ASSAB 2006 Australasian Society for the Study of Behaviour

20–23 April 2006 Macquarie University ~ Sydney

Hosted by the Centre for the Integrative Study of Animal Behaviour Sponsored by: Centre for the Integrative Study of Animal Behaviour, Macquarie University ~ Sydney

With additional assistance from: Department of Psychology, Macquarie University Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University Public Relations and Marketing Unit, Macquarie University ASSAB Conference 2006 Program

Date Session Time Chair Thursday 20 April Welcome reception 17:00- Thursday 20 April food 18:00- Friday 21 April Plenary: Simpson 8:30-9:30 Phil Taylor Friday 21 April Foraging 9:30-10:15 Jan Hemmi Friday 21 April Space 10:15-11:45 Jan Hemmi Friday 21 April Learning 11:45-12:45 Andrea Griffin Friday 21 April lunch & posters 12:45-13:45 Friday 21 April Dealing with pests 13:45-14:30 Ed Minot Friday 21 April Mating 14:30-17:15 Greg Johnston Friday 21 April business meeting 17:15-19:00 Friday 21 April BBQ & movie 19:00-

Saturday 22 April Plenary: Griffith 8:30-9:30 Phil Taylor Saturday 22 April Communication 1 9:30-12:00 Dianne Brunton Saturday 22 April Communication 2 12:00-14:30 Richard Peters Saturday 22 April lunch & posters 12:45-13:45 Saturday 22 April Breeding 14:30-17:00 Jeremy Robertson Saturday 22 April bus for cruise 18:00

Sunday 23 April Plenary: Shine 8:30-9:30 Phil Taylor Sunday 23 April Predator and prey 9:30-12:45 Jochen Zeil Sunday 23 April lunch 12:45-13:15 Sunday 23 April Suites of behaviour 13:15-15:15 Mariella Herberstein

Places to note Welcome reception: Biology courtyard (surrounded by E8A, E8B, E8C, see map on back cover) Talk sessions: C5C T1 (see map on back cover) Poster sessions: C5C 238 (see map on back cover) Posters will be on display throughout Friday and Saturday, with official sessions during lunch. Lunches: C5C courtyard (see map on back cover) BBQ (Friday night) Centre for the Integrative Study of Animal Behaviour (see map) Bus for cruise: Dunmore Lang Hall parking lot Shopping Centre: Macquarie Centre, Herring Road and Waterloo Road (see map) Bus stops: Herring Road, or Macquarie Centre

Contacts: Social events: Phil Taylor, Mariella Herberstein AV: Chris Evans Program: Ken Cheng Finance: Ximena Nelson

1 ASSAB Conference 2006 Program

Friday 21 April Session Time Speaker Affiliation Plenary 8:30 Simpson, Steve University of Sydney Foraging 1 9:30 Raubenheimer, David University of Auckland Foraging 2 9:45 Schlotfeldt, Beth Flinders University Foraging 3 10:00 Anderson, Michael Massey University Space 4 10:15 Germano, Jennifer University of Otago tea break 10:30 Space 5 11:00 Dennis, Todd E University of Auckland Space 6 11:15 Freire, Raf University of New England Space 7 11:30 Narendra, Ajay Macquarie University Learning 8 11:45 Cheng, Ken Macquarie University Learning 9 12:00 Ebeling, Wiebke Australian National University Learning 10 12:15 Zhang, Shaowu Australian National University Learning 11 12:30 Kaplan, Gisela University of New England Posters and lunch break 12:45 Dealing with pests 12 13:45 Kilgour, RJ (Bob) NSW Department of Primary Industries Dealing with pests 13 14:00 Oorebeek, Margot Flinders University Dealing with pests 14 14:15 Colombelli-Négrel, Diane Flinders University Mating 15 14:30 Herberstein, Mariella Macquarie University Mating 16 14:45 Holwell, Greg Macquarie University Mating 17 15:00 Barry, Katherine (Kate) Macquarie University tea break 15:15 Mating 18 15:45 Richards, Nansi Macquarie University Mating 19 16:00 Radhakrishnan, Preethi Macquarie University Mating 20 16:15 Perez-Staples, Diana Macquarie University Mating 21 16:30 Robertson, Jeremy Flinders University Mating 22 16:45 Zajitschek, Susanne (Susi) University of New South Wales Mating 23 17:00 Hall, Matt University of New South Wales Business meeting 17:15 BBQ, movie 19:00 CISAB Movie (p 35) ~21:00 Fijn, Natasha Australian National University Saturday 22 April Plenary 8:30 Griffith, Simon University of New South Wales Communication 1 24 9:30 Nelson, Ximena Macquarie University Communication 1 25 9:45 Vorobyev, Misha University of Queensland Communication 1 26 10:00 Zeil, Jochen Australian National University Communication 1 27 10:15 How, Martin Australian National University tea break 10:30 Communication 1 28 11:00 Peters, Richard Australian National University Communication 1 29 11:15 Van Dyk, Daniel Macquarie University Communication 1 30 11:30 Woo, Kevin L Macquarie University Communication 1 31 11:45 McGuire, Angela Flinders University Communication 2 32 12:00 Evans, Chris Macquarie University Communication 2 33 12:15 Magrath, Rob Australian National University Communication 2 34 12:30 Peddemors, Vic Macquarie University & U of KwaZulu-Natal Posters and lunch break 12:45 Communication 2 35 13:45 Hartwig, Simone Humboldt University Communication 2 36 14:00 Wilson, David Macquarie University Communication 2 37 14:15 Brunton, Dianne Massey University Breeding 38 14:45 Drayton, Jean Australian National University Breeding 39 15:00 Kranz, Brenda University of Adelaide Breeding 40 14:30 Jennions, Michael Australian National University tea break 15:15 Breeding 41 15:45 Fisher, Diana Australian National University Breeding 42 16:00 Johnston, Greg Royal Zoological Society of South Australia Breeding 43 16:15 Geurts, Jacqueline Auckland, New Zealand Breeding 44 16:30 Goldizen, Anne W University of Queensland Breeding 45 16:45 Minot, Ed Massey University bus for cruise 18:00

2 ASSAB Conference 2006 Program

Sunday 23 April Session Time Speaker Affiliation Plenary 8:30 Shine, Rick University of Sydney Predator and prey 46 9:30 Harmer, Aaron Macquarie University Predator and prey 47 9:45 Rao, Dinesh Macquarie University Predator and prey 48 10:00 Hemmi, Jan M Australian National University Predator and prey 49 10:15 Smolka, Jochen Australian National University tea break 10:30 Predator and prey 50 11:00 Whitehouse, Mary Australian Cotton Research Institute Predator and prey 51 11:15 Griffin, Andrea University of Newcastle Predator and prey 52 11:30 Koboroff, Adam University of New England Predator and prey 53 11:45 Sims, Rachel Australian National University Predator and prey 54 12:00 Galligan, Toby Flinders University Predator and prey 55 12:15 Massaro, Melanie University of Canterbury Predator and prey 56 12:30 Lambert, Sarah Flinders University lunch break 12:45 Suites of behaviour 57 13:15 Sinn, David University of Tasmania Suites of behaviour 58 13:30 Reaney, Leeann Australian National University Suites of behaviour 59 13:45 Cope, Taneal Massey University Suites of behaviour 60 14:00 Klose, Stefan M University of Ulm Suites of behaviour 61 14:15 Bonduriansky, Russell University of New South Wales Suites of behaviour 62 14:30 Lemon, Michelle Macquarie University Suites of behaviour 63 14:45 Ji, Weihong Massey University Suites of behaviour 64 15:00 Hagman, Mattias University of Sydney

End 15:15

Posters

Topic Day Presenter Affiliation Suites of behaviour 1 Fri McEvoy, Joanne University of Tasmania Information processing 2 Fri Nelson, Ximena Macquarie University Information processing 3 Fri Harland, Duane Canesis Network Ltd, Christchurch Information processing 4 Fri Nordström, Karin University of Adelaide Information processing 5 Fri Prabhu, Catherine Macquarie University Communication 6 Fri Delaney, Kim Dunedin, New Zealand Communication 7 Fri Wignall, Anne Macquarie University Communication 8 Fri Woo, Kevin L Macquarie University Communication 9 Fri Lemon, Michelle Macquarie University Communication 10 Fri Chen, Hou-chun University of New England Communication 11 Fri Chen, Hou-chun University of New England Communication 12 Fri Kaplan, Gisela University of New England Communication 13 Fri Johnson, Gayle University of New England Group living 14 Sat Koboroff, Adam University of New England Group living 15 Sat Sulikowski, Danielle Macquarie University Group living 16 Sat Wiszniewski, Joanne Macquarie University Group living 17 Sat Whitehouse, Mary Australian Cotton Research Institute Reproduction 18 Sat Collins, Samuel R Macquarie University Reproduction 19 Sat Harmer, Aaron Macquarie University Reproduction 20 Sat Möller, Luciana Macquarie University Reproduction 21 Sat Ison, Robyn University of New England Reproduction 22 Sat Kranz, Brenda University of Adelaide Reproduction 23 Sat Winnick, Claire Macquarie University Reproduction 24 Sat Brunton, Dianne Massey University Observing behaviour 25 Sat Schmitt, Natalie T 'Before Its Too Late' Wildlife Foundation Observing behaviour 26 Sat Peddemors, Vic Macquarie University & U of KwaZulu-Natal Observing behaviour 27 Sat Buist, Janine University of Newcastle

3 ASSAB Conference 2006 Program Plenary talks

21 April 8:30 Steve Simpson, University of Sydney, David Raubenheimer, University of Auckland Understanding nutrition: from cannibal crickets to human obesity

There are three major themes in biology: sex, death and food. To a first approximation, the more sex the better and the less death, but what about food? Nutrition is a more complex problem. must balance the location, selection, ingestion and use of numerous nutrients against multiple and changing metabolic requirements. They must achieve this in a world where foods typically vary in their availability and composition and are costly and dangerous to acquire and process. Several major disciplines have yet to deal adequately with the multidimensional nature of feeding and nutrition. To this end we have developed a set of state-space models [called the Geometric Framework (GF)] from extensive studies of insect herbivores. The GF unifies within a single model the animal and its multidimensional nutritional environment and provides a means of studying nutrition within evolutionary, ecological and developmental contexts. In my talk I will set out the basic structure of the models, illustrating them with data from insects - including some extraordinary, recent data on a large, mass-migrating cannibalistic cricket. I will then apply the GF to the problem of human obesity and shown that regulation of protein intake may explain more of the modern human nutritional condition than has previously been appreciated. The combination of the fact that protein comprises a minor part of the total energy budget of humans, yet its intake appears to be strongly regulated, leads to protein having considerable leverage over food intake. Protein has the power both to drive the development of obesity and to assuage it. The public health implications are considerable.

22 April 8:30 Simon Griffith, University of New South Wales The of colour in

Birds are probably the most colourful group of all the vertebrates and use a broad diversity of colours in a variety of contexts. Although people have been interested in the evolution of colour in birds for the past two hundred years, some dramatic technological developments in the past ten years have greatly increased our capacity to conduct quantitative research. As a result there has been a large increase in the amount of empirical work conducted and a number of exciting new developments. I will discuss the different mechanisms by which birds produce colour and the main functions of coloured displays. Recent work from our studies on a number of different avian species (from Australia and Europe) focuses specifically on the role of colour in sexual selection and how different colours may be selected by the various forms of selection that together comprise variation in reproductive success amongst individuals. These studies reveal the complexities of the variation in the expression of colour observed in birds, presenting a number of empirical challenges but also lots of exciting directions for future work.

23 April 8:30 Rick Shine, University of Sydney Field experiments on snake foraging

Most behavioural ecologists would agree that field studies can provide more robust insights into animal activities than we can obtain within the artificial confines of the laboratory. And similarly, most of us believe that experimental studies clarify causal relationships more effectively than can correlational studies. Nonetheless, the literature in many fields is dominated by descriptive studies on captive animals - primarily because field experimentation poses so many logistical difficulties. These problems are exacerbated if your study animals are large rare secretive animals, and even more so if they are venomous. Accordingly, although adaptations related to foraging biology (especially, the ability to locate, capture, and ingest large meals) appear to have played a central role in the evolutionary success of snakes, our understanding of snake feeding is derived mostly from dissecting dead snakes to see what they have eaten, and examining feeding responses of captive animals. Nonetheless, some snake species are amenable to field-based experimental studies, and I will describe a series of recent projects in which I have examined snake responses to experimental stimuli. The results suggest that even a smattering of field context may significantly enhance the validity of the work. 4 ASSAB Conference 2006 Program Talks

Foraging

T1 D Raubenheimer, WL Zemke-White, RJ Phillips, KD Clements Algal macronutrients and food selection by the omnivorous marine fish Girella tricuspidata: a geometrical analysis

We used geometrical analysis to investigate the relationships between the intake of macroalgae and the gains (intake and retention) of macronutrients by the omnivorous marine reef fish, Girella tricuspidata (F. Girellidae). In laboratory studies we recorded macronutrient intake and macronutrient assimilation by captive G. tricuspidata fed one of three algal species, and in the field we measured the diel pattern of feeding. The algae were Enteromorpha intestinalis and Ulva lactuca, both of which are favored foods of G. tricuspidata in the wild, and Gracilaria chilensis which has not been recorded in the stomach contents of the fish despite co-occurring within its geographical range. In accordance with data from other fishes, the two species of dietary algae were found to have a higher starch and lower protein content than the non-dietary G. chilensis. The fish regulated their intake and utilization of the algae such that similar amounts of protein were ingested and assimilated from all three species, but less starch was ingested and assimilated from the non-dietary G. chilensis than from the dietary species. We interpret these data to suggest that omnivory in G. tricuspidata is likely based on complementarity, rather than substitutability of algal and animal foods.

