ScienceDaily (Dec. 4, 2012) — The effort to stop
the irreversible spread of foxes in Tasmania is at a critical stage with many
native species at risk of extinction, new research by University of Canberra
ecologists and their collaborators published in the British Ecological
Society’s Journal of Applied Ecology shows.
Using
DNA detection techniques developed at the University, the team mapped the
presence of foxes in Tasmania, predicted their spread and developed a model of
their likely distribution as a blueprint for fox eradication, but swift and
decisive action is needed.
University
of Canberra professor in wildlife genetics and leader of the team, Stephen
Sarre, found foxes are widespread in northern and eastern Tasmania and the
model developed by his team forecasts they will spread even further with likely
devastating consequences for the island’s wildlife.
“There’s
nothing fantastic about foxes being in Tasmania. If we allow them to establish
themselves we could see a catastrophic wave of extinction across the island,”
Professor Sarre said.
“This
research shows foxes are on the verge of becoming irreversibly present in
Tasmania,” he said. “Their apparent widespread distribution indicates that the
eradication effort is at a critical point and that there is no time to lose.”
Professor Sarre and colleagues used forensic DNA tests combined with collections of fox scats to detect and map the distribution of the predator in Tasmania.
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