Mitchell A. Cowan, Judy A. Dunlop, Lorna Hernandez-Santin, Astrid Heidrich, Chris G. Knuckey, Dale G. Nimmo
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Males of the endangered northern quoll (Dasyurus hallucatus) are facultatively semelparous, often dying following their first breeding season. This is often driven by high breeding costs: males travel and mate extensively in breeding season, resulting in reduced body condition. Annual post-breeding survival rates for male northern quolls have been recorded between 0% and 12.5% across their range in northern Australia. We highlight an observed 50% survival rate of male northern quolls (3 of 6) living into their second year in a Pilbara mining landscape. High male survival here may be attributed to above average rainfall in the landscape and reduced breeding opportunities, due to low female abundance—likely driven by large amounts of unfavourable mining land. This likely led to lower hormonal stress associated with breeding for males, as well as increased resource availability. Given northern quoll population persistence is highly dependent on breeding success, high survival of male northern quolls may inadvertently stabilize populations if they can breed again in a second year, though this is yet to be observed in the Pilbara region. Nevertheless, semelparity of male northern quolls likely varies with environmental and demographic factors, demonstrating that northern quoll populations may be resilient to disturbance in an unpredictable semi-arid environment.
期刊介绍:
Austral Ecology is the premier journal for basic and applied ecology in the Southern Hemisphere. As the official Journal of The Ecological Society of Australia (ESA), Austral Ecology addresses the commonality between ecosystems in Australia and many parts of southern Africa, South America, New Zealand and Oceania. For example many species in the unique biotas of these regions share common Gondwana ancestors. ESA''s aim is to publish innovative research to encourage the sharing of information and experiences that enrich the understanding of the ecology of the Southern Hemisphere.
Austral Ecology involves an editorial board with representatives from Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, Brazil and Argentina. These representatives provide expert opinions, access to qualified reviewers and act as a focus for attracting a wide range of contributions from countries across the region.
Austral Ecology publishes original papers describing experimental, observational or theoretical studies on terrestrial, marine or freshwater systems, which are considered without taxonomic bias. Special thematic issues are published regularly, including symposia on the ecology of estuaries and soft sediment habitats, freshwater systems and coral reef fish.