Human-modified habitats facilitate forest-dwelling populations of an invasive predator, Vulpes vulpes

Invasive and over-abundant predators pose a major threat to biodiversity and often benefit from human activities. Effective management requires understanding predator use of human-modified habitats (including resource subsidies and disturbed environments), and individual variation within populations. We investigated selection for human-modified habitats by invasive red foxes, Vulpes vulpes, within two predominantly forested Australian landscapes. We predicted that foxes would select for human-modified habitats in their range locations and fine-scale movements, but that selection would vary between individuals. We GPS-tracked 19 foxes for 17-166 days; ranges covered 33 to >2500 ha. Approximately half the foxes selected for human-modified habitats at the range scale, with some \u27commuting\u27 more than five kilometres to farmland or townships at night. Two foxes used burnt forest intensively after a prescribed fire. In their fine-scale nocturnal movements, most foxes selected for human-modified habitats such as reservoirs, forest edges and roads, but there was considerable individual variation. Native fauna in fragmented and disturbed habitats are likely to be exposed to high rates of fox predation, and anthropogenic food resources may subsidise fox populations within the forest interior. Coordinating fox control across land-tenures, targeting specific landscape features, and limiting fox access to anthropogenic resources will be important for biodiversity conservation

TRAF6 controls excitatory spinogenesis and excitation-inhibition balance though binding neuroplastin

Cell-autonomous mechanisms of early synaptogenesis and their impact on the excitatory-inhibitory brain balance are poorly understood. By analyzing binding motifs in cytoplasmic regions of synaptogenic cell adhesion molecules, we identified a tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6 (TRAF6) binding motif in neuroplastin. Three-dimensional molecular modelling and biochemical approaches identified amino acids in neuroplastin binding the TRAF-C of TRAF6 with micromolar affinity. TRAF6 is required for spinogenesis and its association with neuroplastin fostered formation of new postsynapses in young hippocampal neurons. Also, TRAF6 is strictly necessary to restore failed spinogenesis in neuroplastin-deficient neurons via neuroplastin expression. These features are independent from neuroplastin extracellular adhesive properties or its known interaction with plasma-membrane Ca2+ ATPases. Furthermore, TRAF6-mediated neuroplastin-dependent spinogenesis determinates the excitatory synapse density and in turn the balance of E-I synapses in mature neurons. These findings provide a highly specific cell-encoded mechanism for early synaptogenesis crucial for neuronal connectivity

TRAF6 controls excitatory spinogenesis and excitation-inhibition balance though binding neuroplastin

Cell-autonomous mechanisms of early synaptogenesis and their impact on the excitatory-inhibitory brain balance are poorly understood. By analyzing binding motifs in cytoplasmic regions of synaptogenic cell adhesion molecules, we identified a tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6 (TRAF6) binding motif in neuroplastin. Three-dimensional molecular modelling and biochemical approaches identified amino acids in neuroplastin binding the TRAF-C of TRAF6 with micromolar affinity. TRAF6 is required for spinogenesis and its association with neuroplastin fostered formation of new postsynapses in young hippocampal neurons. Also, TRAF6 is strictly necessary to restore failed spinogenesis in neuroplastin-deficient neurons via neuroplastin expression. These features are independent from neuroplastin extracellular adhesive properties or its known interaction with plasma-membrane Ca2+ ATPases. Furthermore, TRAF6-mediated neuroplastin-dependent spinogenesis determinates the excitatory synapse density and in turn the balance of E-I synapses in mature neurons. These findings provide a highly specific cell-encoded mechanism for early synaptogenesis crucial for neuronal connectivity

Fire affects microhabitat selection, movement patterns, and body condition of an Australian rodent (Rattus fuscipes)

Resource selection by animals influences individual fitness, the abundance of local populations, and the distribution of species. Further, the degree to which individuals select particular resources can be altered by numerous factors including competition, predation, and both natural- and human-induced environmental change. Understanding the influence of such factors on the way animals use resources can guide species conservation and management in changing environments. In this study, we investigated the effects of a prescribed fire on small-scale (microhabitat) resource selection, abundance, body condition, and movement pathways of a native Australian rodent, the bush rat (Rattus fuscipes). Using a before-after, control-impact design, we gathered data from 60 individuals fitted with spool and line tracking devices. In unburnt forest, selection of resources by bush rats was positively related to rushes, logs and complex habitat, and negatively related to ferns and litter. Fire caused selection for spreading grass, rushes, and complex habitat to increase relative to an unburnt control location. At the burnt location after the fire, rats selected patches of unburnt vegetation, and no rats were caught at a trapping site where most of the understory had been burnt. The fire also reduced bush rat abundance and body condition and caused movement pathways to become more convoluted. After the fire, some individuals moved through burnt areas but the majority of movements occurred within unburnt patches. The effects of fire on bush rat resource selection, movement, body condition, and abundance were likely driven by several linked factors including limited access to shelter and food due to the loss of understory vegetation and heightened levels of perceived predation risk. Our findings suggest the influence of prescribed fire on small mammals will depend on the resulting mosaic of burnt and unburnt patches and how well this corresponds to the resource requirements of particular species

Bandicoots return to Booderee: initial survival, dispersal, home range and habitat preferences of reintroduced southern brown bandicoots (eastern sub species; Isoodon obesulus obesulus)

Context. Reintroductions can be an effective means of re-establishing locally extinct or declining faunal populations. However, incomplete knowledge of variables influencing survival and establishment can limit successful outcomes