Behavioural transition probabilities in dugongs change with habitat and predator presence: implications for sirenian conservation
Aaron J. Wirsing A C and Michael R. Heithaus B
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A School of Environmental and Forest Sciences, Box 352100, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA.
B School of Environment, Arts and Society, Florida International University, ACI-318, 3000 NE 151st, North Miami, FL 33181, USA.
C Corresponding author. Email: wirsinga@u.washington.edu
Marine and Freshwater Research 63(11) 1069-1076 https://doi.org/10.1071/MF12074
Submitted: 11 March 2012 Accepted: 11 June 2012 Published: 26 November 2012
Abstract
Although not widely appreciated, prey can manage predation risk by modifying the sequence of their behavioural states. We explored this phenomenon in dugongs (Dugong dugon) subject to spatially and temporally variable risk of tiger shark (Galeocerdo cuvier) predation in Shark Bay, Australia. Dugong behaviour was assayed using focal follows and organised into sequences of foraging, resting, and travelling bouts. We used log-linear analysis to test for sequence differences in relation to habitat (deep, shallow) and predation danger (sharks present, largely absent). Dugongs modified their behavioural sequences between periods of high and low shark abundance: those at risk alternated more frequently between foraging, which constrains anti-predator vigilance, and travelling, which facilitates predator detection. Dugongs also avoided continuous series of resting bouts, during which awareness is reduced, when sharks were present. These changes were only observed in relatively dangerous shallow habitat, which is hunted disproportionately by tiger sharks; behavioural responses to sharks in deep habitat were modest. We conclude that dugongs in risky habitat resort to safer behavioural sequences in response to sharks. Given that human disturbance and predators are perceived similarly by many species, some forms of vessel interaction could compromise the fitness of sirenians by eliciting similar behavioural adjustment.
Additional keywords : Behavioral indicators, behavioral sequences, Dugong dugon, Galeocerdo cuvier, Markov chain, Shark Bay, tiger shark.
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