Download Dasyurus maculatus, Spotted-tailed Quoll

The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™
ISSN 2307-8235 (online)
IUCN 2008: T6300A12601070
Dasyurus maculatus, Spotted-tailed Quoll
Assessment by: Burnett, S. & Dickman, C.
View on www.iucnredlist.org
Citation: Burnett, S. & Dickman, C. 2008. Dasyurus maculatus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened
Species 2008: e.T6300A12601070.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2008.RLTS.T6300A12601070.en
Copyright: © 2015 International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources
Reproduction of this publication for educational or other non-commercial purposes is authorized without prior written
permission from the copyright holder provided the source is fully acknowledged.
Reproduction of this publication for resale, reposting or other commercial purposes is prohibited without prior written
permission from the copyright holder. For further details see Terms of Use.
The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™ is produced and managed by the IUCN Global Species Programme, the IUCN
Species Survival Commission (SSC) and The IUCN Red List Partnership. The IUCN Red List Partners are: BirdLife
International; Botanic Gardens Conservation International; Conservation International; Microsoft; NatureServe; Royal
Botanic Gardens, Kew; Sapienza University of Rome; Texas A&M University; Wildscreen; and Zoological Society of London.
If you see any errors or have any questions or suggestions on what is shown in this document, please provide us with
feedback so that we can correct or extend the information provided.
THE IUCN RED LIST OF THREATENED SPECIES™
Taxonomy
Kingdom
Phylum
Class
Order
Family
Animalia
Chordata
Mammalia
Dasyuromorphia
Dasyuridae
Taxon Name: Dasyurus maculatus (Kerr, 1792)
Common Name(s):
• English:
• French:
Spotted-tailed Quoll
Chat Marsupial À Queue Tachetée
Taxonomic Notes:
The subspecific classification of the mainland populations is currently under review. The Tasmanian
population has also been proposed as being a distinct subspecies (Firestone et al. 1999).
Assessment Information
Red List Category & Criteria:
Near Threatened ver 3.1
Year Published:
2008
Date Assessed:
June 30, 2008
Justification:
Listed as Near Threatened. The extent of occurrence is greater than 20,000 km2 and the species is
estimated to number on the order of 20,000 mature individuals. There are probably ongoing population
declines, though less than would be required to meet Criterion A, and some populations may need close
monitoring.
Previously Published Red List Assessments
1996 – Vulnerable (VU)
Geographic Range
Range Description:
The Spotted-tailed Quoll is endemic to Australia, where it exists as two subspecies:
The subspecies Dasyurus maculatus maculatus was formerly distributed in south-eastern Queensland
(as far north as Bundaberg and as far west as Chinchilla), eastern New South Wales, Victoria, South
Australia, Tasmania (including some of the Bass Strait Islands (Maxwell et al. 1996). Maxwell et al.
(1996) report that in south-east Queensland it has undergone a range contraction indicated to be in
excess of 30% over the last 25 years and is now rare in most areas. Remaining populations are
concentrated in the Blackall and Conondale Ranges, southern Darling Downs (Stanthorpe to
Wallangarra), Main Range (Goomburra to Spicers Gap), Lamington Plateau and McPherson/Border
Ranges (Springbrook to Mount Lindsay). This species is still extant in the Australian Capital Territory and
eastern New South Wales, patchily distributed as far west as Warrumbungles National Park with a
© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Dasyurus maculatus – published in 2008.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2008.RLTS.T6300A12601070.en
1
number of localized areas where reasonably abundant, mostly in wet forests. Most abundant
populations believed to be in north-eastern New South Wales, where most commonly encountered on
the north coast and ranges from the Hunter Valley, Taree, Port Macquarie to Coffs Harbour and gorges
and escarpments of the New England Tableland (Maxwell et al. 1996). In Victoria, it is now patchily
distributed through the Eastern Highlands, East Gippsland, the Otway Range and the Mount Eccles Lake Condah area. Records of the species since 1970 are concentrated in the upper Snowy River valley,
the Otway Range, Mount Eccles National Park, the Rodger River - Errinundra Plateau area and around
the Gippsland Lakes (Mansergh 1995). There is a recent (1991) record from the Murray Mallee near
Swan Hill, however, no population has been located. In Tasmania Spotted-tailed Quoll is absent from
islands and absent or rare in the central midlands and parts of the central east coast cleared for
agriculture. Records (339) during the past 30 years show it is more frequently recorded in wet forests or
scrub in the north-east highlands and in the west of the State (Rounsevell et al. 1991). It is extinct in
South Australia.
