Climate change and the short-term impact of feral house mice at the sub-Antarctic Prince Edward Islands.

摘要: At the Prince Edward Islands, temperatures have increased by approximately 1°C over past 40 years, accompanied a decline in precipitation. This has led to reduction peat moisture content of mires and higher growing season “warmth”. The temperature-and moisture-sensitive sedge, Uncinia compacta R. Br. (Cyperaceae), consequently its aerial cover on Island, but harvesting seeds feral house mice (up 100% removed) prevented this from happening Marion Island. Such extensive use resources suggests that prey switching may be taking place at Scat analyses revealed are·not only eating ectemnorhinine weevils greater extent than found previous studies populations they also prefer larger (±6 mm). A decrease body size preferred weevil species [Bothrometopus randi Jeannel Ectemnorhinus similis C.O. Waterhouse (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)] taken Island (1986–1992), not appears result predation weevils. In addition, adults species, E. are relatively more abundant smaller congener marioni Jeannel, could late austral summer 1991. These results provide support for hypotheses effect global warming mouse-plant-invertebrate interactions limited evidence first recorded case predator-mediated speciation. They show interaction human-induced changes operating different scales profound consequences local systems.