Download Macrotis lagotis, Bilby

The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™
ISSN 2307-8235 (online)
IUCN 2008: T12650A3368711
Macrotis lagotis, Bilby
Assessment by: Friend, T., Morris, K. & van Weenen, J.
View on www.iucnredlist.org
Citation: Friend, T., Morris, K. & van Weenen, J. 2008. Macrotis lagotis. The IUCN Red List of
Threatened Species 2008: e.T12650A3368711.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2008.RLTS.T12650A3368711.en
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THE IUCN RED LIST OF THREATENED SPECIES™
Taxonomy
Kingdom
Phylum
Class
Order
Family
Animalia
Chordata
Mammalia
Peramelemorphia
Thylacomyidae
Taxon Name: Macrotis lagotis (Reid, 1837)
Common Name(s):
• English:
• French:
• Spanish:
Bilby, Dalgyte, Greater Bilby, Greater Rabbit-eared Bandicoot
Grand Bandicoot-lapin, Grand Péramèle-lapin
Cangurito Narigudo Grande
Taxonomic Notes:
Current populations show very little genetic variation (Moritz et al. 1997), though there is subfossil and
fossil evidence of large genetic variation. Populations of the species are currently managed separately.
Assessment Information
Red List Category & Criteria:
Vulnerable C1 ver 3.1
Year Published:
2008
Date Assessed:
June 30, 2008
Justification:
Listed as Vulnerable because, although it has a large extent of occurrence, it is patchily distributed; the
total population size might be less than 10,000 mature individuals (it is considered as such for the
purposes of listing), and the population suffers from an ongoing decline estimated to exceed 10% over
the last 10 years.
Previously Published Red List Assessments
1996 – Vulnerable (VU)
1994 – Vulnerable (V)
1990 – Endangered (E)
1988 – Endangered (E)
1986 – Endangered (E)
1982 – Endangered (E)
1965 – Status inadequately known-survey required or data sought
Geographic Range
Range Description:
The Bilby formerly occurred over 70% of the mainland Australia. Wild populations are now restricted
© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Macrotis lagotis – published in 2008.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2008.RLTS.T12650A3368711.en
1
predominantly to the Tanami Desert (Northern Territory), the Gibson and the Great Sandy Deserts
(Western Australia), and one outlying population between Boulia and Birdsville (south-west
Queensland) (Johnson 2008). It has gone extinct from portions of southern Queensland within the last
few decades.
There are reintroduced populations in: Currawinya National Park (Queensland); Scotia Sanctuary (New
South Wales); Arid Recovery at Roxby Downs, Venus Bay Conservation Park, Thistle Island, Yookamurra
Sanctuary (South Australia); Dryandra Woodland, François Peron National Park (Western Australia).
Country Occurrence:
Native: Australia (Northern Territory, Queensland, Western Australia)
© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Macrotis lagotis – published in 2008.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2008.RLTS.T12650A3368711.en
2
Distribution Map
© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Macrotis lagotis – published in 2008.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2008.RLTS.T12650A3368711.en
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Population
About 500 individuals on Thistle Island, 500 in Arid Recovery, 100 in Venus Bay, 200 in Peron, 40 in
Scotia, 200-500 in Queensland. There are fewer than 1,000 individuals in the Northern Territory and
5,000-10,000 in non-reintroduced Western Australia. The global population might be under 10,000
individuals. The species is wide-ranging and patchily distributed. The population estimates of Bilbies in
the Northern Territory and Western Australia are very approximate, as there are no published numbers
in peer-reviewed journals (R. Southgate pers. comm.). It is known from aerial surveys that Bilby signs
(diggings) in the areas where Bilbies are persistent occur less than 15 to 20 km apart (R. Southgate pers.
comm.).
Current Population Trend: Decreasing
Habitat and Ecology (see Appendix for additional information)
Habitat of the extant populations includes tall shrublands and open woodlands of the semi-arid regions,
and the hummock grasslands and sparse forblands in the arid areas of Australia (Pavey 2006). However,
from its former range, the Bilby appears able to live in habitats from the driest desert areas to the
temperate areas such as those found in the south, east, and west of the country (Pavey 2006). This
species is dependent on fire, as it feeds on many disturbance (e.g., fire) promoted plants, such as seed
from Yakirra australience (R. Southgate pers. comm.). It is also able to occupy recently burnt areas, as it
uses burrows for refuge (R. Southgate pers. comm.).