T2 Beth E Schlotfeldt, Sonia Kleindorfer Adaptive divergence in the Superb Fairy-wren (Malurus cyaneus): A mainland versus island comparison of morphology and foraging behaviour

Island theory predicts that impoverishment of the avifauna and geographical isolation leads to adaptive evolution, with shifts in foraging niches, and therefore foraging behaviour and morphology. Sexual size dimorphism is proposed to be a mechanism to avoid intraspecific competition, and is generally associated with sexual differences in foraging. These theories were examined in mainland (Mount Lofty Ranges) and island (Kangaroo Island) populations of the Superb Fairy-wren, Malurus cyaneus, a small communal ground-foraging sexually dimorphic . We predicted that insular birds would be larger (this being the general trend for island forms) and occupy a wider foraging niche than the mainland birds. The study on sexual size dimorphism was exploratory. Compared with mainland birds, island birds of both sexes were (1) significantly larger in body size, (2) less variable in morphology, and (3) occupied a wider niche breadth. The sex differences were as follows: (1) males had larger body size and bill length at both locations (island, mainland), (2) females had larger bill width and depth at both locations, and (3) there were few intersexual foraging differences. These findings are discussed in the light of the first phase of ecological speciation, namely adaptive divergence shaped by natural selection.

T3 Michael G Anderson, Todd E Dennis, Dianne H Brunton Making hay while the sun shines: the effect of abiotic factors on the foraging behaviour of non- breeding shorebirds

The foraging behaviour of animals can be influenced by both biotic and abiotic factors. Here we present an investigation into the effect of abiotic factors on the foraging behaviour of shorebirds (Order Charadriiformes). The foraging behaviour of four species of shorebirds were observed and compared over a yearlong period in the Firth of Thames, New Zealand. Abiotic data that could potentially influence foraging behaviour of these species was also collected. We used forward stepwise linear multiple regression to select variables that have an effect on shorebird behaviour. Those abiotic variables found to have a significant association with foraging behaviour were then included in a general linear model in order to test for the significance of each factor. A separate model was used for each of four behaviours (non-foraging behaviours, ingestion rate, foraging effort and success rate) for each species. All models had relatively low predictive power (R2 = 0.051 to R2 = 0.476), but were nearly all significant (15 of 16 models). A subset of the models will be presented to illustrate the methods used and the results that were found. The results of this research indicate that there are numerous abiotic factors that should be considered when trying to explain variation in foraging behaviour of shorebirds.

5 ASSAB Conference 2006 Program Space

T4 Jennifer M Germano, PJ Bishop Native frog (Leiopelma pakeka) responses to artificial displacement during translocations

New Zealand's native frogs are some of the most archaic frog species in the world. Today all four of these endemic species are threatened and two of these are limited only to a handful of predator-free offshore islands. In order to help protect these species, the New Zealand Department of Conservation has started a program of translocating frogs to other islands to create backup populations. Translocations of amphibian and reptile species face many problems, one of which is the movement of animals after translocation and the strong homing instinct ability found in many species. I followed a group of 101 Leiopelma pakeka that were moved from Maud Island to Long Island in July 2005 to investigate their post-translocation movements. Hopefully, research into the behaviour of frogs following translocations will help in the design and implementation of future proactive conservation measures.

T5 Todd E Dennis, T Landers, P Laube, R Freeman, P Forer, T Guilford, M Walker Animal behaviour in the high-resolution spatiotemporal domain

Spatiotemporal data (i.e, records of location and time of location) are an effective means of describing many types of animal behaviour because they: 1.) are fundamental and nearly ubiquitous; 2.) are relatively easy and inexpensive to collect; 3.) are simple to understand and interpret in the context of associated environmental factors; and 4.) provide a common domain for comparison and association of individuals and behaviours of interest. Accordingly, such data are regularly employed in the study of many, disparate fields of animal behaviour, ecology, and conservation (e.g., dispersal/migration/navigation, competition, optimal foraging theory, resource/habitat selection, etc). Our ability to extract valid interpretation from animal- location information has been significantly constrained by its resolution (which collectively reflects limitations in data accuracy, precision, and quantity). Recent advances in satellite telemetry, remote sensing technologies, and geospatial analytical methodologies now make it possible to study the spatial behaviour of many animals at unprecedented scales of spatial and temporal resolution. In this presentation I will describe some of the methods and results of this research approach using as examples from our lab of pigeons, brushtail possums, and several species of Procellariid seabirds.

T6 Rafael Freire, Ursula Munro, Lesley Rogers, Peter Thalau, Roswitha Wiltschko, Wolfgang Wiltschko The magnetic compass of domestic chickens

Although behavioural experiments show that a wide range of animals use the earth's magnetic field for compass orientation, evidence from conditioning experiments has proved elusive. In birds the only successful attempt of operant conditioning to magnetic stimuli all involved magnetic anomalies and changes in magnetic intensity rather than magnetic directions. We trained young domestic chicks to locate a ball on which they had been imprinted hidden behind a screen in either the North, East , South or West corner of a square arena. Training trials took place in the local geomagnetic field and the critical tests were unrewarded and took place in either the geomagnetic field or in a magnetic field with North turned by 90° to geographic East. The choices of the chicks were axially bimodal, i.e. they preferred the correct screen and the opposite screen; in the geomagnetic field 76% of the choices lay on this axis and in the field with magnetic North turned to East, 78% of the choices lay on the axis that was shifted by 90°, with the difference highly significant (P< 0.001). In the presence of a high-frequency field (1.56MHz), however, the directional choices of chicks were random indicating that the magnetic orientation mechanism in chickens may be similar to that in migrating birds. These data clearly show the first conditioned magnetic compass response in birds and its presence in a relatively ancient lineage that has undergone thousands of years of domestication emphasises the important role of magnetic compass orientation even in non-migratory species.

6 ASSAB Conference 2006 Program T7 Ajay Narendra, Ken Cheng An overview of navigational strategies in the Australian desert ant Melophorus bagoti

Few of the 11,800 ant species are solitary foragers. Since ants are central place foragers, precision in navigation is essential. Ants are known to use several strategies, including image matching, orienting by means of canopy cover, aerial descent, and path integration for navigation. We show here in an Australian desert ant the sequential functioning of its navigational strategies. In a landmark rich central Australian semi- arid desert, the world's most thermophilic ant Melophorus bagoti establishes and follows stereotypic routes that meander around tussocks. Route cues are, however, not essential for ants to navigate as their absence triggers the path integrator, which functions as a backup mechanism. Path integration, however, covers only a proportion of the global vector, following which ants very likely home in using distant nest-associated cues. Close range nest-associated cues are not visualized as individual entities; instead ants view multiple landmarks to construct a snapshot image for homing.

Learning

T8 Ken Cheng, Ajay Narendra, Rüdiger Wehner Behavioural ecology of odometric memories in two species of desert ants

Our two study species are Melophorus bagoti, a Central Australian desert ant, and Cataglyphis fortis, a North African desert ant. Both are highly thermophilic and forage solitarily in the heat of the day in summer. Like many animals, they can keep track of the distances and directions travelled from their starting point (home) to compute a direct vector home, a process called path integration. We studied their memory for the outbound distance travelled on a journey by having them run down a constrained narrow channel to a feeder. In testing, ants were given a bit of food and released in a long channel to run back towards home. The first point at which they turned back provided their odometric estimate of the outbound distance. Based on the function of path integration, which is to keep track of the current outbound journey, the following predictions may be made about odometric memories. They should be good even without training, and improve little with practice at the same outbound distance; they need to be good enough to get home even on the first trip. As one journey rarely lasts more than 2 h, odometric memories should show decay in 24 h. As the function of path integration is to keep track of the current trip, earlier odometric memories should be erased and not integrated with the current estimate. All three predictions were confirmed in both species.

T9 Wiebke Ebeling, Jan Hemmi What, how, and how much do marsupials learn?

Quantitative studies of cognitive abilities in Australian marsupials are rare, partly because it is often assumed that these animals are not too clever. However, most common experimental designs are not appropriate as marsupials are often nocturnal or crepuscular and, in general, fairly nervous. Consequently, it can be rather difficult to work without the development of an experimental set-up that allows the animals to relax and behave normally. We designed an operant conditioning apparatus that can be placed into the animals’ home pens. This apparatus is a computer controlled black box able to automatically present visual stimuli on two transparent panels and to deliver a food reward upon a correct choice. Thus, handling and human interference during experiments can be reduced to a minimum, and the animals can choose freely whether, when, and for how long to participate in the experiments depending on their own motivation. In previous experiments, this apparatus was successfully used to show that the Tammar wallaby possesses dichromatic colour vision. During these experiments, the animals appeared highly motivated to learn. Using this approach, we will now attempt to assess visual learning abilities of Tammar wallabies more directly. We will characterise their predisposition to discriminate between colours, symbols, and pictures (e.g. predatory vs. prey species). Our experimental design promises to provide quantitative data on learning that can be compared to classical experimental animals, e.g. rats and pigeons. We hope to extend this paradigm to investigate more cognitive skills in choice behaviour such as logical conclusions, perseverance, and rule-switching.

7 ASSAB Conference 2006 Program T10 Shao Wu Zhang, S Schwarz, M Pahl, H Zhu, J Tautz A honeybee knows what to do and when

Honey bees have the flexibility to change their preference for a visual pattern according to the context in which the discrimination tasks are carried out. This study investigated time of the day or task at the hand as well as both of them as contextual cue(s) can modulate bees’ preference for a visual pattern. We carried out three series of experiments to investigate this question. The Experiments for Series 1 showed that trained bees significantly reverse their pattern preference following midday breaks as well as an overnight break at the feeder side and the hive side as well. The Experiments for Series 2 indicated that trained bees are able to reverse their pattern preference just in a few minutes depending on whether going forage or returning hive. The Experiments for Series 3 demonstrated that trained bees significantly reversed their pattern preference at the feeder and the hive entrance following midday breaks as well as an overnight break; and the trained bees also had significantly different pattern preferences at the feeder and at the hive entrance within each testing period. This study provides experimental evidence that the bee possessing a tiny brain has ability to conduct sophisticated task. Honey bees can ‘plan’ their activities in time and space and flexibly reverse their preference for a visual pattern, using context to determine which action to perform and when.

T11 Gisela Kaplan Vocal development in the Australian magpie (Gymnorhina tibicen): a possible model of vocal learning for neuroscience

Current debates on song production, song development and song maintenance have received particularly strong impetus from neuroscience. In this context, song has functioned as a model case for the study of memory formation and for the complex interaction between neural activity, auditory feedback, plasticity, attrition and development of song. The avian forebrain (now called the pallium) does not share the layered structure of the mammalian cortex but it has many of the same functions, in particular those known to involve higher cognition, and birds share with humans (but few other orders and species) the ability to learn vocalisations. Understanding the mechanisms involved in bird vocal development may have substantial implications for research on human speech development particularly in cases of impairments of the latter. This paper will present the results of 5 years of research into vocal development and vocal learning of the Australian magpie and my results suggest that the acquisition of learning seems to follow discreet stages of development and of phonetic play (such as babbling) and these roughly correspond to human language development. Further, my results show that brain plasticity for learning new sounds may be life-long, as in humans. Given these results, birds may offer a more pertinent model for human language development than do non-human primates. Moreover, it is argued that the Australian magpie may be a better model than the vocally sexually dimorphic zebra finch, with its brief sensitive period for learning that has largely acquired model status for this kind of research.

Dealing with pests

T12 Bob Kilgour, Toshie Ishiwata, Katsuji Uetake, Jun Ikenaga Self-grooming in beef cattle is similar to that in closely-related species

One of the principles of ensuring high standards of welfare in farm animals is that they should be able to perform their full range of natural behaviours. While this would seem to be fairly straightforward, it begs the question “What is normal behaviour?” In order to answer this question for beef cattle, we have taken two approaches. The first of these has been to study beef cattle at pasture and the second has been to study species other than beef cattle, albeit closely related. The first approach allows an inventory of the behaviours to be documented along with a time budget relating to these behaviours. The second approach allows inferences to be drawn about the evolution of behaviour in cattle, along with inferences related to the necessity to perform these behaviours and with the possibility of frustration and decreased welfare if animals cannot perform them. In this study, the self-grooming behaviour of beef cattle was compared to that of bison, water buffalo, banteng and eland. All five species were shown to use bodily parts such as the tongue and hind hoofs to groom. Furthermore, all five species were shown to use inanimate objects to groom. What was more striking was that animals tended to use inanimate objects to groom those parts of the body that were inaccessible to the tongue and hind hooves, suggesting that this might be tool use in species without grasping appendages. 8 ASSAB Conference 2006 Program T13 Margot Oorebeek, Sonia Kleindorfer Avian ticks (Ixodes sp.) in South Australia: What are their impacts on birds?

