Consultation Document on Listing Eligibility and Conservation
Actions
Isoodon obesulus obesulus (southern brown bandicoot (south-eastern))
You are invited to provide evidence related to:
1)
the eligibility of Isoodon obesulus obesulus (southern brown bandicoot (south-eastern)) for
inclusion on the EPBC Act threatened species list; and
2)
the necessary conservation actions for the above subspecies.
Evidence provided by experts, stakeholders and the general public is welcome. Responses can
be provided by any interested person.
Anyone may nominate a native species, ecological community or threatening process for listing
under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) or for a
transfer of an item already on the list to a new listing category. The Threatened Species
Scientific Committee (the Committee) undertakes the assessment of species to determine
eligibility for inclusion in the list of threatened species and provides its recommendation to the
Australian Government Minister for the Environment.
Draft information for your consideration of the ineligibility of this subspecies for listing starts at
page 3 and information associated with potential conservation actions for this subspecies starts
at page 9. To assist with the Committee’s assessment, the Committee has identified a series of
specific questions on which it seeks your guidance at page 12.
Responses are to be provided in writing either by email to:
species.consultation@environment.gov.au
or by mail to:
The Director
Marine and Freshwater Species Conservation Section
Wildlife, Heritage and Marine Division
Department of the Environment
PO Box 787
Canberra ACT 2601
Responses are required to be submitted by 27 February 2015.
Contents of this information package
General background information about listing threatened species
Information about this consultation process
Draft information about the southern brown bandicoot (south-eastern) and its eligibility for
listing
Conservation actions for the subspecies
Collective list of questions – your views
References cited
Isoodon obesulus obesulus (southern brown bandicoot (south-eastern)) consultation
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12
General background information about listing threatened species
The Australian Government helps protect species at risk of extinction by listing them as
threatened under Part 13 of the EPBC Act. Once listed under the EPBC Act, the species
becomes a Matter of National Environmental Significance (MNES) and must be protected from
significant impacts through the assessment and approval provisions of the EPBC Act. More
information about threatened species is available on the department’s website at:
http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/index.html.
Public nominations to list threatened species under the EPBC Act are received annually by the
department. In order to determine if a species is eligible for listing as threatened under the
EPBC Act, the Threatened Species Scientific Committee (the Committee) undertakes a rigorous
scientific assessment of its status to determine if the species is eligible for listing against a set of
criteria. These criteria are available on the Department’s website at:
http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/pubs/guidelines-species.pdf.
As part of the assessment process, the Committee consults with the public and stakeholders to
obtain specific details about the species, as well as advice on what conservation actions might
be appropriate. Information provided through the consultation process is considered by the
Committee in its assessment. The Committee provides its advice on the assessment (together
with comments received) to the Minister regarding the eligibility of the species for listing under a
particular category and what conservation actions might be appropriate. The Minister decides to
add, or not to add, the species to the list of threatened species under the EPBC Act. More
detailed information about the listing process is at:
http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/nominations.html.
To promote the recovery of listed threatened species and ecological communities, conservation
advices and where required, recovery plans are made or adopted in accordance with Part 13 of
the EPBC Act. Conservation advices provide guidance at the time of listing on known threats
and priority recovery actions that can be undertaken at a local and regional level. Recovery
plans describe key threats and identify specific recovery actions that can be undertaken to
enable recovery activities to occur within a planned and logical national framework. Information
about recovery plans is available on the department’s website at:
http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/recovery.html.
Information about this consultation process
Responses to this consultation can be provided electronically or in hard copy to the contact
addresses provided on Page 1. All responses received will be provided in full to the Committee
and then to the Australian Government Minister for the Environment.
In providing comments, please provide references to published data where possible. Should the
Committee use the information you provide in formulating its advice, the information will be
attributed to you and referenced as a ‘personal communication’ unless you provide references
or otherwise attribute this information (please specify if your organisation requires that this
information is attributed to your organisation instead of yourself). The final advice by the
Committee will be published on the department’s website following the listing decision by the
Minister.
Information provided through consultation may be subject to freedom of information legislation
and court processes. It is also important to note that under the EPBC Act, the deliberations and
recommendations of the Committee are confidential until the Minister has made a final decision
on the nomination, unless otherwise determined by the Minister.
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Isoodon obesulus obesulus
Southern brown bandicoot (south-eastern)
Taxonomy
Conventionally accepted as Isoodon obesulus obesulus (Shaw, 1797).
