Not so naïve: endangered mammal responds to olfactory cues of an introduced predator after less than 150 years of coexistence

Steindler, Lisa; Letnic, Mike

doi:10.1007/s00265-020-02952-8

Original Article
Published: 03 January 2021

Not so naïve: endangered mammal responds to olfactory cues of an introduced predator after less than 150 years of coexistence

Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology volume 75, Article number: 8 (2021) Cite this article

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Abstract

Inability to recognise and/or express effective anti-predator behaviour against novel predators as a result of ontogenetic and/or evolutionary isolation is known as ‘prey naiveté’. Natural selection favours prey species that are able to successfully detect, identify and appropriately respond to predators prior to their attack, increasing their probability of escape and/or avoidance of a predator. However, for many prey species, learning and experience are necessary to develop and perform appropriate anti-predator behaviours. Here, we investigate how a remnant population of bilbies (Macrotis lagotis) in south-west Queensland responded to the scents of two predators, native dingoes (Canis familiaris) and introduced feral cats (Felis catus); a procedural control (rabbits; Oryctolagus cuniculus); and an experimental control (no scent). Bilbies in Queensland have shared more than 8000 years of co-evolutionary history with dingoes and less than 140 years with feral cats and less than 130 years with rabbits. Bilbies spent the greatest proportion of time investigating and the least amount of time digging when cat and dingo/dog faeces were present. Our results show that wild-living bilbies displayed anti-predator responses towards the olfactory cues of both a long-term predator (dingoes) and an evolutionary novel predator (cats). Our findings suggest that native species can develop anti-predator responses towards introduced predators, providing support for the idea that predator naiveté can be overcome through learning and natural selection as a result of exposure to introduced predators.

Significance statement

Not so naïve—As a result of lifetime and/or evolutionary isolation from predators, some prey species appear to be naïve towards introduced predators. This is particularly the case in Australia, where native mammalian species appear to be naïve towards recently introduced predators such as the feral cat and European red fox. In a study of wild-living bilbies, we found that 150 years of co-evolutionary experience is enough to develop predator recognition.

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Data availability

The datasets generated and/or analysed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

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Acknowledgements

We thank private pet owners (Edwina Ring), Calabash Kennels & Cattery (Iris Bleach) and the Sydney Cat Protection Society for supply of odours and Sam Fischer and Chris Mitchell (Queensland National Park staff) for their assistance with the study. We would like to thank the reviewers for the comments and feedback, as they have greatly improved the structure of the paper.

Funding

This research was funded by the Holsworth Wildlife Research Endowment (to LS and ML) and Australian Research Council grant LP130100173 (ML).

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Authors and Affiliations

Centre for Ecosystem Science, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, 2052, Australia
Lisa Steindler & Mike Letnic
Evolution and Ecology Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, 2052, Australia
Mike Letnic

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Lisa Steindler
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Mike Letnic
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Correspondence to Mike Letnic.

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The authors delare that they have no conflicts of interest.

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All applicable international, national, and/or institutional guidelines for the care and use of animals were followed. This research was conducted according to University of New South Wales Animal Ethics approval 15/19A.

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Written informed consent was obtained from the owners of dogs, cats and rabbits whose faeces were used in this experiment.

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Steindler, L., Letnic, M. Not so naïve: endangered mammal responds to olfactory cues of an introduced predator after less than 150 years of coexistence. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 75, 8 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00265-020-02952-8

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Received: 07 May 2020
Revised: 10 December 2020
Accepted: 15 December 2020
Published: 03 January 2021
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00265-020-02952-8

Keywords

Anti-predator behaviour
Evolutionary history
Greater bilby
Prey naiveté hypothesis
Ontogenetic experience