Register      Login
Wildlife Research Wildlife Research Society
Ecology, management and conservation in natural and modified habitats
RESEARCH ARTICLE

Seasonal and individual variation in selection by feral cats for areas with widespread primary prey and localised alternative prey

Jennyffer Cruz A C , Chris Woolmore B , M. Cecilia Latham A , A. David M. Latham A , Roger P. Pech A and Dean P. Anderson A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Landcare Research, Lincoln, Canterbury 7608, New Zealand.

B Department of Conservation, Christchurch 8011, New Zealand.

C Corresponding author. Email: cruzbernalj@landcareresearch.co.nz

Wildlife Research 41(8) 650-661 https://doi.org/10.1071/WR14234
Submitted: 23 June 2014  Accepted: 30 January 2015   Published: 7 April 2015

Abstract

Context: Seasonal and individual variation in predator selection for primary and alternative prey can affect predator–prey dynamics, which can further influence invasive-predator impacts on rare prey.

Aims: We evaluated individual and seasonal variation in resource selection by feral cats (Felis silvestris catus) for areas with European rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) around a breeding colony of endangered black-fronted terns (Chlidonias albostriatus) in the Upper Ohau River, within the Mackenzie Basin of New Zealand.

Methods: Within a feral cat population subject to localised control (within a 1-km area surrounding the tern colony), we mapped the movements of 17 individuals using GPS collars, and evaluated individual and seasonal variation in third-order resource selection (i.e. within home ranges) by using resource-selection functions with mixed effects. The year was divided into breeding and non-breeding seasons for terns.

Key results: Three of the eight feral cats monitored during the breeding season used the colony in proportion to availability and one selected it. These four individuals therefore pose a threat to the tern colony despite ongoing predator control. Selection by feral cats for areas with high relative rabbit abundance was not ubiquitous year-round, despite previous research showing that rabbits are their primary prey in the Mackenzie Basin.

Conclusions: Results suggest that rabbit control around the colony should reduce use by feral cats that select areas with high relative rabbit abundance (less than half the individuals monitored), but is unlikely to alleviate the impacts of those that select areas with low relative rabbit abundance. Hence, predator control is also required to target these individuals. Results thus support the current coupled-control of feral cats and rabbits within a 1-km buffer surrounding the tern colony. Future research should determine what scale of coupled-control yields the greatest benefits to localised prey, such as the tern colony, and whether rabbits aid hyperpredation of terns by feral cats via landscape supplementation.

Implications: The present study has highlighted the importance of considering seasonal and individual effects in resource selection by predators, and the role of primary prey, when designing management programs to protect rare prey.

Additional keywords: apparent competition, hyperpredation, individual specialisation, introduced predator, landscape supplementation, seasonality.


References

Aarts, G., MacKenzie, M., McConnell, B., Fedak, M., and Matthiopoulos, J. (2008). Estimating space-use and habitat preference from wildlife telemetry data. Ecography 31, 140–160.
Estimating space-use and habitat preference from wildlife telemetry data.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Abbott, I. (2002). Origin and spread of the cat, Felis catus, on mainland Australia, with a discussion of the magnitude of its early impact on native fauna. Wildlife Research 29, 51–74.
Origin and spread of the cat, Felis catus, on mainland Australia, with a discussion of the magnitude of its early impact on native fauna.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Bates, D., Maechler, M., Bolker, B., and Walker, S. (2014). ‘lme4: Linear Mixed-effects Models using Eigen and S4. R Package Version 1.0-6.’ Available at http://CRAN.R-project.org/package=lme4 [verified 23 February 2015].

Bengsen, A. J., Butler, J. A., and Masters, P. (2012). Applying home-range and landscape-use data to design effective feral-cat control programs. Wildlife Research 39, 258–265.