The subspecies D. m. gracilis formerly occurred throughout the latitudinal range of the Wet Tropics
World Heritage Area of north Queensland. It is now apparently extinct from the Atherton and Evelyn
Tablelands, and there are few sightings south of 17o45'S. This represents a decline in extent of
occurrence of approximately 20% (Maxwell et al. 1996).
Country Occurrence:
Native: Australia
© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Dasyurus maculatus – published in 2008.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2008.RLTS.T6300A12601070.en
2
Distribution Map
© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Dasyurus maculatus – published in 2008.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2008.RLTS.T6300A12601070.en
3
Population
The total population of Spotted-tailed Quolls is on the order of 20,000 mature individuals. Populations
in south-east Queensland, western Victoria (Otways and far south-west of Victoria), and coastal areas of
southern New South Wales are known to be declining. Populations in north-eastern Queensland are
small, fragmented, and are <1,000 individuals (Burnett 2000). Tasmanian population numbers appear to
be stable.
There is some evidence of a decline in distribution or in numbers in remaining suitable habitat (e.g., in
the Otway Range), and the species is mostly uncommon (although it is present in good numbers in some
areas, such as the Marengo and Chaelundi Forests).
Current Population Trend: Decreasing
Habitat and Ecology (see Appendix for additional information)
D. m. maculatus is found in forests, woodlands, wet forest alliance, rainforest, coastal heaths and coastal
wet scrub, estuarine areas, and rocky headlands (Maxwell et al. 1996).
The optimum habitat for D. m. gracilis appears to be upland (>900 m asl) notophyll vine forest. Occurs in
lower abundances in progressively more marginal habitat - in lower altitude notophyll and mesophyll
habitats (Maxwell et al. 1996). Occasionally it occurs as a transient in wet and dry sclerophyll forest and
in modified habitats (e.g., pastures.
Systems: Terrestrial
Threats (see Appendix for additional information)
The reasons for decline of D. m. maculatus are a combination of habitat loss and fragmentation,
possible disease at the beginning of the 20th century, competition with foxes and feral cats, predation
by foxes and dogs, and impact of widespread strychnine baiting for dingoes. Most recently threats
include non-target mortality from trapping and poisoning (there is a long-standing concern that quolls
are being killed by the use of 1080 poisoning, but this has not been confirmed and is currently the focus
of a number of investigative trials). Direct persecution is significant as they are attracted to caged birds
and do not necessarily take flight when discovered. Estimated forest loss as a result of clearing within its
former range in south-east Queensland is over 70%, with the majority of loss occurring over the last 20
years. The species uses a large number of den sites throughout the year and activities that reduce the
number of den logs are likely to be significant. In Tasmania this taxon is naturally rare, possibly as a
result of competition with D. viverrinus, Sarcophilus harrisii, and feral cats (Jones 1995). Road mortality
could be a significant factor where high speed roads and good habitat coincide, as quolls are attracted
to feed on the carcasses of road-killed animals (Maxwell et al. 1996).
D. m. gracilis is susceptible to factors which increase juvenile and/or adult mortality, or which otherwise
decrease breeding success. Such factors may include habitat clearance, logging, introduced species
including cane toad, and direct killing at chicken pens, at houses, and on roads (Maxwell et al. 1996).
Conservation Actions (see Appendix for additional information)
© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Dasyurus maculatus – published in 2008.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2008.RLTS.T6300A12601070.en
4
Recovery objectives (Maxwell et al. 1996) for D. m. maculatus include: monitor populations; prevent
further habitat loss and fragmentation; minimise any impact that 1080 baiting may be having on the
species; undertake public education, especially of private land holders in rural areas, to reduce direct
killing.
Population trends should be conducted using repetitive density estimates in a range of habitats across
its distribution. Suveys are particularly needed in central and southern New South Wales to complement
forest surveys in north-eastern areas. Cage trapping and hair tubing have proved fairly successful in
detecting the species if more than one sampling period per site is undertaken. Additional studies should
investigate the effects of competition from other predators including feral cats, foxes and dingoes/wild
dogs. Habitat use and further study of dietary requirements are also a priority. In Tasmania, monitoring
of population densities should be conducted in relation to forestry practices.
Management actions required for D. m. maculatus (Maxwell et al. 1996) include: determining the
critical threatening processes and taking remedial actions; minimising habitat loss, establishing broad
wildlife corridors between conservation areas and implement these in all land use plans; feral predator
control in significant areas; minimising non-target kills from 1080 baiting in known habitat areas.
There have been several management actions completed or underway for D. m. maculatus (Maxwell et
al. 1996). For Victoria, an Action Statement was prepared under Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988. A
study of diet and some home range estimates and bait take behaviour was completed (Belcher 1995).
