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RESEARCH
Who's on the menu: did competition influence the thylacine's extinction?
Introduced exotic species can dominate communities and replace native species. The paradox that well suited natives can be replaced by unadapted introduced species is usually explained by the absence of natural enemies and by habitat alteration resulting from anthropogenic disturbance. Isolated island populations are particularly vulnerable to introduced species due to limited dispersal opportunities and reduced adaptability in the absence of resource competitors.
Australia has lost 50% of its marsupial species in the past 200 years, with the thylacine (Thylacinus cynocephalus) being the only species of marsupial to be lost from Tasmania over this period. The thylacine was the largest marsupial carnivore at the time of European settlement, and ironically became extinct six years prior to becoming protected. The factors involved in its extinction have been argued intently, yet the underlying cause of their decline remains incomplete.
Ecological traits commonly associated with high extinction risk can be used to predict species vulnerability. Predictive traits relating to diet (e.g. body size, trophic level and dietary specialisation) will be used to identify the competitive ability of the thylacine and their proneness to species invasion. I will also examine patterns of prey selection by sympatric native species prior to European settlement and the role of potential exotic competitors in producing a highly competitive environment.
Assessing extinction vulnerability in the thylacine has faced several difficulties, including incomplete information about their biology, phylogeny and the interrelationships between possible predictor variables. The isotope ratios in a consumer's tissue reflect prey that has been assimilated. This powerful technique can provide more information than standard dietary analysis and will provide valuable insight on this extinct species.
PREVIOUS RESEARCH
2008 - Vocal recognition and geographic variation of barking calls in breeding male Australian sea lions (Neophoca cinerea). Honours thesis - Dr Robert Harcourt (Macquarie University)
RESEARCH INTERESTS
- Behavioural ecology and conservation ecology of mammals
- Evolution, animal behaviour and communication
- Ecological driving forces in sexual selection
CONTACT DETAILS
Postgraduate Room, Level 1, Samuels Building, UNSW, Kensington, 2052
Email: marie.attard@unsw.edu.au
Phone: 04 0113 6526
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