Consultation Document on Listing Eligibility and Conservation Actions
Mesembriomysgouldiimelvillensis(black-footed tree-rat (Melville Island))
You are invited to provide evidence related to:
1)the eligibility of Mesembriomysgouldiimelvillensis(black-footed tree-rat (Melville Island) for inclusion on the EPBC Act threatened species list in the vulnerable category; and
2)the necessary conservation actions for the above subspecies.
Evidence provided by experts, stakeholders and the general public is welcome. Responses can be provided by any interested person.
Anyone may nominate a native species, ecological community or threatening process for listing under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) or for a transfer of an item already on the list to a new listing category. The Threatened Species Scientific Committee (the Committee) undertakes the assessment of species to determine eligibility for inclusion in the list of threatened species and provides its recommendation to the Australian Government Minister for the Environment.
Draft information for your consideration of the eligibility of this subspecies for listing as vulnerable starts at page 3 and information associated with potential conservation actions for this subspecies starts at page 7. To assist with the Committee’s assessment, the Committee has identified a series of specific questions on which it seeks your guidance at page 9
Responses are to be provided in writing either by email to:
or by mail to:
The Director
Marine and Freshwater Species Conservation Section
Wildlife, Heritage and Marine Division
Department of the Environment
PO Box 787
Canberra ACT 2601
Responses are required to be submitted by 30 January 2015.
Contents of this information package / PageGeneral background information about listing threatened species / 2
Information about this consultation process / 2
Draft information about the black-footed tree-rat (Melville Island)and its eligibility for listing / 3
Conservation actions for the species / 7
Collective list of questions – your views / 9
References cited / 10
General background information about listing threatened species
The Australian Government helps protect species at risk of extinction by listing them as threatened under Part 13 of the EPBC Act. Once listed under the EPBC Act, the species becomes a Matter of National Environmental Significance (MNES) and must be protected from significant impacts through the assessment and approval provisions of the EPBC Act. More information about threatened species is available on the department’s website at:
Public nominations to list threatened species under the EPBC Act are received annually by the department. In order to determine if a species is eligible for listing as threatened under the EPBC Act, the Threatened Species Scientific Committee (the Committee) undertakes a rigorous scientific assessment of its status to determine if the species is eligible for listing against a set of criteria. These criteria are available on the Department’s website at:
As part of the assessment process, the Committee consults with the public and stakeholders to obtain specific details about the species, as well as advice on what conservation actions might be appropriate. Information provided through the consultation process is considered by the Committee in its assessment. The Committee provides its advice on the assessment (together with comments received) to the Minister regarding the eligibility of the species for listing under a particular category and what conservation actions might be appropriate. The Minister decides to add, or not to add, the species to the list of threatened species under the EPBC Act.More detailed information about the listing process is at:
To promote the recovery of listed threatened species and ecological communities, conservation advices and where required, recovery plans are made or adopted in accordance with Part 13 of the EPBC Act. Conservation advices provide guidance at the time of listing on known threats and priority recovery actions that can be undertaken at a local and regional level. Recovery plans describe key threats and identify specific recovery actions that can be undertaken to enable recovery activities to occur within a planned and logical national framework. Information about recovery plans is available on the department’s website at:
Information about this consultation process
Responses to this consultation can be provided electronically or in hard copy to the contact addresses provided on Page 1. All responses received will be provided in full to the Committee and then to theAustralian Government Minister for the Environment.
In providing comments, please provide references to published data where possible. Should the Committee use the information you provide in formulating its advice, the information will be attributed to you and referenced as a ‘personal communication’ unless you provide references or otherwise attribute this information (please specify if your organisation requires that this information is attributed to your organisation instead of yourself).The final advice by the Committee will be published on the department’s website following the listing decision by the Minister.
Information provided through consultation may be subject to freedom of information legislation and court processes. It is also important to note that under the EPBC Act,the deliberations and recommendations of the Committee are confidential until the Minister has made a final decision on the nomination, unless otherwise determined by the Minister.
Mesembriomysgouldiimelvillensis
black-footed tree-rat (Melville Island)
Taxonomy
Conventionally accepted asMesembriomysgouldiimelvillensisHayman, 1936.
