Shifts in the foraging tactics of crocodiles following invasion by toxic prey
Abstract Biological invasions can modify the behaviour of vulnerable native species in subtle ways. For example, native predators may learn or evolve to reduce foraging in conditions (habitats, times of day) that expose them to a toxic invasive species. In tropical Australia, freshwater crocodiles (...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Nature Portfolio
2022-01-01
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| Series: | Scientific Reports |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-03629-6 |
| _version_ | 1819281410467299328 |
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| author | Abhilasha Aiyer Richard Shine Ruchira Somaweera Tina Bell Georgia Ward-Fear |
| author_facet | Abhilasha Aiyer Richard Shine Ruchira Somaweera Tina Bell Georgia Ward-Fear |
| author_sort | Abhilasha Aiyer |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Biological invasions can modify the behaviour of vulnerable native species in subtle ways. For example, native predators may learn or evolve to reduce foraging in conditions (habitats, times of day) that expose them to a toxic invasive species. In tropical Australia, freshwater crocodiles (Crocodylus johnstoni) are often fatally poisoned when they ingest invasive cane toads (Rhinella marina). The risk may be greatest if toads are seized on land, where a predator cannot wash away the toxins before they are absorbed into its bloodstream. Hence, toad invasion might induce crocodiles to forage in aquatic habitats only, foregoing terrestrial hunting. To test this idea, we conducted standardised trials of bait presentation to free-ranging crocodiles in sites with and without invasive toads. As anticipated, crocodiles rapidly learned to avoid consuming toads, and shifted to almost exclusively aquatic foraging. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-24T00:59:15Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-dd23f79a81ce4b3897f9336d9ab571c4 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-24T00:59:15Z |
| publishDate | 2022-01-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Scientific Reports |
| spelling | doaj.art-dd23f79a81ce4b3897f9336d9ab571c42022-12-21T17:23:24ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222022-01-011211910.1038/s41598-021-03629-6Shifts in the foraging tactics of crocodiles following invasion by toxic preyAbhilasha Aiyer0Richard Shine1Ruchira Somaweera2Tina Bell3Georgia Ward-Fear4School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of SydneySchool of Biological Sciences, Macquarie UniversitySchool of Biological Sciences, The University of Western AustraliaSchool of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of SydneySchool of Biological Sciences, Macquarie UniversityAbstract Biological invasions can modify the behaviour of vulnerable native species in subtle ways. For example, native predators may learn or evolve to reduce foraging in conditions (habitats, times of day) that expose them to a toxic invasive species. In tropical Australia, freshwater crocodiles (Crocodylus johnstoni) are often fatally poisoned when they ingest invasive cane toads (Rhinella marina). The risk may be greatest if toads are seized on land, where a predator cannot wash away the toxins before they are absorbed into its bloodstream. Hence, toad invasion might induce crocodiles to forage in aquatic habitats only, foregoing terrestrial hunting. To test this idea, we conducted standardised trials of bait presentation to free-ranging crocodiles in sites with and without invasive toads. As anticipated, crocodiles rapidly learned to avoid consuming toads, and shifted to almost exclusively aquatic foraging.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-03629-6 |
| spellingShingle | Abhilasha Aiyer Richard Shine Ruchira Somaweera Tina Bell Georgia Ward-Fear Shifts in the foraging tactics of crocodiles following invasion by toxic prey Scientific Reports |
| title | Shifts in the foraging tactics of crocodiles following invasion by toxic prey |
| title_full | Shifts in the foraging tactics of crocodiles following invasion by toxic prey |
| title_fullStr | Shifts in the foraging tactics of crocodiles following invasion by toxic prey |
| title_full_unstemmed | Shifts in the foraging tactics of crocodiles following invasion by toxic prey |
| title_short | Shifts in the foraging tactics of crocodiles following invasion by toxic prey |
| title_sort | shifts in the foraging tactics of crocodiles following invasion by toxic prey |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-03629-6 |
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