Environmental temperature influences detectability of a nocturnal marsupial
Gillian N. Kowalick A * , Alexandra K. Ross A and Helen A. Crisp AA
Abstract
Mammals have a range of strategies designed to maintain optimal body temperature regardless of environmental temperature. One energy-efficient strategy is to avoid environmental temperature extremes by modifying active periods. Reduced animal activity can result in fewer detections of target species during surveys that require direct observation of individuals. Observations of the greater bilby (Macrotis lagotis) from 8 years of survey data were investigated to determine the impact of environmental temperature and season on bilby detectability. Bilby observations were positively correlated with temperature regardless of season. Wildlife managers should consider minimum environmental temperatures when planning surveys and analysing observational data.
Keywords: activity, behaviour, bilby, conservation, marsupial, monitoring methods, observational data, semi-arid, spotlight survey, temperature.
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