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Insect Conservation and Islands pp 119–129Cite as

Issues and implications for research on disturbed oceanic islands illustrated through an ant survey of the Cocos (Keeling) Islands

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Abstract

An inventory of invertebrates is crucial to the development and implementation of conservation and restoration programs on small oceanic islands, which are among the most threatened ecosystems on earth. We use a survey of ants (Formicidae) on the Cocos (Keeling) Islands to illustrate issues that hinder detailed understanding of biodiversity and the origins of the invertebrate fauna and associated changes since human settlement on the islands. The ant fauna surveyed consisted of exotic ant species, most of which had been introduced to the islands via human activity. Some of these species, like the Yellow Crazy Ant (Anoplolepis gracilipes) have the potential to build to large numbers, particularly in conjunction with scale insects, and alter the relatively intact ecology and fauna of North Keeling Island. The absence of baseline information on the invertebrate fauna, the identities and locations of earlier collections, and the introduction of exotic invertebrates since human settlement compromised our ability to determine which invertebrate species are native to the island and the changes in species composition that have occurred since human arrival.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service, P.O. Box 606, 6986, Welshpool, Perth, WA, Australia

    P. J. Neville

  2. Australian Centre for Biodiversity, School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, 3800, Australia

    D. J. O’Dowd

  3. Biosciences Research Division, Department of Primary Industries, 621 Burwood Highway, Knoxfield, VIC, 3156, Australia

    A. L. Yen

Authors
  1. P. J. Neville
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  2. D. J. O’Dowd
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  3. A. L. Yen
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to P. J. Neville .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia

    T. R. New

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© 2008 Springer Science+Business Media B.V.

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Neville, P.J., O’Dowd, D.J., Yen, A.L. (2008). Issues and implications for research on disturbed oceanic islands illustrated through an ant survey of the Cocos (Keeling) Islands. In: New, T.R. (eds) Insect Conservation and Islands. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4020-8782-0_10

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