Experimental baiting trials are under way (commenced 1995 by DNRE Orbost). For Tasmania, a threeyear study of diet, fine-scale habitat use and competition with the two sympatric dasyurid carnivores D.
viverrinus and Sarcophilus harrisii was completed (Jones 1995; Jones and Rose 1996).
Maxwell et al. (1996) define recovery objectives for D. m. gracilis as being the identification of current
distribution and limiting factors, and to conserve remaining populations. Much of the habitat of this
subspecies is secure from large-scale disturbances as it lies within the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area.
A three-year field study of the life-history strategy, ranging behaviour, feeding ecology, distribution and
abundance, and conservation status of the species in north Queensland is in the report stage (Burnett
2000). A management profile for the species in State Forests in north Queensland has been prepared
(Burnett 1995) and a report on the conservation status of the species has been presented to QDE
(Burnett 1993) (Maxwell et al. 1996).
Management actions required for D. m. gracilis include continued monitoring of quoll populations;
additional survey work in order to locate other quoll populations and to test more rigorously for
population distributional limits; experimental removal of cane toads from roads within the optimum
habitat of D. m. gracilis and monitoring of effects if any on quoll populations; community extension
work in areas where quolls have been, and continue to be, displaced (Maxwell et al. 1996).
Credits
Assessor(s):
Burnett, S. & Dickman, C.
Reviewer(s):
Lamoreux, J. & Hilton-Taylor, C. (Global Mammal Assessment Team)
© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Dasyurus maculatus – published in 2008.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2008.RLTS.T6300A12601070.en
5
Bibliography
Alexander, D. 1980. Diet of the Tiger Quoll (Dasyurus maculatus Kerr) in an area of New England
National Park, northeastern New South Wales. Unpublished.
Belcher, C. A. 1995. Diet of the tiger quoll Dasyurus maculatus in East Gippsland, Victoria. Wildlife
Research 22: 341-357.
Boschma, D. J. 1991. A dietary analysis of Dasyurus maculatus (Kerr) in the area below Dangar's Falls,
Armidale. Part requirement for degree of Bachelor of Natural Resources, University of New England,
New South Wales (unpublished).
Burnett, S. 1993. The ecology and conservation status of the Spotted-tailed Quoll, Dasyurus maculatus
gracilis in north Queensland. Report to the Qld Department of Environment and Heritage. unpublished.
Burnett, S. 1995. Management profile for the Spotted-tailed Quoll, Dasyurus maculatus gracilis in
Queensland's State Forests. Report to the Qld Department of Primary Industries Forest Services.
unpublished.
Burnett, S. 2000. The ecology and endangerment of the spotted-tailed quoll, Dasyurus maculatus
gracilis. Ph.D. Thesis, James Cook University of North Queensland.
Firestone, K., Elphinstone, M. S., Sherwin, W. B. and Houlden, B. A. 1999. Phylogeographic population
structure of tiger quolls Dasyurus maculatus (Dasyuridae: Marsupialia), an endangered carnivorous
marsupial. Molecular Ecology 8: 1613-1626.
Green, R. H. and Scarborough, T. J. 1990. The spotted-tailed quoll Dasyurus maculatus (Dasyuridae,
Marsupalia) in Tasmania. The Tasmanian Naturalist 100: 1-15.
Jones, M. E. 1995. Guild structure of the large marsupial carnivores in Tasmania. Ph.D. Thesis, University
of Tasmania (unpublished).
Jones, M. E . and Rose, R. K. 1996. Preliminary assessment of distribution and habitat associations of the
Spotted-tailed Quoll (Dasyurus maculatus maculatus) and Eastern Quoll (Dasyurus viverrinus) in
Tasmania to determine conservation and reservation status. Report to Tasmanian Regional Forest
Agreement Environment and Heritage Technical Committee (unpublished).
Jones, M. E., Rose, R. K. and Burnett, S. 2001. Dasyurus maculatus. Mammalian Species 676: 1-9.
Mansergh, I. M. 1984. The status, distribution and abundance of Tiger Quoll (Dasyurus maculatus) in
Australia with particular reference to Victoria. Australian Zoology 21(2): 109-122.
Mansergh, I. M. 1995. Spot-tailed Quoll. In: P. W. Menkhorst (ed.), Mammals of Victoria, pp. 51-52.
Oxford University Press, Melbourne, Australia.
Mansergh, I. M. and Belcher, C. 1992. Tiger Quoll. Flora and Fauna Action Statement Number 15.
Maxwell, S., Burbidge, A. A. and Morris, K. 1996. The 1996 Action Plan for Australian Marsupials and
Monotremes. Australasian Marsupial and Monotreme Specialist Group, IUCN Species Survival
Commission, Gland, Switzerland.
