The house mouse has adapted well to the cereal crops of south-eastern Australia where populations show aperiodic outbreaks over large areas. A 20-year population study provided a wealth information on breeding ecology, demographic changes, spatial behaviour and epidemiology. season can be as short 4.5 months long 10 with litter size changing seasonally from high values in spring low autumn. There are marked changes between years. Rates increase also vary rate change during is independent...

In parts of the world such as Pacific Islands, Australia, and New Zealand, introduced vertebrate predators have caused demise indigenous mammal bird species. A number releases for reestablishment these species in mainland Australia failed because extirpated new populations. The nature decline both extant populations reintroduced colonies provides information on dynamics predation. Predator‐prey theory suggests that effects predation are usually inversely dependent density (depensatory) when...

This paper presents conceptual models of how density dependence and regulation operates in populations. Limitation is a process which sets the potential equilibrium level, caused by all forms mortality or reproductive loss. Random variations these mortalities will cause population to fluctuate about equilibrium. Regulation tendency return, through dependent factors, level when disturbed from it. The strength determines whether stable equilibrium, limit cycle chaotic behaviour occurs. A...

Well-known examples of high-amplitude, large-scale fluctuations small-mammal populations include vole cycles in the boreal zone Eurasia, lemming high-arctic tundra Eurasia and North America, snowshoe hare outbreaks house mice southeastern Australia. We synthesize recent knowledge three key aspects these animals' population cyles: (1) periodicity, amplitude, spatiotemporal synchrony; (2) reproduction survival; (3) underlying mechanisms. Survival rather than reproductive rate appears to drive...

Ecology Letters (2011) 14: 1035–1042 Abstract Invasive species are frequently the target of eradication or control programmes to mitigate their impacts. However, manipulating single in isolation can lead unexpected consequences for other species, with outcomes such as mesopredator release demonstrated both theoretically and empirically vertebrate assemblages at least two trophic levels. Less is known about removal more complex where a greater number interacting invaders increases potential...

Summary Plateau pikas Ochotona curzoniae are considered a pest species on the Tibetan because they compete with livestock for forage and their burrowing could contribute to soil erosion. The effectiveness of control programmes in Tibet has not been measured, it is known whether changes management have exacerbated problems plateau or compromised control. This study measured impact conservation populations alpine meadow Naqu District, central Tibet, during 2004 2005. Current techniques...

Biotic invasions and habitat modification are two drivers of global change predicted to have detrimental impacts on the persistence indigenous biota worldwide. Few studies investigated how they operate synergistically alter trophic interactions among nonindigenous species in invaded ecosystems. We experimentally manipulated a suite interacting invasive mammals, including top predators (cat Felis catus, ferret Mustela furo, stoat M. erminea), herbivores (rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus, hare...

We define an ecosanctuary in a New Zealand context as 'a project larger than 25 ha implementing multi-species, pest mammal control for ecosystem recovery objectives, and with substantial community involvement'. present attributes of 84 projects meeting this definition, including three lacustrine islands, 16 marine seven ring-fenced ecosanctuaries, peninsula-fenced ecosanctuaries 51 unfenced mainland ecosanctuaries. Ecosanctuaries have biological social some returned threatened, previously...

Brandt's voles ( Microtus brandti ) are small native mammals that inhabit the grasslands of Inner Mongolia, China. The species is considered a pest, particularly during population outbreaks, which have increased in frequency since 1970 from 1 every 7 years to 3 5 years. Using historical records taken between 1948 and 1998, we found there was significant correlation for monthly averages Southern Oscillation Index (SOI) were consistently high, outbreaks occurred. Also tendency not occur with...

The effect of a sterilising agent upon the productivity vertebrate pests, such as feral horses, dogs, wild rabbits or fruit-eating birds, depends population's social structure and mating system. We investigated theoretical on three forms dominance, two effects sterilisation four modes transmission. Seventeen possible 24 combinations are feasible but lead to only outcomes. Three these result in lowered productivity. fourth, where breeding dominant female suppresses subordinate females her...

(1) A model of the progress an outbreak foot and mouth disease in a single population feral pigs, Sus scrofa (Linnaeus), is described. The was divided into categories according to status: susceptible, latent, infective or immune. Taking account natural recruitment mortality, mortality due disease, number animals each these predicted over duration outbreak. (2) Results suggest that, for floodplain habitat semi-arid eastern Australia, threshold pig density persist 2 3-14 km-2. large...

Summary 1. Interspecific competition is a recognized but under‐studied mechanism by which invasive species affect native fauna. 2. We experimentally reduced populations of the introduced black rat Rattus rattus in relatively undisturbed littoral rainforest south‐eastern Australia to test its competitive impact on bush fuscipes . 3. Removal R. resulted significant and sustained increases rodent due immigration, juvenile recruitment residency females. Native juveniles were particularly...

In 2003, a review of how introduced mammals were managed as pests in New Zealand was published.Since then trends for the control these include moves from pest-by-pest prioritisation towards site-based and multiple-pest management, extension large-scale aerial predators to beech forests, increasing intensive management sites by private non-government agencies, effort regional councils managers vectors bovine tuberculosis.The current deployment is sum largely independent decisions made...

In Australia, the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) is a generalist predator of European rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) and range small to medium-sized native species. The available evidence suggests that foxes are capable regulating in semi-arid environments but their role population dynamics other prey species not clear. A series models, associated experimental tests, compare effects predation on primary secondary described. models appropriate time scale differ from recent predator–prey focus...

1. Rabbit calicivirus disease (RCD; also known as rabbit haemorrhagic disease) has been introduced recently a biocontrol agent for rabbits in Australia. The consequences fox populations that use primary prey, of alternative native and pastures, were examined using model rabbit‐ fox‐prone areas semi‐arid southern 2. Existing data used to quantify the interactions foxes, pasture. A generic predation on herbivores was constructed by modifying density‐dependent (Type III) functional response...

(1) A diffusion model was used to calculate the minimum velocity of advance an outbreak foot and mouth disease (FMD) in feral pigs Sus scrofa eastern Australia. The rate contact between pigs, carrying capacity environment for duration latent period development FMD infection were found be important factors affecting propagation. (2) Two key parameters model, diffusivity rate, estimated from data collected during radio-tracking Namadgi National Park south In this environment, with a pig...

Olfaction is the primary sense of many mammals and subordinate predators use this to detect dominant species, thereby reducing risk an encounter facilitating coexistence. Chemical signals can act as repellents or attractants may therefore have applications for wildlife management. We devised a field experiment investigate whether predator (ferret Mustela furo) body odor would alter behavior three common mesopredators: stoats (Mustela erminea), hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus), ship rats...