Climate-driven changes in diet composition and physiological stress in an arboreal folivore at the semi-arid edge of its distribution

N. Davies; G.alina Gramotnev; L. Seabrook; C. McAlpine; G. Baxter; D. Lunney; A. Bradley

doi:10.1016/j.biocon.2014.02.004

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Climate-driven changes in diet composition and physiological stress in an arboreal folivore at the semi-arid edge of its distribution

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

Climate-driven changes in diet composition and physiological stress in an arboreal folivore at the semi-arid edge of its distribution

N. Davies, G.alina Gramotnev, L. Seabrook, C. McAlpine, G. Baxter, D. Lunney and A. Bradley

Biological Conservation, Vol.172, pp.80-88

2014

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2014.02.004

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Abstract

Species, particularly foliovores, at the trailing edge of their geographical range are likely to be most vulnerable to climate change as they respond to physiological stress and the decline in the nutrient richness of their food source. We investigate the effect of environmental conditions on diet composition, resource use, and physiological stress of koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) in the semi-arid landscapes of southwest Queensland, Australia, across three different biogeographic regions. Fresh faecal pellets were collected to measure cortisol metabolites and assess diet. Regression analyses were used to relate the diet composition and physiological stress of wild koalas to environmental variables. The impact of drought was apparent, with higher faecal cortisol metabolites (FCM) levels recorded during drought conditions compared with post-flood conditions. Diet composition also changed between drought and post-flood conditions, with diets during drought being mainly composed of species with high leaf-moisture content. Low minimum temperatures increased FCM concentrations, and these effects were greater during drought conditions. The results demonstrate the importance of integrating physiological assessments into ecological studies to identify stressors that have the potential to compromise the long-term survival of threatened species, as well as the need to identify the resources required for their continued survival.

Details

Title: Climate-driven changes in diet composition and physiological stress in an arboreal folivore at the semi-arid edge of its distribution
Authors/Creators: N. Davies (Author/Creator) - The University of Queensland
G.alina Gramotnev (Author/Creator)
L. Seabrook (Author/Creator) - The University of Queensland
C. McAlpine (Author/Creator) - The University of Queensland
G. Baxter (Author/Creator) - The University of Queensland
D. Lunney (Author/Creator) - Murdoch University
A. Bradley (Author/Creator) - The University of Queensland
Publication Details: Biological Conservation, Vol.172, pp.80-88
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Identifiers: 991005541344407891
Copyright: © 2014 Elsevier Ltd
Murdoch Affiliation: School of Veterinary and Life Sciences
Language: English
Resource Type: Journal article

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Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration
Citation topics: 3 Agriculture, Environment & Ecology; 3.35 Zoology & Animal Ecology; 3.35.693 Primate Behavior
Web Of Science research areas: Biodiversity Conservation; Ecology; Environmental Sciences
ESI research areas: Environment/Ecology