A5008326103- Animal Ecology and Behavior Studies
- Animal Behavior and Reproduction
- Ecology and Vegetation Dynamics Studies
- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
- Plant and animal studies
- Viral Infections and Vectors
- Neuroendocrine regulation and behavior
- Yersinia bacterium, plague, ectoparasites research
- Zoonotic diseases and public health
- Viral gastroenteritis research and epidemiology
- Insect and Arachnid Ecology and Behavior
- Botany, Ecology, and Taxonomy Studies
- Evolution and Genetic Dynamics
- Biological Control of Invasive Species
- Ecology and biodiversity studies
- Fire effects on ecosystems
- Mosquito-borne diseases and control
- Insect and Pesticide Research
- Wildlife-Road Interactions and Conservation
- Botany and Plant Ecology Studies
- Viral Infections and Outbreaks Research
- Ethnobotanical and Medicinal Plants Studies
- Olfactory and Sensory Function Studies
Australian Wildlife Conservancy
2010-2020
The University of Melbourne
2016-2019
University of Antwerp
2012-2017
UNSW Sydney
2009-2016
Environmental Earth Sciences
2009-2016
Background Predator attraction to prey social signals can force trade-off the imperatives communicate against profound effect of predation on their future fitness. These tradeoffs underlie theories design and evolution conspecific signalling systems have received much attention in visual acoustic modes. Yet while most territorial mammals using olfactory hunting is widespread predators, evidence for predators under field conditions lacking. Methodology/Principal Findings To redress this...
Abstract Arenaviruses can cause mild to severe hemorrhagic fevers. Humans mainly get infected through contact with rodents or their excretions, yet little is known about transmission dynamics within rodent populations. Morogoro virus (MORV) an Old World arenavirus closely related Lassa which it shares the same host species Mastomys natalensis . We injected MORV in its and sampled blood excretions at frequent intervals. Infection adults was acute; viral RNA disappeared from after 18 days post...
Competing species benefit from eavesdropping on each other's signals by learning about shared resources or predators. But conspicuous are also open to exploitation predators and should pose a threat other sympatric prey species. In western Finland, sibling voles Microtus rossiameridionalis field M. agrestis compete for food space, both rely upon scent marks intraspecific communication. Both vole range of terrestrial hunting such as least weasels, however, the competitively superior taken...
Abstract The availability of resources, their effect on population density and territoriality, the ways in which these factors are interwoven with mating systems important determinants small mammal space use. It is often difficult to study patterns an integrated way, however, especially because long‐term data needed but not readily available. In this paper, we investigate effects density, season breeding status home range promiscuous rodent Mastomys natalensis using monthly...
Density‐dependent shifts in population processes like territoriality, reproduction, dispersal, and parasite transmission are driven by changes contacts between individuals. Despite this, surprisingly little is known about how change with density, thus the mechanisms driving density‐dependent processes. A simple linear contact–density function often assumed, but this not based on a sound basis of empirical data. We addressed question using replicated, semi‐natural experiment which we measured...
Abstract Aim The spatial structure of a population can strongly influence the dynamics infectious diseases, yet rarely is underlying quantified. A case in point plague, an zoonotic disease caused by bacterium Yersinia pestis . Plague within Central Asian desert plague focus have been extensively modelled recent years, but always with strong uniformity assumptions about distribution its primary reservoir host, great gerbil ( Rhombomys opimus ). Yet, while clustering this species’ burrows due...
1. Social signalling can be risky when signals are open to exploitation by eavesdropping predators. Unlike other signal modalities, olfactory cannot 'switched off' in the presence of an predator, leaving receivers scent at increased risk predation long after signaller has moved on. Yet individuals some olfactorily communicating species appear unwilling forego receiving under predation. Foraging theory predicts that operate multiple spatial scales, however, such prey behaviour should...
Exploration and activity are often described as trade-offs between the fitness benefits of gathering information resources, potential costs increasing exposure to predators parasites. More exploratory individuals predicted have higher rates parasitism, but this relationship has rarely been examined for virus infections in wild populations. Here, we used multimammate mouse Mastomys natalensis investigate exploration, activity, infection with Morogoro (MORV). We characterized individual...
Abstract Reinvasion of pest animals after incomplete control is a major challenge for invasive species management, yet little known about the behavioural and demographic categories reinvaders or mechanisms that drive population‐level responses to control. To understand fine‐scale reinvasion, we examined changes in demography, movements activity patterns reinvading alien black rats Rattus rattus short (4 weeks) longer term (3 months) following localised experimental removal. Using recovery...
The impact of urbanisation is delayed for many species, as populations that manage to survive the initial loss habitat gradually decline throughout urban–bushland mosaic. Yet species’ chances persistence within urban areas can be increased through relatively simple management techniques, and an understanding how remnant use interface between natural landscapes therefore crucial their long-term management. Here we examine preferences a semi-urban population long-nosed bandicoots (Perameles...
Abstract Males typically adjust their reproductive strategies based on the perceived density and relative abilities of nearby competitors. In high-density populations, repeated encounters facilitate reliable, learned associations between individuals competitive abilities. contrast, opportunities to form such are limited when densities low or in flux, increasing risk that will unintentionally engage potentially costly interactions with higher-quality aggressive opponents. To maximize fitness,...
The Editors of the Journal Animal Ecology are pleased to announce that winner 2010 Elton Prize for papers published in Volume 79 is Nelika Hughes from University New South Wales. In this study Nelika, with co-author Peter Banks, uses house mouse examine how spatial distribution conspecific scent signals and perceived level predation risk cats affect behaviour overall activity across a range scales. chose paper because experimental design neat very well written. statistical analysis data...