Bêty, J., Gauthier, G., Korpimäki, E., and Giroux, J.-F. (2002). Shared predators and indirect trophic interactions: lemming cycles and arctic-nesting geese. Journal of Animal Ecology 71, 88–98.
Shared predators and indirect trophic interactions: lemming cycles and arctic-nesting geese.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Bolnick, D. I., Svanbäck, R., Fordyce, J. A., Yang, L. H., Davis, J. M., Hulsey, C. D., and Forister, M. L. (2003). The ecology of individuals: incidence and implications of individual specialization. American Naturalist 161, 1–28.
The ecology of individuals: incidence and implications of individual specialization.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 12650459PubMed |

Bonnaud, E., Medina, F. M., Vidal, E., Nogales, M., Tershy, B. R., Zavaleta, E. S., Donlan, C. J., Keitt, B. S., Le Corre, M., and Horwath, S. V. (2011). The diet of feral cats on islands: a review and a call for more studies. Biological Invasions 13, 581–603.
The diet of feral cats on islands: a review and a call for more studies.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Bonnaud, E., Berger, G., Bourgeois, K., Legrand, J., and Vidal, E. (2012). Predation by cats could lead to the extinction of the Mediterranean endemic Yelkouan shearwater Puffinus yelkouan at a major breeding site. The Ibis 154, 566–577.
Predation by cats could lead to the extinction of the Mediterranean endemic Yelkouan shearwater Puffinus yelkouan at a major breeding site.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Boyce, M. S. (2006). Scale for resource selection function. Diversity & Distributions 12, 269–276.
Scale for resource selection function.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Boyce, M. S., Vernier, P. R., Nielsen, S. E., and Schmiegelow, F. K. A. (2002). Evaluating resource selection functions. Ecological Modelling 157, 281–300.
Evaluating resource selection functions.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Burnham, K. P., and Anderson, D. R. (2002). ‘Model Selection and Multimodel Inference: a Practical Information-theoretic Approach.’ 2nd edn. (Springer: New York.)

Calenge, C. (2006). The package adehabitat for the R software: a tool for the analysis of space and habitat use by animals. Ecological Modelling 197, 516–519.
The package adehabitat for the R software: a tool for the analysis of space and habitat use by animals.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Courchamp, F., Langlais, M., and Sugihara, G. (2000). Rabbits killing birds: modelling the hyperpredation process. Journal of Animal Ecology 69, 154–164.
Rabbits killing birds: modelling the hyperpredation process.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Cruz, J., Glen, A. S., and Pech, R. P. (2013a). Modelling landscape-level numerical responses of predators to prey: the case of cats and rabbits. PLoS ONE 8, e73544.
Modelling landscape-level numerical responses of predators to prey: the case of cats and rabbits.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3sXhsVOrtbzM&md5=82ab199cc46780362607966b0583f602CAS | 24039978PubMed |

Cruz, J., Pech, R. P., Seddon, P. J., Cleland, S., Nelson, D., Sanders, M. D., and Maloney, R. F. (2013b). Species-specific responses by ground-nesting Charadriiformes to invasive predators and river flows in the braided Tasman River of New Zealand. Biological Conservation 167, 363–370.
Species-specific responses by ground-nesting Charadriiformes to invasive predators and river flows in the braided Tasman River of New Zealand.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Dall, S. R. X., Bell, A. M., Bolnick, D. I., and Ratnieks, F. L. W. (2012). An evolutionary ecology of individual differences. Ecology Letters 15, 1189–1198.
An evolutionary ecology of individual differences.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

