Restoring island ecosystems, The potential of parasites to control introduced mammals: Parasites as Biological Control Agents
Dobson AP. Restoring island ecosystems, The potential of parasites to control introduced mammals: Parasites as Biological Control Agents. University of Rochester. Rochester, NY
Introduced mammals such as rats, goats, dogs and cats present a major threat to the endemic fauna and flora of many oceanic islands. The available empirical evidence suggests that the small founding populations that colonize islands only carry a limited subset of the parasite fauna found in mainland or continental populations. Consequently, island populations of these introduced mammals harbor relatively depauperate parasite communities. The high population densities and low genetic variability of the introduced mammal population on islands may render them vulnerable to invasion, and potential control, by introduced, host-specific parasites. Several theoretical and empirical studies suggest that either a parasitic nematode or a virus of low to intermediate pathogenicity might be used as a control agents for rats, goats and other introduced species. The removal or control of these introduced mammals may allow previously endangered populations and habitat to recover. Abstract provided by author.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Dobson, A
- Publisher
- University of Rochester
- Units
- BUIS
- Keywords
- Biology, Cats, Control, dogs, Ecosystem, Endemic, Fauna, Flora, Goats, Mammals, Management, nematode, Parasite, Pathogen, Pests, rats, Restoration, virus