Swamp wallaby (Wallabia bicolor) distribution has dramatically increased following sustained biological control of rabbits
B. D. Cooke
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
Institute for Applied Ecology, University of Canberra, Bruce, ACT 2607, Australia. Email: brian.cooke@canberra.edu.au
Australian Mammalogy 42(3) 321-328 https://doi.org/10.1071/AM19037
Submitted: 31 May 2019 Accepted: 29 January 2020 Published: 11 March 2020
Abstract
Swamp wallabies have dramatically extended their distribution through western Victoria and south-eastern South Australia over the last 40 years. Newspaper reports from 1875 onwards show that on European settlement, wallaby populations were confined to eastern Victoria, including the ranges around Melbourne, the Otway Ranges and Portland District of south-western Victoria, and a tiny part of south-eastern South Australia. Populations contracted further with intense hunting for the fur trade until the 1930s. In the late 1970s, however, wallabies began spreading into drier habitats than those initially recorded. Possible causes underlying this change in distribution are discussed; some seem unlikely but, because wallabies began spreading soon after the introduction of European rabbit fleas as vectors of myxomatosis, the cumulative effects of releases of biological agents to control rabbits appear important. A caution is given on assuming that thick vegetation in high-rainfall areas provides the only habitat suitable for swamp wallabies, but, most importantly, the study shows how native mammals may benefit if rabbit abundance is reduced.
Additional keywords: Aboriginal people, black wallaby, black-tailed wallaby, dingoes, European rabbit fleas, hunting, myxomatosis, RHD, sheep
References
Allen, L., and Mitchell, D. R. (2016). A new record of the swamp wallaby (Wallabia bicolor Desmarest 1804) Marsupialia: Macropodinae) in South Australia. South Australian Naturalist 90, 17–23.Allen, B. L., and West, P. (2013). Influence of dingoes on sheep distribution in Australia. Australian Veterinary Journal 91, 261–267.
| Influence of dingoes on sheep distribution in Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 23782018PubMed |
Anon. (1885). Some Gippsland fragments. The Argus 12 September 1885, p. 4.
Anon. (1886a). Picturesque Victoria. The Australasian 27 March 1886, p. 1.
Anon. (1886b). To correspondents. The Australasian 24 July 1886, p. 24.
Anon. (1887). By wood and stream. The Australasian 26 March 1887, p. 8.
Anon. (1892a). News and notes. The Cobram Courier 4 February 1892, p. 2.
Anon. (1892b). Traralgon South. Gippsland Farmers’ Journal 24 May 1892, p. 2.
Anon. (1900a). Close season for kangaroos. The Euroa Advertiser 24 August 1900, p. 2.
Anon. (1900b). Station market produce. The Bairnsdale Advertiser and Tambo and Omeo Chronicle 13 October 1900, p. 4.
Anon. (1902). A source of wealth. The Kerang New Times 3 October 1902, p. 4.
Anon. (1906). Dying out of vermin. The Leader 4 August 1906, p. 7.
Anon. (1908). Correspondence. The Leader 23 May 1908, p. 31.
Anon. (1910a). Mornings. The Gippsland Times 21 November 1910, p. 2.
Anon. (1910b). Killing during close season. The Argus 21 November 1910, p. 5.
Anon. (1911a). Protecting native animals. Farmer fined. The Bendigo Advertiser 20 January 1911, p. 6.
Anon. (1911b). News of the day. The Age 10 May 1911, p. 8.
Anon. (1913). Game laws. Marsupials killed. The Herald 5 September 1913, p. 5.
Anon. (1932a). Fauna reservations. Healesville and Monbulk. The Age 17 August 1932, p. 9.
Anon. (1932b). Black wallaby photograph, ‘One of the chief victims being killed for its valuable fur’. The Border Watch 21 May 1932, p. 1.
Anon. (1933). Wallabies plentiful in Victoria. The Herald 3 November 1933, p. 22.
Anon. (1943a). Kangaroo skins firmer. The Argus 27 July 1943, p. 8.
Anon. (1943b). Damage by rabbits and ’roos. The Herald 18 February 1943, p. 5.
Anon. (1954). Letter to Editor, ‘Very undesirable immigrant’. The Border Watch 27 April 1954, p. 14.
Anon. (1956). War on possums. The Argus 20 March 1956, p. 8.
Anon. (2006). Wallabies of S-W Victoria. Hamilton Field Naturalists Club. Available at: https://www.hamilton-field-naturalists-club-victoria.org.au/site-search/download/ODhmZjZiNGNmZjJkNjcxNDZmYzNhZGNhMGQzODI4ODE=/wallabies-sw-vic-mar2006-rb-pdf [accessed 16 March 2019].
