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    The vulnerability of skinks to predation by introduced mongoose in the Fiji Islands

    Morley, Craig G.; Winder, Linton

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    Date
    2015
    Citation:
    Morley, C., & Winder, L. (2015). The vulnerability of skinks to predation by introduced mongoose in the Fiji Islands. Pacific Science, 69, pp.1-14. ISSN 0030-8870, 1534-6188
    Permanent link to Research Bank record:
    https://hdl.handle.net/10652/3214
    Abstract
    Skinks are successful colonisers and are commonly found throughout the Pacific islands, but, the presence of introduced predators such as mongoose are known to threaten their survival. The two most abundant skinks found within the Fiji Islands are Emoia cyanura and E. impar; the abundance of these species encountered during visual transect counts on 16 islands within four habitats formed the basis of this study. Half of these islands had mongoose present whilst the other half were known to be mongoose free. Our results showed that skink abundances on mongoose free islands were approximately five times higher than when mongoose were present, irrespective of habitat type. We conclude that it was very likely that mongoose severely supressed even commonly found skink species across all the habitat types on these small islands. Conservation actions that could protect these native species include biosecurity mechanisms to prevent secondary invasion of introduced predators, habitat protection and management, and captive rearing programs. Failure to implement such actions now could result in even common species being at risk of extirpation.
    Keywords:
    Fiji, skinks, Emoia cyanura, Emoia impar, mongooses, Herpestidae (mongooses)
    ANZSRC Field of Research:
    060207 Population Ecology, 070205 Animal Protection (Pests and Pathogens)
    Copyright Holder:
    Pacific Science Association
    Copyright Notice:
    This early view paper has been peer-reviewed and accepted for publication in Pacific Science. However it has not been copy-edited nor has it undergone typesetting for Pacific Science. The final published paper will look different due to formatting changes, but scientific content will remain the same. (March 22, 2014)
    Available Online at:
    https://pacificscience.wordpress.com
    Rights:
    This digital work is protected by copyright. It may be consulted by you, provided you comply with the provisions of the Act and the following conditions of use: Any use you make of these documents or images must be for research or private study purposes only, and you may not make them available to any other person. You will recognise the author's and publishers rights and give due acknowledgement where appropriate.
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