THE NEGATIVE IMPACT OF AN INVASIVE HERPESTES AUROPUNCTATUS TO AMAMI-OHSHIMA ISLAND, JAPAN.
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CONTENTS
Abstract 1
1. Introduction 1
2. Species description and native ecology 2
3. Non-native and pathways 3
4. Invasion Impacts 4
5. Management Strategies 5
6. Conclusion 5

ABSTRACT

1. INTRODUCTION
Invasive species has been recently recognised as a major cause of biodiversity loss (Mack et al. 2000) and is thought to be responsible for over 20% of recently extinct vertebrate species (Reid and Miller, 1989). The introduction of the small Indian mongoose (Herpestes auropunctatus) to islands, greatly highlights the devastating effects an invasive top predator can have on an insular ecosystem (Courchamp et al, 2003). Since the late 1800s, Herpestes auropunctatus has been introduced to many places, such as the Hawaiian and Fijian Islands, in order to control rat problems on sugar fields. However, as the Indian mongoose have generalist feeding habits, they prey on non-target native species (Vilella, 1998) and as a result have been responsible for the …show more content…
Firstly, statistical analysis highlighted that populations of Purple jay and Ryukyn robin had decreased in areas where mongoose capture rates where high, however no declines in the species were seen in areas where mongoose capture rates were low. Both species were also observed forging on forest floor where they would feed on insects and acorns, thus reinforcing that ground-dwelling animals, including these birds, are at risk of declines in population where mongoose numbers are high. Observations in distribution and abundance of the critically endangered Amami rabbit have also seen a changeable difference since the introduction of the mongoose, suggesting that they are responsible for such change (Sugimura & Yamada, 2004) (Fig.