Attenbrow, V. (2010). ‘Sydney’s Aboriginal Past: Investigating the Archaeological and Historical Records.’ 2nd edn. (UNSW Press: Sydney.)
Australian Bureau of Statistics (2009). 71240DO001_200708 Historical Selected Agricultural Commodities, by State (1861 to Present). Available at: http://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/DetailsPage/7124.02010-11?OpenDocument
Ben-Ami, D., and Ramp, D. (2013). Impact of roadside habitat on swamp wallaby movement and fitness. Wildlife Research 40, 512–522.
| Impact of roadside habitat on swamp wallaby movement and fitness.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Bennett, A. F. (1990). Habitat corridors and the conservation of small mammals in a fragmented forest environment. Landscape Ecology 4, 109–122.
| Habitat corridors and the conservation of small mammals in a fragmented forest environment.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Bird, P. L. (1981). A new macropod species from the Grampians. Victorian Naturalist 98, 67–68.
Bird, P. L. (1992). Expansion of the range of the black wallaby. Victorian Naturalist 109, 89–91.
Bird, P., Mutze, G., Peacock, D., and Jennings, S. (2012). Damage caused by low-density exotic herbivore populations: the impact of introduced European rabbits on marsupial herbivores and Allocasuarina and Bursaria seedling survival in Australian coastal shrubland. Biological Invasions 14, 743–755.
| Damage caused by low-density exotic herbivore populations: the impact of introduced European rabbits on marsupial herbivores and Allocasuarina and Bursaria seedling survival in Australian coastal shrubland.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Burrell, A., Evans, J. P., and Liu, Y. (2017). Detecting dryland degradation using time series segmentation and residual trend analysis (TSS-RESTREND). Remote Sensing of Environment 197, 43–57.
| Detecting dryland degradation using time series segmentation and residual trend analysis (TSS-RESTREND).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Campbell, J. (2002). ‘Invisible Invaders: Smallpox and other Diseases of Aboriginal Australia. 1780 – 1880.’ (Melbourne University Press: Melbourne.)
Coman, B. J., Robinson, J., and Beaumont, C. (1991). Home-range, dispersal and density of fox (Vulpes vulpes L) in central Victoria. Wildlife Research 18, 215–223.
| Home-range, dispersal and density of fox (Vulpes vulpes L) in central Victoria.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Cooke, B. D. (1983). Changes in the age-structure and size of populations of wild rabbits in South Australia, following the introduction of European rabbit fleas, Spilopsyllus cuniculi (Dale), as vectors of myxomatosis. Wildlife Research 10, 105–120.
| Changes in the age-structure and size of populations of wild rabbits in South Australia, following the introduction of European rabbit fleas, Spilopsyllus cuniculi (Dale), as vectors of myxomatosis.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Cooke, B. D. (1988). The effects of rabbit grazing on regeneration of sheoaks, Allocasuarina verticillata and saltwater ti-trees, Melaleuca halmaturorum, in the Coorong National Park, South Australia. Australian Journal of Ecology 13, 11–20.
| The effects of rabbit grazing on regeneration of sheoaks, Allocasuarina verticillata and saltwater ti-trees, Melaleuca halmaturorum, in the Coorong National Park, South Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Cooke, B. D. (1998). Did introduced European rabbits Oryctolagus cuniculus (L). displace common wombats Vombatus ursinus (Shaw) in South Australia? In ‘Wombats’. (Eds R. T. Wells, and P. A. Pridmore.) pp. 262–270. (Surrey Beatty: Sydney.)
Cooke, B. D. (2018). Long-term monitoring of disease impact: rabbit haemorrhagic disease as a biological control case study. The Veterinary Record , .
| Long-term monitoring of disease impact: rabbit haemorrhagic disease as a biological control case study.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Cooke, B., Chudleigh, P., Simpson, S., and Saunders, G. (2013). The economic benefits of the biological control of rabbits in Australia, 1950–2011. Australian Economic History Review 53, 91–107.
| The economic benefits of the biological control of rabbits in Australia, 1950–2011.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Elsworth, P. G., Kovaliski, J., and Cooke, B. D. (2012). Rabbit haemorrhagic disease: are Australian rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) evolving resistance to infection with Czech CAPM 351 RHDV? Epidemiology and Infection 140, 1972–1981.
| Rabbit haemorrhagic disease: are Australian rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) evolving resistance to infection with Czech CAPM 351 RHDV?Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 22244198PubMed |
Fenner, F. and Fantini, B. (1999). Biological control of vertebrate pests: the history of myxomatosis; an experiment in evolution. (CABI Publishing: Wallingford, UK.)
