Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2011L01416:body:0:p12
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2011L01416
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 31208–35385

Freeland 1993, 2004                                                                  Toads destabilise host / parasite equilibrium
Crocodiles
Freshwater crocodile (in semi-arid landscapes)   High (location dependent)  Letnic et al. 2008                                                                   Lethal toxic ingestion
Crocodylus johnstoni
Goannas
Varanus spp.                                     High                       Freeland 2004; Griffiths and McKay 2007; Doody et al. 2009; Ujvari and Madsen 2009   Lethal toxic ingestion
Skinks
Tiliqua scincoides (including subspecies)        High                       Price-Rees et al. 2010                                                               Lethal toxic ingestion
Snakes
Northern death adder Acanthophis praelongus      High                       Hagman et al. 2009b, Phillips et. al. 2010                                           Lethal toxic ingestion
King brown snake Pseudechis australis            High                       G.P. Brown et al. University of Sydney unpublished data                              Lethal toxic ingestion
Marsupials
Northern quoll Dasyurus hallucatus               High                       Oakwood 2003a, Oakwood 2003b; O'Donnell 2009                                         Lethal toxic ingestion
Eutherian mammals
Pale field-rat Rattus tunneyi                    Moderate                   Watson and Woinarski 2003a, Watson and Woinarski 2003b                               Unknown

    * NB, This tapeworm is a parasite of the spotted python Antaresia maculosa and has been described to family level only (Proteocephalidae).

The northern quoll is the only species listed in Table 3 (above) that is also listed under the EPBC Act (as Endangered). Significant actions have taken place to protect the northern quoll through the Northern Territory's Island Arks program, as a result of documented decline of the species with the arrival of cane toads (Rankmore et al. 2008). This program has provided 'insurance populations' of the species on two toad-free islands. While the program has been highly successful in establishing populations of northern quolls on the islands, it has not yet attempted to reintroduce any individual animals to their original habitats.

Species, for which there is suspicion, but not scientific certainty, of negative population level impacts, on a national scale, caused by cane toads, have also been identified (Table 4). The draft national recovery plan for the spotted-tailed quoll (Dasyurus maculatus) (Long and Nelson 2010) has identified the potential threat of cane toads on the northern subspecies of this species, although research is inconclusive. Research into possible impacts is recommended under this draft recovery plan. Any such research would inform the priority list under this TAP.

       Table 4: Current state of knowledge on uncertain negative population-level threats to Australian native fauna from the cane toad (modified from Shine 2009a).

Species                           Type of impact          Degree of impact      Authority
Dragons (Agamidae)
Frilled lizard                    Lethal toxic ingestion  Reports inconsistent  van Dam et al. 2002; T. Madsen pers. comm.
Chlamydosaurus kingii
Birds
Rainbow bee-eater Merops ornatus  Usurpation of burrows   unknown               Boland 2004

Future research may require other species to be added to this list, or the list at Table 3.

Recommended actions and priorities

Action                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Priority
  Action 1.1 Identify native species, ecological communities and off-shore islands currently known to be at high to moderate risk. (Largely completed).                                                                                                                                                                     High priority, short term because currently underway