Woinarski et al. (2014) notes that ‘the taxonomy of the Isoodon obesulus complex has been
unsettled. Westerman et al. (2012) concluded that the subspecies I. o. peninsulae was more
closely related to I. auratus than I. obesulus, and should be either transferred to the former
species or raised to a species itself. Following Pope et al. (2001), Zenger et al. (2005) and
Westerman et al. (2012), the formerly recognised subspecies I. o. affinis and I. o. nauticus are
included here in I. o. obesulus, leaving only one other subspecies, I. o. fusciventer from southwestern Australia.’
I. o. fusciventer is proposed as ineligible for listing in this assessment process.
Species/Sub-species Information
Description
TSSC (2014, p.1) provides a description of the southern brown bandicoot as follows:
The southern brown bandicoot (south-eastern), family Peramelidae, is a medium-sized,
ground-dwelling marsupial with a head and body length of approximately 30 cm (NSW
DEC, 2006; Paull, 2008). Like other members of the family, the southern brown
bandicoot (south-eastern) has a long tapering snout, a naked nose, a compact body
(NSW DEC, 2006) and a short tail generally 110–120 mm long (Paull, 2008). The head
has small, rounded ears and small, black eyes (NSW DEC, 2006; Paull, 2008). The
dorsal surface of the body bears black spiny bristle hairs and softer, dark grey underfur
that appears brown at a distance (Paull, 2008). The softer underbelly is creamy-white
(NSW DEC, 2006). While the forelegs are short with curved claws on the digits, the hind
limbs are much longer, resembling those of macropods (NSW DEC, 2006). Males are
heavier (mean weight 890 g) than females (mean weight 620 g) (Paull, 2008).
Distribution
Woinarski et al. (2014, p. 178) provides a description of the distribution of the southern brown
bandicoot (south-eastern) in the Mammal Action Plan (MAP) as follows:
On the mainland, the distribution of the southern brown bandicoot (south-eastern)
extends from just north of Sydney (Ku-ring-gai Chase and Garigal National Parks) to the
Adelaide Hills, Fleurieu Peninsula and Kangaroo Island and the Nuyts Archipelago in
South Australia. Within this range it occurs mostly in coastal areas, and its distribution is
fragmented, with many now discontinuous subpopulations (e.g. in South Australia’s
south east (Le Duff & Stratman, 2009), Mt Lofty Ranges (Long, 2010) and Kangaroo
Island (Jones et al., 2010)). The extent of occurrence has declined historically (e.g. with
the presumed loss of its westernmost occurrences on Yorke and Eyre Peninsulas
(McDowell et al., 2012), and the area of occupancy continues to decline. In the Nuyts
Archipelago, it occurs on East and West Franklin Islands, which are joined at low tide
(512 ha) and St Francis Island (809 ha). Subfossil material is known from Flinders Island
in the Investigator Group (Kemper, 1990), southern Yorke Peninsula and Coffin Bay and
Venus Bay peninsulas (McDowell, 1997; McDowell & Medlin, 2010). In Tasmania
southern brown bandicoots are widespread and occur also on Bruny, Three Hummock
and West Sister Islands.
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Relevant Biology/Ecology
Woinarski et al. (2014, p. 176-177) provides a description of the ecology of the southern brown
bandicoot (south-eastern) in the Mammal Action Plan (MAP) as follows:
The southern brown bandicoot prefers dense vegetation, including wetland fringes and
heathland. It has responded well to fox control, with many populations in public land
where fox control occurs now at greater abundance than previously (Morris et al., 1998).
Some subpopulations within fox-proof fences have reached very high densities.
The southern brown bandicoot is omnivorous, eating both plants and animals. It forages
for food mainly by digging in the leaf litter and soil to find insects, fungi, plant root
nodules and bulbs. It also eats fruit, seeds and other plant material found above ground.
Bandicoots prefer to live in areas with thick vegetation and construct nests under plants
on the ground. They do not create their own burrow, but occasionally use the burrows of
other species (Paull, 2008).
The southern brown bandicoot breeds throughout the year with a peak in spring. The
backward opening pouch contains eight teats arranged in an incomplete circle, and
accommodates one to six (usually two to four) young in a litter. Two or three litters may
be reared in a year, though this is dependent upon food availability. Older females
produce more litters (DEC, 2012). Sexual maturity is reached in about 60 days.
Longevity in the wild is three to four years (Paull, 2008), although in captivity animals
have survived for up to six years (AnAge, 2012). Generation time is taken to be two
years.
