Degrees of population-level susceptibility of Australian terrestrial non-volant mammal species to predation by the introduced red fox (Vulpes vulpes) and feral cat (Felis catus)

摘要: Context Over the last 230 years, Australian terrestrial mammal fauna has suffered a very high rate of decline and extinction relative to other continents. Predation by introduced red fox (Vulpes vulpes) feral cat (Felis catus) is implicated in many these extinctions, ongoing extant species. Aims To assess degree which non-volant species are susceptible at population level predation cat, allocate each category predator susceptibility. Methods We collated available evidence complemented this with expert opinion categorise (extinct extant) into one four classes population-level susceptibility predators (i.e. ‘extreme’, ‘high’, ‘low’ or ‘not susceptible’). then compared conservation status, body size extent arboreality; assessed changes occurrence different predator-susceptibility categories between 1788 2017. Key results Of 246 (including extinct species), we conclude that 37 (or were) extremely predator-susceptible; 52 highly 112 low susceptibility; 42 not predators. Confidence assigning was strongest for threatened predator-susceptible Extinct more likely be than Least Concern species; arboreal less ground-dwelling medium-sized (35 g–3.5 kg) smaller larger Conclusions The effective control foxes cats over large areas assist recovery ~63 – number extreme represents ~29% fauna. Implications Categorisation an important tool management, because persistence will require intensive management (e.g. predator-proof exclosures predator-free islands), whereas lower can managed through landscape-level suppression