Exploratory behaviour in northern brown bandicoots (<i>Isoodon macrourus</i>) in Tropical North Queensland, Australia

Wendy Callaway; Sarah Kerr; Tasmin Rymer

Just Accepted

This article has been peer reviewed and accepted for publication. It is in production and has not been edited, so may differ from the final published form.

Exploratory behaviour in northern brown bandicoots (Isoodon macrourus) in Tropical North Queensland, Australia

Wendy Callaway, Sarah Kerr, Tasmin Rymer

Abstract

Little is known of bandicoot and bilby (i.e. Peramelemorphia) exploratory behaviour (e.g. activity in an open field). In a pilot study, we assessed activity of 14 adult male northern brown bandicoots (Isoodon macrourus) in a modified open field over two nights. While we found no consistent intra-individual variation, males in poorer body condition were in better breeding condition, suggesting a possible trade-off between reproduction and maintenance. Older males with larger testes and in better breeding condition reduced activity from Day 1 to Day 2, possibly to minimise energetic expenditure. Our pilot study of the exploratory behaviour of northern brown bandicoots suggests interesting avenues for future research in Peramelemorphia behaviour generally.

AM24048 Accepted 05 December 2024