This study examines the prevalence, intensity, and fitness costs of ticks (Ixodes sp.) in randomly sampled in South Australia. Previous research on avian parasitism has shown that parasites can have a significant negative influence on their avian hosts’ fitness with costs to reproduction, survival, and growth. Most studies on avian parasites and their fitness costs have been conducted in the northern hemisphere where birds have different life-histories compared to southern hemisphere birds. This is the first study to look at the geographical distribution of avian ticks and their fitness costs in South Australia. The results of this study show: 1) a distinct geographical distribution of ticks in South Australia — ticks were found along the coastal areas but not further inland, 2) differential prevalence across avian host species; out of 28 species sampled, 15 had evidence of tick parasitism, and 3) lower body condition in New Holland Honeyeaters with ticks than without ticks. These findings are discussed in the light of patterns of declining bird species in South Australia.

T14 Diane Colombelli-Négrel, Sonia Kleindorfer Blood parasites (Haemoproteus sp.) and haemoglobin level in the Superb Fairy-wren, Malurus cyaneus: An observational study

We examined blood parasites and Haemoglobin level in the Superb Fairy-wren (Malurus cyaneus) for two years at six locations in South Australia. Ten (9.3%) out of 107 birds had blood parasites (Haemaproteus sp). We found no effect of sex, Julian date or body condition on blood parasite prevalence. However, haemoglobin levels were significantly related to breeding season, sex, and parasite prevalence: (1) haemoglobin levels were significantly higher during the breeding than nonbreeding season; (2) males had higher haemoglobin level than females; and (3) birds with blood parasites had higher haemoglobin level than birds without. The importance of studying haemoglobin level in natural populations across seasons and years is discussed in the light of these surprising results.

Mating

T15 Marie E Herberstein, AC Gaskett, K Shaddik, JM Schneider, K Robinson, MA Elgar When males regain control: sexual conflict over copulation duration

The reproductive interests of males and females may not always coincide harmoniously resulting in sexual conflict. In cannibalistic orb-web spiders, such as the St Andrew’s Cross spider, females control copulation duration using sexual cannibalism. Thus they may cut short copulation in males they do not prefer (usually relatively larger males). This may however not be in the interest of the males. Here we manipulate female control giving males total control over copulation duration and documented male response. Females were prevented from cannibalising males (and thus controlling males) by gently placing a paintbrush against her fangs. The female was thus preoccupied with biting the paintbrush and did not interfere with the male. We found that when males regain control over copulation duration larger males tended to copulate for longer, and overall males mated for shorter with larger females. No such patterns were apparent when females were in control of copulations duration. Larger males may have to mate for longer to transfer more sperm and be competitive if the female mates again, as relatively smaller males outcompete relatively larger males and fertilise more eggs. Males in control may terminate copulation earlier with larger females as larger females are also more cannibalistic. Thus it is likely that when given control males time copulation duration to maximise their reproductive success against the reproductive interests of the females.

9 ASSAB Conference 2006 Program T16 Greg I Holwell, ME Herberstein Genital morphology in Ciulfina praying mantids: sexual selection and species isolation

The rapid and divergent evolution of male genitalia in animal species with internal fertilization is a commonly observed evolutionary trend. Three hypotheses have been suggested to explain this pattern: pleiotropy, species isolation (lock-and-key) and sexual selection. Whilst pleiotropy and species isolation lack strong support, there is growing evidence for sexual selection as the driving force of genital evolution. Here I present results demonstrating (1) geographic variation in genital morphology in the praying mantid genus Ciulfina, and (2) the influence of genital morphology on copulation duration. Male genital structures were analysed using geometric morphometrics. Both the shape and size of genitalia influenced copulation duration suggesting that genital morphology is under sexual selection. The pattern of geographic variation in genital morphology for these mantids also supports the prediction so the sexual selection hypothesis. However, I will also present data demonstrating reproductive character displacement in genitalic isolation at a contact zone between two species of Ciulfina, which demonstrates that there can be an important role for genitalia in species isolation, particularly for species with no mechanism of precopulatory isolation.

T17 Kate L Barry, GI Holwell, ME Herberstein Mating behaviour of a sexually cannibalistic praying mantid

Several hypotheses have been proposed to explain the origin and maintenance of sexual cannibalism in various insect and arachnid groups. The foraging strategy hypothesis states that sexual cannibalism may arise as an adaptive foraging strategy, providing females with the essential nutrients to increase future fecundity. Yet, very few studies have found that increased feeding and nutrition through cannibalism translates into increased female fecundity. One explanation for this may be that the majority of investigations to date have concentrated on sexually dimorphic spider species with tiny males that do not significantly increase female body mass upon consumption. The current study focuses on the praying mantid, Pseudomantis albofimbriata, a moderately size dimorphic species with relatively large males. Cannibalistic females of such species may be more likely to gain nutritional benefits from male consumption, which translate into increased future fecundity. During unmanipulated mating trials, 40% of females were cannibalistic and subsequently gained a greater amount of weight than their non-cannibalistic counterparts. The effect of this weight gain on future fecundity is discussed. We also found that female satiation level had a significant effect on the frequency of cannibalism; food-deprived females were more likely to attack and consume their potential mates than satiated females. In this species, sexual cannibalism is pre-copulatory and only half those attacked go on to mate with their female attacker. Since cannibalism prior to the onset of copulation is taxonomically rare, this species offers a unique chance at understanding the evolutionary significance of pre- copulatory sexual cannibalism.

T18 Nansi Richards, Darren Burke Physiological and behavioural indicators of social organisation in Notomys alexis

The observed behaviour of Notomys alexis (Spinifex hopping mice) fits poorly into predictive models of mammalian social organisation and breeding system when these models are based on aspects of general and reproductive morphology. A number of peculiarities in their reproductive physiology are indicative of non- gregarious lifestyles and monogamy. In particular, relative to body size, males of the species have testis mass and volume an order of magnitude smaller than most other mammals. In captivity, however, Notomys alexis demonstrate polyandry – a mating system that tends to result in sperm competition. They also appear highly gregarious in captivity, an observation supported by some field studies. I will discuss data from this laboratory that extends the physiological research and consider its implications for social system in more depth. In particular I will present data on the behavioural induction of ovulation in this species and data that confirms the observation that, most unusually for mammals, Notomys alexis exhibit reverse sexual size dimorphism. I will also discuss further tests of social and sexual behaviour (specifically mate choice and affiliative preference), which are often predictive of social organisation, and how these will be employed to better understand the interaction of the unusual reproductive physiology and the social behaviour of Notomys alexis.

10 ASSAB Conference 2006 Program T19 Preethi Radhakrishnan, Phillip W Taylor The effect of accessory gland and ejaculatory duct proteins in modulating female re-mating behaviour in the female Queensland fruit fly, Bactrocera tryoni

Molecules within the accessory gland and ejaculatory duct fluid (AGF and EDF) play a variety of roles in affecting female reproductive activity in insects. Following insemination, the female Queensland fruit fly, Bactrocera tryoni, enters a refractory period. During this period, there is a 60-70% decrease in re-mating frequency. It has already been determined that number of sperm stored in the spermathecae does not directly drive female re-mating inhibition. The other obvious candidates are AGF and EDF, and their role in inhibiting re-mating in females is explored in this study. Injections of AGF and EDF into virgin females show that the response is dose dependent. Seminal fluid molecules, which carry sperm-related functions seem likely to act mainly within the female reproductive tract, whereas those molecules that influence female behaviour and physiology typically appear to pass through the wall of the tract into the haemocoel. With the help of radioactive labelling, (using L - [35S] methionine and cysteine) we determine the fate of these seminal fluid molecules in the female reproductive tract of B.tryoni. The study of these seminal fluid molecules is of importance, as their manipulation may provide novel methods of insect control, especially in Bactrocera tryoni, which is Australia’s most costly horticultural pest.

T20 Diana Perez-Staples, Aaron MT Harmer, Phillip W Taylor Sperm storage and utilisation in Queensland fruit fly, Bactrocera tryoni

Female sperm storage patterns may be important for biasing paternity towards preferred males yet very little is known about how sperm are used or where they are stored. We assessed sperm storage distribution in the Queensland fruit fly (Diptera: Tephritidae Bactrocera tryoni; a.k.a. Q-fly) in its three sperm storage organs, two spermathecae and a ventral receptacle or “fertilization chamber”. We tested whether female or male size influenced sperm storage and how sperm numbers were distributed one, five, ten and 15 days after mating. We also assessed if sperm numbers were related to the fecundity and fertility of females over a 15-day period. We found that mating probability was associated with female size whereas the probability of sperm presence and the number of sperm stored depended on male size. That is, females that had short copulations or that mated with smaller males tended to have no sperm. The total number of sperm was stored asymmetrically between the spermathecae and declined over a 15-day period. However, sperm decreased only in the spermathecae whereas it remained constant in the ventral receptacle. These results indicate that sperm is being released from the spermathecae continuously to replenish sperm stores in the ventral receptacle. Larger females were more fecund but only during the first oviposition period which could indicate that larger females mature faster, are more likely to mate and lay eggs faster than smaller females. Sperm distribution patterns are comparable to other tephritids such as Ceratitis capitata but differ from patterns found in Anastrepha.

T21 Rebekah Christensen, Sonia Kleindorfer, Jeremy Robertson Song is a reliable signal of bill morphology in Darwin’s small tree finch, Camarhynchus parvulus, while vocal performance predicts female preference

The shape and movement of the vocal tract are known to influence bird song. Current theory predicts that large bill and body size are correlated with low frequency song and slow trill rate. It is also widely accepted that song characteristics are important for mate choice by females. We investigated the relationship between bill morphology, song characteristics, and pairing success in Darwin’s small tree finch, Camarhynchus parvulus, on the Galapagos Islands. Contrary to predictions from a previous cross-species study on Darwin’s finches, we found that individuals with larger bill size produced songs with slow trill rate, high dominant frequency, and broad frequency bandwidth, indicating that song is a reliable signal of bill morphology. Vocal performance as indicated by the deviation from an upper performance limit was higher in paired than unpaired males. Pairing was not skewed in favour of a particular bill size, and both small and large billed males that sang high performance song had high pairing success. The reliable signalling function of song has implications for female choice and territorial defence, given that both females and conspecific competitors can assess the relative size of males’ bills through song, while females may use vocal performance as a signal of male quality.

11 ASSAB Conference 2006 Program T22 Susanne Zajitschek, Robert Brooks Do female guppies prefer to mate with outbred males?

The avoidance of undesirable mating partners can act as a mechanism to maximize genetic variability in offspring and/or to minimise the risks of inbreeding. Inbreeding can decrease fitness, and may have consequences such as higher pathogen susceptibility and low fecundity. Females therefore should avoid mating with inbred and therefore potential low quality males. I tested whether female guppies (Poecilia reticulata) preferentially mate with 3rd generation inbred (f= 0.37) or outbred (f= 0) males. Females did not prefer to spend more time next to either outbred or inbred males in dichotomous mate choice trials, and were no more likely to mate with outbred or inbred males. However, females responded more willingly to courtship displayed by outbred males than by inbred males. We did not find strong evidence of inbreeding depression on colouration or male mating behaviour. Sperm allocation and number of sperm also did not differ between inbred and outbred males.

T23 Matt Hall, Luc Bussière, Rob Brooks The importance of sexual conflict, direct and genetic benefits: an experimental evolution study

Traditional approaches to sexual selection have viewed mating as a cooperative event between males and females and emphasized the mutual benefits of choice. Yet, due to sexual conflict, evolution does not necessarily favour those traits that maximise the benefits to both sexes. How the costs and benefits of mating coevolve between males and females is an important issue for studies of sexual selection. Few studies, however, have manipulated both male mating effort and female mate choice. Here I will report the preliminary results of a study that examined the costs and benefit of mate choice in the courtship feeding Australian ground cricket (Gryllidae: Pteronemobius sp.). In this species, males possess a modified tibial spur that is used to provide females a nuptial gift. During mating, females mount the males, chew the tip of the spur and feed directly on the haemolymph from the male’s body. In a laboratory evolution experiment, wild caught crickets were allowed to evolve for six generations under two different levels of environmentally determined costs. I will discuss how environmental costs influence the evolution of female mate choice and male mating effort and the implications this has for both sexual selection and sexual conflict theory.

Communication 1: Visual signals

T24 Ximena J Nelson, Robert R Jackson More to mimicry than meets the eye: the cloaks and daggers of resembling ants

Batesian mimicry is classically studied under the premise that aversion to noxious or dangerous animals is learned and is extended to the mimics, benefiting the mimics through reduced predation. We extend this model to include innate aversion to dangerous models (ants) and their mimics (jumping spiders in the genus Myrmarachne). We show that mantises with no prior experience with ants, or spiders, are averse to both ants and Myrmarachne, but not to ‘ordinary’ jumping spiders. We show that specialist spider-eating spiders are also averse to Myrmarachne, but that specialist ant-eating spiders are attracted to Myrmarachne, thus providing a rare empirical example of the costs associated with mimicry. Furthermore, Myrmarachne are sexually dimorphic. Although adult females and juveniles of both sexes are distinctly ant-like in appearance, Myrmarachne males have elongated chelicerae that might appear to detract from their resemblance to ants. Experimental findings suggest that the Myrmarachne male’s solution is to adopt compound mimicry; the male’s model seems to be not simply an ant worker but a combination of an ant and something carried in the ant’s mandibles. By becoming a mimic of a particular subset of worker ants, Myrmarachne males appear to have retained their Batesian-mimicry defence against ant-averse predators, but at the price of receiving the unwanted attention of ant-specialist predators for which encumbered ants are preferred prey.

12 ASSAB Conference 2006 Program T25 Misha Vorobyev, Conor Champ, Susanne Holtze, Olga Ganeshina Do animals perceive chromatic aspects of colour?

