Novel Predators can Elicit Rapid Shifts in Prey Demographics and Behavior

Abstract

Photo 1. Authors Ben Phillips and John Moreen releasing the first batch of northern quolls (Dasyurus hallucatus) on Indian Island (Kabarl), Northern Territory, Australia. This project was a collaborative effort between several stakeholders, including the Flora and Fauna Division, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Northern Territory Government, the Territory Wildlife Park, Northern Territory Government, and Kenbi Rangers. The study was conducted on Kenbi country with permission from and in collaboration with the Kenbi Traditional Owners (Raylene and Zoe Sigh) and the assistance of Kenbi Rangers. Photo credit: Chris Jolly. Photo 2. Male northern quoll (Dasyurus hallucatus) fitted with a radio-collar immediately following release on Indian Island (Kabarl), Northern Territory, Australia. Photo credit: Chris Jolly. Photo 3. Beach on northern Indian Island (Kabarl) covered in northern quoll (Dasyurus hallucatus) prints in the months following their introduction in 2017. Photo credit: Chris Jolly. These photographs illustrate the article “Trophic cascade driven by behavioral fine-tuning as naïve prey rapidly adjust to a novel predator” by C. J. Jolly, A. S. Smart, J. Moreen, J. K. Webb, G. R. Gillespie, and B. L. Phillips published in Ecology. https://doi.org/10.1002/ecy.3363.