Indirect impacts of invasive cane toads (Bufo marinus) on nest predation in pig-nosed turtles (Carettochelys insculpta)

Doody, J. Sean; Green, Brian; Sims, Rachel A.; Rhind, David; West, Peter; Steer, David

doi:10.1071/wr05042

Cited by 110 publications

(94 citation statements)

References 20 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Direct population level impacts of cane toads have not been restricted to a single goanna species but a multitude of native predators in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems including other monitor lizards, crocodiles, snakes and quolls (Shine 2010;. Doody et al (2006Doody et al ( , 2009Doody et al ( , 2013Doody et al ( , 2015 demonstrated that cane toad-induced decline of goannas can have cascading effects on species not predicted to be directly affected by cane toads such as small lizards, tree snakes, freshwater turtles and grain-eating birds in riparian systems in northern Australia. Cane toads have also been reported to have direct suppressive effects on their invertebrate prey, and to compete with nesting birds for burrows (Boland 2004;Greenlees et al 2007;.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Invasive cane toads might initiate cascades of direct and indirect effects in a terrestrial ecosystem

et al. 2018

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Invasive cane toads might initiate cascades of direct and indirect effects in a terrestrial ecosystem

et al. 2018

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

“…The arrival of toxic cane toads (Bufo marinus) in northern Australia precipitated a marked decline in V. panoptes, which in turn has seen the nest predation rate of pig nosed turtles (Carettochelys insculpta) decline from around 20 per cent to almost nothing [57]. Varanus panoptes has been suggested to have a similar impact on flatback (Natator depressus) and Olive Ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea) sea turtle populations owing to both their extensive use of turtle breeding habitat along the northern Australian coastline and the dominance of turtle eggs in their diet [58].…”

Section: Varanids and Prey Community Structurementioning

confidence: 99%

Could controlling mammalian carnivores lead to mesopredator release of carnivorous reptiles?

Sutherland¹,

Glen²,

Tores³

2010

Proc. R. Soc. B.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Emerging evidence increasingly illustrates the importance of a holistic, rather than taxon-specific, approach to the study of ecological communities. Considerable resources are expended to manage both introduced and native mammalian carnivores to improve conservation outcomes; however, management can result in unforeseen and sometimes catastrophic outcomes. Varanid lizards are likely to be apex-or mesopredators, but being reptiles are rarely considered by managers and researchers when investigating the impacts of mammalian carnivore management. Instances of mesopredator release have been described for Varanus gouldii as a result of fox and cat management in Australia, with cascading effects on faunal community structure. A meta-analysis showing extensive dietary niche overlap between varanids, foxes and cats plus a review of experimental and circumstantial evidence suggests mesopredator release of V. gouldii and about five other medium to large species of varanid lizard is likely in other regions. This highlights the need for managers to adopt a whole-of-community approach when attempting to manage predators for sustained fauna conservation, and that additional research is required to elucidate whether mesopredator release of varanids is a widespread consequence of carnivore management, altering the intended faunal responses.

show abstract

“…Nest predation by the yellow-spotted monitor lizard (Varanus panoptes) averaged nearly 20% during 1996-98 (11 to 25%) ). However, the arrival of invasive cane toads (Bufo marinus) in 2003 decimated populations of V. panoptes (Doody et al 2007), leading to no predation on Carettochelys nests in 2004 (Doody et al 2006). Daly River Carettochelys aggregate their nests, but probability of predation was not influenced by the number of nests on a beach (Doody et al 2003b).…”

Section: 6mentioning

confidence: 99%

Carettochelys insculpta Ramsay 1886 – Pig-Nosed Turtle, Fly River Turtle

Georges

Doody

Eisemberg

et al. 2008

Chelonian Research Monographs

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

summAry. -Carettochelys insculpta, the pig-nosed turtle (Family Carettochelyidae), is the sole surviving member of a family of turtles that was widely distributed during the Tertiary. It is restricted to the southern rivers of New Guinea and the rivers of the Northern Territory in Australia. Carettochelys is therefore a distinctive geographic and taxonomic relict and, although locally abundant, it is rare in the sense of being geographically restricted. Moreover, Carettochelys is unique or unusual among turtles in many facets of its morphology, ecology, and behavior. Populations in New Guinea are thought to be declining because of increased exploitation for meat and eggs for both domestic consumption and the international pet trade. This exploitation has been exacerbated in recent times by the introduction of modern technology, principally outboard motors. In addition, clan warfare has ceased, and people have moved from the hinterland to more convenient locations along river banks. Moreover, levels of commercial activity such as logging, mining and exploration for oil, gold, and copper and fishing have increased in recent times, bringing larger human populations, both indigenous and non-indigenous, into closer contact with turtle populations. In Australia, feral animals have posed a threat through widespread trampling of nesting banks and destruction of riparian habitat. Other potential pressures include aggressive pastoral and agricultural practices that push the land in the important catchments beyond capability. Such agricultural development, if not accompanied by appropriate and effective land management, can result in erosion, destruction of riparian vegetation, siltation of water courses, reduction and altered timing and duration of dry season environmental flows, which can lead to gross degradation of riverine habitat as we have seen in the southern states of Australia. Urgent research is required to determine trends in population numbers and levels of exploitation in New Guinea, and to identify and implement management options for the sustainable exploitation of Carettochelys. In Australia, improved knowledge of the distribution of Carettochelys is required, especially the status of populations in the Victoria River, so that the value of the two known major populations in the Daly River and Alligator Rivers region can be adequately assessed. Wet-season habitat requirements, extent of seasonal movements, and requirements of juveniles are unknown, yet this information is needed to gauge the possible impact of proposed or potential development within catchments and to gauge the adequacy of existing reserves for protecting the species.

show abstract

Indirect impacts of invasive cane toads (Bufo marinus) on nest predation in pig-nosed turtles (Carettochelys insculpta)

Cited by 110 publications

References 20 publications

Invasive cane toads might initiate cascades of direct and indirect effects in a terrestrial ecosystem

Invasive cane toads might initiate cascades of direct and indirect effects in a terrestrial ecosystem

Could controlling mammalian carnivores lead to mesopredator release of carnivorous reptiles?

Carettochelys insculpta Ramsay 1886 – Pig-Nosed Turtle, Fly River Turtle

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About