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Antipredator responses of koomal (Trichosurus vulpecula hypoleucus) against introduced and native predators

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Abstract

Antipredator behavior studies generally assess prey responses to single predator species although most real systems contain multiple species. In multi-predator environments prey ideally use antipredator responses that are effective against all predator species, although responses may only be effective against one predator and counterproductive for another. Multi-predator systems may also include introduced predators that the prey did not co-evolve with, so the prey may either fail to recognize their threat (level 1 naiveté), use ineffective responses (level 2 naiveté) or succumb to their superior hunting ability (level 3 naiveté). We analyzed microhabitat selection of an Australian marsupial (koomal, Trichosurus vulpecula hypoleucus) when faced with spatiotemporal differences in the activity/density levels of one native (chuditch, Dasyurus geoffroii) and two introduced predators (red fox, Vulpes vulpes; feral cat, Felis catus). From this, we inferred whether koomal recognized introduced predators as a threat, and whether they minimized predation risk by either staying close to trees and/or using open or dense microhabitats. Koomal remained close to escape trees regardless of the predator species present, or activity/density levels, suggesting koomal employ this behavior as a first line of defense. Koomal shifted to dense cover only under high risk scenarios (i.e., with multiple predator species present at high densities). When predation risk was low, koomal used open microhabitats, which likely provided benefits not associated with predator avoidance. Koomal did not exhibit level 1 naiveté, although further studies are required to determine if they exhibit higher levels of naiveté (2–3) against foxes and cats.

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Acknowledgments

J. Cruz was supported by an Australian Postgraduate Award and an Invasive Animals CRC (IA-CRC) Scholarship. D. Sutherland and A. Glen were supported by IA-CRC Postdoctoral Fellowships. Research funds were provided by the Western Australian Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) and the IA-CRC. Procedures were carried out in accordance with animal ethics permit CAEC/54/2006 (DEC). The authors wish to thank S. Garretson, R. Hill, L. Strümpher, DEC volunteers and in particular L. Bloomfield, for technical assistance as well as R.P. Pech, A.D. Latham and M.C. Latham for useful contributions to the manuscript prior to submission.

Ethical standards

We hereby declare that the present study complies with the ethical standards of animal research in Australia.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Agriculture and Food Sciences, University of Queensland, Gatton, QLD, 4343, Australia

    Jennyffer Cruz & Luke K.-P. Leung

  2. Invasive Animals Cooperative Research Centre, University of Canberra, Kirinari St, Bruce, ACT, 2617, Australia

    Jennyffer Cruz, Duncan R. Sutherland & Alistair S. Glen

  3. Department of Environment and Conservation, Dwellingup Research Centre, Banksiadale Rd, Dwellingup, WA, 6213, Australia

    Jennyffer Cruz, Duncan R. Sutherland, Alistair S. Glen & Paul J. de Tores

  4. Landcare Research, PO Box 40, Lincoln, 7640, New Zealand

    Jennyffer Cruz, Dean P. Anderson & Alistair S. Glen

  5. Research Department, Phillip Island Nature Parks, PO Box 97, Cowes, 3922, Australia

    Duncan R. Sutherland

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  1. Jennyffer Cruz
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Correspondence to Jennyffer Cruz.

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Communicated by E. Korpimäki

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Cruz, J., Sutherland, D.R., Anderson, D.P. et al. Antipredator responses of koomal (Trichosurus vulpecula hypoleucus) against introduced and native predators. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 67, 1329–1338 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00265-013-1561-2

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