DeCesare, N. J., Hebblewhite, M., Robinson, H. S., and Musiani, M. (2010). Endangered, apparently: the role of apparent competition in endangered species conservation. Animal Conservation 13, 353–362.
Endangered, apparently: the role of apparent competition in endangered species conservation.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Dickman, C. R., and Newsome, T. M. (). Individual hunting behaviour and prey specialisation in the house cat Felis catus: implications for conservation and management. Applied Animal Behaviour Science , .
Individual hunting behaviour and prey specialisation in the house cat Felis catus: implications for conservation and management.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Dowding, J. E., and Murphy, E. C. (2001). The impact of predation by introduced mammals on endemic shorebirds in New Zealand: a conservation perspective. Biological Conservation 99, 47–64.
The impact of predation by introduced mammals on endemic shorebirds in New Zealand: a conservation perspective.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Dunning, J. B., Danielson, B. J., and Pulliam, H. R. (1992). Ecological processes that affect populations in complex landscapes. Oikos 65, 169–175.
Ecological processes that affect populations in complex landscapes.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Dussault, C., Courtois, R., Ouellet, J.-P., and Huot, J. (2001). Influence of satellite geometry and differential correction on GPS location accuracy. Wildlife Society Bulletin 29, 171–179.

Elbroch, L. M., and Wittmer, H. U. (2013). The effects of puma prey selection and specialization on less abundant prey in Patagonia. Journal of Mammalogy 94, 259–268.
The effects of puma prey selection and specialization on less abundant prey in Patagonia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Estes, J. A., Riedman, M. L., Staedler, M. M., Tinker, M. T., and Lyon, B. E. (2003). Individual variation in prey selection by sea otters: patterns, causes and implications. Journal of Animal Ecology 72, 144–155.
Individual variation in prey selection by sea otters: patterns, causes and implications.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Fitzgerald, B. M., and Karl, B. J. (1986). Home range of feral house cats (Felis catus L.) in forest of the Orongorongo Valley, Wellington, New Zealand. New Zealand Journal of Ecology 9, 71–81.

Fitzgerald, B. M., and Turner, D. C. (2000). Hunting behaviour of domestic cats and their impact on prey populations. In ‘The Domestic Cat: the Biology of Its Behaviour’. 2nd edn. (Eds D. C. Turner and P. Bateson.) pp. 151–175. (Cambridge University Press: Cambridge, UK.)

Frair, J. L., Fieberg, J., Hebblewhite, M., Cagnacci, F., DeCesare, N. J., and Pedrotti, L. (2010). Resolving issues of imprecise and habitat-biased locations in ecological analyses using GPS telemetry data. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London 365, 2187–2200.
Resolving issues of imprecise and habitat-biased locations in ecological analyses using GPS telemetry data.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 20566496PubMed |

Genovesi, P. (2005). Eradications of invasive alien species in Europe: a review. Biological Invasions 7, 127–133.
Eradications of invasive alien species in Europe: a review.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Gillies, C. S., Hebblewhite, M., Nielsen, S., Krawchuk, M. A., Aldridge, C. L., Frair, J. L., Saher, D. J., Stevens, C. E., and Jerde, C. L. (2006). Application of random effects to the study of resource selection by animals. Journal of Animal Ecology 75, 887–898.
Application of random effects to the study of resource selection by animals.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 17009752PubMed |

Gillies, C. A., Graham, P. J., and Clout, M. N. (2007). Home ranges of introduced mammalian carnivores at Trounson Kauri Park, Northland, New Zealand. New Zealand Journal of Zoology 34, 317–333.
Home ranges of introduced mammalian carnivores at Trounson Kauri Park, Northland, New Zealand.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Glen, A. S., and Dickman, C. R. (2005). Complex interactions among mammalian carnivores in Australia, and their implications for wildlife management. Biological Reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society 80, 387–401.
Complex interactions among mammalian carnivores in Australia, and their implications for wildlife management.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 16094805PubMed |

Hamilton, D. J., and Eason, C. T. (1994). Monitoring for 1080 residues in waterways after a rabbit-poisoning operation in central Otago. New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research 37, 195–198.
Monitoring for 1080 residues in waterways after a rabbit-poisoning operation in central Otago.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK2cXms1aqurY%3D&md5=2dd9ef7df10a4a24ad8e6d60fd3c95eeCAS |

