Abstract
Biodiversity loss is accelerating with an estimated one million species facing extinction globally. Effective conservation requires a comprehensive understanding of species' ecology to address complex threats. However, many elusive and declining species remain data-deficient and are difficult to study using traditional surveys and direct observation, which limits targeted conservation efforts. The smoky mouse (Pseudomys fumeus), an endangered Australian rodent, exemplifies these challenges and requires urgent conservation intervention.This thesis integrates population genomics, conservation breeding, and dietary metabarcoding to bridge critical knowledge gaps for P. fumeus, presenting practical approaches applicable to other data-deficient species. First, I use a novel approach to integrate previously incompatible SNP and whole genome sequencing data, enabling a comprehensive population genomic analysis where high-quality genetic samples are scarce. Findings reveal severe genetic isolation, low diversity, and rapidly declining effective population sizes in remnant populations, with two populations, the Grampians and Nullica, at greatest risk of extinction. These results provide essential data and tools for guiding targeted genetic management interventions. Second, I develop and implement a holistic, adaptive conservation breeding framework, improving breeding success and species-specific behavioural and breeding knowledge through a multiyear adaptive management and feedback process. This framework enhances program efficacy, animal behaviour and welfare, and genetic management, while directly informing tactical recommendations for translocations to improve survival and reproductive outcomes postrelease.
Third, I apply faecal DNA metabarcoding to examine the diets of P. fumeus and Pseudomys novaehollandiae, demonstrating the method's applicability across multiple species and uncovering taxonomically resolved dietary resource use. This approach to diet analysis demonstrates superior taxonomic coverage and resolution compared to traditional microscopic analysis, and reveals sample storage effects that influence taxon detectability, providing refined methodologies for future diet monitoring studies across various conservation scenarios.
Overall, I demonstrate how integrating multidisciplinary approaches can resolve key ecological knowledge gaps, and advance evidence-based conservation planning for elusive and declining species. By developing scalable, transferable methodologies, this research presents a toolkit for advancing conservation strategies for threatened and data-deficient species facing complex threats and rapid declines globally.
| Date of Award | 2025 |
|---|---|
| Original language | English |
| Supervisor | Stephen SARRE (Supervisor) & Elise FURLAN (Supervisor) |