Population dynamics, diet and aspects of the biology of feral cats and foxes in arid South Australia

Average cat and fox densities at Roxby Downs, in northern South Australia, of 0.8 and 0.6 km–2 respectively, determined through spotlight counts over a 10-year period, probably considerably underestimate true densities. Peak rabbit populations coincided with high fox numbers, which probably suppressed cat densities. Cat abundance peaked when fox numbers were low but rabbit numbers [...]

Impact of rabbit haemorrhagic disease on introduced predators in the Flinders Ranges, South Australia

The impact of rabbit haemorrhagic disease (RHD) on the population dynamics and diet of foxes and feral cats was studied in the Flinders Ranges, South Australia. Populations of both foxes and cats decreased substantially some 6–10 months after the advent of RHD, when rabbit numbers were reduced by 85%. The diet of foxes changed as [...]

Feeding ecology and population dynamics of the feral cat (Felis catus) in relation to the availability of prey in central-eastern New South Wales

The diet of feral cats (Felis catus) was studied at Lake Burrendong, central-eastern New South Wales, from July 1994 to June 1997. Mammals were the major prey in 499 scats that were analysed. Rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) were the staple prey, while carrion was an important secondary food. Invertebrates, other mammalian prey, vegetation, birds and reptiles [...]

Population dynamics of three species of dasyurid marsupials in arid central Australia: a 10-year study

This study investigated the population dynamics of three species of dasyurid marsupials in sand ridge habitat of the Simpson Desert, western Queensland, over a 10-year period between March 1990 and December 1999. The lesser hairy-footed dunnart (Sminthopsis youngsoni), was captured most consistently over the period of study, followed by the wongai ningaui (Ningaui ridei), and [...]

The impact of short-term predator removal on vole dynamics in an arctic-alpine landscape

Variation in the ecology of Trichosurus: its adaptive significance

Although the common brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula) was introduced to New Zealand over 100 years ago to establish a fur industry, its subsequent abundance, especially in indigenous broadleaf/podocarp forests, has had detrimental consequences. This review outlines the damage caused by possums and the development of a control-oriented management policy. Research on population dynamics, behaviour, and [...]

The numerical response: rate of increase and food limitation in herbivores and predators

Two types of numerical response function have evolved since Solomon first introduced the term to generalize features of Lotka-Volterra predator-prey models: (i) the demographic numerical response, which links change in consumer demographic rates to food a

Response of a brush-tailed possum population to intensive trapping

Three years after a population of brush-tailed possums (Trichosurus vulpecula Kerr) in 100 ha of podocarp/mixed hardwood forest in Westland had been trapped to extinction, the study area had been recolonised and the population density was lowest in the alpine forest ( 600 m) and highest in the forest which bordered improved pasture ( 400 [...]

Population statistics and their relation to the control of opossums in indigenous forest

Opossums on Hawke’s Bay farmland

Modelling the effects of control operations on possum Trichosurus vulpecula populations

Long-term trends in possum numbers at Pararaki – evidence of an irruptive fluctuation

Implications for management of the brush-tailed possum in New Zealand following fluctuating fur prices and declining quality of habitat

Heterogeneity in vertebrate and invertebrate herbivory and its consequences for New Zealand mistletoes

Vertebrate herbivores generally have greater effects than invertebrates on plants. However, few studies have investigated the effects of both invertebrate and vertebrate herbivores on a single plant species. In New Zealand, nationwide declines in mistleto

Fluctuation in opossum populations along the north bank of the Taramakau catchment and its effect on the forest canopy

Factors influencing annual variation in breeding by common brushtail possums (Trichosurus vulpecula) in New Zealand

We assembled data on annual variation in breeding rates of brushtail possums from four long-term studies in the lower North Island of New Zealand, three of which spanned more than 20 years. In each study, more than 80% of adult females bred in most years.

Exploitation of brushtail possum populations in theory and practice

Recent trends in the New Zealand fur industry, based on introduced brushtail possums (), include an increasing proportion of small skins and some evidence of declining catch per unit effort, suggesting that populations are being exploited hard. There is a case for considering sustained yield harvesting in non-sensitive habitats. A logistic model is used to [...]

Effects of intensive trapping on breeding and age structure of brushtail possums, Trichosurus vulpecula, on Kapiti Island, New Zealand

Between 1980 and 1986, introduced Australian brushtail possums (Trichosurus vulpecula) were eradicated from Kapiti Island, a 1965 ha nature reserve. The possum population was monitored by live- and kill-trapping, before and at various times during the era

Dynamics and condition of opossum (Trichosurus vulpecula Kerr) populations in the copland Valley, Westland, new Zealand

Control of the possum (Trichosurus vulpecula) in New Zealand

The Australian brushtail possum continues to be a major pest in New Zealand, despite the substantial export of possum pelts. Possums cause widespread mortality of major food species in podocarp/mixed hardwood forests throughout New Zealand and act as rese