Activity patterns of free-ranging koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) revealed by accelerometry.
An understanding of koala activity patterns is important for measuring the behavioral response of this species to environmental change, but to date has been limited by the logistical challenges of traditional field methodologies. We addressed this knowledge gap by using tri-axial accelerometer data...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Public Library of Science (PLoS)
2013-01-01
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| Series: | PLoS ONE |
| Online Access: | http://europepmc.org/articles/PMC3817117?pdf=render |
| _version_ | 1818137825621573632 |
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| author | Michelle A Ryan Desley A Whisson Greg J Holland John P Y Arnould |
| author_facet | Michelle A Ryan Desley A Whisson Greg J Holland John P Y Arnould |
| author_sort | Michelle A Ryan |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | An understanding of koala activity patterns is important for measuring the behavioral response of this species to environmental change, but to date has been limited by the logistical challenges of traditional field methodologies. We addressed this knowledge gap by using tri-axial accelerometer data loggers attached to VHF radio collars to examine activity patterns of adult male and female koalas in a high-density population at Cape Otway, Victoria, Australia. Data were obtained from 27 adult koalas over two 7-d periods during the breeding season: 12 in the early-breeding season in November 2010, and 15 in the late-breeding season in January 2011. Multiple 15 minute observation blocks on each animal were used for validation of activity patterns determined from the accelerometer data loggers. Accelerometry was effective in distinguishing between inactive (sleeping, resting) and active (grooming, feeding and moving) behaviors. Koalas were more active during the early-breeding season with a higher index of movement (overall dynamic body acceleration [ODBA]) for both males and females. Koalas showed a distinct temporal pattern of behavior, with most activity occurring from mid-afternoon to early morning. Accelerometry has potential for examining fine-scale behavior of a wide range of arboreal and terrestrial species. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-11T10:02:27Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-6a0bb21f4c8849f5be812bd0f5f7ce81 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1932-6203 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-11T10:02:27Z |
| publishDate | 2013-01-01 |
| publisher | Public Library of Science (PLoS) |
| record_format | Article |
| series | PLoS ONE |
| spelling | doaj.art-6a0bb21f4c8849f5be812bd0f5f7ce812022-12-22T01:12:04ZengPublic Library of Science (PLoS)PLoS ONE1932-62032013-01-01811e8036610.1371/journal.pone.0080366Activity patterns of free-ranging koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) revealed by accelerometry.Michelle A RyanDesley A WhissonGreg J HollandJohn P Y ArnouldAn understanding of koala activity patterns is important for measuring the behavioral response of this species to environmental change, but to date has been limited by the logistical challenges of traditional field methodologies. We addressed this knowledge gap by using tri-axial accelerometer data loggers attached to VHF radio collars to examine activity patterns of adult male and female koalas in a high-density population at Cape Otway, Victoria, Australia. Data were obtained from 27 adult koalas over two 7-d periods during the breeding season: 12 in the early-breeding season in November 2010, and 15 in the late-breeding season in January 2011. Multiple 15 minute observation blocks on each animal were used for validation of activity patterns determined from the accelerometer data loggers. Accelerometry was effective in distinguishing between inactive (sleeping, resting) and active (grooming, feeding and moving) behaviors. Koalas were more active during the early-breeding season with a higher index of movement (overall dynamic body acceleration [ODBA]) for both males and females. Koalas showed a distinct temporal pattern of behavior, with most activity occurring from mid-afternoon to early morning. Accelerometry has potential for examining fine-scale behavior of a wide range of arboreal and terrestrial species.http://europepmc.org/articles/PMC3817117?pdf=render |
| spellingShingle | Michelle A Ryan Desley A Whisson Greg J Holland John P Y Arnould Activity patterns of free-ranging koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) revealed by accelerometry. PLoS ONE |
| title | Activity patterns of free-ranging koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) revealed by accelerometry. |
| title_full | Activity patterns of free-ranging koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) revealed by accelerometry. |
| title_fullStr | Activity patterns of free-ranging koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) revealed by accelerometry. |
| title_full_unstemmed | Activity patterns of free-ranging koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) revealed by accelerometry. |
| title_short | Activity patterns of free-ranging koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) revealed by accelerometry. |
| title_sort | activity patterns of free ranging koalas phascolarctos cinereus revealed by accelerometry |
| url | http://europepmc.org/articles/PMC3817117?pdf=render |
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