Annabel Dorrestein
- MSc Student, Utrecht University, the Netherlands; visitor of the Lab of Animal Ecology, the Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, Western Sydney University
- Topic: The impact of yellow crazy ants on Christmas Island flying-foxes
- Supervisors: Dr. J. Welbergen, Christopher Todd
- Contact: Annabel Dorrestein
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Bio
I finished my Bachelor of Science in Biology with Honours in 2014 at Utrecht University, the Netherlands. During my BSc I had already developed a strong interest for conservation by studying conservation and ecophysiology in South Africa for a semester and conducting a small research project on the impacts of ecotourism on vertebrates in Peru. During my Masters of Science in Ecology and Natural Resource Management, I further developed this interest by conducting research in Suriname on tropical forest regeneration and an internship with WWF. I am now completing my MSc degree with a project on the impacts of yellow cazy ants on the Christmas Island flying-fox. |
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Research
Invasive species have a major impact on native ecosystems of islands. On Christmas Island, the invasive yellow crazy ant (YCA) (Anoplolepsis gracilipes) has invaded most of the island and formed polygynous, expansive supercolonies. In these high densities they eliminate the red crabs and disturb the behaviour of endemic birds. They might even have accelerated the extinction of the Christmas Island Pipistrelle, leaving the Christmas Island flying-fox (CIFF) (Pteropus melanotus natalis) the last native mammal on Christmas Island.
The Christmas Island flying-fox has an important role in the ecosystem as a seed disperser and pollinator, however their population is declining and they are considered critically endangered. YCA are considered to be one of the potential causes of this decline. The environmental change associated with supercolonies could lead to a reduction in habitat suitability and food availiability for the CIFF. Moreover, since the ants forage on sap-suckling scale insects in trees, they could directly interfere with roosting CIFF's. In my study I try to assess this impact of the YCA on roosting of the CIFF.
Specifically, I aim to assess:
1. The impact of the presence of yellow crazy ants in trees on the roosting behaviour of the Christmas Island flying-fox.
2. The impact of the presence of yellow crazy ants in trees on local distribution of the Christmas Island flying-fox.
3. The impact of the presence of yellow crazy ants in trees on island-wide distribution of the Christmas Island flying-fox.
Invasive species have a major impact on native ecosystems of islands. On Christmas Island, the invasive yellow crazy ant (YCA) (Anoplolepsis gracilipes) has invaded most of the island and formed polygynous, expansive supercolonies. In these high densities they eliminate the red crabs and disturb the behaviour of endemic birds. They might even have accelerated the extinction of the Christmas Island Pipistrelle, leaving the Christmas Island flying-fox (CIFF) (Pteropus melanotus natalis) the last native mammal on Christmas Island.
The Christmas Island flying-fox has an important role in the ecosystem as a seed disperser and pollinator, however their population is declining and they are considered critically endangered. YCA are considered to be one of the potential causes of this decline. The environmental change associated with supercolonies could lead to a reduction in habitat suitability and food availiability for the CIFF. Moreover, since the ants forage on sap-suckling scale insects in trees, they could directly interfere with roosting CIFF's. In my study I try to assess this impact of the YCA on roosting of the CIFF.
Specifically, I aim to assess:
1. The impact of the presence of yellow crazy ants in trees on the roosting behaviour of the Christmas Island flying-fox.
2. The impact of the presence of yellow crazy ants in trees on local distribution of the Christmas Island flying-fox.
3. The impact of the presence of yellow crazy ants in trees on island-wide distribution of the Christmas Island flying-fox.
