Publications des scientifiques de l'IRD

Palmas Pauline, Jourdan Hervé, Debar L., Bourguet E., Rigault Frédéric, Bonnaud E., Vidal Eric. (2020). A conservation paradox : endangered and iconic flightless kagu (Rhynochetos jubatus) apparently escape feral cat predation. New Zealand Journal of Ecology, 44 (1), p. [8 p.]. ISSN 0110-6465.

Titre du document
A conservation paradox : endangered and iconic flightless kagu (Rhynochetos jubatus) apparently escape feral cat predation
Année de publication
2020
Type de document
Article référencé dans le Web of Science WOS:000524118800001
Auteurs
Palmas Pauline, Jourdan Hervé, Debar L., Bourguet E., Rigault Frédéric, Bonnaud E., Vidal Eric
Source
New Zealand Journal of Ecology, 2020, 44 (1), p. [8 p.] ISSN 0110-6465
The kagu (Rhynochetos jubatus) is an iconic endemic flightless bird from New Caledonia, red-listed as endangered according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) criteria. Feral cats are among the most successful and damaging invaders for island biodiversity. They have been directly responsible for the extinction of numerous birds worldwide, especially small- and medium-sized flightless species. Our study evaluates the feral cat threat to the kagu by analysing 772 cat scats from the two main sites housing major remaining populations (eight quarterly sampling sessions conducted per site over 2 years). Surprisingly, we detected no predation evidence against this endangered species (including chicks) although it falls within the cats' prey size range and exhibits life-history traits typical of island endangered naive birds. We recommend a multi-species approach to invasive mammal management to mitigate direct and indirect pressures against remaining kagu populations.
Plan de classement
Sciences du monde animal [080] ; Etudes, transformation, conservation du milieu naturel [082]
Description Géographique
NOUVELLE CALEDONIE
Localisation
Fonds IRD [F B010078953]
Identifiant IRD
fdi:010078953
Contact