been assumed that Rattus rattus occurred on Woody Island, Archipelago of the Recherche, Western Australia, and that R. fuscipes was locally extinct. Recent trapping and identification, including sequencing of mitochondrial DNA, has confirmed the persistence of R. fuscipes. The apparent misidentification of the 1950 specimen and failure to collect vouchers since has led to unforeseen consequences, including a proposal to eradicate the Rattus population.
Additional keywords: Rattus rattus, Rattus fuscipes, voucher specimens, Woody Island.
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