Harris, D. B., and Macdonald, D. W. (2007). Interference competition between introduced black rats and endemic Galápagos rice rats. Ecology 88, 2330–2344.
Interference competition between introduced black rats and endemic Galápagos rice rats.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 17918410PubMed |

Holt, R. D. (1977). Predation, apparent competition, and the structure of prey communities. Theoretical Population Biology 12, 197–229.
Predation, apparent competition, and the structure of prey communities.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DyaE1c%2FlsFegsg%3D%3D&md5=116a8e0fb77dd60752a65048bea941aeCAS | 929457PubMed |

Johnson, D. H. (1980). The comparison of usage and availability measurements for evaluating resource preference. Ecology 61, 65–71.
The comparison of usage and availability measurements for evaluating resource preference.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Keedwell, R. J. (2005). Breeding biology of black-fronted terns (Sterna albostriata) and the effects of predation. Emu 105, 39–47.
Breeding biology of black-fronted terns (Sterna albostriata) and the effects of predation.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Keedwell, R. J., Sanders, M. D., Alley, M., and Twentyman, C. (2002). Causes of mortality of black-fronted terns Sterna albostriata on the Ohau river, South Island, New Zealand. Pacific Conservation Biology 8, 170–176.

Kerr, I. G. C., Williams, J. M., Ross, W. D., and Pollard, J. M. (1987). The classification of land according to degree of infestation in central Otago. Proceedings of the New Zealand Grassland Association 48, 65–70.

Kinnear, J. E., Sumner, N. R., and Onus, M. L. (2002). The red fox in Australia: an exotic predator turned biocontrol agent. Biological Conservation 108, 335–359.
The red fox in Australia: an exotic predator turned biocontrol agent.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Knopff, K. H., Knopff, A. A., Kortello, A., and Boyce, M. S. (2010). Cougar kill rate and prey composition in a multiprey system. The Journal of Wildlife Management 74, 1435–1447.
Cougar kill rate and prey composition in a multiprey system.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Koper, N., and Manseau, M. (2009). Generalized estimating equations and generalized linear mixed-effects models for modelling resource selection. Journal of Applied Ecology 46, 590–599.
Generalized estimating equations and generalized linear mixed-effects models for modelling resource selection.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Latham, A. D. M., Latham, M. C., and Boyce, M. S. (2011a). Habitat selection and spatial relationships of black bears (Ursus americanus) with woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) in northeastern Alberta. Canadian Journal of Zoology 89, 267–277.
Habitat selection and spatial relationships of black bears (Ursus americanus) with woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) in northeastern Alberta.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Latham, A. D. M., Latham, M. C., McCutchen, N. A., and Boutin, S. (2011b). Invading white-tailed deer change wolf–caribou dynamics in northeastern Alberta. The Journal of Wildlife Management 75, 204–212.
Invading white-tailed deer change wolf–caribou dynamics in northeastern Alberta.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Latham, A. D. M., Latham, M. C., Knopff, K. H., Hebblewhite, M., and Boutin, S. (2013). Wolves, white-tailed deer, and beaver: implications of seasonal prey switching for woodland caribou declines. Ecography 36, 1276–1290.
Wolves, white-tailed deer, and beaver: implications of seasonal prey switching for woodland caribou declines.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Lees, A. C., and Bell, D. J. (2008). A conservation paradox for the 21st century: the European wild rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus, an invasive alien and an endangered native species. Mammal Review 38, 304–320.
A conservation paradox for the 21st century: the European wild rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus, an invasive alien and an endangered native species.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Liberg, O. (1984). Food habits and prey impact by feral and house-based domestic cats in a rural area in southern Sweden. Journal of Mammalogy 65, 424–432.
Food habits and prey impact by feral and house-based domestic cats in a rural area in southern Sweden.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Lima, S. L., and Dill, L. M. (1990). Behavioral decisions made under the risk of predation: a review and prospectus. Canadian Journal of Zoology 68, 619–640.
Behavioral decisions made under the risk of predation: a review and prospectus.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Lingle, S., Feldman, A., Boyce, M. S., and Wilson, W. F. (2008). Prey behavior, age-dependent vulnerability, and predation rates. American Naturalist 172, 712–725.
Prey behavior, age-dependent vulnerability, and predation rates.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 18840071PubMed |

