Publications
Wildlife Australia, December 1996
ISBN 0 6422 1395 X
Recovery Outline
| Boullanger Island Dunnart |
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1 Family: Dasyuridae
2 Scientific name: Sminthopsis griseoventer unnamed subsp.
3 Common name: Boullanger Island Dunnart
4 Conservation status: Critically Endangered: B1+2e,C2b
5 Other subspecies:
S. griseoventer on Boullanger Island appear to differ at least at the subspecies level from S. griseoventer of the WA mainland (Lynam 1987). The nominate subspecies is LR(lc).
6 Former distribution:
Not known. Probably endemic to Boullanger Island (Jurien Bay, WA).
7 Current distribution:
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Boullanger Island (WA). |
8 Habitat:
Found in all vegetated areas on Boullanger Island, especially in low coastal scrub on sand. A few individuals have been captured on open sand of the upper shore on Boullanger Island, and on a limestone headland on the island.
9 Reasons for decline:
As the former distribution is not known, no reasons specifying a decline in distribution (if any) can be advanced. However, a decline in the size of the Boullanger Island population has apparently been caused by competition from the introduced House Mouse (Mus musculus). Small numbers of animals are taken by predatory birds (Barn Owls Tyto alba and Australian Kestrels Falco cenchroides) and by Dibblers (Parantechinus apicalis), but impact at the population level is probably slight (Dickman et al. 1991). A single Western Grey Kangaroo (Macropus fuliginosus) introduced to Boullanger Island may detrimentally affect dunnarts by crushing burrows, but such impact has not been evaluated.
10 Additional studies required for recovery objectives and actions to be defined:
10.1 Search for other extant populations on islands or coastal mainland of WA.
10.2 Identify factors limiting extant populations.
10.3 Define extent of previous range by location and analysis of sub-fossil material (eg. Barn Owl pellets) on islands and coastal mainland of WA.
10.4 Carry out genetic and morphological comparisons of the Boullanger Island Dunnart with mainland S. griseoventer and other Sminthopsis spp.
10.5 Prepare formal description of the Boullanger Island Dunnart and a diagnosis of differences between it and related taxa.
11 Recovery objectives:
11.1 Establish further populations of the Boullanger Island Dunnart, initially in captivity, and subsequently in former habitat if any is found under 10.3.
11.2 Control or eradicate House Mice and the Grey Kangaroo on Boullanger Island.
11.3 Control potential catastrophic factors on Boullanger Island, such as fire, and introduction of cats, foxes, dogs, or rats, ideally by managing human access.
11.4 Control threatening processes affecting any other extant populations that may be discovered during field surveys.
12 Management actions completed or under way:
12.1 Three-year live-trapping study 1986-1988 has described population size, movements, reproduction, diet and impact of House Mice on the Boullanger Island Dunnart (Dickman 1988a, 1988b and 1992).
12.2 Irregular monitoring of the single known population is being carried out by CALM as part of the Dibbler Research Plan (1995-1997).
13 Management actions required:
13.1 Set up Recovery Team and prepare and implement Interim Recovery Plan.
13.2 Survey islands and coastal localities in suitable areas of south-western WA, and locate any other extant populations.
13.3 Establish and manage captive breeding colony.
13.4 Eradicate House Mice and Western Grey Kangaroo from Boullanger Island. Eradicate House Mice from adjacent Whitlock Island to prevent re-invasion.
13.5 Monitor Boullanger Island population and any other extant populations that may be found.
13.6 Determine threats to extant populations, research and implement control measures.
13.7 Determine feasibility of translocation if suitable former habitat is found.
13.8 Carry out morphological and genetic description of the Boullanger Island Dunnart.
13.9 Initiate community education campaign at Jurien (adjacent to Boullanger Island) and townships near any other extant or translocated populations of the Boullanger Island Dunnart.
14 Organisation(s) responsible for conservation of species:
WA Department of Conservation and Land Management.
15 Other organisations or individuals involved:
Chris Dickman (University of Sydney), local communities.
