Population demography of the Tasmanian short-beaked echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus)
Tamika J. Lunn![https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4439-2045](/media/client/orcid_16x16.png)
A School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, Sandy Bay, Tas. 7005, Australia.
B ARC Centre of Excellence for Australian Biodiversity and Heritage, Canberra, ACT, Australia.
Australian Journal of Zoology 69(3) 80-91 https://doi.org/10.1071/ZO21037
Submitted: 29 August 2021 Accepted: 27 January 2022 Published: 15 March 2022
© 2021 The Author(s) (or their employer(s)). Published by CSIRO Publishing. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC-ND)
Abstract
Deriving estimates of demographic parameters and the processes driving them is crucial for identifying wildlife management options. The short-beaked echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus) is the most widely distributed native Australian mammal, yet little is known of its population dynamics due to its cryptic nature. Consequently, assessment of the impacts of climate and threats on echidna populations has been difficult. We analyse 19 years (1996–2014) of mark–recapture data to estimate survival and reproductive rates of a Tasmanian population of short-beaked echidna, and to evaluate the influence of regional weather patterns on its demographics. Population size showed high year-to-year variation, ranging from 1 to 40 echidnas km2 across the study area. Known-fate modelling of radio-tracked individuals suggested that climatic conditions impacted survival; average longevity was estimated at 16.7 years but only 4.8 years when the total spring/summer rainfall was below 125 mm, and 6.25 in years when temperatures more frequently exceeded 32°C. Recruitment, estimated from Pradel analyses, was low in the population (β = 0.08) and not significantly affected by climate. These results are the first quantitative estimates of climate effects, survival, and recruitment for this species, and suggest that climate-enhanced drying and temperature increase would pose a threat to echidna populations in Tasmania.
Keywords: capture–mark–recapture, population dynamics, population estimation, population modelling, radiotelemetry, rainfall change, recruitment estimation, survival estimation.
References
Augee, M (1978). Metabolic consequences of subspecific pelage variations in the echidna. Australian Zoologist 20, 105–110.Bird, T, Lyon, J, Nicol, S, McCarthy, M, and Barker, R (2014). Estimating population size in the presence of temporary migration using a joint analysis of telemetry and capture–recapture data. Methods in Ecology and Evolution 5, 615–625.
| Estimating population size in the presence of temporary migration using a joint analysis of telemetry and capture–recapture data.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Brice, PH, Grigg, GC, Beard, LA, and Donovan, JA (2002a). Patterns of activity and inactivity in echidnas (Tachyglossus aculeatus) free-ranging in a hot dry climate: correlates with ambient temperature, time of day and season. Australian Journal of Zoology 50, 461–475.
| Patterns of activity and inactivity in echidnas (Tachyglossus aculeatus) free-ranging in a hot dry climate: correlates with ambient temperature, time of day and season.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Brice, PH, Grigg, GC, Beard, LA, and Donovan, JA (2002b). Heat tolerance of short-beaked echidnas (Tachyglossus aculeatus) in the field. Journal of Thermal Biology 27, 449–457.
| Heat tolerance of short-beaked echidnas (Tachyglossus aculeatus) in the field.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Burnham KP, Anderson DR (2002) ‘Model Selection and Multimodel Inference: a Practical Information-theoretic Approach.’ (Springer Science & Business Media: Fort Collins, CO, USA)
Cooch E, White G (2016) ‘Program MARK: a Gentle Introduction.’ (Colorado State University: Fort Collins, CO, USA)
Crandall LS (1964) ‘The Management of Wild Mammals in Captivity.’ (University of Chicago Press: Chicago, IL, USA)
Damuth, J (1987). Interspecific allometry of population density in mammals and other animals: the independence of body mass and population energy-use. Biological Journal of the Linnean Society 31, 193–246.
| Interspecific allometry of population density in mammals and other animals: the independence of body mass and population energy-use.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Frick, WF, Reynolds, DS, and Kunz, TH (2010). Influence of climate and reproductive timing on demography of little brown myotis Myotis lucifugus. Journal of Animal Ecology 79, 128–136.
| Influence of climate and reproductive timing on demography of little brown myotis Myotis lucifugus.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Gelman A, Hill H (2007) ‘Data Analysis using Regression and Multilevel/hierarchical Models.’ (Cambridge University Press: New York, NY, USA)
Griffiths M (1978) ‘The Biology of Monotremes.’ p. 367. (Academic Press Inc.: New York, NY, USA)
Griffiths, M, Wells, RT, and Barrie, DJ (1991). Observations on the skulls of fossil and extant echidnas (Monotremata: Tachyglossidae). Australian Mammalogy 14, 87–101.
| Observations on the skulls of fossil and extant echidnas (Monotremata: Tachyglossidae).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Grosbois, V, Gimenez, O, Gaillard, J-M, Pradel, R, Barbraud, C, Clobert, J, Møller, AP, and Weimerskirch, H (2008). Assessing the impact of climate variation on survival in vertebrate populations. Biological Reviews 83, 357–399.