Lode, T. (2000). Functional response and area-restricted search in a predator: seasonal exploitation of anurans by the European polecat, Mustela putorius. Austral Ecology 25, 223–231.
Functional response and area-restricted search in a predator: seasonal exploitation of anurans by the European polecat, Mustela putorius.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Mack, R. N., Simberloff, D., Lonsdale, W. M., Evans, H., Clout, M., and Bazzaz, F. A. (2000). Biotic invasions: causes, epidemiology, global consequences, and control. Ecological Applications 10, 689–710.
Biotic invasions: causes, epidemiology, global consequences, and control.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Maloney, R. F., Rebergen, A. L., Nilsson, R. J., and Wells, N. J. (1997). Bird density and diversity in braided river beds in the Upper Waitaki Basin, South Island, New Zealand. Notornis 44, 219–232.

Manly, B., McDonald, L., Thomas, D., McDonald, T., and Erickson, W. (2002). ‘Resource Selection by Animals: Statistical Design and Analysis for Field Studies.’ 2nd edn. (Kluwer: Boston, MA.)

Medina, F. M., Bonnaud, E., Vidal, E., Tershy, B. R., Zavaleta, E. S., Donlan, C. J., Keitt, B. S., Corre, M., Horwath, S. V., and Nogales, M. (2011). A global review of the impacts of invasive cats on island endangered vertebrates. Global Change Biology 17, 3503–3510.
A global review of the impacts of invasive cats on island endangered vertebrates.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Merrill, E., Sand, H., Zimmermann, B., McPhee, H., Webb, N., Hebblewhite, M., Wabakken, P., and Frair, J. L. (2010). Building a mechanistic understanding of predation with GPS-based movement data. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London 365, 2279–2288.
Building a mechanistic understanding of predation with GPS-based movement data.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 20566504PubMed |

Miskelly, C. M., Dowding, J. E., Elliot, G. P., Hitchmough, R. A., Powlesland, R. G., Robertson, H. A., Sagar, P. M., Scofield, R. P., and Taylor, G. A. (2008). Conservation status of New Zealand birds. Notornis 55, 117–135.

Moller, H., Clapperton, B. K., and Fletcher, D. J. (1997). Density of rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus L.) in the Mackenzie Basin, South Island, New Zealand. New Zealand Journal of Ecology 21, 161–167.

Molsher, R., Newsome, A. E., and Dickman, C. R. (1999). Feeding ecology and population dynamics of the feral cat (Felis catus) in relation to the availability of prey in central-eastern New South Wales. Wildlife Research 26, 593–607.
Feeding ecology and population dynamics of the feral cat (Felis catus) in relation to the availability of prey in central-eastern New South Wales.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Molsher, R. L., Gifford, E. J., and McIlroy, J. C. (2000). Temporal, spatial and individual variation in the diet of red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in central New South Wales. Wildlife Research 27, 593–601.
Temporal, spatial and individual variation in the diet of red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in central New South Wales.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Murphy, E. C., Keedwell, R. J., Brown, K. P., and Westbrooke, I. (2004). Diet of mammalian predators in braided river beds in the central South Island, New Zealand. Wildlife Research 31, 631–638.
Diet of mammalian predators in braided river beds in the central South Island, New Zealand.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Norbury, G. L., and Heyward, R. P. (2008). Predictors of clutch predation of a globally significant avifauna in New Zealand’s braided river ecosystems. Animal Conservation 11, 17–25.
Predictors of clutch predation of a globally significant avifauna in New Zealand’s braided river ecosystems.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Norbury, G., Byrom, A. E., Pech, R. P., Smith, J., Clarke, D., Anderson, D., and Forrester, G. (2013). Invasive mammals and habitat modification interact to generate unforeseen outcomes for indigenous fauna. Ecological Applications 23, 1707–1721.
Invasive mammals and habitat modification interact to generate unforeseen outcomes for indigenous fauna.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 24261050PubMed |

