Author Identifier

Rachyl-anne Stover

http://orcid.org/0000-0002-7340-6859

Date of Award

2025

Document Type

Thesis

Publisher

Edith Cowan University

Degree Name

Master of Science by Research

School

School of Science

First Supervisor

Anna Hopkins

Second Supervisor

Robert Davis

Third Supervisor

Harriet Mills

Fourth Supervisor

Saul Cowen

Abstract

Conservation translocations are increasingly used worldwide to prevent extinctions and support ecological restoration projects. These translocations involve a lot of uncertainty, particularly when species are introduced to ecosystems where they have not previously coexisted. Many historical translocations in Australia and globally have failed due to insufficient baseline data and inadequate post-translocation monitoring. Contemporary translocations can aim to improve translocation outcomes by increasing baseline data collection and developing robust post-release monitoring for translocated species. The development of environmental DNA (eDNA) techniques has facilitated the collection of information from environments with minimal disturbance to species. The advancement of such passive monitoring techniques has allowed for increased ability to monitor and study cryptic and rare species.

The Shark Bay rufous hare-wallaby (Lagorchestes hirsutus bernieri) and the banded hare-wallaby (Lagostrophus fasciatus) were introduced to Dirk Hartog Island (DHI) from founder populations on the Bernier and Dorre islands in Shark Bay, Western Australia, as part of the Dirk Hartog Island National Park Ecological Restoration Program. Once found across large areas of south-west and central Australia, the populations on the Bernier and Dorre islands are the last natural populations of the two species due to habitat loss and predation post-European colonisation. As the rufous hare-wallaby and banded hare-wallaby have not been previously recorded on DHI, there was uncertainty regarding their successful establishment on the island and their potential interactions with each other and other species involved in the restoration program.

The diets of rufous hare-wallabies and banded hare-wallabies were investigated through the DNA metabarcoding of scat samples from three islands in Shark Bay, Western Australia. This researched aimed to assess dietary overlap and the potential for resource competition between the two hare-wallaby species. Additionally, the difference in diet between the founder populations to their post-translocation diets on DHI were analysed as an indication of dietary flexibility and adaptability to environmental changes. The diets of both species of hare-wallaby were found to be broad, containing taxa from multiple plant families including invasive weeds. On DHI there was a high degree of overlap in the diets of the two species, indicating a risk of resource competition. The diets of the translocated populations differed significantly from the founder populations, which demonstrated flexible foraging behaviour and signified that rufous hare-wallabies and banded hare-wallabies are excellent candidates for future translocation projects on other islands and within mainland reserves.

This thesis is the first study to define and compare the diets of the Shark Bay rufous hare-wallaby and the banded hare-wallaby using scat DNA. The understanding of diet is fundamental to ecology and an essential consideration in restoration projects involving new species interactions. The findings from this research can benefit the fulfilment of translocation success criteria related to species establishment and health targets for the new populations. By demonstrating the dietary breadth and flexibility of Shark Bay’s hare-wallabies, this thesis exemplifies the utility of scat DNA in supporting the conservation of translocated fauna.

DOI

10.25958/z661-0w60

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Access to this thesis is embargoed until 24th May 2027

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