Predator-prey activity patterns in the urban landscape: The case of the quenda vs the cat — Promaco Conventions

Predator-prey activity patterns in the urban landscape: The case of the quenda vs the cat (#762)

Janine M Kuehs 1 , Amanda Kristancic 1 , P.W. Bateman 2 , Tracey Kreplins 1 , Patricia A Fleming 1
  1. School of Veterinary and Life Science, Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
  2. Department of Environment and Agriculture, Curtin University , Bentley, Western Australia, Australia

Populations of quenda (southern brown bandicoot, Isoodon obesulus fusciventer) in Western Australia appear to be quite adapted to surviving in the urban landscape. Quenda are primarily nocturnal omnivores, and are common in bushland reserves and backyards in the City of Mandurah (70 km south of Perth, Western Australia). It is thought that domestic free-roaming cats may pose a threat to quenda in urban areas. It is therefore of interest to know whether spatial and temporal overlap exists between quenda and cats in the urban landscape. Remote cameras were deployed in four urban habitat types within our study area (City of Mandurah). Habitat types included 1) remnant fragments of natural vegetation, 2) narrow corridors of remnant vegetation, 3) highly modified road reserve vegetation strips, and 4) urban backyards. Detection rates of each species were used to compare the spatial and temporal activity patterns of urban quenda and cats. Understanding the patterns of temporal and/or spatial overlap between these two species will provide important information regarding the impact of domestic cats on urban quenda. This will inform management considerations and policy regarding urban wildlife.

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