Northrup, J. M., Hooten, M. B., Anderson, C. R., and Wittemyer, G. (2013). Practical guidance on characterizing availability in resource selection functions under a use-availability design. Ecology 94, 1456–1463.
Practical guidance on characterizing availability in resource selection functions under a use-availability design.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 23951705PubMed |

NPCA (2012). ‘Pest Rabbits Monitoring and Control Good Practice Guidelines.’ (National Pest Control Agencies: Wellington, New Zealand.)

O’Donnell, C. F. J., Sedgeley, J. A., and Van Hal, J. (2010). Variation in house cat (Felis catus) predation sign at a black-fronted tern (Sterna albostriata) colony. Notornis 57, 43–47.

O’Keefe, J. S., Tempero, J. E., Motha, M. X. J., Hansen, M. F., and Atkinsona, P. H. (1999). Serology of rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus in wild rabbits before and after release of the virus in New Zealand. Veterinary Microbiology 66, 29–40.
Serology of rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus in wild rabbits before and after release of the virus in New Zealand.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DyaK1M3jslygsw%3D%3D&md5=830ad53c0b0597cd3587ea326b7b0c31CAS | 10223320PubMed |

Olsson, M., Wapstra, E., Swan, G., Snaith, E., Clarke, R., and Madsen, T. (2005). Effects of long-term fox baiting on species composition and abundance in an Australian lizard community. Austral Ecology 30, 899–905.
Effects of long-term fox baiting on species composition and abundance in an Australian lizard community.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Parkes, J. P., Glentworth, B., and Sullivan, G. (2008). Changes in immunity to rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus, and in abundance and rates of increase of wild rabbits in Mackenzie Basin, New Zealand. Wildlife Research 35, 775–779.
Changes in immunity to rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus, and in abundance and rates of increase of wild rabbits in Mackenzie Basin, New Zealand.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Pettorelli, N., Coulson, T., and Durant, S. M. (2011). Predation, individual variability and vertebrate population dynamics. Oecologia 167, 305–314.
Predation, individual variability and vertebrate population dynamics.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 21761171PubMed |

Pinheiro J., Bates, D., DebRoy, S., and Sarkar, D. (2014). ‘nlme: Linear and Nonlinear Mixed Effects Models. R Package Version 3.1-118.’ Available at http://CRAN.R-project.org/package=nlme [verified 23 February 2015].

R Core Team (2013). ‘R: A language and environment for statistical computing.’ (R Foundation for Statistical Computing: Vienna, Austria.) Available at http://www.R-project.org/ [verified 23 February 2015].

Reardon, J. T., Whitmore, N., Holmes, K. M., Judd, L. M., Hutcheon, A. D., Norbury, G., and MacKenzie, D. I. (2012). Predator control allows critically endangered lizards to recover on mainland New Zealand. New Zealand Journal of Ecology 36, 141–150.

Recio, M. R., and Seddon, P. J. (2013). Understanding determinants of home range behaviour of feral cats as introduced apex predators in insular ecosystems: a spatial approach. Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology 67, 1971–1981.
Understanding determinants of home range behaviour of feral cats as introduced apex predators in insular ecosystems: a spatial approach.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Recio, M. R., Mathieu, R., Maloney, R. F., and Seddon, P. J. (2010). First results of feral cats (Felis catus) monitored with GPS collars in New Zealand. New Zealand Journal of Ecology 34, 288–296.

