Feral cat predation on Leadbeater’s possum (Gymnobelideus leadbeateri) and observations of arboreal hunting at nest boxes
Leo B. McComb A E , Pia E. Lentini A , Dan K. P. Harley B , Lindy F. Lumsden C , Joanne S. Antrobus D , Arabella C. Eyre A and Natalie J. Briscoe A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Vic. 3010, Australia.
B Wildlife Conservation and Science, Zoos Victoria, Healesville, Vic. 3777, Australia.
C Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research, Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, Heidelberg, Vic. 3084, Australia.
D Parks Victoria, Sherbrooke, Vic. 3789, Australia.
E Corresponding author. Email: mccombl@student.unimelb.edu.au
Australian Mammalogy 41(2) 262-265 https://doi.org/10.1071/AM18010
Submitted: 26 March 2018 Accepted: 21 June 2018 Published: 26 July 2018
Abstract
Feral cats have been identified as a major threat to Australian wildlife; however, their impacts on the critically endangered Leadbeater’s possum (Gymobelideus leadbeateri) are unknown. Here, we describe camera trap observations of a feral cat hunting at nest boxes occupied by Leadbeater’s possum. Seven feral cats were subsequently captured within the surrounding area: two had Leadbeater’s possum remains in their stomachs. The prevalence of cat predation on this species, particularly at nest boxes, and how this can be mitigated warrants further investigation.
Additional keywords: arboreal mammal, artificial hollow, Felis catus, invasive species, motion-activated camera, predator, trail camera.
References
Bailey, R. L., and Bonter, D. N. (2017). Predator guards on nest boxes improve nesting success of birds. Wildlife Society Bulletin 41, 434–441.| Predator guards on nest boxes improve nesting success of birds.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Beilharz, L., and Whisson, D. (2015). Observations of ground activity in Leadbeater’s possum Gymnobelideus leadbeateri in subalpine snowgum woodland at Mount Baw Baw, Victoria. Victorian Naturalist 132, 21–22.
Beyer, G. L., and Goldingay, R. L. (2006). The value of nest boxes in the research and management of Australian hollow-using arboreal marsupials. Wildlife Research 33, 161–174.
| The value of nest boxes in the research and management of Australian hollow-using arboreal marsupials.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Brown, G. W., Earl, G. E., Griffiths, R. C., Horrocks, G. F., and Williams, E. M. (1989). Flora and fauna of tile Acheron forest block, Central Highlands, Victoria. Ecological Survey Report No. 30, Department of Conservation, Forests and Lands, Melbourne.
Burns, E. L., Lindenmayer, D. B., Stein, J., Blanchard, W., McBurney, L., Blair, D., and Banks, S. C. (2015). Ecosystem assessment of mountain ash forest in the Central Highlands of Victoria, south‐eastern Australia. Austral Ecology 40, 386–399.
| Ecosystem assessment of mountain ash forest in the Central Highlands of Victoria, south‐eastern Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
DEPI (2014). Action Statement No. 62. Leadbeater’s Possum Gymnobelideus leadbeateri. Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988. Department of Environment and Primary Industries, Victoria.
Doherty, T. S., Davis, R. A., van Etten, E. J. B., Algar, D. A., Collier, N., Dickman, C. R., Edwards, G., Masters, P., Palmer, R., and Robinson, S. (2015). A continental-scale analysis of feral cat diet in Australia. Journal of Biogeography 42, 964–975.
| A continental-scale analysis of feral cat diet in Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Doherty, T. S., Dickman, C. R., Johnson, C. N., Legge, S. M., Ritchie, E. G., and Woinarski, J. C. Z. (2017). Impacts and management of feral cats Felis catus in Australia. Mammal Review 47, 83–97.
| Impacts and management of feral cats Felis catus in Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Fargallo, J. A., Blanco, G., Potti, J., and Viñuela, J. (2001). Nestbox provisioning in a rural population of Eurasian kestrels: breeding performance, nest predation and parasitism. Bird Study 48, 236–244.
| Nestbox provisioning in a rural population of Eurasian kestrels: breeding performance, nest predation and parasitism.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Harley, D. K. (2006). A role for nest boxes in the conservation of Leadbeater’s possum (Gymnobelideus leadbeateri). Wildlife Research 33, 385–395.
| A role for nest boxes in the conservation of Leadbeater’s possum (Gymnobelideus leadbeateri).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Harley, D. (2016). An overview of actions to conserve Leadbeater’s Possum (Gymnobelideus leadbeateri). Victorian Naturalist 133, 85–97.