16 Staff and financial resources required for recovery to be carried out:
Financial resources required over a three-year period (contribution of agency and ESP to be negotiated)-
Action Total Cost
Surveys $45 000
Descriptive and genetic studies $10 000
Captive colony $10 000
Mouse eradication (Boullanger Is) $50 000
Population monitoring/research $90 000
Translocation and monitoring $20 000
Community education $15 000
Total $240 000
Note: Information about a genetic study funded by CALM and carried out by Steven Cooper and Agatha Labrinidis of the Evolutionary Biology Unit, South Australian Museum, comparing the Boullanger Island population with mainland animals was received just before this Action Plan went to press. Sequence analysis of the mtDNA d-loop region of Sminthopsis griseoventer showed very low levels of sequence divergence both within and between populations on the mainland and Boullanger Island (0-0.72% divergence). Comparative data from S. crassicaudata and S. virginiae revealed divergences of up to 2.6% and 3.7% respectively in each species for an identical region of the d-loop. The latter figure of 3.7% was detected between d-loop sequences from the two recognised subspecies S. v. virginiae and S. v. nitela. Divergence levels of between 3.1% and 23% were found between all but two of the currently recognised species of Sminthopsis. The phylogenetic analysis revealed paraphyly of the mtDNA sequences from island and mainland individuals. This result implies that the hypothesis that island and mainland forms of S. griseoventer comprise a single species can not be rejected. The analysis led to the rejection of a hypothesis that island and mainland forms of S. griseoventer are 'evolutionary significant units'. Cooper and Labrinidis recommended that a thorough morphological analysis of this species be carried out before considerable resources are used in an effort to preserve the island population as a 'unique' species or subspecies of Sminthopsis.
References:
Dickman C.R. 1988a. Body size, prey size, and community structure in insectivorous mammals. Ecology 69, 569-580.
Dickman C.R. 1988b. Detection of physical contact interactions among free-living mammals. Journal of Mammalogy 69, 865-868.
Dickman C.R. 1992. Conservation of mammals in the Australasian region: the importance of islands. Pp. 175-214 in J.N. Coles and J.M. Drew (Eds). Australia and the Global Environmental Crisis. Academy Press, Canberra.
Dickman C.R., Daly S.E.J. and Connell G.W. 1991. Dietary relationships of the barn owl and Australian kestrel on islands off the coast of Western Australia. Emu 91, 69-72.
Lynam A.J. 1987. Inbreeding and juvenile dispersal in insular populations of two dasyurid marsupials; the Dibbler, Parantechinus apicalis, and the Grey-bellied Dunnart Sminthopsis griseoventer. B.Sc. (Hons) thesis, The University of Western Australia, Perth (unpublished).
Recovery Outline
| Eastern Barred Bandicoot (mainland) |
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1 Family: Peramelidae
2 Scientific name: Perameles gunnii Gray, 1838 unnamed subsp.
3 Common name: Eastern Barred Bandicoot (mainland)
4 Conservation status: Critically Endangered: B1+2a,b,d,e,C2a,D
5 Other subspecies:
No subspecies of Perameles gunnii are formally recognised. However, Robinson et al. (1993) investigated genetic variation between Tas. and Vic. populations, and determined that significant differences existed between the two populations, at least at the level commonly ascribed to subspecies. P. g. gunnii is Vulnerable.
6 Former distribution:
The mainland form once occurred from Melbourne west across the volcanic plain to near the SA border, and in the far south-east of SA.
7 Current distribution:
 Extinct in SA. The last remnant wild population in Vic. occupies <10 km2 at Hamilton in the State's west; fewer than 50 animals remain. A reintroduced population of >700 animals has been established near Melbourne. Five small (<50 each) reintroduced populations have been established at other locations throughout its former range in western Vic. |
Note: The map shows distribution of all Perameles gunnii. This Recovery Outline considers only the mainland subspecies. |
8 Habitat:
The Eastern Barred Bandicoot formerly occupied the native grasslands and grassy woodlands of the western volcanic plains of Vic. The remnant wild population at Hamilton occurs on the urban fringe, living in gardens, a creek reserve and on farmland, where sufficient cover remains. Reintroduced populations have been established in grasslands and grassy woodlands, often dominated by exotic plant species.
9 Reasons for decline:
Many; habitat loss - almost all (>99%) of the native vegetation has been removed or extensively modified within its former range - predation from foxes, cats and dogs, fires and mortality from rabbit traps are other major causes. Minor causes include impact of disease (toxoplasmosis), pesticides and mortality from motor vehicles (Seebeck et al. 1990).
10 Additional studies required for recovery objectives and actions to be defined:
None. Several management plans and recovery plans have been prepared for this taxon (eg. Brown 1989, Fisher and Norman 1991, Backhouse 1992, Backhouse and Slater 1995, Backhouse and Crosthwaite 1996).
11 Recovery objectives:
The medium-term objective is to maintain at least five reintroduced populations, each of at least 100 adult bandicoots, in which wild-bred bandicoots are reproducing.
The long-term objective is to restore the Eastern Barred Bandicoot as a wild species in Vic. by achieving a stable metapopulation consisting of a minimum of five self-sustaining, free-ranging sub-populations at separate locations within its former range, such that the probability of extinction of the species in 100 years is <1%.
