@article{fdi:010077734,
  title = {{S}tuck amongst introduced species : trophic ecology reveals complex relationships between the critically endangered {N}iau kingfisher and introduced predators, competitors and prey},
  author = {{Z}arzoso-{L}acoste, {D}. and {B}onnaud, {E}. and {C}orse, {E}. and {D}ubut, {V}. and {L}orvelec, {O}. and {D}e {M}eringo, {H}. and {S}antelli, {C}. and {M}eunier, {J}ean-{Y}ves and {G}hestemme, {T}. and {G}ouni, {A}. and {V}idal, {E}ric},
  editor = {},
  language = {{ENG}},
  abstract = {{T}he introduction of mammals on oceanic islands currently threatens or has caused the extinction of many endemic species. {C}ats and rats represent the major threat for 40 % of currently endangered island bird species. {D}irect (predation) and/or indirect (exploitative competition for food resource) trophic interactions are key mechanisms by which invaders cause the decrease or extinction of native populations. {H}ere, we investigated both direct and indirect trophic interactions amongst four predator species (i.e. animals that hunt, kill and feed on other animals), including three introduced mammals ({F}elis silvestris catus, {R}attus rattus and {R}attus exulans) and one critically endangered native bird, the {N}iau kingfisher ({T}odiramphus gertrudae). {A}ll four species' diets and prey availability were assessed from sampling at the six main kingfisher habitats on {N}iau {I}sland during the breeding season. {D}iet analyses were conducted on 578 cat scats, 295 rat digestive tracts (218 {R}. exu/ans and 77 {R}. rattus) and 186 kingfisher pellets. {D}espite simultaneous use of morphological and {PCR}-based methods, no bird remains in cat and rat diet samples could be assigned to the {N}iau kingfisher, weakening the hypothesis of current intense predation pressure. {H}owever, we determined that {N}iau kingfishers mainly feed on introduced and/or cryptogenic prey and highlighted the potential for exploitative competition between this bird and both introduced rat species (for {D}ictyoptera, {C}oleoptera and {S}cincidae). {W}e recommend removing the cats and both rat species, at least within kingfisher breeding and foraging areas (e.g. mechanical or chemical control, cat sterilisation, biosecurity reinforcement), to simultaneously decrease predation risk, increase key prey availability and boost kingfisher population dynamics.},
  keywords = {{I}sland bird conservation ; {I}ntroduced mammals ; {P}redation ; {C}ompetition ; {T}odiramphus gertrudae ; {F}elis silvestris catus ; {R}attus spp. ; {NIAU} {ATOLL} ; {TUAMOTU} {ARCHIPEL} ; {POLYNESIE} {FRANCAISE} ; {PACIFIQUE}},
  booktitle = {},
  journal = {{N}eobiota},
  numero = {53},
  pages = {61--82},
  ISSN = {1619-0033},
  year = {2019},
  DOI = {10.3897/neobiota.53.35086},
  URL = {https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010077734},
}