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CC BY-NC V4.0, Open Access
Journal article
Predator escape behaviour in threatened marsupials
Animal conservation, Vol.26(4), pp.587-601
2023
Abstract
Escaping from predators is fundamental for the survival of any prey species. Australian fauna within the 'critical weight range' (CWR; 35 g-5.5 kg) are vulnerable to introduced eutherian predators. The absence of co-evolution between native marsupials and these novel predators may suggest that their antipredator behaviour towards the hunting strategies of these predators is inappropriate or ineffective. We quantified the escape behaviour of eight CWR marsupial taxa (three quadrupedal bandicoots and five bipedal macropods) to determine if differences in how they escape from predators indicate their ability to respond appropriately and effectively to introduced predators. Animals were filmed escaping through a runway and 20 measures relating to their gait, speed and path characteristics were recorded. These were reduced to four dimensions using multidimensional scaling (MDS): MDS1 linear speed versus agility, MDS2 acceleration style, MDS3 reactivity and MDS4 gait characteristics. We found a strong link between the phylogenetic relatedness of species and their use of linear speed or agility when fleeing (phylogenetic heritability, h(2) = 0.96). Bipedal macropod species used straight-line, fast escapes, which may be suited to escape pursuit predators. The quadrupedal bandicoots had an overall slower escape but were more likely to use sudden changes of direction, which can be successful if pursued by a larger, less mobile predator or where there is sufficient vegetation cover to obstruct pursuit. Repeated exposure increased linear speed (MDS1) and hastened the timing of acceleration (MDS2). The phylogenetic signal for escape speed/straightness suggests specific escape tactics may be constrained by morphology, although animals increased the intensity of their response after repeated exposure, suggesting training could enhance effective antipredator responses.
Details
- Title
- Predator escape behaviour in threatened marsupials
- Authors/Creators
- N. E. Tay - Murdoch UniversityN. M. Warburton - Murdoch UniversityK. E. Moseby - UNSW SydneyP. A. Fleming - Murdoch University
- Publication Details
- Animal conservation, Vol.26(4), pp.587-601
- Publisher
- John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Zoological Society of London.
- Number of pages
- 14
- Grant note
- Holsworth Wildlife Research Endowment Ecological Society of Australia Equity Trustees Charitable Foundation
- Identifiers
- 991005579919807891
- Copyright
- © 2023 The Authors.
- Murdoch Affiliation
- Centre for Terrestrial Ecosystem Science and Sustainability; School of Environmental and Conservation 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
- 3.35.274 Wildlife Ecology
- Web Of Science research areas
- Biodiversity Conservation
- Ecology
- ESI research areas
- Environment/Ecology