Threats
Woinarski et al. (2014, p. 178) provides a description of the threats to the southern brown
bandicoot (south-eastern) in the Mammal Action Plan (MAP) as follows:
threat factor
conseque
nce rating
Predation by red foxes
severe
extent over which
threat may
operate
large
evidence base
Habitat loss and
fragmentation
severe
large
Predation by feral and
domestic cats
moderatesevere
large
Inappropriate fire
regimes
Mortalities associated
with road traffic
Habitat change due to
livestock and other
non-native herbivores
minor
moderate
moderate
minor
strong evidence (e.g. Coates
& Wright, 2003)
demonstrated absence or
reduced abundance in
cleared areas (Lunney &
Leary, 1988); however, many
of the remnant populations in
central southern Victoria are
in areas of rank grass and
weeds such as gorse in
farmland
cats take juvenile bandicoots;
impacts of cats and of feral
(and stray) dogs less well
understood; however, they
can survive in their presence,
e.g. in Koo Wee Rup town
available evidence is
inconclusive
road kills observed
moderate
minor
some correlative evidence
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Disease
minor
large
Timber harvesting
minor
minor
Habitat change due to
weed infestation
minor
minor
Habitat change due to
Phytophthora
infestation
Poisoning associated
with control of nonnative predators
minor
minor
toxoplasmosis is known in
some bandicoot populations;
but impact poorly understood
impacts vary depending upon
forest management regime,
and age of regrowth
some evidence of case-bycase detriment or benefit
provided by weeds
no evidence, but plausible
minor
minor
no evidence, but plausible
Assessment of available information in relation to the EPBC Act Criteria and Regulations
Criterion 1. Population size reduction (reduction in total numbers)
Population reduction (measured over the longer of 10 years or 3 generations) based on any of A1 to
A4
Critically Endangered
Very severe reduction
Endangered
Severe reduction
Vulnerable
Substantial reduction
A1
≥ 90%
≥ 70%
≥ 50%
A2, A3, A4
≥ 80%
≥ 50%
≥ 30%
A1
A2
Population reduction observed, estimated, inferred or
suspected in the past and the causes of the reduction
are clearly reversible AND understood AND ceased.
Population reduction observed, estimated, inferred
or suspected in the past where the causes of the
reduction may not have ceased OR may not be
understood OR may not be reversible.
A3
Population reduction, projected or suspected to be
met in the future (up to a maximum of 100 years) [(a)
cannot be used for A3]
A4
An observed, estimated, inferred, projected or
suspected population reduction where the time period
must include both the past and the future (up to a
max. of 100 years in future), and where the causes of
reduction may not have ceased OR may not be
understood OR may not be reversible.
(a)
direct observation [except A3]
(b)
an index of abundance appropriate to
the taxon
based
(c)
on any
of the
following
:
(d)
a decline in area of occupancy,
extent of occurrence and/or quality of
habitat
(e)
actual or potential levels of
exploitation
the effects of introduced taxa,
hybridization, pathogens, pollutants,
competitors or parasites
Evidence:
The southern brown bandicoot (south-eastern) experienced past population size decline
(Woinarski et al., 2014). Current and future population size declines are limited, with some
subpopulations declining (Woinarski et al., 2014). However, the overall rate of decline is inferred
to be <30% over a 10-year period (Woinarski et al., 2014).
Woinarski et al. (2014, p. 178) provides a description of the abundance of the southern brown
bandicoot (south-eastern) in the Mammal Action Plan (MAP) as follows:
The southern brown bandicoot (south-eastern) was formerly extremely abundant across
much of its range, but many subpopulations have disappeared and it is now uncommon
in many remaining subpopulations (Lunney & Leary, 1988). However, it remains
common at some sites (Coates et al., 2008). There has been no published robust
estimate of its total abundance, nor of its overall rate of decline. Home ranges vary
Isoodon obesulus obesulus (southern brown bandicoot (south-eastern)) consultation
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between 0.5 and 5 ha (Paull, 2008) (i.e. densities of 20–200 individuals/km2, assuming
no overlap in home range. Population estimates in the Nuyts Archipelago are c. 550 for
West Franklin Island and c. 510 for East Franklin Island (Copley et al., 1990) and c. 500
for St Francis Island (Maxwell et al., 1996). Long term trends are unknown, but
population densities on West Franklin Island were considered stable during a one-year
trapping study (Copley et al., 1990). In Tasmania, the southern brown bandicoot (southeastern) is abundant and there is no evidence of decline.