Woinarskiet al. (2014) note that three subspecies are recognised:
M. g. gouldii is proposed for listing in this assessment process as Endangered;
M. g. rattoides is proposed for listing in this assessment process as Vulnerable;
Species/Sub-species Information
Description
The black-footed tree-rat (Melville Island) is a nocturnal medium-sized native mammal and one of the largestrodents in Australia (Friend, 1987; Northern Territory Department of Land and Resource Management, 2012). It is a solid rodent with long shaggymedium grey to black fur on top, pale underside,large black ears and a distinctive long hairy tailwith terminal white brush (Northern Territory Department of Land and Resource Management, 2012).
Distribution
Woinarski et al. (2014, p. 603) provides a description of the range of the black-footed tree-rat (Melville Island) in the Mammal Action Plan (MAP) as follows:
The black-footed tree-rat (Melville Island) is restricted to the Tiwi islands, Northern Territory, where it occurs on Melville Island (5788km2), but not on the adjacent Bathurst Island (1693km2) (Firth et.al, 2006). On Melville Island it occurs across a range of habitats, but mostly in tall eucalypt open forests and woodlands, and it has not been recorded in newly-established plantations, whose recent establishment resulted in the loss of about 320km2 of prime habitat for this subspecies (Firth et al. 2006). Given the absence of the tree-rat from these plantations, from rainforests and from coastal habitats and swamplands, the area of occupancy is probably about 3000km2.
Relevant Biology/Ecology
Woinarski et al. (2014, p. 604) provides a description of the ecology of the black-footed tree-rat (Melville Island) in the Mammal Action Plan (MAP) as follows:
On Melville Island, the black-footed tree-rat occurs in most native forest, woodland and shrubland habitats, but is absent or at low densities in rainforests, coastal habitats (mangroves and dunes), and plantations of exotic trees (Firth et al., 2006).
Information on the ecology of the full species is derived from studies of other subspecies and is provided by Woinarski et al. (2014, 596-597) as follows:
The black-footed tree-rat is a nocturnal rodent that dens mostly in tree hollows, but occasionally in dense foliage (notably of Pandanus), and occasionally in buildings. Most knowledge of its ecology derives from studies of the Kimberley and mainland Northern Territory subspecies (notably Friend Taylor, 1985; Friend, 1987; Rankmore, 2006). It forages on the ground and in trees, and individuals may make movements of at least 500m from roost sites to foraging areas (Friend et al., 1992).The diet comprises mostly fruits (including of the tough Pandanusspiralis) and seeds, but also includes some invertebrates, flowers and grass (Morton, 1992; Rankmore, 2006; Rankmore Friend, 2008).
Breeding may occur throughout the year, but in the most intensively-studied population (in the Northern Territory) peaked in August-September (Friend, 1987; Rankmore, 2006). Litter size is small (one to three young), and gestation period is 43–44 days, the longest recorded for an Australian rodent (Crichton 1969). The generation length is taken here to be two years, recognising young reach reproductive maturity at about three months (Crichton, 1969), and longevity is probably three to five years.
Threats
Woinarski et al. (2014, p.603) provides a description of the threats to the black-footed tree-rat (Melville Island) in the Mammal Action Plan (MAP) as follows:
Threat factor / Consequence rating / Extent over which threat may operate / Evidence baseHabitat loss and fragmentation / catastrophic / moderate / the preferred habitat (tall eucalypt open forest) has recently been exposed to extensive clearing (Firth et al., 2006)
Inappropriate fire regimes / moderate / entire / moderately strong (correlative) evidence that frequent, high intensity and/or extensive fires are detrimental (e.g. Friend (1987) for another subspecies)
Predation by feral cats / moderate / entire / not demonstrated, but plausible
Habitat change due to exotic invasive grasses / moderate / minor / not demonstrated, but plausible; invasive grasses have increased recently on Melville Island, and will change the ability of this subspecies to forage effectively on the ground, and result in fires that are far more intense
Habitat degradation and resource depletion due to livestock and feral herbivores / minor / moderate / not demonstrated, but possible; particularly through change in understorey plant species composition
Poisoning by cane toads / minor (uncertain) / currently absent / not demonstrated, but possible (marked decline of other subspecies in Top End occurred in part at the time in which toads colonised)
Assessment of available information in relation to the EPBC Act Criteria and Regulations
Criterion 1. Population size reduction (reduction in total numbers)Population reduction (measured over the longer of 10 years or 3 generations) based on any of A1 to A4
Critically Endangered
Very severe reduction / Endangered
Severe reduction / Vulnerable
Substantial reduction
A1 / ≥ 90% / ≥ 70% / ≥ 50%
A2, A3, A4 / ≥ 80% / ≥ 50% / ≥ 30%
A1Population reduction observed, estimated, inferred or suspected in the past and the causes of the reduction are clearly reversible AND understood AND ceased.
