Feral cats threaten the outstanding endemic fauna of the New Caledonia biodiversity hotspot
2017
Palmas, Pauline | Jourdan, Hervé | Rigault, Frederic | Debar, Leo | de Meringo, Hélène | Bourguet, Edouard | Mathivet, Mathieu | Lee, Matthias | Adjouhgniope, Rachelle | Papillon, Yves | Bonnaud, Elsa | Vidal, Eric | Ecologie Systématique et Evolution (ESE) ; Université Paris-Sud - Paris 11 (UP11)-AgroParisTech-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) | Institut méditerranéen de biodiversité et d'écologie marine et continentale (IMBE) ; Avignon Université (AU)-Aix Marseille Université (AMU)-Institut de recherche pour le développement [IRD] : UMR237-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) | Centre de Biologie pour la Gestion des Populations (UMR CBGP) ; Centre de Coopération Internationale en Recherche Agronomique pour le Développement (Cirad)-Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRA)-Centre international d'études supérieures en sciences agronomiques (Montpellier SupAgro)-Université de Montpellier (UM)-Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD [Occitanie])-Institut national d’études supérieures agronomiques de Montpellier (Montpellier SupAgro) | This study was funded by the Province Nord (Contracts No. 12C240, 13C375, 14C330, 15C331), Province des Îles (Contract No. 209/2014), Province Sud (Contracts No. C276-12, C283-12, C588-13), SLN Nickel (Contracts No. 11-171, DE2015-001), CNRT Nickel (Contract No. 08NRT.IRD/Rmine), CEN (Contract No. I345/2012/CEN). | Funding sources for this study were local public or private institutions in charge of environment and biodiversity in New Caledonia. Study sites selection was made jointly with these institutions, but funding sources have had no other role in the study design, sample analysis, interpretation of data or writing of the manuscript neither in the decision to submit it for publication. | We are very grateful to civil and traditional customary authorities and landowners for allowing us to conduct this research in their respective areas, especially Parc Provincial de la Rivière Bleue, Parc des Grandes Fougères, Réserve Botanique de la chute de la Madeleine, Réserve Naturelle du Mont Panié, GDPL Bomene Tapu, Île des Pins, Ouvéa, Lifou, Mine de Tiébaghi, Mine de Kopéto. We are also very grateful to Dayu Biik (Association pour la Conservation en co-gestion du Mont Panié), ASBO (Association pour la Sauvegarde de la Biodiversité d'Ouvéa) and numerous colleagues and students for providing invaluable support in fieldwork and sampling. We thank Marjorie Sweetko for improving the English of the manuscript.
International audience
Mostrar más [+] Menos [-]Inglés. Feral 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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