The diet of feral cats on islands: a review and a call for more studies

Bonnaud, Elsa; Medina, Félix M.; Vidal, Éric; Nogales, Manuel; Tershy, Bernie R.; Zavaleta, Erika S.; Donlan, C. Josh; Keitt, Bradford S.; Corre, Matthieu Le; Horwath, Sarah V.

doi:10.1007/s10530-010-9851-3

Cited by 154 publications

(157 citation statements)

References 61 publications

(39 reference statements)

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“…Notably, we showed that squamates were the primary native prey category in cat diet (42.8% and at least 35 species preyed). This result is consistent with the conclusion given by Bonnaud et al (2011), showing a negative correlation between reptile consumption and latitude. In New Caledonia, squamates are preyed upon by cats at a higher rate (in FO) than in most islands worldwide, probably due to their high abundance and high species richness (Bauer et al, 2012a;Skipwith et al, 2016;Smith et al, 2007).…”

Section: Overall Cat Dietsupporting

confidence: 93%

“…26% of recent extinctions (Doherty et al, 2016b). Furthermore, Doherty et al (2015a) for Australia and adjacent islands and Bonnaud et al (2011) for the rest of the world's islands, listed 16 and 29 IUCN Red-listed threatened vertebrate species respectively, in the diets of feral cats. Strong variations exist in the feral cat diet, mainly explained by biogeographic and bioclimatic factors, along with prey availability Doherty et al, 2015a;Medina et al, 2011).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Strong variations exist in the feral cat diet, mainly explained by biogeographic and bioclimatic factors, along with prey availability Doherty et al, 2015a;Medina et al, 2011). Bonnaud et al (2011) andDoherty et al (2015a) showed that feral cats on islands feed on a wide range of prey, including medium-sized and small vertebrates (birds, reptiles, marsupials, rodents, bats, frogs, fish, and both medium-sized and large exotic mammals) and invertebrates (Bonnaud et al, 2015;Hilmer et al, 2010;Turner and Bateson, 2014). Introduced mammals (rodents and lagomorphs) generally constitute staple prey that can facilitate the establishment and expansion of abundant feral cat populations, indirectly increasing predation risk for native species through a so-called "hyperpredation" mechanism (e.g.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Feral cats threaten the outstanding endemic fauna of the New Caledonia biodiversity hotspot

Palmas

Jourdan

Rigault

et al. 2017

Biological Conservation

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A B S T R A C TFeral cats (Felis catus) are one of the most successful and harmful invasive predator species, leading to dramatic loss of biodiversity across the globe. Our study assessed feral cat predation in a major biodiversity hotspot: the New Caledonian archipelago. We focused on the consequences of this predation for the outstanding endemic fauna found throughout the rich range of New Caledonian natural habitats. We analyzed > 5300 cat scats sampled from 14 selected sites representing the 4 main natural habitats, with 4 to 6 sampling sessions per year over > 4 years per habitat. Our study reveals previously unreported patterns of cat predation on both alien and endemic species. Throughout the archipelago, cats prey strongly upon squamates, flying foxes and petrels. Feral cat prey included at least 44 native vertebrate species, 20 of which are IUCN Red-listed threatened species. This study adds some 44.4% to the number of IUCN threatened species vulnerable to and preyed upon by feral cats on the world's islands. New Caledonia, while it represents only 0.12% of the total area of islands worldwide (Australia included), hosts 30.8% of IUCN threatened species known to be predated by feral cats. This study recommends prioritizing management and conservation strategies by focusing actions on maquis mosaic and humid forest habitats, where feral cats pose the greatest threat. To limit the impact of feral cats, we recommend conducting targeted management actions on sites key to threatened species conservation, and preventing arrival or promoting eradication on islets.

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Section: Overall Cat Dietsupporting

confidence: 93%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Feral cats threaten the outstanding endemic fauna of the New Caledonia biodiversity hotspot

Palmas

Jourdan

Rigault

et al. 2017

Biological Conservation

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“…For some studies, we extracted a portion of data that met these criteria but excluded other data from cats with unknown ranging behaviour. We only included mainland and large island (New Zealand and United Kingdom) predation studies, because cat predation on small islands is often exceptionally high 36,37 and focused on colony nesting seabirds 38 . We excluded studies from outside temperate regions and those with predation rate estimates based on fewer than 10 cats, o1 month of sampling, or on cats that were experimentally manipulated (for example, by fitting them with bells or behaviour altering bibs).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The impact of free-ranging domestic cats on wildlife of the United States

2013

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Anthropogenic threats, such as collisions with man-made structures, vehicles, poisoning and predation by domestic pets, combine to kill billions of wildlife annually. Free-ranging domestic cats have been introduced globally and have contributed to multiple wildlife extinctions on islands. The magnitude of mortality they cause in mainland areas remains speculative, with large-scale estimates based on non-systematic analyses and little consideration of scientific data. Here we conduct a systematic review and quantitatively estimate mortality caused by cats in the United States. We estimate that free-ranging domestic cats kill 1.3-4.0 billion birds and 6.3-22.3 billion mammals annually. Un-owned cats, as opposed to owned pets, cause the majority of this mortality. Our findings suggest that free-ranging cats cause substantially greater wildlife mortality than previously thought and are likely the single greatest source of anthropogenic mortality for US birds and mammals. Scientifically sound conservation and policy intervention is needed to reduce this impact.

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“…Small native vertebrates sometimes coexist with feral cats, but there is also strong experimental and correlative evidence that feral cats may cause declines or local extinctions of prey on islands [5][6][7] and continents [8][9][10].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cat Predation and Suburban Lizards: A 22 Year Study at a Suburban Australian Property

Bamford¹,

Calver

2012

TOCONSBJ

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Abstract:From observations conducted in a suburban property in Perth, Western Australia, over 22 years, it appears that a single pet cat may have exterminated a population (est. 40-50 animals) of the lizard Ctenotus fallens over two years, but with the greatest impact in just the first few months. C. fallens did not begin to recolonise the site until six years after the cat had moved away. The observations support the hypothesis that extinctions of wildlife in suburbia following the introduction of cats can be swift. They also suggest that C. fallens is a suitable species for reintroduction experiments into suburban Perth, comparing the success of reintroductions at sites where cats are confined with those where cats roam freely.

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The diet of feral cats on islands: a review and a call for more studies

Cited by 154 publications

References 61 publications

Feral cats threaten the outstanding endemic fauna of the New Caledonia biodiversity hotspot

Feral cats threaten the outstanding endemic fauna of the New Caledonia biodiversity hotspot

The impact of free-ranging domestic cats on wildlife of the United States

Cat Predation and Suburban Lizards: A 22 Year Study at a Suburban Australian Property

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