Humans describe colour in terms of its chromatic aspects (hue and saturation) and an achromatic one (brightness). This separate perception of chromatic aspects of colour from an achromatic one helps us to perceive colours largely invariant in conditions of patchy illumination and, hence, may be useful for many animals. Because animals do not speak, we cannot find how they perceive colour simply by asking them what they see. We developed behavioural tests aimed to separate chromatic vision from an achromatic one without using verbal description of colour. In humans, stimuli subtending large visual angles are discriminated on the basis of their chromatic properties – large variations in the intensity of light stimuli are ignored. In contrast, high spatial resolution vision is mediated by an achromatic channel that is sensitive to changes in stimulus intensity, but is not sensitive to variation in the chromatic aspects of colour. By using stimuli that subtend different angles we have shown that bees and birds have chromatic vision that is separate from an achromatic one. Currently we test the ability of fish to perceive chromatic and achromatic colours. Our results indicate that general principals of colour coding in humans and many animals are similar. Separation of chromatic vision from an achromatic one probably evolved independently in different animals to achieve colour constancy in conditions of patchy illumination.

T26 Jan M Hemmi, Justin Marshall, Waltraud Pix, Misha Vorobyev, Jochen Zeil Predation-related colour change in fiddler crabs

Colour and colour changes in fiddler crabs have long been noted, but a functional interpretation is still lacking. Here we report that neighbouring populations of Uca vomeris in Australia exhibit different degrees of carapace colours which range from dull mottled to brilliant blue and white. We determined the spectral characteristics of the mud substratum and of the carapace colours of U. vomeris and find that the mottled colours of crabs are cryptic against this background, while display colours contrast strongly. We tested whether crab populations may become cryptic under the influence of bird predation by counting birds overflying or feeding on differently coloured colonies. Colonies with cryptically coloured crabs indeed experience a much higher level of bird presence, compared to colourful colonies. We show in addition that colourful crab individuals subjected to dummy bird predation do change their body colouration over a matter of days. The crabs thus appear to modify their social signalling system depending on their assessment of predation risk. For further information see: Zeil J, Hemmi JM (2006) The visual ecology of fiddler crabs. J Comp Physiol A192: 1–25. Zeil J, Hemmi JM, Backwell PRY (2006) Quick Guide: Fiddler Crabs. Current Biology 16: R40-R41. Detto T, Backwell PRY, Hemmi JM, Zeil J (2006) Visually mediated species and neighbour recognition in fiddler crabs (Uca mjoebergi and Uca capricornis). Proc Roy Soc Lond B (in press).

T27 Martin How, Jochen Zeil, Jan Hemmi What’s in a wave? The dual function waving display in the fiddler crab, Uca lactea perplexa

Fiddler crabs live in mixed-sex, mixed-species and mixed-age colonies on tropical and temperate mudflats around the world. Males and females employ claw-waving displays for social communication. The precise function of waving in fiddlers remains contentious, because species differ in the context in which they wave: some wave during courtship, some during territorial defence, and some during both. Here I provide in situ evidence that males of an Australian species of fiddler crab, Uca lactea perplexa, use two different types of wave display in two different functional contexts, a vertical wave in territorial interactions, and a lateral wave for mate attraction. Using long-term video recordings and dummy experiments I show that male resident U. l. perplexa predominantly direct lateral waves towards female wanderers, and vertical waves towards male wanderers. Lateral waves are used at greater sender-receiver distances than vertical waves, and in both cases resident crabs attempt to maintain a position directly between the wanderer and the burrow.

13 ASSAB Conference 2006 Program T28 Richard A Peters, Christopher S Evans Active space of a movement-based signal The Jacky dragon (Amphibolurus muricatus) visual display is composed of five distinct motor patterns delivered in an obligatory sequence: tail-flicks, backward and forward foreleg waves, a push-up and a 'body-rock'. In contrast to other communication systems, the introductory tail-flick is characterised by reduced signal intensity (average speed) but longer duration than subsequent motor patterns. Playback experiments confirm that duration is paramount for reliable detection, although the movement need not be continuous. This finding can be explained in terms of constraints on receiver attention, which must necessarily be divided among several functionally-important tasks. The tail flick may also reduce energetic costs and be less likely to compromise escape. A final possibility considers the property of active space (the distance over which a signal can be detected), which is determined by signal intensity, the signalling environment and the sensory characteristics of receivers. Here we test whether variation in the active space of display motor patterns may help to explain signal design. If the tail flick is used as an introductory component because it has the greatest efficacy in this role, then we predict that it should be visible over a greater distance and robust to variation in receiver orientation. We present the results of an experimental analysis of the active space of the Jacky dragon display components, examining the response probabilities of receivers to isolated tail-flicks, foreleg waves and the push- up/body-rock motor patterns as a function of angle and distance. The results suggest that these signals degrade predictably, thereby providing potential ranging cues, and are remarkably robust to variation in receiver orientation, so that efficacy is maximized in most potential signalling situations.

T29 Daniel A Van Dyk, Christopher S Evans Opponent assessment based on display rate in the Jacky dragon, Amphibolurus muricatus Many animals signal their resource holding potential (RHP) to deter competitors from engaging them in potentially costly fights. Studies of this opponent assessment function have generated important insights into signal design and evolution. In the case of sounds, rate of production is often a salient feature. We used digital video playback to conduct analogous experiments exploring the importance of temporal variation in visual signals. Our study focused on the push-up display of male Jacky dragons, an Australian agamid lizard. This stereotyped movement-based signal is commonly performed during male-male contests. A previous study has shown that Jacky dragons are sensitive to the overall display rate of a video conspecific. We built upon this finding by investigating the effect of fine-scale changes in display rate. Each playback sequence varied systematically across a different combination of display parameters, while keeping the total number of push-ups constant. Other potential cues, such as morphology and the characteristics of individual motor patterns, were precisely controlled. The aggressive signalling and locomotor behaviour of subject males varied significantly between treatments. Most notably, performance of throat expansions, a typical agamid threat posture, was suppressed by video sequences in which the initial displays were concentrated into bouts. These results show that lizards were sensitive to differences in the temporal structure of display sequences and suggest that this assessment process is extremely rapid; variation during the first few minutes of a simulated interaction was critically important in determining the intensity of aggressive responses.

T30 Kevin L Woo, Darren Burke, Christopher S Evans Motion sensitivity to speed and directional coherency of random-dot kinematograms in the Jacky dragon, Amphibolurus muricatus

Signal evolution is constrained by sensory properties. Recent work demonstrates that the design of both calls and ornaments can be explained in part by the sensitivity of receivers. Much less is known about dynamic signals such as threat displays, which are defined by movement. We used a novel technique to measure the motion sensitivity of Jacky dragons, a native Australian lizard that uses complex visual signals for opponent assessment. Subjects were initially trained to respond to drifting random dot patterns moving at three speeds (5o, 20o, 80o/s) with 100% directional coherence (i.e., all dots moving either left or right). These predicted the appearance of an animated invertebrate in the corresponding direction. Responsiveness was maintained by periodic reinforcement with live mealworms. Once reliable performance had been achieved, we conducted experimental trials to map variation in performance with all possible combinations of eight levels of dot speed (0.5o-160o/s) and coherence (0 - 100%). Results revealed a main effect for both speed and coherence, together with an interaction between these factors. Jacky dragons are very sensitive to fast movement, but have difficulty in perceiving relatively slow-moving targets (values below 10o/s). The visual system of these lizards is hence acutely sensitive to speeds characteristic of the motor patterns used for visual communication, particularly the tail-flick and push-up components of aggressive displays. In contrast, Jacky dragons may have difficulty in detecting the slow movement of predators such as snakes, or sedentary invertebrate prey. 14 ASSAB Conference 2006 Program T31 Angela McGuire, Sonia Kleindorfer Do Diamond Firetails have a preference for nests adorned with flowers?

Diamond Firetails, Stagonopleura guttata,, have been reported to weave flowers into their nests, although the function of this behaviour is not known. This study uses two years of observational and experimental field data combined with experimental aviary data to address the following questions: (1) nesting success in relation to the number of flowers at the nest entrance (observational and experimental approach), and (2) male and female preference for stem length and flower presence during nest building in aviaries (experimental approach). The results show significant variation across years in the numbers of flowers at nest entrances in the field, being over 50 flowers per nest in 2004 and between 1-10 flowers per nest in 2005. There was no effect of the number of flowers on nesting success in either year. Using experimental nests, we examined nest predation on plasticine eggs at nests with (N=15) and without (N=-15) flower adornment in the field. There was no significant difference in predation outcome across the two treatments. The results of the aviary study showed a clear preference for the length of the stem for nest building irrespective of the presence of flowers. This finding helps to explain the inconsistency among studies reporting the presence of flowers at nests of Diamond Firetails across Australia.

Communication 2: Acoustic signals

T32 Christopher S Evans, Stacey Kuan, Linda Evans Variation in the structure of a referential signal (or demolishing the Cartesian paradigm: the bowdlerized version)

Some animals produce highly-specific calls in response to predators. Playbacks evoke adaptive responses. Systems with these properties are functionally referential. Production and perception have been studied extensively at the level of call type, but very little is known about fine-grained variation in signal structure. We report experiments exploring the relationship between the behavior of a simulated terrestrial predator and the structure of alarm calls in male fowl. Ground alarm calls are not a homogenous signal class. Rather, there are several distinct call sub-types, which can be objectively classified based upon spectral and temporal characteristics. Birds move abruptly between these sub-types during bouts of calling. They also introduce graded changes in call elements. When we mapped these structural changes onto stimulus properties, we discovered orderly variation in usage. Playback experiments to hens demonstrate that this is sufficient to cause changes in the duration of anti-predator responses. Our results reveal a hierarchically organized system, in which gross changes denote predator category, while subtle ones reveal immediacy of threat or affective state.

T33 Robert D Magrath, Dirk Platzen, Junko Kondo Adaptive timing of development: the response of fledglings to aerial alarm calls

Leaving the nest marks a dramatic change in an altricial bird’s life, and exposes young to new predators or hunting techniques. Recently fledged young have poor agility and may be unable to recognize predators, so are likely to rely on parents to warn them of danger. Calling nestling scrubwrens (Sericornis frontalis) react with silence to playback of their parents’ mobbing alarm calls, which are given to predators on the ground near the nest, but largely ignore playback of aerial alarm calls, which are given to predators flying overhead. The nestlings’ behaviour appears to make adaptive sense: nests are cryptic and usually on the ground, so a flying predator is not a threat. As a further test of this idea of adaptive response to according to risk, we predicted that recently fledged birds would react with silence to aerial alarm calls. In contrast to nestlings, they are vulnerable to aerial attack. Supporting our prediction, recent fledglings reacted with silence to playback of trill alarms, whereas nestlings never became silent after playback of the same alarms. We conclude that young showed an adaptive change in response to aerial alarm calls, timed to coincide to with changing risk.

15 ASSAB Conference 2006 Program T34 Ryan Peter, Vic Peddemors Responses of Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins to active acoustic devices (pingers) deployed on shark nets in South

Pingers have been hailed as the panacea for cetacean bycatch problems, yet very limited information exists about delphinid reactions to these sounds. Theodolite tracking off Durban, South Africa, showed a significant change in the behaviour and approaches of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops aduncus) to shark nets when fitted with pingers. Dolphin travelling speed significantly reduced and fluctuated less during periods that pingers were activated. Feeding, socialising & slow travel did not change in response to pinger sounds. The change in swimming speed was particularly pronounced within 40m of the nets, with no fast travel recorded during observations with activated pingers. Even though the number of approaches to within 20m of the nets were significantly reduced during times that pingers were active, the slower travel speed recorded resulted in a significantly greater amount of time spent within this zone. The approach route taken by dolphin groups differed significantly between the two experimental phases, with dolphins exhibiting more investigative approaches when pingers were activated. Although dolphin catches have not ceased during years of pinger deployment, there has been a reduction in bycatch, suggesting that pingers may increase vigilance by dolphins when around nets. This research highlights that a suite of mitigation measures are required to successfully manage cetacean bycatch in gillnets.

T35 Simone Hartwig Acoustic methods as an application tool for the conservation of the African painted hunting dog

The African painted dog, Lycaon pictus, is one of Africa’s most endangered species. Even though painted dogs are legally protected and categorized as Endangered since 1990 (IUCN Red List of Threatened Species), they continue to be actively persecuted. In order to support conservation efforts it is most important to assess their population size and monitor life history and health status of every single individual (there are only 3.000 individuals left on the entire continent). Visual identification by observing unique coat markings will not always be possible because painted dogs often live in dense habitats. Therefore acoustic identification by individual voice patterns may be a complimentary method to identify and monitor painted dogs in dense vegetation. Additionally, playbacks of calls can be used to bring groups or individuals close enough for visual identification, which may allow researchers to assess population density and/or to evoke a vocal response for later acoustic recognition. Procedures that require immobilisation (such as injury treatment, removal of snares or fitting radio-collars) are much easier if individuals can be lured into accessible areas. Furthermore, the replay of Lycaon vocalisations can facilitate translocation operations by luring entire packs into makeshift enclosures. In this study, I tested the effectiveness of broadcasting long- distance calls to attract painted dogs. The likelihood that painted dogs will perceive the calls and be lured to the sound source increases if the calls are transmitted as far as possible. Therefore long-distance calls were tested for their transmission propagation by broadcasting experiments in different habitats at different heights.