Fraser, R. A., and Wells, R. T. (2006). Palaeontological excavation and taphonomic investigation of the late Pleistocene fossil deposit in Grant Hall, Victoria Fossil Cave, Naracoorte, South Australia. Alcheringa: an Australasian Journal of Palaeontology 30, 147–161.
| Palaeontological excavation and taphonomic investigation of the late Pleistocene fossil deposit in Grant Hall, Victoria Fossil Cave, Naracoorte, South Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Fullagar, R. (2011). Changing perspectives in Australian archaeology, Part VIII. Burins, bones and base camps: a re-analysis of Aire Shelter 2, Glenaire, southern Victoria. Technical Reports of the Australian Museum 23, 103–131.
| Changing perspectives in Australian archaeology, Part VIII. Burins, bones and base camps: a re-analysis of Aire Shelter 2, Glenaire, southern Victoria.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Hill, K. (2016). Blue Lake wallabies may be moved on by SA Water (ABC News 8 February 2016). Available at: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-02-08/blue-lake-wallabies-may-be-moved-by-sa-water/7148332 [accessed 16 March 2019].
Johnson, C. N., and Isaac, J. L. (2009). Body mass and extinction risk in Australian marsupials: the ‘Critical Weight Range’ revisited. Austral Ecology 34, 35–40.
| Body mass and extinction risk in Australian marsupials: the ‘Critical Weight Range’ revisited.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
King, D. R., Oliver, A. J., and Wheeler, S. H. (1985). The European rabbit flea, Spilopsyllus cuniculi, in south-western Australia. Australian Wildlife Research 12, 227–236.
| The European rabbit flea, Spilopsyllus cuniculi, in south-western Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Lines, E. W. L. (1952). History of epizootics of myxomatosis in rabbits of S.A. during 1951–52. Journal of Agriculture South Australia 56, 232–238.
Liu, J., Fordham, D. A., Cooke, B. D., Cox, T., Mutze, G., and Strive, T. (2014). Distribution and prevalence of the Australian non-pathogenic rabbit calicivirus is correlated with rainfall and temperature. PLoS One 9, e113976.
| Distribution and prevalence of the Australian non-pathogenic rabbit calicivirus is correlated with rainfall and temperature.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 25551587PubMed |
Mahar, J. E., Hall, R. N., Peacock, D., Kovaliski, J., Piper, M., Mourant, R., Huang, N., Campbell, S., Gu, X., Read, A., Urakova, N., Cox, T., Holmes, E. C., and Strive, T. (2018). Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus 2 (RHDV2; GI.2) is replacing endemic strains of RHDV in the Australian landscape within 18 months of its arrival. Journal of Virology 92, e01374–17.
| Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus 2 (RHDV2; GI.2) is replacing endemic strains of RHDV in the Australian landscape within 18 months of its arrival.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 29093089PubMed |
Mallet, K. J., and Cooke, B. D. (1986). ‘The Ecology of the Common Wombat in South Australia.’ (The Nature Conservation Society of South Australia, Inc.: Adelaide.)
Menkhorst, P. W. (1995). ‘Mammals of Victoria: Distribution, Ecology and Conservation.’ (Oxford University Press: Australia.)
Mitchell, T. L. (1839). ‘Three Expeditions into the Interior of Eastern Australia.’ 2 vols. (London.)
Moulton, M., Hesp, P., Miot da Silva, G., Bouchez, C., Lavy, M., and Fernandez, G. (2018). Changes in vegetation cover on the Younghusband Peninsula transgressive dunefields (Australia) 1949–2017. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms 44, 459–470.
| Changes in vegetation cover on the Younghusband Peninsula transgressive dunefields (Australia) 1949–2017.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Mutze, G., Bird, P., Cooke, B. and Henzell, R. (2008). Geographic and seasonal variation in the impact of rabbit haemorrhagic disease on European rabbits, Oryctolagus cuniculus, and rabbit damage in Australia. In ‘Lagomorph Biology: Evolution, Ecology and Conservation’. (Eds P.C. Alves, N. Ferrand and K. Hackländer) pp. 279–293. (Springer-Verlag: Berlin.)
NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NSW NPWS) (2014). Ooleyambeyan National Park Plan of Management. Available at: https://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/research-and-publications/publications-search/oolambeyan-national-park-plan-of-management [accessed 16 May 2019].
