Academic literature on the topic 'Mice Control Australia'

The wild house mouse (Mus domesticus) is not native to Australia and was introduced from Europe with early settlement. It undergoes periodic population explosions or plagues, which place significant economic and social burdens on agricultural communities. Present control mechanisms rely on improvements to farm hygiene and the use of rodenticides. This review covers over a decade of work on the use of virally vectored immunocontraception (VVIC) as an adjunct method of controlling mouse populations. Two viral vectors, ectromelia virus (ECTV) and murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) have been tested as potential VVIC vectors: MCMV has been the most widely studied vector because it is endemic to Australia; ECTV less so because its use would have required the introduction of a new pathogen into the Australian environment. Issues such as efficacy, antigen choice, resistance, transmission, species specificity and safety of VVIC are discussed. In broad terms, both vectors when expressing murine zona pellucida 3 (mZP3) induced long-term infertility in most directly inoculated female mice. Whereas innate and acquired resistance to MCMV may be a barrier to VVIC, the most significant barrier appears to be the attenuation seen in MCMV-based vectors. This attenuation is likely to prevent sufficient transmission for broad-scale use. Should this issue be overcome, VVIC has the potential to contribute to the control of house mouse populations in Australia.

Wild populations of house mice (Mus domesticus) regularly undergo population eruptions in the cereal growing regions of S.E. Australia, causing significant damage to crops. Rodenticides are costly and are of limited usefulness, and the need for a biological control agent is widely recognized. The options for the use of an infectious agent to control mouse populations are considered. The three main types are: infectious agents which establish lethal infection; those which directly interfere with fertility; and recombinant virus vectors encoding fertility-associated proteins such as zona pellucida or sperm antigens in order to induce immunocontraceptive responses in infected mice. Ectromelia, a murine pox virus, has the potential for reducing mouse populations by lethal infection but it is not present in wild mice in Australia. The disadvantages of using ectromelia are that it would pose a significant threat to colonies of laboratory mice, there appears to be substantial innate resistance in Australian wild mice and it may not be entirely mouse-specific, thus placing native rodents at risk. A number of factors influencing the selection of a virus as a vector for immunocontraception are discussed. The mouse-specific murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) fits most of these criteria. Infection with MCMV is already widespread in Australia with 80-90% of Mus domesticus tested being seropositive. It is a large DNA virus which establishes persistent, non-lethal infection, it is a suitable vector for the insertion of foreign genes and has a number of properties, including the capacity for superinfection, that should assist the recombinant virus to persist in wild mouse populations and induce an immunocontraceptive effect.

Mice cause substantial economic, social, and environmental damage to rural production systems and communities in Australia, especially during mouse plagues. The losses and damage caused by mice to hay/fodder storage are not well understood, given the size of the industry, so a pilot study (survey of 14 growers) was designed to better understand the physical and economic damage, consider disease implications, and identify the management strategies available. During a mouse plague, mice were regarded as the only factor (other than weather) that affected the long-term sustainability of fodder storage. Growers were feeding fodder to livestock (sheep/cattle) at twice the rate they normally would because of mouse damage and contamination. Mice damaged strings and the structure of bales, making transport impractical, leading to destruction of some stacks. Losses caused by mice were estimated at AUD 140,000 (range = AUD 7000–461,580; equivalent to 30–40% loss of value) and included estimates of physical damage to hay/fodder bales, rodenticides, and labour costs. Growers were concerned about contamination and disease transfer to livestock (and workers) from mice through urine/faeces and their carcasses, especially during mouse plagues. There are significant gaps in our knowledge on the impacts of mice to fodder storage in Australia. Research is needed to (1) identify effective mouse control options, (2) determine the economic impact of mice, and (3) undertake a disease study of mice, to help inform appropriate management strategies for effective control.

The murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) may be used as a vector for fertility control in house mice, which are a significant agricultural pest in south-eastern Australia. The transmission of MCMV can be density dependent and is mostly subclinical in its effect on mice; however, little is known about which individual parameters influence whether an animal is likely to be infected or not.We examined the impact of age and reproductive history on seroprevalence of MCMV in house mice during the breeding season. MCMV seroprevalence was density dependent and there was a linear increase in seroprevalence with increasing age, starting at 25% for 1-month-old mice and 100% for all individuals older than five months. There was no clear indication that the number of previous pregnancies was related to MCMV seroprevalence.The high prevalence of MCMV among adult female house mice (84%) implies that an Australian field strain of MCMV could be a promising vector for an immunocontraceptive for house mice.