Rounsevell, D. E., Taylor, R. J. and Hocking, G. J. 1991. Distribution records of native terrestrial mammals
in Tasmania. Wildlife Research 18: 699-717.
Watt, A. 1993. Conservation status and draft management plan for Dasyurus maculatus and D.
hallucatus in southern Queensland. Report to Queensland Department of Environment and Heritage and
© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Dasyurus maculatus – published in 2008.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2008.RLTS.T6300A12601070.en
6
Department of Environment, Sport and Territories.
Citation
Burnett, S. & Dickman, C. 2008. Dasyurus maculatus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2008:
e.T6300A12601070. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2008.RLTS.T6300A12601070.en
Disclaimer
To make use of this information, please check the Terms of Use.
External Resources
For Images and External Links to Additional Information, please see the Red List website.
© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Dasyurus maculatus – published in 2008.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2008.RLTS.T6300A12601070.en
7
Appendix
Habitats
(http://www.iucnredlist.org/technical-documents/classification-schemes)
Habitat
Season
Suitability
Major
Importance?
1. Forest -> 1.6. Forest - Subtropical/Tropical Moist Lowland
-
Suitable
-
1. Forest -> 1.9. Forest - Subtropical/Tropical Moist Montane
-
Suitable
-
14. Artificial/Terrestrial -> 14.2. Artificial/Terrestrial - Pastureland
-
Marginal
-
Threats
(http://www.iucnredlist.org/technical-documents/classification-schemes)
Threat
Timing
Scope
Severity
Impact Score
5. Biological resource use -> 5.1. Hunting & trapping
terrestrial animals -> 5.1.2. Unintentional effects
(species is not the target)
Ongoing
-
-
-
Stresses:
2. Species Stresses -> 2.1. Species mortality
Ongoing
-
Stresses:
2. Species Stresses -> 2.1. Species mortality
Ongoing
-
Stresses:
1. Ecosystem stresses -> 1.2. Ecosystem degradation
Ongoing
-
Stresses:
2. Species Stresses -> 2.3. Indirect species effects ->
2.3.2. Competition
Ongoing
-
Stresses:
2. Species Stresses -> 2.1. Species mortality
Ongoing
-
Stresses:
2. Species Stresses -> 2.1. Species mortality
2. Species Stresses -> 2.3. Indirect species effects ->
2.3.2. Competition
Ongoing
-
5. Biological resource use -> 5.1. Hunting & trapping
terrestrial animals -> 5.1.3. Persecution/control
5. Biological resource use -> 5.3. Logging & wood
harvesting -> 5.3.5. Motivation
Unknown/Unrecorded
8. Invasive & other problematic species & genes ->
8.1. Invasive non-native/alien species -> 8.1.2.
Named species (Vulpes vulpes)
8. Invasive & other problematic species & genes ->
8.1. Invasive non-native/alien species -> 8.1.2.
Named species (Canis familiaris)
8. Invasive & other problematic species & genes ->
8.1. Invasive non-native/alien species -> 8.1.2.
Named species (Felis catus)
8. Invasive & other problematic species & genes ->
8.1. Invasive non-native/alien species -> 8.1.2.
Named species (Rhinella marina)
© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Dasyurus maculatus – published in 2008.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2008.RLTS.T6300A12601070.en
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
8
Conservation Actions in Place
(http://www.iucnredlist.org/technical-documents/classification-schemes)
Conservation Actions in Place
In-Place Research, Monitoring and Planning
Systematic monitoring scheme: Yes
In-Place Land/Water Protection and Management
Conservation sites identified: Yes, over entire range
Conservation Actions Needed
(http://www.iucnredlist.org/technical-documents/classification-schemes)
Conservation Actions Needed
2. Land/water management -> 2.1. Site/area management
4. Education & awareness -> 4.3. Awareness & communications
Research Needed
(http://www.iucnredlist.org/technical-documents/classification-schemes)
Research Needed
1. Research -> 1.1. Taxonomy
1. Research -> 1.2. Population size, distribution & trends
3. Monitoring -> 3.1. Population trends
Additional Data Fields
Population
Population severely fragmented: No
© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Dasyurus maculatus – published in 2008.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2008.RLTS.T6300A12601070.en
9
The IUCN Red List Partnership
The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™ is produced and managed by the IUCN Global Species
Programme, the IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC) and The IUCN Red List Partnership. The IUCN
Red List Partners are: BirdLife International; Botanic Gardens Conservation International; Conservation
International; Microsoft; NatureServe; Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew; Sapienza University of Rome; Texas
A&M University; Wildscreen; and Zoological Society of London.
THE IUCN RED LIST OF THREATENED SPECIES™