Harley, D. K., Holland, G. J., Hradsky, B. A. K., and Antrobus, J. S. (2014). The use of camera traps to detect arboreal mammals: lessons from targeted surveys for the cryptic Leadbeater’s possum Gymnobelideus leadbeateri. In ‘Camera Trapping: Wildlife Management and Research’. (Eds P. Meek, P. Fleming, G. Ballard, P. Banks, A. Claridge, J. Sanderson, and D. Swann.) pp. 233–243. (CSIRO Publishing: Melbourne.)
Hradsky, B. A., Mildwaters, C., Ritchie, E. G., Christie, F., and Di Stefano, J. (2017). Responses of invasive predators and native prey to a prescribed forest fire. Journal of Mammalogy 98, 835–847.
| Responses of invasive predators and native prey to a prescribed forest fire.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Huhta, E., Jokimäki, J., and Helle, P. (1998). Predation on artificial nests in a forest dominated landscape – the effects of nest type, patch size and edge structure. Ecography 21, 464–471.
| Predation on artificial nests in a forest dominated landscape – the effects of nest type, patch size and edge structure.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Lindenmayer, D. B., Welsh, A., Donnelly, C., Crane, M., Michael, D., Macgregor, C., McBurney, L., Montague-Drake, R., and Gibbons, P. (2009). Are nest boxes a viable alternative source of cavities for hollow-dependent animals? Long-term monitoring of nest box occupancy, pest use and attrition. Biological Conservation 142, 33–42.
| Are nest boxes a viable alternative source of cavities for hollow-dependent animals? Long-term monitoring of nest box occupancy, pest use and attrition.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Lindenmayer, D., Blair, D., McBurney, L., Banks, S., Stein, J., Hobbs, R., Likens, G., and Franklin, J. (2013). Principles and practices for biodiversity conservation and restoration forestry: a 30 year case study on the Victorian montane ash forests and the critically endangered Leadbeater’s possum. Australian Zoologist 36, 441–460.
| Principles and practices for biodiversity conservation and restoration forestry: a 30 year case study on the Victorian montane ash forests and the critically endangered Leadbeater’s possum.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Macfarlane, M. A. (1988). Mammal populations in mountain ash (Eucalyptus regnans) forests of various ages in the Central Highlands of Victoria. Australian Forestry 51, 14–27.
| Mammal populations in mountain ash (Eucalyptus regnans) forests of various ages in the Central Highlands of Victoria.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
McGregor, H. W., Legge, S., Jones, M. E., and Johnson, C. N. (2016). Extraterritorial hunting expeditions to intense fire scars by feral cats. Scientific Reports 6, 22559.
| Extraterritorial hunting expeditions to intense fire scars by feral cats.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Miller, K. E. (2002). Nesting success of the great crested flycatcher in nest boxes and in tree cavities: are nest boxes safer from nest predation? The Wilson Bulletin 114, 179–185.
| Nesting success of the great crested flycatcher in nest boxes and in tree cavities: are nest boxes safer from nest predation?Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Molsher, R., Newsome, A., and Dickman, C. (1999). Feeding ecology and population dynamics of the feral cat (Felis catus) in relation to the availability of prey in central-eastern New South Wales. Wildlife Research 26, 593–607.
| Feeding ecology and population dynamics of the feral cat (Felis catus) in relation to the availability of prey in central-eastern New South Wales.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Molsher, R., Newsome, A. E., Newsome, T. M., and Dickman, C. R. (2017). Mesopredator management: effects of red fox control on the abundance, diet and use of space by feral cats. PLoS One 12, e0168460.
| Mesopredator management: effects of red fox control on the abundance, diet and use of space by feral cats.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Nelson, J. L., Durkin, L. K., Cripps, J. K., Scroggie, M. P., Bryant, D. B., Macak, P. V., and Lumsden, L. F. (2017). Targeted surveys to improve Leadbeater’s possum conservation. Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research Technical Report Series No. 278. Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, Heidelberg, Victoria.
Robley, A., and Fanson, B. (2017). Central Highlands Ark 2016 biodiversity monitoring report. Unpublished client report for the Central Highland Ark Technical Working Group. Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research, Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning.
Saunders, D. A. (1991). The effect of land clearing on the ecology of Carnaby’s cockatoo and the inland red-tailed black-cockatoo in the wheatbelt of Western Australia. Acta XX Congressus Internationalis Ornithologici 1, 658–665.
Sonerud, G. A. (1985). Nest hole shift in Tengmalm’s owl Aegolius funereus as defence against nest predation involving long-term memory in the predator. Journal of Animal Ecology 54, 179–192.
| Nest hole shift in Tengmalm’s owl Aegolius funereus as defence against nest predation involving long-term memory in the predator.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Woinarski, J. C. Z., Burbidge, A. A., and Harrison, P. L. (2015). Ongoing unravelling of a continental fauna: decline and extinction of Australian mammals since European settlement. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 112, 4531–4540.
| Ongoing unravelling of a continental fauna: decline and extinction of Australian mammals since European settlement.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