Virally vectored immunocontraception using a modified murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) is being developed for the control of house mice in Australia. In this paper, we develop disease–host models using a combination of laboratory and field data. We then combine these models with a model of a previous mouse population outbreak to explore the likely effectiveness of modified MCMV for controlling mice. Models of homogeneous mixing with and without vertical/pseudovertical transmission provided reasonable fits to field serological data collected during the onset and development of a mouse population outbreak in south-eastern Australia. Both models include the high transmission rate of MCMV suggested by the data. We found no strong support for non-linear contact rates or heterogeneous mixing. When applied to a past outbreak of mice both models gave similar results and suggested that immunocontraceptive MCMV could be effective at reducing agricultural damage to acceptable levels. Successful control was still possible when lags in the development of infertility of up to 10 weeks were added to the model, provided high levels of infertility were achieved. These lags were added because mice can become pregnant just before becoming infertile – the resultant litter would not emerge for 6–7 weeks. Trade-offs between two parameters that could be altered by engineering strains of MCMV – the level of infertility in infected mice and the virus transmission rate – were explored and suggest that a variety of parameter combinations could produce successful control. Our results are encouraging for the future development of virally vectored immunocontraception control of house mice, but future work will need to consider some of the assumptions of these single-strain models.

Feral house mice are a significant agricultural pest in south-eastern Australia. Fertility control is favoured as a long-term control strategy, using murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) as a viral delivery system for an immunocontraceptive. We examined the impact of one and two non-sterilising field strains of MCMV on populations of house mice housed under semi-natural conditions. MCMV had no effect on the proportion of females pregnant or lactating or on the number of placental scars per female. However, females in enclosures with two strains of MCMV produced fewer litters. No impact of MCMV was detected on adult survival, with high survival (>95%) detected in all enclosures. Similar numbers of the first cohort of young entered the trappable population of all enclosures. There was no significant impact of MCMV on survival of young mice, although there was a trend for reduced numbers of the second cohort of young and less successful recruitment in enclosures with two strains of MCMV. The two cohorts of young mice in enclosures with MCMV had poorer body condition. These impacts of infection on young mice imply that MCMV may have negative effects on survival only when the host immune system is not fully developed or the host is immunocompromised. Overall, there was no effect of MCMV on the rate of increase of the mouse populations. Therefore, the effects of MCMV were minor at a demographic level, confirming the suitability of an Australian field strain of MCMV as a vector for an immunocontraceptive of mice.

In New Zealand and Australia, 25 and 16 introduced mammals are viewed as pests, respectively, as well as a further 17 native mammals in Australia. Most introductions were deliberate and the deleterious effects became apparent later. These pests affect primary production, act as a sylvatic reservoir of disease, cause degradation of natural ecosystems, or threaten rare or endangered native animals and plants. Many species have multiple impacts. In Australia, some native mammals, particularly kangaroos and wallabies, are also controlled because of their adverse impacts on primary production. In both countries, current control depends largely on the use of poisons, shooting, the spread of disease (in the case of rabbits), trapping, habitat alteration, and commercial or recreational hunting. Methods of control by interfering with fertility (immunocontraception) are currently being investigated for rabbits, house mice, foxes, and kangaroos in Australia, and for the brushtail possum in New Zealand. If these methods prove effective, they may be applied to other mammal pests, but the need to tailor the particular approach to the ecology and behaviour of the species means that there will be a necessarily long lead time

Although Australia has a diverse native rodent fauna, the population dynamics and habitat requirements of most species have not yet been identified. Effective management for conservation of these species is therefore hindered. The aim of the present study was to investigate the habitat use and population dynamics of the ash-grey mouse (Pseudomys albocinereus) through trapping and radio-tracking in Boonanarring Nature Reserve, Western Australia. Although there was no relationship between capture rate and time since fire, ash-grey mice selected dense understorey vegetation. Burrows (47% of 19 unique daytime locations), Xanthorrhoea spp. (26%), tree hollows (11%), shrubs (11%), and logs were selected as daytime refuges. Mean (±s.e.) short-term home-range size was 1.70±0.97ha (n=9) (maximum=9.15ha). There was some evidence that ash-grey mice may be excluded from favourable habitat by a high abundance of house mice (Mus musculus). Management to prevent declines of ash-grey mice should minimise threats to significant habitat features – areas with dense understorey vegetation, soils suitable for burrowing, grasstrees, hollow logs, and tree hollows. Suitable management strategies include: retention or rehabilitation of remnant vegetation; exclusion of livestock; low-intensity, small-area burns; and control of weeds, introduced predators and Phytophthora cinnamomi.

