Predicting Co-Extinction Risk of Invertebrates on Endangered Plants

Grant number: DP0772057 | Funding period: 2007 - 2011

Completed

Abstract

Co-extinction occurs when a dependent species goes extinct with the loss of its host species. A recent overseas modelling study suggested losses to global biodiversity through this mechanism may be high, but only when a large number of hosts are extinguished. However, estimates were constrained because there are no datasets with insects sampled from endangered plants. Thus, the accuracy of the estimates remains unknown, particularly for Australian insects. This project will provide the most accurate estimate to date by sampling endangered plants and identify management strategies for sustaining viable populations of endangered insects, thereby conserving Australia's biodiversity.

Related publications (5)

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A preliminary assessment of changes in plant-dwelling insects when threatened plants are translocated

ML Moir, PA Vesk, KEC Brennan, L Hughes, DA Keith, MA McCarthy, DJ Coates, S Barrett

2012-06-01

Translocation of threatened species is a tool used increasingly to conserve biodiversity, but the suite of co-dependent species th..

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Considering Extinction of Dependent Species during Translocation, Ex Situ Conservation, and Assisted Migration of Threatened Hosts

ML Moir, PA Vesk, KEC Brennan, R Poulin, L Hughes, DA Keith, MA McCarthy, DJ Coates

2012-04-01

Translocation, introduction, reintroduction, and assisted migrations are species conservation strategies that are attracting incre..

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Identifying and Managing Threatened Invertebrates through Assessment of Coextinction Risk

ML Moir, PA Vesk, KEC Brennan, DA Keith, MA Mccarthy, L Hughes

2011-08-01

Invertebrates with specific host species may have a high probability of extinction when their hosts have a high probability of ext..

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How many hosts? Modelling host breadth from field samples

Peter A Vesk, Michael A McCarthy, Melinda L Moir

2010-09-01

<jats:title>Summary</jats:title><jats:p> <jats:bold>1.</jats:bold> Host‐specificity is important in fundamental and applied studie..

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Current constraints and future directions in estimating coextinction

ML Moir, PA Vesk, KEC Brennan, DA Keith, L Hughes, MA McCarthy

2010-06-01

Coextinction is a poorly quantified phenomenon, but results of recent modeling suggest high losses to global biodiversity through ..

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