Spotted-tail quoll in Australia's tropical Queensland facing extinction: study
0 Comment(s)
Print
E-mail Xinhua, February 13, 2023
SYDNEY, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- A recent study has revealed that the number of spotted-tail quolls in the north of Australian state of Queensland may have dwindled to critically endangered levels.
The study, conducted by researchers from Australia's James Cook University (JCU) and the University of the Sunshine Coast, performed targeted upland camera-trapping surveys of the northern spotted-tailed quoll (Dasyurus maculatus gracilis), one of the spotted-tailed quoll's subspecies, which lives in the wet tropics bioregion of north Queensland, from June 2017 to May 2019.
Conrad Hoskin, co-author and associate professor from JCU, told Xinhua on Sunday that the current total population size of the subspecies is considerably lower than the estimated population of 550 that dates back to 1993.
"The new population estimate suggests they are doing more poorly than we thought. A total population size of about 220 is very small, and even worse because they are split among six small populations," said Hoskin.
"Definitely cause for concern and hence we suggest the status critically endangered and suggest increased investment," he added.
According to the findings published in the Austral Ecology journal, the population sizes of quolls in six defined areas ranged from approximately five to 105 individuals, lower than previous published estimates ranging from approximately eight to 160 individuals.
The spotted-tailed quoll is the largest extant marsupial carnivore on mainland Australia and is recognized as two subspecies, namely Dasyurus maculatus maculatus in south-east mainland Australia and Tasmania as well as Dasyurus maculatus gracilis in north-east Queensland.
Hoskin noted although the two subspecies share some threats such as land clearing, fragmentation and road accidents, the D. m. gracilis is "certainly the most at threat of extinction," as it faces more threats from cane toads and climate change due to the uplands of tropical mountain.
"When populations become this small, inbreeding can become an issue that threatens the short and longer-term survival of the species," said the expert.
He called for more efforts to work out the genetics of the remaining populations and factors that can impact futher conservation decisions. Enditem
Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)