T36 David R Wilson, James F Hare The adaptive utility of Richardson's ground squirrel ultrasonic alarm signals

When confronted by predators, Richardson’s ground squirrels (Spermophilus richardsonii) produce either audible (ca. 8 kHz) or ultrasonic (ca. 48 kHz) alarm vocalizations that warn conspecifics of impending danger. Because atmospheric attenuation of sound is frequency-dependent, audible calls travel farther than their ultrasonic counterparts, and can therefore be detected by conspecifics and allospecifics residing at greater distances. In our first experiment, we demonstrated that squirrels exploit the short-range propagation of ultrasound by facultatively producing ultrasonic alarm calls when predators are distant and unlikely to detect them. Of course, the intended recipients of ultrasonic alarm calls share equally with their predators the challenge of detecting a rapidly attenuating signal, and can therefore benefit from those signals only when they are within the signal's limited active space. Accordingly, one context in which short-range signalling may be highly adaptive is during natal emergence, when juvenile squirrels are particularly abundant, highly vulnerable to predation, and uniquely clustered in space. In our second experiment, we broadcast ultrasonic alarm signals to emerging juvenile squirrels and found that they, like older individuals, respond to those calls by increasing vigilance. We discuss the adaptive utility of employing multiple signalling strategies.

16 ASSAB Conference 2006 Program T37 Dianne H Brunton, Weihong Ji, Barbara A Evans Responses to songs of neighbours and non-neighbours in territorial female Bellbirds: are they dear enemies?

Many territorial birds show greater levels of aggression towards intrusions by strangers than by neighbours. This has been termed the “dear-enemy phenomenon”. In general this phenomenon is associated with multi- purpose and breeding territories rather than feeding territories supporting the hypothesis that levels of aggression are based on relative threat. Territorial defence among passerines often takes the form of singing behaviour and is most often performed by males. However, females of many southern hemisphere passerines sing complex and significant territorial songs. Bellbirds (Anthornis melanura) are one such species generally found throughout New Zealand. We used playback experiments of female songs (neighbour and stranger) to test the dear enemy phenomenon for these territorial females. Overall, we found no evidence to support the dear-enemy phenomenon; females responded more aggressively to playbacks of neighbouring female songs. Also, responses to playbacks were more intense during the chick-rearing than incubation period. Intra- sexual competition between females for male parental care has been proposed as the main role of female singing in this species. We suggest that neighbouring females pose a greater threat than unfamiliar females and that this threat is likely to be a loss of parental investment from her mate.

Breeding

T38 Jean Drayton, John Hunt, Robert Brooks, Michael D Jennions The effects of inbreeding on male courtship in black field crickets Teleogryllus commodus

The deleterious effects of inbreeding are well known and have been studied extensively for a variety of traits. Despite this, relatively little is known about the effects of inbreeding on sexually selected traits. We investigated the effect of one generation of brother-sister matings on male courtship in black field crickets Teleogryllus commodus. Courting males advertise to females by producing a short range courtship call. We quantified the effect of inbreeding on the structure of these calls and male calling effort. In addition, we assessed the effect of one generation of brother-sister matings on egg hatching success, nymphal survival, adult longevity, development time and adult mass. The results and implications of our research will be discussed.

T39 Brenda Kranz Egg size and reproductive allocation in eusocial thrips

Reproductive allocation, in terms of fecundity and egg size, has been given little consideration in eusocial societies. To begin to address this, absolute and body size–adjusted egg volumes were compared between the foundress and her subfertile soldier offspring in the eusocial gall-inducing thrips, Kladothrips hamiltoni, K. waterhousei, and K. habrus, and a congeneric with fully fecund soldiers, K. morrisi. Soldiers produced significantly larger eggs than the foundress in all species except K. morrisi, where egg volumes did not differ. After accounting for body size, soldiers produced significantly smaller eggs than the foundress in K. morrisi and marginally so in K. waterhousei, but egg sizes did not differ in K. hamiltoni and K. habrus. When egg size and fecundity data are combined, K. morrisi soldiers invest less in reproduction than the foundress, and in conjunction with other life-history features the species can be considered eusocial. Maximum likelihood analyses reveal relatively low reproductive allocation skew in the ancestral eusocial lineages and high skew in the derived lineages, but the trend is not significant when fecundity and egg size are considered separately. Gall size covaried negatively body size–adjusted egg size and reproductive allocation, and marginally so with fecundity, suggesting that gall size is a determinant of egg size and fecundity trade-offs in eusocial thrips and providing the strongest support to date that gall size has featured in the social evolution of this . This study highlights that data on fecundity alone may be insufficient for assessing reproductive division of labor.

17 ASSAB Conference 2006 Program T40 Leah Bala, Michael D Jennions, Robert Brooks, John Hunt Does an induced immune challenge affect pre-copulatory and post-copulatory determinants of male reproductive success in an Australian field cricket?

Lipopolysaccharides (LPS) from Serratia marcescens bacteria have been used in several studies to induce an immune response in insects, including crickets. LPS stimulates the humoral arm of the immune system, which can be measured as elevated production of lysozymes that destroys bacteria. First we inject adult male field crickets (Teleogryllus commodus) with LPS (10 or 50 ug per gram of cricket) or a control saline solution and then used a customised event recorder to record subsequent lifetime calling effort. Larger males called significantly more (P<0.001), and, using an ordered heterogeneity test, there was a weak negative effect of LPS on lifetime call production (P=0.03-0.08; N=107). There was no effect of LPS on male lifespan in two studies (P=0.36, N=191; P=0.80; N=110). Second, we estimated the number of sperm per spermatophore for LPS (50ug/g of cricket) and control injected males. Larger males produced spermatophores with significantly more sperm (P=0.005), but there was no effect of LPS on sperm count (P=0.98; N=110 males). Third, we used the sterile male technique (i.e. counted the proportion of eggs hatching) to compare paternity gains by males injected with LPS or control saline when mated to females that had previously mated with an irradiated male. There was no difference in egg hatching success which we equate with no effect of LPS on a male’s ability to gain paternity (P=0.60, N=118). Finally, we tested whether LPS stimulates lysozyme production in T. commodus. It did whether measured using a lytic zone assay or a microplate reader (both P<0.01).

T41 Diana O Fisher The adaptive significance of polyandry in the brown antechinus (Antechinus stuartii)

Females of many species from diverse taxa typically mate with more than one male at each reproductive cycle (polyandry). Both laboratory and field studies have shown that females can benefit because polyandrous behaviour increases the number and survival of their offspring. Young of polyandrous mothers might survive better because they are sired by males that are genetically compatible, have ‘good’ genes (that intrinsically promote survival), or because mothers allocate more resources when they mate with more or better males. Previous studies could not distinguish between these alternatives. However, the unusual life history of the small marsupial Antechinus stuartii allowed us to exclude the hypothesis of differential allocation by mothers. Females were assigned to a monandrous or polyandrous experimental treatment. Offspring of polyandrous females survived better in both laboratory and free-living conditions. Males that achieved more fertilisations under sperm competition had offspring that survived better. The post-copulatory mechanisms that bias paternity to males with high fitness explain why polyandry is adaptive in brown antechinuses.

T42 Greg Johnston, Lee Smith Nestling gender and brood reduction in the Australian pelican (Pelecanus conspicillatus)

Australian pelicans exhibit facultative brood reduction by siblicide. They lay two eggs, which hatch asynchronously, to produce siblings that differ in size and competitive ability. As in adult pelicans, male hatchlings are larger than females. We asked whether differences in size between nestlings of different gender may influence sex allocation, or the dynamics of competition among siblings. To answer this question, we studied 102 Australian Pelican nests in which both eggs hatched. We sexed each nestling using DNA-markers, and recorded aggression and survivorship for ten days following hatching, while the chicks were confined to the nest. While sex allocation theory predicts that parents should produce less of the larger (more costly) males, we found no evidence for a biased sex ratio among hatchlings. However, junior males suffered higher mortality than junior females. Also, in nests containing both sexes, there was more aggression when the junior chick was male than when the junior chick was female. These patterns conform to predictions from theory, and suggest that differences in size between male and female nestlings influence the dynamics of competition in brood reducing birds.

18 ASSAB Conference 2006 Program T43 Jacqueline Geurts Breeding ecology of Blue Penguins on Tiritiri Matangi Island New Zealand

At present the New Zealand populations of Blue Penguins (Eudyptula minor) is classified as “near threatened” by Department of Conservation. They are surviving in areas that are protected from predation such as Islands, while many smaller coastal populations are in decline. Beach monitoring has found that there are years of mass die-offs, although explanations for this are limited. Effective conservation management of the North Island sub-species requires an understanding of the factors affecting their survival and breeding success. There is little information on the breeding ecology of the Blue Penguin, especially in the northern most parts of New Zealand. The aims of this study were to 1. Quantify breeding success, 2. Evaluate reasons for nest failure, 3. Identify parameters influencing nesting success. These findings were used within a larger integrated study that considered the Feeding Ecology of the Blue Penguins and their role as a bio-indicator of the marine environment.

T44 SL Hazlitt, DP Sigg, MDB Eldridge, Anne W Goldizen Mating system and breeding group structure in the brush-tailed rock-wallaby

Most macropods studied thus far have polygynous mating systems with male reproductive success based on male size and relative dominance ranks. We hypothesized that the dependence of rock-wallabies on cliffs or rock-piles for diurnal shelter would provide males with greater opportunity to monopolize females through either female or refuge defence, and thus that their mating system would differ to those of most other macropods. We tested this hypothesis in a four-year study using genetic parentage, patterns of relatedness and home range data in a colony of approximately 40 brush-tailed rock-wallabies (Petrogale penicillata) in southeast Queensland. We trapped and sampled 32 breeding females, 18 adult males and 72 young during 16 trapping sessions; paternity was successfully assigned to 68 of these offspring. Twelve of the 18 males sired young over the four years, with most males fathering multiple young with multiple females both within and across years. In contrast most females were serially monogamous, with 11 of 13 females that had offspring fathered by multiple males having changed partners only after the disappearance of their first mate. Data on home range patterns and relatedness also revealed remarkably restricted mating dispersal for a mid- sized mammal and strong breeding group structuring, with significant female kinship within breeding groups and evidence for male dispersal among groups within the colony. We suggest that the restricted pattern of mating dispersal and strong breeding group structuring facilitates inbreeding avoidance and promotes high levels of genetic diversity at the colony scale.

T45 Ed Minot, Nat Wheelwright, Bob Mauck Death, divorce and dispersal in savannah sparrows: the female perspective

Migratory have a limited breeding season and short adult life. Annual choices of breeding partner, nesting site and timing of breeding have the potential for making marked differences in the lifetime reproductive success of individuals. Moreover, these choices are often inter-dependent because a change of partner may also involve moving to a new site and a delay in breeding. Here we describe results from an 18-year study of a population of breeding savannah sparrows on Kent Island in the Bay of Fundy, Canada. The data comprise 1645 nesting attempts. Although migratory, the birds are highly philopatric and breeding dispersal averages 35 m (range 0-750m.). The average breeding bird is 1.9 years old. Females returning to breed for a second or subsequent year may be divorced, widowed or with the same partner. Both widowed and divorced females are paired with a new partner, but for divorced females, the male from the previous year is known to be alive. Older males and older females both had more recruits (surviving offspring). Females that divorced mated with a male 0.5 years older than their previous male, but for widows the male was only 0.2 years older. The dispersal distances for the three categories are: same male 22m, widowed 53m, divorced 59m. With longer dispersal, females of all categories bred later, had smaller clutches and produced fewer recruits to the breeding population. Widows must make the best of a bad job, but divorce apparently confers no advantages to females.

19 ASSAB Conference 2006 Program Predator and prey

T46 Aaron MT Harmer Australian ladder web spiders: A scaled descent into the unknown

A ladder web is a highly modified orb web built by several species of spiders from around the world, as well as two newly discovered Australian species. The term ladder web is applied due the extraordinary vertical elongation of the web, which in the Australian species, may be as many as five times taller than wide. It has been hypothesised that the function of this unusual web design is to aid the spider in capturing moths. Moths are typically a difficult prey type for web building spiders due to their specialised defensive mechanism. The wings of moths are covered in fine scales that detach when they come in contact with a spider web. This usually allows the moth to drop down and out of the web. However, when a moth flies into a ladder web, instead of dropping out the bottom to safety, it will fall into lower parts of the extended orb until eventually there are no scales left to detach and it becomes entangled. The first step to investigate this hypothesis requires a detailed prey survey to determine whether or not ladder webs spiders do indeed catch and eat a higher proportion of moths than do other orb weavers. Here I present the first such data reporting on prey specificity of Australian ladder web spiders as well as new data on web construction, density and distribution.

T47 Dinesh Rao, Ken Cheng, Marie E Herberstein Context-dependant Stingless bee response to the web decorations of the St. Andrew’s Cross spider

Orb web spiders have evolved to construct webs that are near invisible to insect eyes in order to maximise their ability to capture prey. However, there are two main obstacles to near invisibility- 1. the presence of the spider on the web, and 2. the presence of certain fuzzy bands of silks seen in some species. These highly visible bands of silk or decorations are thought to actively attract prey to webs, by mimicking the UV- reflecting marks on flowers. We investigated the response of stingless bees to webs of the St. Andrew’s Cross spider under different conditions and contexts, thereby simulating a natural situation. More specifically, we evaluated the rates of bee interception in spider webs under the following contexts: 1. presence of decorations, 2. presence of spiders and 3. whether the bees were on their return flight to the hive or out foraging for food. We show that the context of web encounter influences the prey interception, implying that even though stingless bees are capable of seeing and avoiding the decorated web of the St. Andrew’s Cross Spider, there is nevertheless no lost opportunity cost to the spider. We discuss the influence of stingless bee motivation on the likelihood of getting captured.

