When the ‘native cat’ would ‘plague’: historical hyperabundance in the quoll (Marsupialia : Dasyuridae) and an assessment of the role of disease, cats and foxes in its curtailment

摘要: Since the European settlement of Australia in 1788, 25 mainland terrestrial mammal species have become extinct, more than on any other continent during this period. To determine if causal factors are still active, it is necessary to better understand and their status preceding these regional extirpations or extinctions, examine historical record for clues cause(s) declines. From an extensive review material, primarily newspaper accounts, we collated >2700 accounts quolls. We discovered 36 that demonstrate propensity quolls hyperabundant. The geographical distribution implies most refer Dasyurus viverrinus, but account from Normanton district (Queensland) likely applies D. hallucatus. More 110 disease/parasite epizootics occurred south-eastern Australia, commencing possibly goldfields region Victoria 1850s, South south-western mid late 1860s, implicate as initial primary factor extirpation Australia’s loss viverrinus populations was reportedly population abundances densities were sporadically extraordinarily high, hence appears pronounced previously suspected. Accounts describing widespread, rapid major suggest possible involvement several pathogens. Ectoparasites such Uropsylla tasmanica ticks appear be described detail some accounts. A few others state comortality Felis catus Canis lupus familiaris, suggestive a disease either both species, Canine Distemper Virus, morbillivirus with non-host specific, may caused decline quolls, perhaps vectored by reported ectoparasites. also 23 presumed independent cats negatively impacting two which describe significant mortality, three fox predation. These highlight capacity introduced predators reduced quoll abundance.