In several areas subject to recent substantial fox control programs (notably Southern Ark
in East Gippsland, Glenelg Ark in south-western Victoria and Grampians Ark in the
Grampians Range), subpopulation sizes of the southern brown bandicoot have
increased (Dexter & Murray, 2009; Robley et al., 2009; Homan & Schultz, 2012).
The data presented above appear to demonstrate the subspecies is not eligible for listing under
this criterion. However, the purpose of this consultation document is to elicit additional
information to better understand the subspecies’ status. This conclusion should therefore be
considered to be tentative at this stage, as it may be changed as a result of responses to this
consultation process.
Criterion 2. Geographic distribution is precarious for either extent of occurrence
AND/OR area of occupancy
Critically Endangered
Very restricted
Endangered
Restricted
Vulnerable
Limited
B1. Extent of occurrence (EOO)
< 100 km2
< 5,000 km2
< 20,000 km2
B2. Area of occupancy (AOO)
< 10 km2
< 500 km2
< 2,000 km2
=1
≤5
≤ 10
AND at least 2 of the following 3 conditions:
(a)
Severely fragmented OR Number of
locations
(b)
Continuing decline observed, estimated, inferred or projected in any of: (i) extent of occurrence; (ii) area of
occupancy; (iii) area, extent and/or quality of habitat; (iv) number of locations or subpopulations; (v) number of
mature individuals
(c)
Extreme fluctuations in any of: (i) extent of occurrence; (ii) area of occupancy; (iii) number of locations or
subpopulations; (number of mature individuals
Evidence:
The extent of occurrence of the southern brown bandicoot (south-eastern) is estimated at
494 000 km2 and the area of occupancy is estimated at 1884 km2, although this is likely to be an
under-estimate, noting the recent increase following fox control in parts of the mainland range
and few Tasmanian localities in the mapping database (Woinarski et al., 2014). Therefore, the
area of occupancy is likely to be >2000 km2 (Woinarski et al., 2014).
The data presented above appear to demonstrate the subspecies is not eligible for listing under
this criterion. However, the purpose of this consultation document is to elicit additional
information to better understand the subspecies’ status. This conclusion should therefore be
considered to be tentative at this stage, as it may be changed as a result of responses to this
consultation process.
Criterion 3.
Small population size and decline
Estimated number of mature individuals
Critically
Endangered
Very low
Endangered
Low
Vulnerable
Limited
< 250
< 2,500
< 10,000
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AND either (C1) or (C2) is true
C1
An observed, estimated or projected
continuing decline of at least (up to a
max. of 100 years in future
C2
An observed, estimated, projected or
inferred continuing decline AND its
geographic distribution is precarious
for its survival based on at least 1 of
the following 3 conditions:
(a)
(b)
Very high rate
25% in 3 years or 1
generation
(whichever is longer)
High rate
20% in 3 years or 1
generation
(whichever is
longer)
Substantial rate
10% in 10 years or 3
generations
(whichever is longer)
≤ 50
≤ 250
≤ 1,000
90 – 100%
95 – 100%
100%
(i) Number of mature individuals in
each subpopulation
(ii) % of mature individuals in one
subpopulation =
Extreme fluctuations in the number of
mature individuals
Evidence
The population size is estimated at >30 000 mature individuals (Woinarski et al., 2014).
Therefore, although the population is showing continuing decline, the population size is >10 000
individuals (Woinarski et al., 2014).
The data presented above appear to demonstrate the subspecies is not eligible for listing under
this criterion. However, the purpose of this consultation document is to elicit additional
information to better understand the subspecies’ status. This conclusion should therefore be
considered to be tentative at this stage, as it may be changed as a result of responses to this
consultation process.
Criterion 4.
Very small population
Critically Endangered
Extremely low
Endangered
Very Low
Vulnerable
Low
< 50
< 250
< 1,000
Number of mature individuals
Evidence:
The southern brown bandicoot (south-eastern) does not have a very small population, with the
number of mature individuals estimated at >30 000 (Woinarski et al., 2014).
The data presented above appear to demonstrate the subspecies is not eligible for listing under
this criterion. However, the purpose of this consultation document is to elicit additional
information to better understand the subspecies’ status. This conclusion should therefore be
considered to be tentative at this stage, as it may be changed as a result of responses to this
consultation process.
Criterion 5.
Quantitative Analysis
Indicating the probability of extinction in
the wild to be:
Critically Endangered
Immediate future
Endangered
Near future
Vulnerable
Medium-term future
≥ 50% in 10 years or 3
generations,
whichever is longer
≥ 20% in 20 years or
5 generations,
whichever is longer
≥ 10% in 100 years
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(100 years max.)