T48 Jan Hemmi, Jochen Zeil Surviving on incomplete information: the organisation of anti-predator responses

The need to avoid predators shapes all aspects of the daily life of animals and prey animals are under enormous pressure to use an efficient and safe anti-predator strategy. However, both predators and their prey have sensory limitations that constrain what they can know about the presence, the identity and the movement directions of each other. These sensory and information processing limitations influence both the anti-predator responses of prey and the foraging strategies of hunters. There are limits of what animals can do and know. In order to understand how such limitations impact on animal interactions, we need to consider what information is available to animals under natural conditions and how they can process it. In Townsville, Australia, fiddler crabs on open mudflats are systematically hunted by the gull-billed terns. The crabs react to approaching birds at a time when the information they have on the presence of the bird is nothing but a change in the receptor potential in one or a few of their photoreceptors. At this early stage therefore, the information available to the crabs does not allow them to determine the size of the predator, its identity, or its direction of movement. Our goal is to understand the effects this deficit of information has on how the crabs organise their anti-predator behaviour. Our working hypothesis is that the crabs solve an optimizing task in which they attempt to increase the quality of available information, while delaying costly responses without taking significant risks.

20 ASSAB Conference 2006 Program T49 Jochen Smolka, Jan Hemmi, Jochen Zeil Tell me what you see and I’ll tell you when to run away: Visual predator avoidance in fiddler crabs

Animals need to detect and avoid predators. Predator avoidance behaviour usually comes at a cost and prey animals need to balance these costs with the risk of predation. However, animals never have perfect information about their predators. Models have only recently begun to explore the implications of incomplete and imperfect information for decision-making in anti-predator behaviour. There is a great need for experimental tests of how sensory limitations affect anti-predator strategies. Fiddler crabs present a well- studied and easily accessible experimental system for the measurement of both visual cues and visually elicited anti-predator behaviour. To model the processing of visual signals in their retina, I measured the ‘sampling array’ of the fiddler crab compound eye with a goniometer microscope. With a setup of synchronized panoramic video cameras I then filmed hunting birds from a fiddler crab perspective and at the same time recorded the behaviour of crabs. This will allow me to reconstruct exactly what the crabs see at each moment of their multi-staged anti-predator response sequence (freeze, home run, burrow vigilance, burrow entry). Monitoring what crabs actually see during natural predation events will help us understand the pragmatic rules that crabs use when detecting predators and responding to them.

T50 Mary EA Whitehouse, Mark Barnett Intraguild interactions and predator effects: the potential role of lynx spiders and damsel bugs in the control of green mirid damage in cotton

The aim of this study was to establish if two generalist predators, damsel bugs and lynx spiders, exerted either fatal or non-fatal effects on mirids to the extent that they could control this cotton pest. The second aim was to establish whether the presence of both predators increased or decreased mirid control in cotton and why. We tested whether lynx spiders and damsel bugs attacked mirids in the laboratory, whether lynx spiders and damsel bugs attacked each other, and whether they could control mirid numbers and damage in field cages. We found that: 1) under laboratory conditions lynx spider females were the best mirid predators, and that their presence altered mirid behaviour; 2) lynx spiders with a size advantage readily attacked damsel bugs, but damsel bugs with a size advantage did not readily attack lynx spiders; 3) in field cages containing mirids and lynx spiders only, lynx spiders controlled mirid numbers and damage, but in cages containing mirids, lynx spiders and damsel bugs, the mirids were not controlled. These results show that even when the dominant predator is the most efficient at attacking prey, the presence of another weaker predator can disrupt its effectiveness. This emphasises the complexity of even simple food webs, and indicates that although lynx spiders may have the potential to control mirids, they may not be so effective in the complex food webs found in cotton crops.

T51 Andrea Griffin Mixed-species aggregations in birds: zenaida doves (Zenaida auritus) respond to the alarm calls of carib grackles (Quiscalus lugubris)

Aggregating with heterospecifics may be particularly beneficial for a species that is able to exploit the antipredator behaviour of another. Territorial zenaida doves (Zenaida aurita) vigourously exclude conspecific intruders from their territory, but forage with, and acquire novel foraging techniques from, carib grackles (Quiscalus lugubris). Given that doves associate with no other conspecific than their mate and that they have no vocal alarm signals of their own, they might benefit from attending to the conspicuous alarm calls of carib grackles. In the present study, we found that zenaida doves suppressed foraging both in response to a model predator and to the sound of grackle alarm vocalizations. While responses to the predator model also involved moving away from its immediate vicinity, responses to grackle alarm vocalizations consisted of remaining alert and tail flicking. Together, these results strongly suggest that doves attend to the antipredator behaviour of carib grackles. These findings extend earlier work demonstrating that doves obtain foraging benefits from their association with grackles, to show that they may also obtain predator avoidance benefits.

21 ASSAB Conference 2006 Program T52 Adam Koboroff, Gisela Kaplan Ability to distinguish between predator type and species by Australian Magpies (Gymnorhina tibicen): a study of approach behaviour

My talk will concentrate on one subsection of the research for my thesis investigating forms of anti-predator behaviour (approach behaviour) in birds. Here we report on results whether Australian magpies employ different strategies for a variety of predators. Fourteen magpie groups from the Armidale area were presented with taxidermic/model predators (three aerial and two ground): wedge-tailed eagle, little eagle, brown goshawk and goanna. The fifth type was a realistic model snake. The results so far obtained show that magpies approach predators and may even attack them. Aerial predators were approached on 92-100% of presentations. The goanna was approached on 100% of presentations, whereas the snake was approached on only 23% of presentations. Aerial predators were attacked significantly more often than ground predators, the entire group of magpies engaging in distinct stereotyped flight and attack patterns. The number of attacks were significantly higher for wedge-tailed eagle and little eagle than for the goshawk. Vocalisations were also distinct per predator type, suggesting recognition of risk prior to attack. There were two distinct responses towards the goanna; 1) assembling around the head of the goanna, vocalising repetitively, using slow wing flaps: this is consistent with mobbing behaviour; 2) one individual magpie approaching the goanna moving around it in a seemingly random fashion but without vocalisations or wing movements (i.e. predator inspection). Magpies differentiate between predators, and this may be associated with risk assessment.

T53 Rachel A Sims Neighbourhood watch: using robotics to study nest defence in a cooperative colonial bird

Communal mobbing of predators is a conspicuous feature of many avian systems and may play a crucial role in ensuring nest success. However, when defensive tactics involve potential risk to the participant, individuals must decide when it is appropriate to invest in defence of another pair’s nest. Aggressive mobbing of predators is an important component of parental care in the colonially nesting, cooperative breeding, dusky woodswallow (Artamus cyanopterus). I investigated the investment made by parents, helpers, and their neighbours, in the defence of nests when presented with robotic pied currawong (Strepera graculina) models. Nests were presented with one of three animated models that moved following one of eight predetermined random movement patterns. This design reduced the effects two problems often inherent in model presentation experiments: reduced efficacy with exposure time, and pseudoreplication. I recorded the identity and intensity of response for all attending individuals for a ten-minute period. The majority of nests were defended solely by the individuals providing primary parental care to the nest. When communal defence was recorded, neighbours responded to alarm calls and provided substantial assistance to the target pair/group. It appears, therefore, that communal nest defence in woodswallows occurs only under very specific conditions: when neighbours share close social, and possibly familial, bonds. An emerging correlation between communally defending neighbour pairs and other observed cooperative behaviours further suggests that all neighbours are not equal.

T54 Toby Galligan, Sonia Kleindorfer The functional significance of the false cup nest in Yellow-rumped Thornbills, Acanthiza chrysorrhoa Yellow-rumped Thornbills, Acanthiza chrysorrhoa, are unique among thornbills in that they build a false cup nest on top of a true domed nest in which they lay their eggs. While many hypotheses have been proposed to explain the function of the false cup nests, few field studies have been conducted to specifically test the predator defense hypothesis. In this study I examine the functional significance of the cup nest, using both observational and experimental field data. Observational field data were used to examine nest site vegetation parameters, nest size, and nest building behaviour (males, females, helpers) in relation to features of the cup and domed nest, and overall nesting outcome. An experimental approach was used to examine nest treatment against predation outcome. The nest treatments were as follows: false eggs were placed within the domed nest and no structural manipulation was performed (treatment 1, T1); false eggs were placed within the domed nest and the cup nest was removed (T2); and false eggs were placed in the cup and no structural manipulation was performed (T3). This experimental design was used on natural nests (T1 = 6, T2 = 6, T3 = 6) and on artificial nests (T1 = 15, T2 = 15, T3 = 15). The results were as follows: predation level was not related to nest site or nest size. Males spent a significantly higher proportion of time visiting and building the cup nest compared with females or helpers. For both experimental nests, predation level was highest for T3 > T2 > T1. These results point to the adaptive significance of the cup nest to reduce predation level. The results also suggest that the cup nest may be under sexual selection given the pronounced gender skew in its construction. 22 ASSAB Conference 2006 Program T55 Melanie Massaro, Jim V Briskie Introduced mammalian predators induce life-history shifts in a native New Zealand Over 50 years ago, Alexander Skutch (1949) suggested that birds in areas of high predation risk should reduce this risk by visiting their nests less frequently, and compensate by bringing more food to their offspring per visit; they should also evolve smaller clutches, subdued chick begging, and faster chick development. The native fauna of New Zealand evolved largely in the absence of mammalian predators, but the introduction of mammals by humans over the last thousand years has thus subjected native birds to novel selective pressures. We tested Skutch's ideas by comparing life history traits between bellbirds (Anthornis melanura) on an isolated predator-free offshore island (not previously exposed to predators) with populations of bellbirds on the New Zealand mainland (which have co-evolved with mammals over the last thousand years since human colonisation). Bellbirds on the mainland laid smaller clutches and their levels of attentiveness during incubation was over 10% higher than of bellbirds on the predator-free offshore island. Moreover, bellbirds on the mainland visited their nest less frequently during incubation and nestling stage. We did not detect any differences in numbers of chicks fed per feeding visit between bellbirds on the mainland and the offshore island. These results support Skutch's hypothesis and suggest that the strong selection pressure exerted by introduced mammalian predators alters the behaviour and life-history traits in native New Zealand songbirds on a fine-temporal scale. This research supports the possibility of integrating evolutionary concepts into management and conservation efforts to ensure the long-term survival of native island bird species, specifically in areas where the eradication of introduced mammalian predators is economically and biologically unrealistic.

T56 Sarah Lambert, Sonia Kleindorfer Nest concealment and human visitation: effects on nest predation

There are numerous declining bird species in the Mount Lofty Ranges, South Australia that are affected by high levels of nest predation, and hence experience low recruitment into the area. We measured the vegetation characteristics surrounding 31 New Holland Honeyeater nest sites in two study sites within the Mount Lofty Ranges to determine if predation outcome (depredated or fledged) covaried with vegetation parameters. We also used an experimental design to control for the influence of human visitation on predation outcome, by randomly allocating each encountered nest to low or high levels of observer visitation. We compared nest vegetation parameters for the two “visitation level” groups, and found no significant differences across experimental treatments. There was also no effect of human visitation level on predation outcome. In contrast, nest concealment variables were significantly related to predation level, as revealed using Principle Components Analysis and logistic regression. In particular, the variable nest concealment to the sides was important for predation outcome, with lower predation at more concealed nests. The identity of the nest predators remained unknown.

Suites of behaviour T57 David L Sinn Development of behavioural types: conceptual issues and mechanisms generating phenotypic variation in squid personality traits There have been a number of recent reports on animal ‘personality’ traits (e.g. shy-bold, activity, etc.) in a wide range of taxa, suggesting that this within-population behavioural variation is widespread. Understanding the ecological and evolutionary significance of this behavioural variation requires identification of processes which create and maintain adult trait variation. Despite this, there has been relatively little focus on developmental processes that result in adult trait variation. To address this, 41 dumpling squid (Euprymna tasmanica) were tracked across the majority of their lifespan in two test situations, and behavioural types were identified relative to an earlier study on wild-caught adults (Sinn & Moltschaniwskyj, 2005). Three traits (shy-bold, activity, and reactivity) reliably described behavioural types across all ages. Patterns of consistent behavioural expression were both age- and situation-specific, while traits were expressed in a context-specific manner regardless of age. Individual-level analyses revealed significant links between shy-bold types and their developmental variation. Bold individuals were associated with little developmental variance, while shy individuals were more variable in their response, usually by becoming more shy. Variation in shy-bold behavioural types was also correlated with lifetime growth rates. Results are discussed in terms of conceptual issues relating to the development of behavioural types and individual-level processes resulting in adult squid personality trait variation. 23 ASSAB Conference 2006 Program T58 Leeann T Reaney Behavioural syndromes in a fiddler crab: do faint hearts ever win fair ladies?

Behavioural syndromes refer to the suite of correlated behaviours displayed by individuals either within or across different contexts. The bold-shy continuum is one behavioural syndrome that is defined as the degree of risk one individual is willing to take in novel or dangerous situations. I studied whether the tendency to take risks after a predation attack was correlated with fighting ability and mating success in the fiddler crab Uca mjoebergi. I classified males as either bold or shy according to their response to a potential aerial predator. Bold males were classified as those willing to take greater risks and re-emerge soon after a predation attack, while shy males remained in the safety of their burrows. Since bold males were more willing to take risks, I tested whether they were 1) more aggressive when fighting for a burrow; 2) more surface active and 3) more successful at attracting a sampling female compared to shy males. The fitness benefits of boldness and shyness in U. mjoebergi will be discussed.

