Extrinsic threats and biological predisposition in animal extinction and rediscovery (TRANSFERRED to UQ 15/02/2007)

Species that have traits such as being large-bodied, habitat specialists, or from earlier-evolving lineages, are more vulnerable to extinction from threats such as habitat loss and introduced predators. However, the causes of vulnerability to extinction are poorly understood, especially in Australia, where recent research has undermined traditional explanations. I aim to develop a new theoretical basis for endangered species management, by quantifying how threats have interacted with each other, and with intrinsic biology, to 1) cause regional extinctions of mammals in Australia, 2) increase vulnerability of ancient taxa worldwide and 3) affect the chance that species are wrongly considered extinct.