(100 years max.)
Evidence:
No population viability analysis has been undertaken for the southern brown bandicoot (southeastern) (Woinarski et al., 2014).
There are insufficient data to demonstrate if the subspecies is eligible for listing under this
criterion. However, the purpose of this consultation document is to elicit additional information to
better understand the subspecies’ status. This conclusion should therefore be considered to be
tentative at this stage, as it may be changed as a result of responses to this consultation
process.
Consideration for delisting
A decision to delist a taxon can include consideration of the eligibility of the species for inclusion
on the EPBC Act list and/or that by being included the listing is contributing to the survival of the
taxon and removal will result in it becoming threatened.
The southern brown bandicoot (south-eastern) was listed on the EPBC Act in the endangered
category in 2001 because of a decline in population size (i.e. criterion 1) (TSSC, 2001). This
subspecies was also eligible for listing in the vulnerable category because of its precarious
geographic distribution (i.e. criterion 2) (TSSC, 2001). This assessment process includes the
formerly recognised subspecies I. o affinis and I. o. nauticus in I. o. obesulus (Woinarski et al.,
2014). Isoodon obesulus nauticus was listed on the EPBC Act in the vulnerable category in
2000 because of its small population size (i.e. criterion 4) (TSSC, 2012).
The taxonomic change, with I. o affinis and I. o. nauticus no longer considered valid subspecies
and subsequently included in I. o. obesulus, and a genuine change in the rate of decline in
population size such that the rate of decline is not severe enough to meet the critera for
endangered within the relevant timeframe, suggest that the subspecies’ eligibility for inclusion on
the EPBC Act threatened species list should be changed from endangered to not eligible
(Woinarski et al., 2014).
A number of plans/management prescriptions in place are contributing to the survival of the
southern brown bandicoot (south-eastern) and could continue to prevent the subspecies
becoming threatened. These plans/management prescriptions include the following (TSSC,
2014):






Recovery plan for the southern brown bandicoot in the Mount Lofty Ranges, South Australia,
2004 to 2009 (Haby & Long, 2005).
Recovery plan for the southern brown bandicoot (Isoodon obesulus) (NSW DEC, 2006).
Threat abatement plan and background document for predation by the European red fox
(DEWHA, 2008a,b).
Threat abatement plan and background document for predation by feral cats (DEWHA,
2008c,d).
Threat abatement plan and background document for competition and land degradation by
rabbits (DEWHA, 2008e,f).
Threat abatement plan for dieback caused by the root-rot fungus Phytophthora cinnamomi
(DotE, 2014).
The draft national recovery plan prepared by the Victorian Department of Sustainability and
Environment for the southern brown bandicoot (south-eastern) in 2010 (Brown & Main, 2010)
has not yet been finalised or adopted under the EPBC Act. The draft recovery plan covers only
the mainland distribution (i.e. not the Tasmainian population as included in this assessment
process).
The distribution of this subspecies overlaps with the following EPBC Act-listed threatened
ecological communities (TSSC, 2014):
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






Upland Basalt Eucalypt Forests of the Sydney Basin Bioregion
White Box-Yellow Box-Blakely's Red Gum Grassy Woodland and Derived Native Grassland
Lowland Grassy Woodland in the South East Corner Bioregion
Eastern Suburbs Banksia Scrub of the Sydney Region
Grassy Eucalypt Woodland of the Victorian Volcanic Plain
Peppermint Box (Eucalyptus odorata) Grassy Woodland of South Australia
Grey Box (Eucalyptus microcarpa) Grassy Woodlands and Derived Native Grasslands of
South-eastern Australia.
Overlap with EPBC Act-listed threatend ecological communities should afford the southern
brown bandicoot (south-eastern) and its habitat some protection.
Conservation Actions
Recovery Plan
The draft national recovery plan prepared by the Victorian Department of Sustainability and
Environment for the southern brown bandicoot (south-eastern) in 2010 (Brown & Main, 2010)
has not yet been finalised or adopted under the EPBC Act. The draft recovery plan covers only
the mainland distribution (i.e. not the Tasmainian population as included in this assessment
process).
The conservation advice prepared for the southern brown bandicoot (south-eastern) under the
EPBC Act in 2014 identifies regional and local priority recovery and threat abatement actions to
support the recovery of the subspecies (TSSC, 2014). This conservation advice was prepared
prior to I. o. affinis (Tasmania) and I. o. nauticus (Nutys Archipelago, South Australia) being
considered invalid subspecies and subsequently included in I. o. obesulus. Removal of the
southern brown bandicoot (south-eastern) from the EPBC Act list would result in the removal of
the conservation advice.