The hypothesis that a liver-inhabiting nematode, Capillaria hepatica, can regulate abundance of the house mouse (Mus domesticus) was tested in enclosures, in southeastern Australia. Changes in mouse abundance, and the relationship between mortality and host abundance were compared in three treatment and three control populations. Any effect of C. hepatica on mouse abundance was masked by an unknown regulating factor(s). This factor(s) caused density-dependent mortality in the control and treatment populations and, together with strong seasonal trends in parasite transmission, confounded our test of the ability of C. hepatica to regulate the abundance of house mice. The seasonal trends in transmission have important implications for the potential of this parasite as a biological control agent and for models of the interaction of C. hepatica and mouse populations. Transmission of C. hepatica apparently occurred throughout the 18 month study, further supporting its potential as a biological agent in the control of mouse plagues in this region.

Dasineura sp. is a gall forming midge that was introduced into South Africa for the biocontrol of the Australian myrtle, Leptospermum laevigatum. It causes galls on both the vegetative and reproductive buds of the plant. Although Dasineura sp. was initially regarded as a potentially successful agent, galling up to 99 percent of the buds of the host plant, it has been preyed on by native opportunistic mites, which caused a decline in the performance of the midge as a biocontrol agent of L. laevigatum. This raised a concern about whether this fly will be able to perform effectively in the presence of its new natural enemies. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to: 1) ascertain whether mite abundance has seasonal variations; 2) determine if plant density and plant size have an effect on midge predation by the mites; and 3) determine if midge predation varies in different locations. The study was conducted at three sites in the Hermanus area, Western Cape Province. Every three weeks for thirteen months, galls were collected and dissected so as to count and record the numbers of midge larvae, pupae, adults and mites that were found. Data collected showed that predation varied with season, and the mites were scarce during the flowering season. Predation also varied among the study sites and plant density had an effect on midge predation. Midges in smaller plants (saplings) were more vulnerable to predation than those in the bigger plants (plants from isolates and thickets). It was concluded that although mites have an effect on midge populations, they do not prevent their establishment on the plant. Therefore, a survey should be done in two to three years time to check if the midges are still persisting on the plant, vi and recommendations are that a new agent should be released to supplement the midges.

Balaustium medicagoense (Acari: Erythraeidae) and Bryobia spp. (Acari: Tetranychidae) have recently been identified as emerging pests of winter crops and pastures by the Australian grains industry. The relative importance of these mites and damage caused by them in Australia has markedly increased in the last decade, and pest reports indicate extensive damage to a variety of winter grain crops and pastures. Furthermore, pest reports suggest that these mites have been difficult to control in the field, with some pesticides described as being ineffective. Despite this, there is very little information about the biology and control of these species, making it difficult to devise effective and sustainable management strategies. This thesis addresses some of these concerns by investigating various aspects of the biology, ecology and genetics of these mites in broad acre agriculture in southern Australia.<br>Laboratory bioassays were undertaken to examine the response of Ba. medicagoense and B. sp. I (along with the redlegged earth mite (Halotydeus destructor) as a point of reference) to several currently registered pesticides against earth mites. Balaustium medicagoense and B. sp. I generally had a much greater level of tolerance to the pesticides tested than H. destructor. These mites therefore have a high natural tolerance to currently registered pesticides and may prove difficult to control in the field. These findings suggest other strategies that are not reliant on chemicals should be considered for control of Ba. medicagoense and B. sp. I.<br>The effects of different crop plants on the survival and reproduction of Ba. medicagoense and Bryobia spp. (B. sp. VIII and B. sp. IX) and the plant damage caused by these mites were investigated under shade-house conditions. In addition information from field surveys and pest report bulletins was collated to test for outbreak patterns. The findings showed that these mites were polyphagous, attacking a variety of agriculturally important plants as well as numerous weeds within southern Australia. Therefore, these mites have the potential to be important pests on several winter grain crops and pasture, but there are important differences in host responses that might assist in management strategies such as targeted crop rotations and weed management.<br>The distribution, life cycle, seasonal abundance patterns and the pest status of Ba. medicagoense and Bryobia spp. were examined in southern Australia. Both mites are widely distributed throughout Mediterranean-type climate areas within southern Australia. Balaustium medicagoense has two generations per year and was active from March until December, with a likely diapause period in summer. There were differences in the seasonal abundance and life cycle of two species of Bryobia (B. sp. IX and B. sp. I). Bryobia sp. IX had two generations per year, was active from March until December, and was likely to be in diapause over the summer months. Bryobia sp. I did not have a diapause stage, was active year round and had approximately four generations per year. Seasonal abundance patterns of Ba. medicagoense and B. sp. IX overlapped with those of the major pest mite species H. destructor and Penthaleus major. A survey of pest outbreaks and chemical control failures showed that while H. destructor and the Penthaleus species remained important pests, outbreaks and control failures involving Ba. medicagoense and Bryobia spp. had increased over the last decade.<br>The species/strain status of Balaustium and Bryobia mites from broad acre environments was examined in southern Australia using a combination of mitochondrial and nuclear DNA sequence data. In addition, the reproductive mode and genetic diversity of Ba. medicagoense was examined using the amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) method. Findings showed that Ba. medicagoense is the only species present in grain crops, pastures and roadsides within southern Australia, and at least seven species of Bryobia mites are present. The AFLP data revealed that Ba. medicagoense reproduces asexually and that genetic diversity was low with only 10 genotypes found from 16 populations.<br>Overall, the data presented in this thesis helps to explain why Ba. medicagoense and Bryobia spp. are emerging pests and points to ways in which these mites may be controlled in the future. The results show that these mites are difficult to control with currently registered pesticides, have a widespread distribution, can potentially increase in abundance rapidly under favourable conditions and persist across a wider range of seasonal conditions than other major pest earth mites. However, there are differences in pesticide susceptibilities and plant host responses that have the potential to be exploited when developing targeted control options for these pest mites.