12 Management actions completed or under way:
Eight principal management actions are under way as part of the recovery effort:
12.1 Captive breeding - ongoing since 1988. The Zoological Parks and Gardens Board (ZPGB) now manages this aspect of the recovery program, and bandicoots are bred at facilities in Vic., SA and NSW. Currently 18 pairs are maintained in captivity, intended to produce about 50 young for release each year.
12.2 Monitoring - all reintroduced populations are monitored regularly, between two and 12 times per year.
12.3 Reintroductions - six reintroduced populations have been established since 1989, including three in 1994. Only one, Woodlands Historic Park near Melbourne, has a reasonably secure population (>700 animals). The other five are all still small (<50 each), highly vulnerable, and will rely on supplementary releases for the next few years. Not all of these sites contain sufficient habitat for populations to be self-sustaining in the short- to medium-term.
12.4 Habitat management - fencing, tree planting, native grassland management, weed and rabbit control variously occur at all sites.
12.5 Predator control - intensive predator control is maintained at all release sites, with regular poisoning, shooting and destruction of dens and other refuges. Two sites have an electrified predator-control perimeter fence that requires regular maintenance.
12.6 Program management - the recovery effort is managed by a Recovery Team, responsible for preparing the Recovery Plan and monitoring, reviewing and evaluating implementation. The recovery effort is a complex, multi-disciplinary exercise involving many organisations and individuals.
12.7 Research - several research projects are under way, including collaborative projects with universities, covering biology and ecology of reintroduced populations, establishment at new sites, and population dynamics of foxes at bandicoot release sites.
12.8 Extension - there is considerable community interest and involvement in the recovery program, especially with releases onto private land. The Recovery Team prepares regular program updates, posters, displays and other information on the recovery program.
13 Management actions required:
All actions currently funded are under way. Further reintroductions to new sites will be required to increase chances of successful establishment in the wild.
14 Organisation(s) responsible for conservation of species:
Vic. Department of Natural Resources and Environment, Zoological Parks and Gardens Board.
15 Other organisations or individuals involved:
National Trust of Australia (Vic.), Friends of the Eastern Barred Bandicoot, SA Department of Environment and Land Management, Zoological Parks Board of NSW
16 Staff and financial resources required for recovery to be carried out:
Staff resources required - NRE/ZPGB 0.4 Project Manager
NRE 0.5 Scientist
2.5 Technical Officers
ZPGB 0.6 Keeper
Financial resources required 1996-2004 -
Action NRE ZPGB Total Cost
Captive breeding $0 $223 000 $223 000
Monitoring $217 000 $0 $217 000
Reintroduction $136 800 $0 $136 800
Habitat management $209 600 $0 $209 600
Predator control $316 500 $0 $316 500
Program management $99 000 $78 700 $177 700
Research $69 600 $0 $69 600
Extension $27 000 $44 600 $71 600
Total $1 075 500 $346 300
Total 1996-2004 $1 421 800
Note: This taxon is recovering and would not meet Critically Endangered (CR) on its 1995 status. However, the five-year rule (see Introduction) means that it must still be allocated to CR. The status of the taxon should be reviewed if recovery continues.
References:
Backhouse G.N. 1992. Recovery Plan for the Eastern Barred Bandicoot Perameles gunnii. Department of Conservation and Environment, Melbourne.
Backhouse G.N. and Crosthwaite J. 1996. Eastern Barred Bandicoot Perameles gunnii. Flora and Fauna Action Statement Number 4 (revised). Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Melbourne.
Backhouse G.N. and Slater G. 1995. Recovery Plan for the Eastern Barred Bandicoot Perameles gunnii 1995-96. Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and Zoological Board of Victoria, Melbourne.
Brown P.R. 1989. Management Plan for the Eastern Barred Bandicoot Perameles gunnii in Victoria. Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research Technical Report Series Number 63. Department of Conservation, Forests and Lands, Melbourne.
Fisher J.T. and Norman P. 1991. Eastern Barred Bandicoot Perameles gunnii. Flora and Fauna Action Statement Number 4. Department of Conservation and Environment, Melbourne.
Robinson N.A., Murray N.D. and Sherwin W.B. 1993. VNTR loci reveal differentiation between and structure within populations of the Eastern Barred Bandicoot Perameles gunnii. Molecular Ecology 2, 195-207.
Seebeck J.H., Bennett A.F. and Dufty A.C. 1990. Status, distribution and biogeography of the Eastern Barred Bandicoot Perameles gunnii in Victoria. Pp. 21-32 in T.W. Clark and J.H. Seebeck (Eds) Management and Conservation of Small Populations. Chicago Zoological Society, Brookfield, USA.