The actions included in the conservation advice relate to the major threats (e.g. habitat loss,
disturbance and modification; animal predation or competition; fire; diseases, fungi and
parasites) affecting the subspecies and provision of conservation information to stakeholders.
Many management actions are currently operating for this subspecies. These include the
development and implementation of state recovery plans in New South Wales and South
Australia, and regional recovery plans for some parts of its Victorian range; ongoing survey and
monitoring activities; research on habitat use, and responses to threats (fire, feral animals and
weeds) and their management; site-specific management of threats (particularly fox control:
Southern Ark operates over the entire known distribution of southern brown bandicoot (southeastern) in Far East Gippsland); development of revegetation actions to bolster connectivity; and
projects to enhance community awareness and participation. In addition, there are several threat
abatement plans relating to animal predation or competition (i.e. predation by European red fox
(DEWHA, 2008a, b), predation by feral cats (DEWHA 2008c, d) and competition and land
degradation by rabbits (DEWHA, 2008e,f)). The threat abatement plan for dieback caused by
the root-rot fungus Phythophthora cinnamomi (DotE, 2014) is also relevant.
Primary Conservation Objectives
Woinarski et al. (2014, p. 180) identifies the primary conservation objectives or the southern
brown bandicoot (south-eastern) as follows:
1. Manage threats to secure or increase overall population size.
2. Secure all currently known subpopulations.
3. Through re-introduction and intensive threat management, re-establish populations that
have been lost.
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Conservation and Management Actions
Woinarski et al. (2014, p. 179) provides a description of management actions for the southern
brown bandicoot (south-eastern) in the Mammal Action Plan (MAP) as follows:
Theme
Active mitigation of threats
Captive breeding
Quarantining isolated
populations
Translocation
Monitoring
Community engagement
Specific actions
implement control mechanisms for
non-native predators, that minimise
adverse impacts upon this subspecies
establish corridors between
fragmented populations
implement forestry practices that
minimise impacts on this subspecies
implement fire regimes that minimise
impacts on this subspecies
implement Phytophthora control and
quarantine measures
manage weeds in a manner that
delivers overall benefit to this
subspecies
implement measures to reduce road
kills
establish or maintain a captive
breeding population for insurance and
re-introductions
maintain fox-free status of Kangaroo
Island and fox- and cat-free status of
other islands where the subspecies
occurs
assess options and risks associated
with potential to re-introduce
individuals to extirpated or currently
non-viable subpopulations
implement integrated monitoring
across range
develop conservation covenants on
lands with high value for this
subspecies
liaise with community to enhance their
involvement in conservation
management of this subspecies
Priority
high
medium
medium
medium
medium
low-medium
low-medium
low-medium
high
medium
medium
medium
low-medium
Information and research priorities
Woinarski et al. (2014, p. 179) provides a description of the information required for the southern
brown bandicoot (south-eastern) in the Mammal Action Plan (MAP) as follows:
Theme
Survey to better define
distribution
Assess relative impacts of
threats
Specific actions
continue to define fine-scale
distribution patterns, and the number
of individuals in subpopulations,
especially on the mainland
maintain or enhance program to
involve community in surveys and
sightings base
define population-level impacts of
foxes, cats and dogs, in rural and
Priority
medium-high
medium-high
high
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Assess effectiveness of threat
mitigation options
Establish or enhance
monitoring program
Resolve taxonomic
uncertainties
Assess habitat requirements
Assess diet, life history
Undertake research to
develop new or enhance
existing management
mechanisms
peri-urban settings
define responses of populations, and
of food and shelter resources, to
differing fire regimes, and model
longer-term impacts
define responses to differing levels
of grazing by non-native herbivores
(and, where relevant, high densities
of native herbivores)
assess incidence of disease, and the
factors contributing to it
identify mechanisms to reduce road
mortalities
assess relative impacts of a range of
management regimes for non-native
predators
identify critical factors that minimise
impacts of forestry and development
practices
identify landscape-scale options for
habitat retention and connectivity
enhance and integrate existing
monitoring across range, to include
assessment of efficacy of
management interventions
define the extent of genetic
differentiation (and taxonomic status)
of the most disjunct subpopulations
define the extent of genetic
differentiation (and taxonomic status)
for all Isoodon taxa
identify key habitat requirements
needed to minimise forestry impacts
assess the extent to which food
availability may limit population size
or reproductive success
develop broad-scale, targeted feral
Cat eradication technology (with no
detrimental impacts for this
subspecies)
medium-high
medium
medium
low-medium
medium-high
medium
medium
medium
medium
medium
medium
low-medium
medium
Collective list of questions – your views
1. Do you agree with the current taxonomic position for this taxon (as identified in the draft
conservation advice)?