A2Population reduction observed, estimated, inferred or suspected in the past where the causes of the reduction may not have ceased OR may not be understood OR may not be reversible.
A3Population reduction, projected or suspected to be met in the future (up to a maximum of 100 years) [(a) cannot be used for A3]
A4An observed, estimated, inferred, projected or suspected population reduction where the time period must include both the past and the future (up to a max. of 100 years in future), and where the causes of reduction may not have ceased OR may not be understood OR may not be reversible. / (a)direct observation [except A3]
(b)an index of abundance appropriate to the taxon
(c)a decline in area of occupancy, extent of occurrence and/or quality of habitat
(d)actual or potential levels of exploitation
(e)the effects of introduced taxa, hybridization, pathogens, pollutants, competitors or parasites
Evidence:
Woinarski et al. (2014, p.603) notes that ‘current and future population size decline is inferred, but at a rate <30% in any 10-year period.’
The information presented above appears to demonstrate that the subspecies is not eligible for listingunder this criterion. However, the purpose of this consultation document is to elicit additional information to better understand the subspecies status. This conclusion should therefore be considered to be tentative at this stage, as it may be changed as a result of responses to this consultation process.
Criterion 2.Geographic distribution is precarious for either extent of occurrence AND/OR area of occupancyCritically Endangered
Very restricted / Endangered
Restricted / Vulnerable
Limited
B1.Extent of occurrence (EOO) / < 100 km2 / < 5,000 km2 / < 20,000 km2
B2.Area of occupancy (AOO) / < 10 km2 / < 500 km2 / < 2,000 km2
AND at least 2 of the following 3 conditions:
(a)Severely fragmented OR Number of locations / = 1 / ≤ 5 / ≤ 10
(b)Continuing decline observed, estimated, inferred or projected in any of: (i) extent of occurrence; (ii) area of occupancy; (iii) area, extent and/or quality of habitat; (iv) number of locations or subpopulations; (v) number of mature individuals
(c)Extreme fluctuations in any of: (i) extent of occurrence; (ii) area of occupancy; (iii) number of locations or subpopulations; (number of mature individuals
Evidence:
The limited, but stable, extent of occurrence of the black-footed tree-rat (Melville Island) is estimated at 5788km2 (i.e. the area of Melville Island), it occurs at only one location (Melville Island), and is experiencing continuing decline in area of occupancy, habitat quality and number of mature individuals (Woinarski et al., 2014).
Woinarski et al. (2014, p. 603) provides a description of the range of the black-footed tree-rat (Melville Island) as follows:
The subspecies occurs across a range of habitats on Melville Island, but mostly in tall eucalypt open forest and woodlands, and it has not been recorded in newly-established plantations, whose recent establishment resulted in the loss of about 320km2 of prime habitat for the subspecies (Firth et al., 2006). Given the absence of the tree-rat from these plantations, from rainforests and from coastal habitats and swamps, the area of occupancy is probably about 3000km2.
Woinarski et al. (2014, p. 603) provides a description of the abundance of the black-footed tree-rat (Melville Island) as follows:
There are no published estimates of the population size of the black-footed tree-rat (Melville Island), but the number of mature individuals is estimated at 12000. Based on information from another subspecies, on the adjacent Northern Territory mainland, the home range is large (60–70ha) (Rankmore, 2006; Rankmore & Friend, 2008), so population density (and hence total population) is likely to be relatively low, and the subspecies is unlikely to maintain viable populations in smaller, now isolated, bushland fragments. Firth et al. (2006) reported this subspecies from a relatively high proportion of quadrats sampled on Melville Island (73 of 236 50 m x 50 m quadrats each sampled over a 3-night period), with a mean abundance across all forest and woodland quadrats of 0.31 animals (equivalent to a trap success rate of 0.43 individuals per 100 trap-nights).
