Biology and Impacts of Pacific Island Invasive Species. 7. The Domestic Cat ( Felis catus)

摘要: This article reviews the biology, ecological effects, and management of domestic cat (Felis catus) in Pacific basin. The is one most controversial invasive species region because its complex relations with humans. At extreme, well-fed house pets are allowed outdoors where they may hunt native animals; at other, unsocialized feral cats have replaced predators as apex or occupy a new niche on oceanic islands, devastated faunas. In middle stray that still socialized around Feral can be reservoirs diseases infect free-roaming cats, humans, wildlife. Given these problems, best response would to keep indoors, restrict breeding, remove populations. However, basin societies failed reach consensus problem, so solutions ad hoc, often lacking any scientific basis, reflect our conflicting views. Compromise might fall into three broad classes: (1) eradication should confined islands other areas high biodiversity reintroduction prevented; (2) landscape low moderate biological value, efforts made educate public reduce impact their remaining wildlife, while excluding from “islands” elevated values human sensitivity; (3) drastically simplified urban ecosystems, perhaps occur only local complaints.