2. Can you provide any additional references, information or estimates on longevity, age of
maturity, average life span and generation length?
3. Has the survey effort for this taxon been adequate to determine its national distribution and
adult population size?
4. Do you accept the estimate provided in the nomination for the current population size of the
taxon?
Isoodon obesulus obesulus (southern brown bandicoot (south-eastern)) consultation
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5. For any population with which you are familiar, do you agree with the population estimate
provided? If not, are you able to provide a plausible estimate based on your own
knowledge? If so, please provide in the form:
Lower bound (estimated minimum):
Upper bound (estimated maximum):
Best Estimate:
Estimated level of Confidence: %
6. Can you provide any additional data, not contained in the current nomination, on declines in
population numbers over the past or next 10 years or 3 generations, whichever is the
longer?
7. Is the distribution as described in the nomination valid? Can you provide an estimate of the
current geographic distribution (extent of occurrence or area of occupancy in km2) of this
taxon?
8. Has this geographic distribution declined and if so by how much and over what period of
time?
9. Do you agree that the taxon is ineligible for inclusion on the threatened species list?
10. Do you agree that the threats listed are correct and that their effects on the taxon are
significant?
11. To what degree are the identified threats likely to impact on the taxon in the future?
12. Can you provide additional or alternative information on threats, past, current or potential
that may adversely affect this taxon at any stage of its life cycle?
13. In seeking to facilitate the recovery of this taxon, can you provide management advice for
the following:
 What individuals or organisations are currently, or need to be, involved in planning to
abate threats and any other relevant planning issues?
 What threats are impacting on different populations, how variable are the threats and
what is the relative importance of the different populations?
 What recovery actions are currently in place, and can you suggest other actions that
would help recover the taxon? Please provide evidence and background information.
14. Can you provide additional data or information relevant to this assessment?
References cited in the advice
AnAge (2012). The animal aging and longevity database. Available on the internet at
http://genomics.senescence.info/species/
Brown, G. W. & Main, M. L. (2010). Draft National recovery plan for the southern brown
bandicoot Isoodon obesulus obesulus. Heidelberg: Arthur Rylah Institute for
Environmental Research, Department of Sustainability and Environment.
Coates, T. D. & Wright, C.J. (2003). Predation of Southern Brown Bandicoots Isoodon obesulus
by the European Red Fox Vulpes vulpes in south-east Victoria. Australian Mammalogy
25, 107-110
Coates, T., Nicholls, D. & Willig, R. (2008). The distribution of the southern brown bandicoot
Isoodon obesulus in south central Victoria. Victorian Naturalist 125, 128-139
Copley, P., Read, V., Robinson, A. & Watts, C. (1990). Preliminary studies of the Nuyts
Archipelago bandicoot Isoodon obesulus nauticus on the Franklin Islands, South
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Australia. In J. Seebeck, P. Brown, R. Wallis & C. Kemper, Bandicoots and Bilbies (pp.
345-356). Chipping Norton: Surrey Beatty & Sons.
Department of the Environment (DotE) (2014). Threat abatement plan for dieback caused by the
root-rot fungus Phytophthora cinnamomi and associated background document.
Canberra: DotE. Available on the Internet at:
http://www.environment.gov.au/resource/threat-abatement-plan-disease-naturalecosystems-caused-phytophthora-cinnamomi
Department of Environment and Conservation (2012). Quenda Isoodon obesulus (Shaw, 1797).
Available on the internet at:
http://www.dec.wa.gov.au/content/view/7009/1979/.
Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts (DEWHA) (2008a). Threat
abatement plan for predation by the European red fox. Canberra: DEWHA. Available on
the Internet at:
http://www.environment.gov.au/resource/predation-european-red-fox
Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts (DEWHA) (2008b). Background
document for the threat abatement plan for predation by the European red fox. Canberra:
DEWHA. Available on the Internet at:
http://www.environment.gov.au/resource/predation-european-red-fox
Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts (DEWHA) (2008c). Threat
abatement plan for predation by feral cats. Canberra: DEWHA. Available on the Internet
at:
http://www.environment.gov.au/resource/predation-feral-cats
Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts (DEWHA) (2008d). Background
document for the threat abatement plan for predation by feral cats. Canberra: DEWHA.