| Assessing the impact of climate variation on survival in vertebrate populations.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 18715402PubMed |
Harris S, Kitchener A (2005) ‘From Forest to Fjaeldmark: Descriptions of Tasmania’s Vegetation.’ (Department of Primary Industries Water and Environment: Hobart, Tas., Australia)
Hofman, MA (1993). Encephalization and the evolution of longevity in mammals. Journal of Evolutionary Biology 6, 209–227.
| Encephalization and the evolution of longevity in mammals.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Laake J, Rexstad E (2014) Rmark – an alternative approach to building linear models in MARK. In ‘Program MARK: a Gentle Introduction’. 13th edn. Appendix C. (Eds E Cooch, GC White) (Colorado State University: Fort Collins, Colorado, USA) Available at http://www.phidot.org/software/mark/docs/book/pdf/app_3.pdf
Lebreton, J-D, Burnham, KP, Clobert, J, and Anderson, DR (1992). Modeling survival and testing biological hypotheses using marked animals: a unified approach with case studies. Ecological Monographs 62, 67–118.
| Modeling survival and testing biological hypotheses using marked animals: a unified approach with case studies.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
McKenzie, NL, Burbidge, AA, Baynes, A, Brereton, RN, Dickman, CR, Gordon, G, Gibson, LA, Menkhorst, PW, Robinson, AC, Williams, MR, and Woinarski, JCZ (2007). Analysis of factors implicated in the recent decline of Australia’s mammal fauna. Journal of Biogeography 34, 597–611.
| Analysis of factors implicated in the recent decline of Australia’s mammal fauna.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Morrow, G, Andersen, NA, and Nicol, SC (2009). Reproductive strategies of the short-beaked echidna – a review with new data from a long-term study on the Tasmanian subspecies (Tachyglossus aculeatus setosus). Australian Journal of Zoology 57, 275–282.
| Reproductive strategies of the short-beaked echidna – a review with new data from a long-term study on the Tasmanian subspecies (Tachyglossus aculeatus setosus).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Morrow, GE, Jones, SM, and Nicol, SC (2016). Interaction of hibernation and male reproductive function in wild Tasmanian echidnas Tachyglossus aculeatus setosus. Journal of Mammalogy 97, 852–860.
| Interaction of hibernation and male reproductive function in wild Tasmanian echidnas Tachyglossus aculeatus setosus.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Morrow, GE, Jones, SM, and Nicol, SC (2017). Frozen embryos? Torpor during pregnancy in the Tasmanian short-beaked echidna Tachyglossus aculeatus setosus. General and Comparative Endocrinology 244, 139–145.
| Frozen embryos? Torpor during pregnancy in the Tasmanian short-beaked echidna Tachyglossus aculeatus setosus.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 26562301PubMed |
Musser AM (2006) Furry egg-layers: monotreme relationships and radiations. In ‘Evolution and Biogeography of Australasian Vertebrates’. (Eds J. R. Merrick, M. Archer, G M. Hickey, and M. S. Y. Lee.) pp. 523–550. (Auscipub Pty Ltd: Sydney, Australia)
Nicol SC (2015) Family Tachyglossidae (echidnas). In ‘Handbook of Mammals of the World. Vol. 5. Monotremes and Marsupials’. (Eds DE Wilson, RA Mittermeier) pp. 34–57. (Lynx Edicions: Barcelona, Spain)
Nicol, SC (2017). Energy homeostasis in monotremes. Frontiers in Neuroscience 11, 195.
| Energy homeostasis in monotremes.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 28484364PubMed |
Nicol, SC (2021). Diet, feeding behaviour and echidna beaks: a review of functional relationships within the tachyglossids. Australian Mammalogy 44, 39–50.
| Diet, feeding behaviour and echidna beaks: a review of functional relationships within the tachyglossids.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Nicol SC, Andersen NA (1996) Hibernation in the echidna: not an adaptation to cold? In ‘Adaptations to the Cold: Tenth International Hibernation Symposium’. (Eds F Geiser, AJ Hulbert and SC Nicol) pp. 7–12. (University of New England Press: Armidale, NSW, Australia)
Nicol, SC, and Andersen, NA (2002). The timing of hibernation in Tasmanian echidnas: why do they do it when they do? Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part B: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 131, 603–611.
| The timing of hibernation in Tasmanian echidnas: why do they do it when they do?Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Nicol, S, and Andersen, NA (2007a). The life history of an egg-laying mammal, the echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus). Ecoscience 14, 275–285.
| The life history of an egg-laying mammal, the echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Nicol, SC, and Andersen, NA (2007b). Cooling rates and body temperature regulation of hibernating echidnas (Tachyglossus aculeatus). Journal of Experimental Biology 210, 586–592.