Systems: Terrestrial
Threats (see Appendix for additional information)
The current Bilby distribution is associated with a low abundance or absence of foxes, rabbits, and
livestock. Major threats relate to predation from foxes, habitat destruction from introduced herbivores,
and changed fire regimes (Pavey 2006). Predation pressures from feral cats and dingoes occurring in
association with pastoral practices may be a threat to the Bilby. Feral cats have affected the success of
reintroduced populations. Additional threats to the Bilby include mining and other development, and
road mortality (Pavey 2006).
Conservation Actions (see Appendix for additional information)
The Bilby is listed as a threatened species under Australian law. It occurs in a number of protected areas.
A national recovery plan was completed for the species, and the conservation measures which follow
are adapted, and/or taken directly, from it (Pavey 2006). It is listed on CITES Appendix I.
The recovery plan stresses the need to survey for the species to achieve an accurate extent of
occurrence and area of occupancy. Methods need to be developed to improve the monitoring of
distribution and abundance in order to compile trends. There should also be a monitoring program for
exotic Bilby predators, and control measures of these species should be intensified, especially at priority
sites. Research into threats such as predators, altered fire regimes, and habitat degradation in various
forms is needed to determine their relative importance.
Management of captive populations and reintroductions into predator-free or predator-controlled sites
© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Macrotis lagotis – published in 2008.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2008.RLTS.T12650A3368711.en
4
should continue. Captive programs need to maintain the current levels of genetic diversity. Further
research into husbandry should proceed. Finally, the Bibly recovery team needs to continue its efforts to
improve recovery management and promote awareness of Bilby recovery among stakeholders and the
public.
Credits
Assessor(s):
Friend, T., Morris, K. & van Weenen, J.
Reviewer(s):
Lamoreux, J. & Hilton-Taylor, C. (Global Mammal Assessment Team)
© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Macrotis lagotis – published in 2008.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2008.RLTS.T12650A3368711.en
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Bibliography
Christensen, P. and Liddelow, G. In press. Biology and conservation of the Dalgyte Macrotis lagotis Reid,
Marsupialia, Thylacomyidae, in the Gibson Desert. CALMScience.
Gordon, G., Hall, L. S. and Atherton, R. G. 1990. Status of bandicoots in Queensland. In: J. H. Seebeck, P.
R. Brown, R. I. Wallis and C. M. Kemper (eds), Bandicoots and Bilbies, pp. 37-42. Surrey Beatty and Sons.,
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
Johnson, K. A. 2008. Bilby, Macrotis lagotis. In: S. Van Dyck and R. Strahan (eds), The mammals of
Australia. Third Edition, pp. 191-193. Reed New Holland, Sydney, New South Wales, USA.
McCracken, H. E. 1986. Observations on the oestrus cycle and gestation period of the Greater Bilby,
Macrotis lagotis (Reid) (Marsupalia: Thylacomyidae). Australian Mammalogy 9: 5-16.
Moritz, C., Heideman, A., Geffen, E. and McRae, P. 1997. Genetic population structure of the greater
bilby Macrotis lagotis, a marsupial in decline. Molecular Ecology 6: 925-936.
Pavey, C. 2006. National Recovery Plan for the Greater Bilby Macrotis lagotis. Northern Territory
Department of Natural Resources, Environment and the Arts.
Southgate, R. I. 1990. Distribution and abundance of the Greater Bilby Macrotis lagotis Reid
(Marsupalia: Peramelidae). In: J. H. Seebeck, P. R. Brown, R. I. Wallis and C. M. Kemper (eds), Bandicoots
and Bilbies, pp. 293-302. Surrey Beatty and Sons, Sydney, Australia.
Southgate, R. I. 1990. Habitats and diet of the Greater Bilby Macrotis lagotis Reid (Marsupalia:
Peramelidae). In: J. H. Seebeck, P. R. Brown, R. I. Wallis and C. M. Kemper (eds), Bandicoots and Bilbies,
pp. 303-309. Surrey Beatty and Sons, Sydney, Australia.
Southgate, R. I. 1995. Why introduce the bilby? In: M. Serena (ed.), Reintroduction Biology of Australian
and New Zealand Fauna, pp. 165-170. Surrey Beatty and Sons, Sydney, Australia.
