The role of life history and food supply in the extinction of carnivorous marsupials (2012-2015)
Abstract
Life history traits (schedules of birth and death) determine population growth and are therefore important predictors of species extinction. Southern Australia has a shocking record of mammal extinctions, and the tropics are now being affected. The widespread loss of marsupial top predators is especially alarming. This Future Fellowship will comprehensively test hypotheses to explain the exceptionally diverse life history strategies of carnivorous marsupials, and how these interact with climate and prey supply to influence extinction. It will determine if the same traits predict mammal extinction in southern and northern Australia. This will help us to understand and tackle the causes of the extinction crisis facing northern Australia
