Extinct vertebrates of Pacific Islands and their niche data

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Summary: This dataset contains comprehensive extinction information and niche data for all land-using vertebrates that have become globally extinct on inhabited Pacific Islands since first human settlement. Extinction data includes documented or inferred former range, cause of extinction and year or time period of extinction. Niche information includes diet, habitat and lifestyle. The Pacific Islands included are those islands that were not connected to a continent during the last glacial maximum within Micronesia, Melanesia, Polynesia, and Hawaii, plus Norfolk and Lord Howe Islands (Australia) and Easter Island (Chile). This dataset was used to determine ecological replacement species to inform an understanding of rewilding opportunities on Pacific Islands for the purpose of conservation, and we include information on whether each extinct species was included in the ecological replacement analysis.

Authors: Dawlings F. M. E., Southwell D. M., Griffin A. S., Wilson M., McGregor N. A., Clarke R. H., Andersen A. H., Hayward M. W.

Funding: This project is jointly funded by the Australian Government under the National Environmental Science Program, the Director of National Parks, and The University of Newcastle.