| Cooling rates and body temperature regulation of hibernating echidnas (Tachyglossus aculeatus).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Nicol SC, Morrow GE (2012) Sex and seasonality: reproduction in the echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus). In ‘Living in a Seasonal World: Thermoregulatory and Metabolic Adaptations’. (Eds T Ruf, C Bieber, W Arnold, E Millesi) pp. 143–153. (Springer: Heidelberg, Germany)
Nicol, SC, Vanpé, C, Sprent, J, Morrow, G, and Andersen, NA (2011). Spatial ecology of a ubiquitous Australian anteater, the short-beaked echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus). Journal of Mammalogy 92, 101–110.
| Spatial ecology of a ubiquitous Australian anteater, the short-beaked echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Nicol, SC, Andersen, NA, Morrow, GE, and Harris, RL (2018). Spurs, sexual dimorphism and reproductive maturity in Tasmanian echidnas (Tachyglossus aculeatus setosus). Australian Mammalogy 41, 161–169.
| Spurs, sexual dimorphism and reproductive maturity in Tasmanian echidnas (Tachyglossus aculeatus setosus).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Nicol, SC, Morrow, GE, and Harris, RL (2019). Energetics meets sexual conflict: the phenology of hibernation in Tasmanian echidnas (Tachyglossus aculeatus setosus). Functional Ecology 33, 2150–2160.
| Energetics meets sexual conflict: the phenology of hibernation in Tasmanian echidnas (Tachyglossus aculeatus setosus).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Pardon, LG, Brook, BW, Griffiths, AD, and Braithwaite, RW (2003). Determinants of survival for the northern brown bandicoot under a landscape-scale fire experiment. Journal of Animal Ecology 72, 106–115.
| Determinants of survival for the northern brown bandicoot under a landscape-scale fire experiment.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Rismiller P (1999) ‘The Echidna: Australia’s Enigma.’ (Hugh Lauter Levin Associates: Fairfield, CT, USA)
Rismiller, PD, and Grutzner, F (2019). Tachyglossus aculeatus (Monotremata: Tachyglossidae). Mammalian Species 51, 75–91.
| Tachyglossus aculeatus (Monotremata: Tachyglossidae).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Rismiller, PD, and McKelvey, MW (2000). Frequency of breeding and recruitment in the short-beaked echidna, Tachyglossus aculeatus. Journal of Mammalogy 81, 1–17.
| Frequency of breeding and recruitment in the short-beaked echidna, Tachyglossus aculeatus.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Rismiller, PD, and McKelvey, MW (2003). Body mass, age and sexual maturity in short-beaked echidnas, Tachyglossus aculeatus. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part A: Molecular & Integrative Physiology 136, 851–865.
| Body mass, age and sexual maturity in short-beaked echidnas, Tachyglossus aculeatus.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Sandercock, BK (2006). Estimation of demographic parameters from live-encounter data: a summary review. Journal of Wildlife Management 70, 1504–1520.
| Estimation of demographic parameters from live-encounter data: a summary review.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Schmid, J, Andersen, NA, Speakman, JR, and Nicol, SC (2003). Field energetics of free-living, lactating and non-lactating echidnas (Tachyglossus aculeatus). Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part A: Molecular & Integrative Physiology 136, 903–909.
| Field energetics of free-living, lactating and non-lactating echidnas (Tachyglossus aculeatus).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Schradin, C, and Hayes, LD (2017). A synopsis of long-term field studies of mammals: achievements, future directions, and some advice. Journal of Mammalogy 98, 670–677.
| A synopsis of long-term field studies of mammals: achievements, future directions, and some advice.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Sikes, RS, and Gannon, WL (2011). Guidelines of the American Society of Mammalogists for the use of wild mammals in research. Journal of Mammalogy 92, 235–253.
| Guidelines of the American Society of Mammalogists for the use of wild mammals in research.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Smith, A, Wellham, G, and Green, S (1989). Seasonal foraging activity and microhabitat selection by echidnas (Tachyglossus aculeatus) on the New England Tablelands. Australian Journal of Ecology 14, 457–466.
| Seasonal foraging activity and microhabitat selection by echidnas (Tachyglossus aculeatus) on the New England Tablelands.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Sprent, J, and Nicol, SC (2012). Influence of habitat on home-range size in the short-beaked echidna. Australian Journal of Zoology 60, 46–53.
| Influence of habitat on home-range size in the short-beaked echidna.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Sprent, J, Jones, SM, and Nicol, SC (2012). Does leptin signal adiposity in the egg-laying mammal, Tachyglossus aculeatus? General and Comparative Endocrinology 178, 372–379.
| Does leptin signal adiposity in the egg-laying mammal, Tachyglossus aculeatus?Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 22750512PubMed |
White, GC, Burnham, KP, and Anderson, DR (2001). Advanced features of Program MARK. International Wildlife Management Congress 7, 368–377.
Williams BK, Nichols JD, Conroy MJ (2002) ‘Analysis and Management of Animal Populations.’ (Academic Press: San Diego, CA, USA)