Paplinska, J. Z., Moyle, R. L., Temple-Smith, P. D., and Renfree, M. B. (2006). Reproduction in female swamp wallabies, Wallabia bicolor. Reproduction, Fertility and Development 18, 735–743.
| Reproduction in female swamp wallabies, Wallabia bicolor.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Parker, B. S., Hall, L. S., Myers, K., and Fullagar, P. J. (1976). The distribution of rabbit warrens at Mitchell, Queensland, in relation to soil and vegetation characteristics. Australian Wildlife Research 3, 129–148.
| The distribution of rabbit warrens at Mitchell, Queensland, in relation to soil and vegetation characteristics.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Pascoe, B. (2018). ‘Dark Emu.’ (Magabala Books: Broome.)
Peacock, D., Kovaliski, J., Sinclair, R., Mutze, G., Ianella, A., and Capucci, L. (2017). RHDV2 overcoming RHDV immunity in wild rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) in Australia. The Veterinary Record 180, 280.
| RHDV2 overcoming RHDV immunity in wild rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) in Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 28082661PubMed |
Pedler, R. D., Brandle, R., Read, J. L., Southgate, R., Bird, P., and Moseby, K. E. (2016). Rabbit biocontrol and landscape-scale recovery of threatened desert mammals. Conservation Biology 30, 774–782.
| Rabbit biocontrol and landscape-scale recovery of threatened desert mammals.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 26852773PubMed |
Rendel, J. M. (1971). Myxomatosis in the Australian rabbit population. Search 2, 89–94.
Robertshaw, J. D., and Harden, R. H. (1986). The ecology of the dingo in north-eastern New South Wales. 4. Prey selection by dingoes, and its effect on the major prey species, the swamp wallaby, Wallabia bicolor (Desmarest). Australian Wildlife Research 13, 141–163.
| The ecology of the dingo in north-eastern New South Wales. 4. Prey selection by dingoes, and its effect on the major prey species, the swamp wallaby, Wallabia bicolor (Desmarest).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Shepherd, R. C. H., and Edmonds, J. W. (1976). The establishment and spread of Spilopsyllus cuniculi (Dale) and its location on the host, Oryctolagus cuniculi (L), in the Mallee region of Victoria. Australian Wildlife Research 3, 29–44.
| The establishment and spread of Spilopsyllus cuniculi (Dale) and its location on the host, Oryctolagus cuniculi (L), in the Mallee region of Victoria.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Shepherd, R. C. H., and Edmonds, J. W. (1979). Myxomatosis: the release and spread of the European rabbit flea Spilopsyllus cuniculi (Dale) in the Central District of Victoria. Journal of Hygiene 83, 285–294.
| Myxomatosis: the release and spread of the European rabbit flea Spilopsyllus cuniculi (Dale) in the Central District of Victoria.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Strive, T., Wright, J., Kovaliski, J., Botti, G., and Capucci, L. (2010). The non-pathogenic Australian lagovirus RCV-A1 causes a prolonged infection and elicits partial cross-protection to rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus. Virology 398, 125–134.
| The non-pathogenic Australian lagovirus RCV-A1 causes a prolonged infection and elicits partial cross-protection to rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 20034646PubMed |
Venn, D. R. (1993). Swamp wallaby distribution. Victorian Naturalist 110, 184–185.
Wells, R., Grun, R., Sullivan, J., Forbes, M., Dalgairns, S., Bestland, E., Rhodes, E., Walshe, K., Spooner, N., and Eggins, S. (2006). Late Pleistocene megafauna site at Black Creek Swamp, Flinders Chase National Park, Kangaroo Island, South Australia. Alcheringa: an Australasian Journal of Palaeontology 30, 367–387.
| Late Pleistocene megafauna site at Black Creek Swamp, Flinders Chase National Park, Kangaroo Island, South Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Williams, R. T., and Parer, I. (1972). The status of myxomatosis at Urana, New South Wales, from 1968 until 1971. Australian Journal of Zoology 20, 391–404.
| The status of myxomatosis at Urana, New South Wales, from 1968 until 1971.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Young, D. (2010). Dingo scalping and the frontier economy in north-west South Australia. Chapter 6. In: ‘Indigenous Participation in Australian Economies. Historical and anthropological perspectives.’ (Ed. I. Keen.) Australian National University Press, Canberra. Available at https://press-files.anu.edu.au/downloads/press/p122571/html/ch06.xhtml?referer=&page=9#toc-anchor [accessed 20 February 2020]
