Work

The bold and the biased: the influence of behaviour on capture probability in woylies (Bettongia penicillata ogilbyi)

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Consistent differences in behaviour among individual animals are commonly observed. These behavioural types have important implications for monitoring populations as they can have a profound impact on detection probability. Behaviour-driven sampling bias has potential to greatly influence the conservation and management of woylies (Bettongia penicillata ogilbyi), that are primarily monitored using live trapping. This study explicitly tests whether there is any correlation between agitation behaviour (a repeatable trait) and cage trap capture probability in wild woylies, finding no evidence for an effect. This suggests that studies of woylies employing cage trapping are unlikely to be confounded by behaviour-driven sampling biases arising from this trait.

Source: Australian Mammalogy

DOI: 10.1071/am25028

Author: Natasha D. Harrison

Institutions: The University of Western Australia, Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions

Language: English

Topic: Wildlife Ecology and Conservation

Subfield: Ecology

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Funders: Hermon Slade Foundation, Swan River Trust, Ecological Society of Australia, Wettenhall Environment Trust

Award: G293244520