bramble-cay-melomys-survey-report

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This report should be cited as: Gynther, I., Waller, N. & Leung, L.K.-P. (2016) Confirmation of the extinction of the Bramble Cay melomys Melomys rubicola on Bramble Cay, Torres Strait: results and conclusions from a comprehensive survey in August–September 2014. Unpublished report to the Department of Environment and Heritage Protection, Queensland Government, Brisbane. Author affiliations: Ian Gynther (to whom correspondence should be addressed) – Threatened Species Unit, Department of Environment and Heritage Protection, PO Box 64, Bellbowrie Qld 4070, Ian.Gynther@ehp.qld.gov.au Natalie Waller and Luke Leung – School of Agriculture and Food Sciences, The University of Queensland, Gatton Qld 4343 Photographs: Front cover – Top: Eastern end of Bramble Cay between October 1979 and March 1980 (David Carter) Bottom: Same view of eastern end of Bramble Cay in September 2014 (Ian Gynther, EHP) Inset: Bramble Cay melomys Melomys rubicola, November 2002 (Ian Bell, EHP) Inside front cover – Bramble Cay melomys Melomys rubicola, with single young attached to a teat, climbing on an anemometer, October 1979–March 1980 (David Carter) Report prepared for the Department of Environment and Heritage Protection, June 2016
TABLE OF CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ................................................................................................................... i KEY RECOMMENDATIONS ............................................................................................................ ii INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................. 1 Current conservation status of the Bramble Cay melomys ......................................................... 2 Known history of the Bramble Cay melomys ............................................................................ 3 METHODS ............................................................................................................................................ 5 Groundwork: permits, approvals and preparations ..................................................................... 5 Fieldwork ................................................................................................................................ 6 Survey program .................................................................................................................. 6 Physical features of Bramble Cay during the August–September 2014 expedition ........... 9 Vegetation composition and extent .................................................................................... 9 Collection of anecdotal information about Bramble Cay and the Bramble Cay melomys . 10 Mapping and spatial analysis .................................................................................................... 10 RESULTS ............................................................................................................................................ 11 Bramble Cay melomys survey .................................................................................................. 11 Features of Bramble Cay during the August–September 2014 visit ......................................... 11 Vegetation assessment .............................................................................................................. 12 Anecdotal information about Bramble Cay and the Bramble Cay melomys ............................ 17 DISCUSSION ...................................................................................................................................... 19 Confirmation of the extirpation of the Bramble Cay melomys from Bramble Cay ................. 19 Causes of the extirpation of the Bramble Cay melomys from Bramble Cay ............................ 20 Extinct or not?: does the Bramble Cay melomys occur elsewhere in Torres Strait? ................ 27 Extinct or not?: does the Bramble Cay melomys occur outside Australia? .............................. 30 RECOMMENDATIONS .................................................................................................................... 33 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ............................................................................................................... 34 REFERENCES .................................................................................................................................... 35 APPENDICES ..................................................................................................................................... 43 Appendix 1. Survey program for the Bramble Cay melomys, August–September 2014. ........ 43 Appendix 2. Bramble Cay during the August–September 2014 survey expedition. ................ 47 Appendix 3. Bird census of Bramble Cay during the August–September 2014 survey expedition. ............................................................................................................ 55
Page 1: Confirmation of the extinction of t
Page 5 and 6: EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The endangered Br
Page 7 and 8: INTRODUCTION Bramble Cay, known als
Page 9 and 10: A recovery plan was produced for th
Page 11 and 12: METHODS Groundwork: permits, approv
Page 13 and 14: and around the edges of all except
Page 15 and 16: While visiting Bramble Cay to imple
Page 17 and 18: RESULTS Bramble Cay melomys survey
Page 19 and 20: south-eastern corner of the island
Page 21 and 22: Fig. 4. Maps of Bramble Cay compari
Page 23 and 24: Anecdotal information about Bramble
Page 25 and 26: DISCUSSION Confirmation of the exti
Page 27 and 28: smallest documented size of approxi
Page 29 and 30: ise is also recognised as a potenti
Page 31 and 32: the Gulf of Papua, passing close to
Page 33 and 34: Turner & Batianoff (2007) that a se
Page 35 and 36: “Extensive surveys by Limpus (Qld
Page 37 and 38: however, little fauna survey work a
Page 39 and 40: RECOMMENDATIONS With the extirpatio
Page 41 and 42: REFERENCES Bagnall, G. 2014. Torres
Page 43 and 44: Ellison, J.C. 1998. Natural history
Page 45 and 46: Lavery, T.H., Watson, J.J. & Leung,
Page 47 and 48: Torres Strait Regional Authority. 2
Page 49 and 50: APPENDICES Appendix 1. Survey progr
Page 51 and 52: 1e. A camera trap and bait lure pos
Page 53 and 54:
Appendix 2. Bramble Cay during the
Page 55 and 56:
Mar 2014 2e. Dead clump of sedge Cy
Page 57 and 58:
* * * 2i. View from the lighthouse
Page 59 and 60:
2m. Piles of dead bird eggs and bea
Page 61 and 62:
Appendix 3. Bird census of Bramble
Page 63 and 64:
C. Adult sooty tern incubating an e
Page 65:
G. Young brown booby awaiting paren
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