Available on the Internet at:
http://www.environment.gov.au/resource/predation-feral-cats
Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts (DEWHA) (2008e). Threat
abatement plan for competition and land degradation by rabbits. Canberra: DEWHA.
Available on the Internet at:
http://www.environment.gov.au/resource/competition-and-land-degradation-rabbits
Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts (DEWHA) (2008f). Background
document for competition and land degradation by rabbits. Canberra: DEWHA. Available
on the Internet at:
http://www.environment.gov.au/resource/competition-and-land-degradation-rabbits
Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities (DSEWPaC)
(2011). Draft referral guidelines for the endangered southern brown bandicoot (eastern),
Isoodon obesulus obesulus. EPBC Act policy statement. Canberra: DSEWPaC.
Available on the Internet at:
http://www.environment.gov.au/epbc/publications/southern-brown-bandicoot.html.
Dexter, N. & Murray, A. (2009). The impact of fox control on the relative abundance of forest
mammals in East Gippsland, Victoria. Wildlife Research 36, 252-261.
Haby, N. & Long, K. (2005). Recovery plan for the southern brown bandicoot in the Mount Lofty
Ranges, South Australia, 2004 to 2009. Available on the Internet at:
http://www.environment.sa.gov.au/managing-naturalresources/Plants_Animals/Threatened_species_ecological_communities/Recovery_plan
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Homan, P. & Schultz, N. (2012). Further records of mammal and reptile fauna from the Black
Range, near Stawell and the Grampians National Park, Western Victoria. Victorian
Naturalist 129, 36-45.
Jones, S., Mooney, P., Ross, J. & Pisanu, P. (2010). The distribution and ecology of threatened
small mammals on Kangaroo Island. Kingscote: Department for Environment and
Heritage.
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Kemper, C. (1990). Status of bandicoots in South Australia. In J. Seebeck, P. Brown, R. Wallis &
C. Kemper, Bandicoots and Bilbies (pp. 67-72). Chipping Norton: Surrey Beatty & Sons.
Le Duff, M. K. & Stratman, B. K. (2009). An Assessment of the Conservation Status of the
southern brown bandicoot (Isoodon obesulus) in the South East of South Australia.
Mount Gambier: Department for Environment and Heritage.
Long, K. (2010). Recovery Plan for the southern brown bandicoot in the Mount Lofty Ranges,
South Australia 2010-2015. Department for Environment and Heritage, Adelaide.
Lunney, D. & Leary, T. (1988). The impact on native mammals of land-use changes and exotic
species in the Bega district, New South Wales. Australian Journal of Ecology 13, 67-92.
Maxwell, S., Burbidge, A. A. & Morris, K. (1996). The 1996 action plan for Australian marsupials
and monotremes. Canberra: Wildlife Australia.
McDowell, M. C. (1997). Taphonomy and palaeoenvironmental interpretation of a late Holocene
deposit from Black’s Point Sinkhole, Venus Bay, SA. Proceedings of the Linnean Society
of New South Wales 117, 79-95.
McDowell, M. C. & Medlin, G. C. (2010). Natural resource management implications of the preEuropean non-volant mammal fauna of the southern tip of Eyre Peninsula, South
Australia. Australian Mammalogy 32, 67-93.
McDowell, M. C., Baynes, A., Medlin, G. C. & Prideaux, G. J. (2012). The impact of European
colonization on the late-Holocene non-volant mammals of Yorke Peninsula, South
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Morris, K., Armstrong, R., Orell, P., and Vance M. (1998). Bouncing back. Western Shield
update. Landscope 14(1), 28-35.
New South Wales Department of Environment and Conservation (NSW DEC) (2006). Southern
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http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/resources/nature/SouthernBrownBandicootFinalRec
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Paull, D. J. (2008). Southern brown bandicoot Isoodon obesulus. In S. Van Dyck & R. Strahan,
The mammals of Australia, Third edition (pp. 180-182). Sydney: Reed New Holland.
Pope, L., Storch, D., Adams, M., Moritz, C. & Gordon, G. (2001). A phylogeny for the genus
Isoodon and a range extension for I. obesulus peninsulae based on mtDNA control
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Robley, A., Gormley, A., Albert, R., Bowd, M., Smith, A., & Scroggie, M. (2009). Monitoring and
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