Recio, M. R., Mathieu, R., Virgós, E., and Seddon, P. J. (2014). Quantifying fine-scale resource selection by introduced feral cats to complement management decision-making in ecologically sensitive areas. Biological Invasions 16, 1915–1927.
Quantifying fine-scale resource selection by introduced feral cats to complement management decision-making in ecologically sensitive areas.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Rettie, W. J., and McLoughlin, P. D. (1999). Overcoming radiotelemetry bias in habitat-selection studies. Canadian Journal of Zoology 77, 1175–1184.
Overcoming radiotelemetry bias in habitat-selection studies.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Ribeiro, P. J. J., and Diggle, P. J. (2001). geoR: a package for geostatistical analysis. R News 1, 14–18.

Ringler, D., Russell, J., and Le Corre, M. (). Trophic roles of black rats and seabird impacts on tropical islands: mesopredator release or hyperpredation? Biological Conservation , .
Trophic roles of black rats and seabird impacts on tropical islands: mesopredator release or hyperpredation?Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Robinson, H. S., Wielgus, R. B., Cooley, H. S., and Cooley, S. W. (2008). Sink populations in carnivore management: cougar demography and immigration in a hunted population. Ecological Applications 18, 1028–1037.
Sink populations in carnivore management: cougar demography and immigration in a hunted population.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 18536260PubMed |

Sanders, M. D., and Maloney, R. F. (2002). Causes of mortality at nests of ground-dwelling birds in the Upper Waitaki Basin, South Island, New Zealand: a 5-year video study. Biological Conservation 106, 225–236.
Causes of mortality at nests of ground-dwelling birds in the Upper Waitaki Basin, South Island, New Zealand: a 5-year video study.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Sinclair, A. R. E., Pech, R. P., Dickman, C. R., Hik, D. S., Mahon, P., and Newsome, A. E. (1998). Predicting effects of predation on conservation of endangered prey. Conservation Biology 12, 564–575.
Predicting effects of predation on conservation of endangered prey.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Steffens, K. E., Sanders, M. D., Gleeson, D. M., Pullen, K. M., and Stowe, C. J. (2012). Identification of predators at black-fronted tern Chlidonias albostriatus nests using mtDNA analysis and digital video recorders. New Zealand Journal of Ecology 36, 48–55.

Tockner, K., Paetzold, A., Karaus, U. T. E., and Claret, C. (2006). Ecology of braided rivers. In ‘Braided Rivers: Process, Deposits, Ecology and Management’. (Eds G. H. Sambrook, J. L. Best, C. S. Bristow and G. E. Petts.) pp. 339–360. (Blackwell Publishing: Malden, MA.)

Towns, D. R., and Broome, K. G. (2003). From small Maria to massive Campbell: forty years of rat eradications from New Zealand islands. New Zealand Journal of Zoology 30, 377–398.
From small Maria to massive Campbell: forty years of rat eradications from New Zealand islands.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Warburton, B., and Frampton, C. (1994). ‘Evaluation of the McLean Scale for Scoring Relative Rabbit Abundance.’ (Landcare Research: Lincoln, New Zealand.)

Wittmer, H. U., Serrouya, R., Elbroch, L. M., and Marshall, A. J. (2013). Conservation strategies for species affected by apparent competition. Conservation Biology 27, 254–260.
Conservation strategies for species affected by apparent competition.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 23282104PubMed |

Zeileis, A. (2004). Econometric computing with HC and HAC covariance matrix estimators. Journal of Statistical Software 11, 1–17.

Zeileis, A. (2006). Object-oriented computation of sandwich estimators. Journal of Statistical Software 16, 1–16.

Zeileis, A., and Hothorn, T. (2002). Diagnostic checking in regression relationships. R News 2, 7–10.

Zhang, J., Fan, M., and Kuang, Y. (2006). Rabbits killing birds revisited. Mathematical Biosciences 203, 100–123.
Rabbits killing birds revisited.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 16529776PubMed |