T59 Taneal M Cope, DHB Brunton The use of behavioural similarities in understanding the relationship of the New Zealand Bellbird (Anthornis melanura) to the Australasian Honeyeaters

This study investigates the relationship of the New Zealand Bellbird (Anthornis melanura) to the Australasian Honeyeaters using a comparative analysis of their phenotypic and behavioural similarities. Variables included in the multivariate analysis include body size, degree of sexual dimorphism and breeding/nesting characteristics. Breeding characteristics measured included nesting variables; egg traits; mating systems and parental care (including incubation length). Nest types among honeyeaters are particularly variable and range from open cups to hidden purse nests. Likewise nest site flexibility varies by species. Similarly nest concealment ranged from conspicuous to completely covered. Egg characteristics including egg size, egg shape and egg colour were also included in analysis. The lack of basic natural history information for several species was notable and should be of particular concern to ornithologists and conservationists. The use of behavioural comparisons as a tool for understanding Honeyeater relatedness is discussed. A comparison of this method with known phylogenetics is made and the plasticity of behavioural and phenotypical traits among the Honeyeaters compared.

T60 Stefan M Klose, C Smith, EKV Kalko Corticosterone and life history in a neotropical rainforest fruit bat in Panama

Changes in reproductive state or the environment may affect the sensitivity of the hypothalamic-pituitary- andrenal axis (HPA). However, little is known about the dynamics of the resulting corticosteroid stress response, in particular in tropical mammals. In this study, we address the modulation of corticosterone release in response to different reproductive conditions and seasonality in 326 free-living common fruit- eating bats (Artibeus jamaicensis) on Barro Colorado Island in Panama during dry and wet season. We present strong evidence that stress sensitivity is primarily modulated by reproductive condition. In reproductively active females, increases in corticosterone were more rapid and reached higher levels, but also decreased significantly faster than in inactive females. The corticosterone response was weaker in reproducing males than in females and delayed compared to non-reproductive males. Testes volume in reproductively active males was negatively correlated with corticosterone concentrations. Our findings suggest differentiated dynamics in the corticosterone stress response between sexes, potentially reflecting conflicting ecological demands. In females, a strong acute corticosterone response may represent high stress- and risk-sensitivity that facilitates escape and thus helps to protect reproduction. In males, suppression during reproductive activity could reflect lowered stress sensitivity to avoid chronically elevated corticosterone levels in times of frequent aggressive and therefore costly inter-male encounters.

24 ASSAB Conference 2006 Program T61 Russell Bonduriansky The function and expression of sexual size and shape dimorphism in the Australian fly Telostylinus angusticollis (Neriidae)

Sexually homologous traits that are expressed differentially in the two sexes provide valuable opportunities to investigate sex-specific selection, and the genetic and environmental factors controlling trait expression. Theory predicts that the evolution of sexual dimorphism under sexual selection will be tightly coupled with the evolution of condition dependence, because condition dependence enables individuals to optimize the trade-off between sexual and viability-related functions. However, the coevolution of these complex traits has never been investigated. I addressed this question in the Australian fly Telostylinus angusticollis, which exhibits pronounced sexual dimorphism in body size and shape. T. angusticollis forms aggregations on damaged tree trunks, where females oviposit in the rotting bark, and males form hierarchies based on body size and shape. Exaggeration of male body size and some shape traits thus appears to have been driven by sexual selection. I manipulated larval diet and compared treatment effects on variation within and between sexes in adult body size and seven body shape components, including both sexual and non-sexual traits. I found that condition dependence and sexual dimorphism were remarkably congruent: variation in the magnitude of condition effects on male traits, whether quantified as effects on trait size or as effects on allometric slope, explained over 90% of the variation in the magnitude of sexual dimorphism. The genetic mechanisms that give rise to multivariate sexual dimorphism in body shape thus function in a strongly condition dependent manner in this species, suggesting a common genetic basis for body shape variation within and between sexes.

T62 Michelle Lemon, Douglas H Cato, Tim P Lynch, Robert G Harcourt Variation in the behaviour of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops aduncus) in Southeastern Australia

Dolphins are social animals that inhabit an environment where visual cues are often limited, thus acoustic signals play an important role in inter- and intra-group communication. Phonations, including whistles, echolocation clicks and burst-pulsed sounds, serve many functions, including signalling information to conspecifics, for orientation and navigation, or the detection of predators and prey. Variation in delphinid calls may occur between individuals or species, and may differ according to environmental conditions, behavioural context or geographic location. To determine if geographic variation between populations of a species occurs, some evidence of isolation of these groups must be observable. Variation in the acoustic and surface behaviour of two geographically separated populations of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops aduncus) in Southeastern Australia was investigated over a three year period. Two hypotheses were tested; when dolphins are engaged in specific behavioural activities, they produce specific phonations; and variation in the vocal repertoire may occur due to geographic isolation. Significant differences were found in group structure, possibly relating to differences in habitat. Overall rate of sound production by the dolphins was similar in each field site and varied according to behavioural activity. Call rates were highest in behaviours involving increased activity levels. Whistle rate and the duration of echolocation clicks were similar for each location, however, burst-pulsed sounds varied significantly with behavioural state and between the field areas. This difference may relate to differing social behaviour and driven by variations in social structure and environmental conditions.

T63 Weihong Ji, Dianne Brunton Resource defending strategies of a successful New Zealand honey eater, tui (Prosthemadera novaeseelandiae)

Tui are one of the two species of endemic honey eaters in New Zealand. While bellbirds are locally extinct northern New Zealand, tui are still common and relatively widespread. The success of tui may partly be due to their aggressive nature. This study investigates the inter- and intra- species aggression of tui and the strategies this species uses to defend concentrated food sources. Five aggressive strategies of tui were observed during defence of nectar rich pohutukawa flowers against conspecifics and other bird species. In this paper, we report the occurrence of each behaviour and whether tui apply different strategies in different circumstances (i.e. body size of the opponent and distance to the opponent).

25 ASSAB Conference 2006 Program T64 Mattias Hagman Communication systems of invasive toads: is there potential for control?

The feral cane toad (Bufo marinus) is rapidly spreading across tropical Australia. Due to its potentially devastating effect on natural ecosystems, the hunt is on for novel and effective means of control. I have explored the degree to which a variety of stimuli influence the behavior of tadpoles and metamorphs. My investigation indicates that chemicals may play an important role in communicating behavioral responses in these animals. Importantly the observed behaviors are predictable and easy to stimulate. Thus, understanding communication systems of this (and presumably other) invasive species might offer potential for control.

Posters

Suites of behaviour

P1 Jo McEvoy, Erik Wapstra, David Sinn Behavioural types in a native rodent, Rattus lutreolus velutinus

Traditionally, studies in behavioural ecology have focused on behaviours and associated fitness consequences in isolated functional contexts (e.g. foraging, mating), with an underlying assumption that individuals display optimal behaviour at all times. Individual behavioural variation in this framework has been treated as noise around an adaptive mean. Recently, behavioural ecologists have recognized the potential for adaptive individual differences within a population. Behavioural syndromes are suites of correlated behavioural traits over contexts (or time), within which an individual may display a behavioural type, or personality (e.g., bold or shy individual). While this new approach has surged in recent years and has been examined in a variety of taxa (birds, mammals, reptiles, and cephalopods), there are surprisingly few studies of native mammals and none on native rodents. Our project addresses this by looking at behavioural types in an endemic Tasmanian rodent, the velvet furred rat (Rattus lutreolus velutinus). Our approach is to examine whether behavioural types exist and the interaction between behavioural type and plasticity (via an explore test conducted over 4 levels of predator risk). Additionally, we will attempt to document proximate measures which result in the maintenance of behavioural types within a population through the interaction of type and physiology. By looking at individual differences in behaviour in a variety of contexts, and examining the links between behavioural type, physiology, and plasticity, we hope to add to knowledge of this emerging field, as well as to understand the possible fitness consequences associated with behavioural type within a native mammalian species.

Information processing

P2 Ximena J Nelson, Chris S Evans, David C O’Carroll The unique motion detecting eyes of a miniature predator

Our vertebrate eyes are but one of at least 10 distinct design solutions evolved to deal with the challenge of perceiving the visual world. These can be broadly grouped into two classes, each accommodating the competing tasks of high-resolution vision and motion detection. Some animals have large eyes that address both requirements in a single structure. This obliges them to allocate vast neural resources to the resulting processing load, or, otherwise, to compromise visual acuity. The alternative design that segregates the tasks of motion and form processing into separate systems is unique to spiders and makes relatively modest computational demands, while achieving high acuity and large field of view. Jumping spiders are renowned for their complex visually mediated behaviour, yet we know little about how this is achieved. Current knowledge about motion detection in jumping spiders is presented. Jumping spiders process information concerning motion using three pairs of ‘secondary’ eyes. The design of the retina is discussed in the context of behavioural and physiological results. These highlight many unresolved issues, the most intriguing of which appears to be the possibility that these eyes may also process information regarding shape. Currently, scientists in Australia and in New Zealand are attempting to document the characteristics of the entire visual system of jumping spiders. Results will achieve the first synthesis of the jumping spider visual system, permit comparison with other systems that have evolved independently and contribute to the field of biomimetics.

26 ASSAB Conference 2006 Program P3 Duane Harland Behaviour of the active eyes of a miniature predator

The eyesight of jumping spiders (salticids) is legendary and in their day-to-day activities salticids rely heavily on vision-guided problem solving, decision making and forward planning that is at a level that is unusual even for vertebrates. Consequently these miniature-brained hunters make excellent models for investigating the complex interrelationship between vision and intelligent behaviour. Salticids have eight eyes, but it is the two bulging, forward-facing ‘principal’ eyes that support object identification, and in species from the genus Portia spatial acuity is as low as 0.04° (unrivalled for any similar sized animal and approaching that of primates). Although the principal eye’s cornea (a fixed part of the salticid’s cuticle) has a field of view of 50°, the high-acuity region of Portia’s principal eye retina (fovea) covers a mere 0.6° and has no more than a few hundred receptors. However, a distinctive characteristic of each principal eye is that the retina sits at the end of a long eye tube. Attached to the eye tube, complex musculature sustains intricate and almost continual movement patterns. How the retina’s gaze traverses the much larger corneal image is the focus of research at Canesis Network Ltd and the University of Canterbury. This work in New Zealand on form perception will closely complement work in Australia on motion-based visual perception. The study is part of a wider international effort to understand the mechanisms of visual perception in salticids, covering neuroscience, selective extraction of salient features, and culminating in understanding vision-based control of behaviour and decision making.

P4 Karin Nordström, Paul D Barnett, David C O’Carroll Visual target detection in clutter

The hoverfly Eristalis tenax exhibits typical syrphid behavior, with mid-air hovering followed by rapid pursuit of conspecifics. Hoverflies rely on the ability to detect small rapidly moving targets to find mates, as well as to defend their territory. Target detection in visual clutter is a challenge made all the harder by the limited visual acuity of the insect compound eye. We are characterizing the morphology and electrophysiology of small target movement detector (STMD) neurons specialized for this task, which are located in the lobula complex (the 3rd optic ganglion) of the fly brain. We define STMDs by a powerful response to small objects (<2 degrees square) moving across a bright or cluttered background, but weak or no response to stimuli that excite wide-field motion detectors. In our analysis of the response’s dependence on target contrast and background characteristics we find that some classes of STMDs are surprisingly good at detecting targets in confounding conditions. We use different background textures, some with 1/f image statistics similar to those of natural scenes. Amazingly, one degree square targets still elicit responses at low contrasts, even in the presence of background motion. We find that the contrast of the target is crucial for eliciting a response as the contrast tuning is similar whether the target traverses a moving textured background or an eqiluminescent stationary one. Stronger responses to black targets are only seen when the background luminance is increased.

P5 Catherine Prabhu, Ken Cheng Honey bees rely on recent memories: A test of the Temporal Weighting Rule

Free-flying honeybees (Apis mellifera) were studied to determine the extent to which they follow the Temporal Weighting Rule, a theory of foraging memory, which states that animals dynamically average patch values over time in order to minimise uncertainty. Acquisition, Retention and Integration of odour memories were studied. Bees underwent training involving three different odours, with a reversal of odours. They were tested over delay to ascertain how their preference changed over time. Contrary to the prediction, bees did not respond according to temporally weighted patch values, and simply maintained their most recent preference on immediate testing. It is theorised that relying on their most recent memory in the absence of other information may be an adaptive strategy for the honey bee, with particular reference to their short foraging lifespan and the social aspects of the bee foraging.

27 ASSAB Conference 2006 Program Communication

P6 Kim L Delaney, PJ Bishop Communication in the world’s most ancestral frog

New Zealand frogs (genus Leiopelmatidae) are the most ancient living frog species. They exhibit some morphological characteristics which are only seen in a few other extant species, which include the lack of ear drums or vocal sacs – two crucial aspects of vocal communication. For these reasons Leiopelma individuals do not appear to communicate bioacoustically. As most anurans communicate acoustically, other modes of communication in this group has received very little attention. This project investigates the use of chemical communication in two species of Leiopelma (L. pakeka and L.hochstetteri). In addition, we investigated the chemicals they use, the mode of transmission, and how their behaviour changes in the presence of a range of conspecifics. The results of this research are important as these frogs represent the ancestral form of all extant frogs, allowing us to examine how frogs communicated before acoustic mechanisms evolved. Identifying the specific mechanisms involved in communication will also have implications in captive breeding and conservation of these endangered species.

