Spatio-temporal dynamics of an introduced predator on a sub-antartic island : toward the example of the feral cat (Felis silvestric catus) on the grand Terre Island of the Kerguelen Archipelago

Sub-Antarctic ecosystems are particularly vulnerable to environmental perturbations including biological invasions. The introduction of the feral cat (Felis silvestris catus) on the Grande TerreIsland of the Kerguelen archipelago has lead to detrimental effects on seabird's communities. Cat sur...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Santin-Janin, Hugues
Other Authors: Laboratoire de Biométrie et Biologie Evolutive - UMR 5558 (LBBE), Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1 (UCBL), Université de Lyon-Université de Lyon-VetAgro Sup - Institut national d'enseignement supérieur et de recherche en alimentation, santé animale, sciences agronomiques et de l'environnement (VAS)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Université Claude Bernard - Lyon I, Dominique Pontier
Format: Doctoral or Postdoctoral Thesis
Language:English
Published: HAL CCSD 2010
Subjects:
Online Access:https://theses.hal.science/tel-00811532
https://theses.hal.science/tel-00811532/document
https://theses.hal.science/tel-00811532/file/TH2010_Santin-Janin_Hugues.pdf
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Summary:Sub-Antarctic ecosystems are particularly vulnerable to environmental perturbations including biological invasions. The introduction of the feral cat (Felis silvestris catus) on the Grande TerreIsland of the Kerguelen archipelago has lead to detrimental effects on seabird's communities. Cat survival in this environment is possible because of the presence of the introduced rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus), which constitute the main prey of the cat during winter when most seabirds are offshore. Cat eradication is not a realistic solution given the size and inaccessibility of the island (6675 km2). Moreover it can lead to unwanted results such as the demographic explosion of rabbit populations. The design of appropriate management policy needs to improve our understanding of the factors that influence the spatio-temporal dynamics of cat populations. In this thesis, I explored the mechanisms of cat-rabbit-vegetation interactions, as they are expected to determine interactions existing between cats and seabirds. I analyzed the spatio-temporal dynamics of four cat populations on Grande Terre Island and I especially sought whether environmental conditions spatially correlated (Moran effect) could synchronize cat through their effect on the trophic web pathways. Finally, I studied the impact of spatio-temporal Les écosystèmes sub-Antarctiques sont particulièrement vulnérables aux perturbations environnementales et notamment aux invasions biologiques. L'introduction du Chat (Felis silvestris catus) sur la Grande Terre de l'archipel des Kerguelen a eu des effets désastreux sur les communautés d'oiseaux marins. Ce prédateur doit sa survie dans cet environnement à la présence d'une proie introduite, le Lapin (Oryctolagus cuniculus), qui constitue sa ressource principale pendant l'hiver lorsque les oiseaux marins sont repartis en mer. L'éradication du chat n'apparaît pas être une solution réaliste compte tenu de la taille de l'île (6675 km2) et son inaccessibilité. De plus elle serait susceptible de conduire à des résultats ...