The information presented above appears to demonstrate that the subspecies is eligible for listing as Vulnerable under this criterion. However, the purpose of this consultation document is to elicit additional information to better understand the subspecies status. This conclusion should therefore be considered to be tentative at this stage, as it may be changed as a result of responses to this consultation process.
Criterion 3.Small population size and declineCritically Endangered
Very low / Endangered
Low / Vulnerable
Limited
Estimated number of mature individuals / < 250 / < 2,500 / < 10,000
AND either (C1) or (C2) is true
C1An observed, estimated or projected continuing decline of at least (up to a max. of 100 years in future / Very high rate
25% in 3 years or 1 generation
(whichever is longer) / High rate
20% in 3 years or 1 generation
(whichever is longer) / Substantial rate
10% in 10 years or 3 generations
(whichever is longer)
C2An observed, estimated, projected or inferred continuing decline AND its geographic distribution is precarious for its survival based on at least 1 of the following 3 conditions:
(a) / (i)Number of mature individuals in each subpopulation / ≤ 50 / ≤ 250 / ≤ 1,000
(ii) % of mature individuals in one subpopulation = / 90 – 100% / 95 – 100% / 100%
(b)Extreme fluctuations in the number of mature individuals
Evidence:
There are no published estimates of the population size of the black-footed tree-rat (Melville Island), but the number of mature individuals is estimated at 12000 (Woinarski et al., 2014).
The information presented above appears to demonstrate that the subspecies is not eligible for listingunder this criterion. However, the purpose of this consultation document is to elicit additional information to better understand the subspecies status. This conclusion should therefore be considered to be tentative at this stage, as it may be changed as a result of responses to this consultation process.
Criterion 4.Very small populationCritically Endangered
Extremely low / Endangered
Very Low / Vulnerable
Low
Number of mature individuals / 50 / < 250 / < 1,000
Evidence:
There are no published estimates of the population size of the black-footed tree-rat (Melville Island), but the number of mature individuals is estimated at 12000 (Woinarski et al., 2014).
The information presented above appears to demonstrate that the subspecies is not eligible for listingunder this criterion. However, the purpose of this consultation document is to elicit additional information to better understand the subspecies status. This conclusion should therefore be considered to be tentative at this stage, as it may be changed as a result of responses to this consultation process.
Criterion 5.Quantitative AnalysisCritically Endangered
Immediate future / Endangered
Near future / Vulnerable
Medium-term future
Indicating the probability of extinction in the wild to be: / ≥ 50% in 10 years or 3 generations, whichever is longer (100 years max.) / ≥ 20% in 20 years or 5 generations, whichever is longer (100 years max.) / ≥ 10% in 100 years
Evidence:
No population viability analysis has been undertaken (Woinarski et al., 2014).
There are insufficient data to demonstrate if the subspecies is eligible for listing under this criterion. However, the purpose of this consultation document is to elicit additional information to better understand the subspecies’ status. This conclusion should therefore be considered to be tentative at this stage, as it may be changed as a result of responses to this consultation process.
Conservation Actions
Recovery Plan
A decision about whether there should be a recovery plan for this subspecies has not yet been determined. The purpose of this consultation document is to elicit additional information to helpinform this decision.
Primary Conservation Objectives
Woinarksi et al. (2014, p. 604) identifies the primary conservation objective for the black-footed tree-rat (Melville Island) as to ‘stabilise population size, through amelioration of existing threats.’
Conservation and Management Actions
Woinarski et al. (2014, p. 604) provides a description of management actions for the black-footed tree-rat (Melville Island) in the Mammal Action Plan (MAP) as follows:
Theme / Specific actions / PriorityActive mitigation of threats / maintain large forest blocks containing substantial populations of this subspecies; and maintain, enhance or re-establish connecting corridors to isolated patches / high
develop or maintain regimes that reduce frequency and intensity of fire / high
implement cost-effective control measures to reduce the abundance of feral cats / high
seek to constrain further encroachments of invasive pasture grasses / high
Captive breeding / n/a
Quarantining isolated populations / maintain or enhance quarantine measures aimed at preventing the establishment of cane toads on the Tiwi islands / low
Translocation / n/a
Monitoring / implement integrated monitoring program linked to assessment of management effectiveness / medium-high
Community engagement / involve Indigenous ranger groups in survey, monitoring and management / medium-high
Information and research priorities