This chapter discusses how, over the years, Australian filmmakers have responded to the public broadcaster's control over documentary funding, forms, production, and distribution patterns. It assess the evolution of the role of Australian television by focusing on a group of films dealing with asylum seekers, refugees, and immigration. Here, independence is not only understood in terms of production and distribution patterns, but also in terms of political stance and social commitment. The chapter examines two projects: one that sits at the commencement of official government filmmaking, and another, a television series emblematic of recent developments in Australian factual programming. Both of these projects, Mike and Stefani (1952) and Go Back to Where You Came From (2011) address Australian responses to asylum seekers and refugees.

Industry is implementing increasing amounts of automation into operations. The Australian mining industry is no exception as it is introducing autonomous mining vehicles and trains, remote controlled processing plants and the use of drones and robots to do survey and inspection work. Often these technologies are adopted to improve operational efficiencies and to reduce workers' exposure to high risk situations. However, in most mining environments, the adoption of automated technologies has not completely removed humans from the operation. Humans still need to interact with the technology to clean, service and maintain it. Humans also have to perform other tasks in the automated mining environment such as inspection of ground conditions, mapping mining and dump areas, maintaining roads and infrastructure etc. Thus, introducing automation into mining environments has the potential to introduce new and significant human-system interaction safety risks. The emergence of these new safety risks are evident in recent accidents in the mining industry as well as in other industries that have introduced automation. Traditionally, risk based approaches have been used in the Australian mining industry and other industries to identify and treat safety related risks. Such approaches include the use of hazard identification techniques (HAZID), Workplace Risk Assessment and Control (WRAC), Failure Mode and Effects Analysis or Failure Modes and Effects Criticality Analysis (FMEA or FMECA), and Process or Job based Hazard Analysis (PHA or JHA). These traditional techniques have helped reduce fatal and catastrophic incidents in the mining industry but deficiencies in their application has also been highlighted in a number of major accident investigation reports. In addition, recent research has suggested that that traditional risk identification techniques by not be effective for new, software-enabled technologies that are embedded in socio-technical systems with complex or dynamic human-system interactions. In response new socio-technical risk assessment approaches have been develop such as System Theoretic Process Analysis (STPA) and Strategies Analysis for Enhancing Resilience (SAfER). However no publications could be found that seek to understand from a end-user perspective the efficacy of the traditional and new techniques in assessing human-system interaction risks associated with the introduction of autonomous and automated technologies in mining environments.To begin to address this gap, research was conducted that sought to answer the question - What combination of risk assessment techniques delivers the most effective means of identifying risks associated with human-system interactions in remote and autonomous mining operations? The research method involved have mining industry professionals trial four techniques - Preliminary Hazard Analysis (HAZID), Failure Mode and Effects Criticality Analysis (FMECA), Strategies Analysis for Enhancing Resilience (SAfER), and System Theoretic Process Analysis (STPA) (Systems-theory Method) - in a workshop environment. Three different workshops were conducted each of which focused on a different automated technology. The first focused on identifying human-system interaction safety risks in surface mine automated haulage areas. The second focused on identifying human-system interaction safety risk associated with autonomous longwall mining operations underground. The third focused on human-system interaction safety risks associated with remote controlled operation of ore processing plants. After the workshop trialed each technique, the participants were survey to collect their perceptions of the usability and usefulness of each technique. Results from the participant feedback suggest that each techniques was able to identify potentially hazardous human-system interactions but that each had strengths and weaknesses depending on whether risks were being assessed risks pre or post implementation. A hybrid or combination approach was suggested with further testing of the proposed approach being recommended.