Southgate, R. I. and Adams, M. 1993. Genetic variation in the Greater Bilby Macrotis lagotis. Pacific
Conservation Biology 1: 46-52.
Citation
Friend, T., Morris, K. & van Weenen, J. 2008. Macrotis lagotis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
2008: e.T12650A3368711. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2008.RLTS.T12650A3368711.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: Macrotis lagotis – published in 2008.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2008.RLTS.T12650A3368711.en
6
Appendix
Habitats
(http://www.iucnredlist.org/technical-documents/classification-schemes)
Habitat
Season
Suitability
Major
Importance?
1. Forest -> 1.5. Forest - Subtropical/Tropical Dry
-
Suitable
-
2. Savanna -> 2.1. Savanna - Dry
-
Suitable
-
3. Shrubland -> 3.5. Shrubland - Subtropical/Tropical Dry
-
Suitable
-
3. Shrubland -> 3.8. Shrubland - Mediterranean-type Shrubby Vegetation
-
Suitable
-
4. Grassland -> 4.5. Grassland - Subtropical/Tropical Dry
-
Suitable
-
8. Desert -> 8.1. Desert - Hot
-
Suitable
-
Threats
(http://www.iucnredlist.org/technical-documents/classification-schemes)
Threat
Timing
Scope
Severity
Impact Score
2. Agriculture & aquaculture -> 2.1. Annual &
perennial non-timber crops -> 2.1.3. Agro-industry
farming
Ongoing
-
-
-
Stresses:
1. Ecosystem stresses -> 1.1. Ecosystem conversion
1. Ecosystem stresses -> 1.2. Ecosystem degradation
Ongoing
-
Stresses:
1. Ecosystem stresses -> 1.1. Ecosystem conversion
1. Ecosystem stresses -> 1.2. Ecosystem degradation
Ongoing
-
Stresses:
1. Ecosystem stresses -> 1.2. Ecosystem degradation
Ongoing
-
Stresses:
2. Species Stresses -> 2.1. Species mortality
Ongoing
-
Stresses:
1. Ecosystem stresses -> 1.2. Ecosystem degradation
2. Species Stresses -> 2.1. Species mortality
Ongoing
-
Stresses:
1. Ecosystem stresses -> 1.2. Ecosystem degradation
2. Species Stresses -> 2.1. Species mortality
2. Agriculture & aquaculture -> 2.3. Livestock farming
& ranching -> 2.3.3. Agro-industry grazing, ranching
or farming
3. Energy production & mining -> 3.2. Mining &
quarrying
4. Transportation & service corridors -> 4.1. Roads &
railroads
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 (Canis lupus ssp. dingo)
© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Macrotis lagotis – published in 2008.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2008.RLTS.T12650A3368711.en
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
7
8. Invasive & other problematic species & genes ->
8.1. Invasive non-native/alien species -> 8.1.2.
Named species (Vulpes vulpes)
Ongoing
-
-
-
Stresses:
1. Ecosystem stresses -> 1.2. Ecosystem degradation
2. Species Stresses -> 2.1. Species mortality
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
In-Place Species Management
Subject to ex-situ conservation: Yes
In-Place Education
Included in international legislation: Yes
Subject to any international management/trade controls: Yes
Conservation Actions Needed
(http://www.iucnredlist.org/technical-documents/classification-schemes)
Conservation Actions Needed
1. Land/water protection -> 1.2. Resource & habitat protection
2. Land/water management -> 2.1. Site/area management
2. Land/water management -> 2.3. Habitat & natural process restoration
3. Species management -> 3.2. Species recovery
3. Species management -> 3.3. Species re-introduction -> 3.3.1. Reintroduction
4. Education & awareness -> 4.3. Awareness & communications
Research Needed
(http://www.iucnredlist.org/technical-documents/classification-schemes)
Research Needed
1. Research -> 1.2. Population size, distribution & trends
1. Research -> 1.3. Life history & ecology
© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Macrotis lagotis – published in 2008.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2008.RLTS.T12650A3368711.en
8
Research Needed
1. Research -> 1.5. Threats
1. Research -> 1.6. Actions
3. Monitoring -> 3.1. Population trends
Additional Data Fields
Population
Population severely fragmented: No
© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Macrotis lagotis – published in 2008.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2008.RLTS.T12650A3368711.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™