Marcus Butler
4 January 2016: DNA analysis from an unusual source is helping a University of Canberra scientist solve an ongoing mystery, whether foxes are running wild in Tasmania, or if it’s an elaborate hoax.
PhD candidate with the Institute for Applied Ecology, Cat Campbell has been recognised for her work on the project earning the 2015 Invasive Animals Collaborative Research Centre CEO’s student prize.
Ms Campbell says the mystery that surrounds the focus of her research definitely has an appeal for her.
“Using DNA to solve a mystery such as the presence of foxes in Tasmania, is a lot like using it to solve a crime, and I’m sure land-holders and environmentalists would agree,” Ms Campbell said.
“I’m using predator scat or droppings found in Tasmania and breaking it down to extract and identify the DNA ‘fingerprints’ left in the material.
“Most of what I find belongs to the predator, but you would be surprised to find that the DNA of what the predators have been eating is in the mix as well. I use those small segments of DNA to identify the prey species and whether it comes from Tasmania or mainland Australia,” she said.
There is an ongoing dispute in Tasmania about whether foxes are indeed found on the island, which would pose a risk to native wildlife and livestock.
Ms Campbell said that the claim that scats proving the presence of foxes is being challenged by suggestions the droppings have been transported from the mainland.
“My research on the genetic difference between mainland and Tasmanian prey species will help our team determine what predators in Tasmania have been eating, and comparing that information against our DNA database will tell us more specifically where the meal was most likely to have been eaten.
Ms Campbell was thrilled to receive the IA-CRC award last month.
“I’m approaching the end of my PhD and this is just the kind of confidence boost needed to help bring it all together. It tells me that I’m doing good work, that people are interested and that the results will matter,” Ms Campbell said.
Ms Campbell also appeared on a recent feature story on ABC’s Catalyst program for her work identifying the origin of sugar gliders in Tasmania who are behind devastating attacks on the critically endangered Swift Parrot in Tasmania.
There was historical evidence to suggest the sugar glider was introduced to Tasmania as pets in the early 1800’s but the species is protected in Tasmania as a native.
Ms Campbell used DNA to show that the sugar glider population was introduced to the island. This has serious management implications and will help the swift parrot recovery team better manage the nesting parrots in Tasmania.
“I’m sure my work on these projects is fuelled by my love of a good mystery, and it just happens that my work on DNA identification is a great tool to solve these kinds of puzzles as well,” Ms Campbell said.