P7 Anne E Wignall, Phillip W Taylor To catch a spider: do hunting S. bituberus aggressively mimic insect prey in webs?

Predators use a diverse array of strategies to capture prey. One strategy, aggressive mimicry, occurs when the predator mimics another organism to deceive its prey. We are currently investigating how an assassin bug, Stenolemus bituberus (Heteroptera, Reduviidae), uses aggressive mimicry to capture its spider prey. S. bituberus hunts by manipulating the silk of a spider web, a method which is hypothesised to mimic the struggles of insects within the web, thus luring the resident spider within attacking range. We are using synchronised laser vibrometry and video recording techniques to analyse the vibrations caused by hunting bugs. These vibrations are being compared to the vibrations caused by struggling insects caught within the web. This approach will elucidate if S. bituberus is aggressively mimicking the struggles of spider prey.

P8 Kevin L Woo, CS Evans Visual signal syntax in the Jacky dragon (Amphibolurus muricatus)

The syntactical structure of communicative signals inherently elicits social interactions between conspecific species provided that the signals are identified as a function of signal order. Syntax, in this case, is defined as a temporal order of association pertaining to the way in which signal segments are linked. However, with much attention to syntax burgeoning from early acoustic studies, few have examined changes in the visual system. The Jacky dragon (Amphibolurus muricatus) is a native Australian agamid lizard characterized by a highly stereotyped display action pattern (DAP) used for social interactions. Twenty Jacky dragons were used in a series of computer-generated playback experiments designed to engage subjects in either attention alerting (conspicuousness) or recognition mechanisms. Experiment 1 and 2 examined the nature of conspicuousness by segmenting the DAP of a tail-flick (TF), backward-forward arm wave (BFAW), and push-up body rock (PUBR) matched to population typical displays into various combinations. Experiment 1 manipulated syntactical order between TF and PUBR, while Experiment 2 manipulated the order of the full DAP display (TF x BFAW x PUBR). Experiment 3 examined whether syntactical recognition is truly a function of normal DAP or reversed order, as well as relative texture and morphology. Preliminary results suggest that all movement is inherently conspicuous and that matched movement-based characteristics are the most important feature in signal recognition. This suggests that Jacky dragons can recognize and engage in social interactions strongly based on movement and normal syntactical signal structure, while ignoring unnatural sequences of irrelevant motor patterns.

28 ASSAB Conference 2006 Program P9 Michelle Lemon, AMT Harmer, PW Taylor Acoustic sexual communication in Queensland fruit flies

Queensland fruit flies (Tephritidae: aka ‘Q-flies’), Australia’s worst insect pest of horticultural crops, is managed within the Fruit Fly Exclusion Zone (FFEZ) covering large parts of NSW, VIC & SA by the Sterile Insect Technique (SIT). In SIT, released sterile males compete with wild males for matings with wild, fertile, females. Reproduction is curtailed in females mated by sterile males, and the wild population is hence reduced in the next generation. Sexual performance of released sterile males is obviously pivotal to pest management success of SIT. In many flies, including other tephritids, male acoustic courtship performance is an important determinant of mating success. Remarkably, despite many years of implementation of SIT for Q-flies, acoustic communication has never been investigated in this species. Here we report on the first detailed investigation of acoustic sexual communication of male Q-flies and specifically consider the possibility that the irradiation treatment used in the pupal stage for reproductive sterilisation of adults (73Gy) influences male acoustic courtship performance.

P10 Hou-Chun Chen, Gisela Kaplan, Lesley J Rogers Vocal behaviour in isolated marmosets (Callithrix jacchus) on presentation of stimuli

Marmosets use tsik calls to communicate with conspecifics when they encounter danger. Previous studies of our colony of marmosets have shown that two groups of marmosets of different families, age range and living experience expressed significantly different mobbing responses to our specific stimulus (a wooden rearing-snake). Based on these results, we wanted to see whether this group difference extended to individuals. Marmosets were tested individually in isolation from their natal group. Individuals from each group were isolated in a separate observation room and presented with 3 stimuli, including the rearing-snake that had elicited strong mobbing responses in one group. The results show that all individuals in the two groups of marmosets in our colony express significantly different mobbing responses to a stimulus when isolated. They also display non-vocal behaviour when they encounter each stimulus. The behavioural pattern they express individually are likely to be correlated to the ones they have shown in the group. The results also showed that the shaping of specific behavioural responses carry to the next generation even though they may not have same kind of experience as adult members. This suggests that groups with different living experience individually might form their own group response.

P11 Hou-Chun Chen, Gisela Kaplan, Lesley J Rogers Contact behaviour in the isolated marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) and its natal group

Research has established that phee and twitter vocalisations are the predominant calls used as contact calls in marmosets, and phee calls are also used by isolated marmosets. Conspecifics use phee calls and may also use twitter calls to respond. In this study, eight marmosets were visually and individually isolated. The dialogues between the isolated caller and the respondents were recorded and analysed. The results show that marmosets vary the length of phee calls. They can occur in bouts of 1-6 syllables. Previous studies have only studied at 1-2 phee syllables. Too few 1, 5 and 6 syllables phee calls were emitted and these were discarded from analysis. The majority of phee call responses is between 2-4 syllables. Marmosets in isolation produce a significantly higher rate of phee calls than in their home-room. In addition, members in the same home- room with the isolated caller generally respond to more calls than marmosets in other rooms. Particularly, members in the same home-room with the isolated caller emit significantly higher rates of twitter calls than other marmosets. The results suggest that phee calls contain gender information. In addition, members that live in the same home-room tend to use more twitter calls to communicate with each other than other group members. This may suggest that marmosets may recognise the calls of the familiar marmosets and distinguish these from unfamiliar groups.

29 ASSAB Conference 2006 Program P12 Gisela Kaplan, Lesley J Rogers Lateralized visual response to playback of predator alarm calls in the Australian Magpie

Avian species with their eyes placed laterally view stimuli at a distance monocularly. Eye preference for viewing predators has been shown to be present for a number of avian species as well as for amphibians, reptiles and mammals and to exist at population level. Such eye preference is linked to specifically rapid patterns of responding to stimuli, in particular to predators. We have considered lateralized eye use in Australian magpies (Gymnorhina tibicen) and tested them in their natural environment. Calls elicited by magpies on being presented with a range of avian predators (such as wedge-tailed eagle, little eagle and goshawk) were recorded and used for playback in these experiments. Speakers were placed on the ground and the calls played back at the same dB levels as recorded (95-110 dB) at a distance of approximately 10m. Results show that playback of a specific eagle alarm call elicited looking up responses, evidence of referential signalling that we have discussed elsewhere. We found that the left eye was used almost exclusively for scanning of the sky, in contrast to an absence of eye/ear preference during foraging, which we also scored. We report here that magpies use their left eye to track and locate moving food objects, consistent with laboratory studies of the domestic chick. We relate eye preferences to differences between the hemispheres for processing visual information.

P13 Gisela Kaplan, Gayle Johnson, Lesley Rogers Predator specific calls in the Australian Magpie Gymnorhina tibicen

The current set of experiments involved recording vocalizations given by Australian magpies in response to presentation of taxidermic raptor models (wedge-tailed eagle Aquila audax and little eagle Hieraaetus morphnoides) and a goanna (lace monitor Varanus varius). During each trial, free-living magpies in rural and urban locations were observed for 15 minutes (five minutes pre-test, five minutes test and five minutes post-test). During the test period they were exposed to the models. Vocalizations given during the trial were recorded and analyzed using Raven sound analysis software. Most of the vocalizations were given during the test period with very few given during pre-tests. Vocalizing sometimes continued into the post-test period but usually ceased within a minute or two. The vocalizations mostly consisted of discrete short calls, which were classified into six types. Numbers of each type given in each trial were counted. Initial results suggest differences in the responses given to different predator types and possibly differences in responses given in different locations (rural vs. urban). One call, type 6, was given in response to the wedge-tailed eagle only. Furthermore, the wedge-tailed eagle models elicited a greater range of call types with all six call types given in rural locations and five call types given in urban locations. Another call, call 5, was given in response to both the wedge-tailed eagle and little eagle. Responses to the goanna model were much simpler in both number and types of call and did not include call 5 or call 6. These results will be further used to investigate whether magpies use referential signaling.

Group living

P14 Adam Koboroff and Gisela Kaplan Influence of social order on one aspect of anti-predator strategies: approach behaviour

My poster will report on preliminary results on whether or not an individual’s place in the social hierarchy can influence its role in the group’s response to a predator. So far two groups of zebra finches have been tested. Each group consists of six individuals of the same sex. The social hierarchy was determined by observations of agonistic displays and feeding order. Each group was presented with three taxidermic/model predators: brown goshawk, goanna and a rubber snake. As a control stimulus, a taxidermic model of a feral chicken was presented. Each stimulus was once presented at perch height, and once at floor level. The snake model was also moved along cage floor using fishing line. A clear social order was observed across tests. At perch height, avoidance behaviour was common to all predator presentations. There was always one individual, high in social ranks that emitted alarm calls. The response to the stimuli whilst presented at floor level differed according to stimulus. No response was given to the chicken and the goshawk. The goanna and the snake (both stationary and moving) were approached by individuals of high social rank. This included the individual that emitted alarm calls during presentations at perch height. These preliminary results suggest that it is the dominant members of the group that approach and signal the presence of predators and less dominant individuals follow. 30 ASSAB Conference 2006 Program P15 Danielle Sulikowski, Darren Burke, Nansi Richards, Marie E Herberstein Impacts of enclosure design on the behaviour of captive animals: A study on two populations of the central rock-rat (Zyzomys pedunculatus)

Captive breeding and reintroduction programs are becoming an increasingly important part of endangered species conservation. Relatively poor success of such programs has been at least partially due to deficiencies of key adaptive behaviours in reintroduced individuals, resulting from inadequate captive environments. In an attempt to improve the potential for successful reintroduction of the captive rock-rat (Zyzomys pedunculatus), a critically endangered Australian rodent, the behaviour of two captive breeding populations being held at Alice Springs Desert Park and Perth Zoo, respectively, were compared. Behavioural differences between the two locations were observed in activity levels, levels of exhibited stereotypy and ways in which the respective enclosures were used. Variations in enclosure design may have played a causal role in the observed behavioural differences. This study highlights the importance of considering enclosure design when keeping captive populations, particularly for the purposes of reintroduction.

P16 Joanna Wiszniewski, Luciana Möller, Shannon Corrigan, Simon Allen, Luciano Beheregaray The social structure of inshore bottlenose dolphins, Tursiops aduncus, in Port Stephens, New South Wales

Coastal bottlenose dolphins live in fission fusion societies, where individuals join and leave groups on a fluid basis yet maintain long-term associations with certain individuals. Females commonly associate in bands, a network of loosely associated females that inhabit similar core areas. Band membership is significantly influenced by kinship in Port Stephens (PS) however it is apparent that other factors are also at play. In contrast, males often form stable, long-term relationships with one to three individuals. Although there is inter-population variation in the importance of kinship in the formation of these bonds, males within alliances are observed to cooperatively herd individual receptive females in order to mate. It has therefore been hypothesized that males form alliances to increase their reproductive success. This project aims to assess the spatial and temporal patterns of associations within female bands and male alliances and further investigate factors, such as reproductive condition, influencing these relationships. Association patterns will be determined by photo-identification surveys in PS from 2006 to 2008 during both breeding and non- breeding seasons and will be compared to data collected between 1998 and 2005. Additionally, to elucidate male mating strategies, further biopsy samples will be obtained from females and calves. These samples, together with 153 samples already available, will be genotyped at 20 microsatellite loci. Determining the paternity of each calf will provide insight into the strategies employed by males to maximise their competitive ability for females. A preliminary parentage analysis showed evidence for a skew in reproductive success towards males within alliances.

P17 Mary EA Whitehouse, Yael Lubin The functions of societies and the evolution of group living: Spider societies as a test case

Many models have been proposed to explain how different expressions of sociality have evolved and are maintained, but there is no unifying framework. Here we present a new perspective on sociality (the Functional Social Theory) where the function of the group takes a central role. We argue that sociality has a reproductive, protective or foraging function, depending on whether it enhances the reproductive, protective or foraging aspect of the animal’s life (it may serve a mixture of these functions). By identifying which function influences a particular social behaviour, we can determine how that social behaviour will change with changing conditions, and which models are the most pertinent. We tested the Functional Social Theory on spider sociality, which is often considered as the poor cousin to insect sociality. We found that the group characteristics of eusocial insects is largely governed by the reproductive function of their groups, while the group characteristics of social spiders is largely governed by the foraging function of the group. This means that models relevant to insects may not be relevant to spiders and explains why eusocial insects have developed a strict caste system while spider societies are more egalitarian. The Functional Social Theory also enabled us to better understand the social structure of spider groups and therefore the evolutionary potential for speciation in social spiders. The Functional Social Theory could be used with any social group to clarify which factors are driving the sociality, and to generate predictions on the response of the social structure to different environmental pressures.

31 ASSAB Conference 2006 Program Reproduction

P18 Samuel R Collins, Diana Perez-Staples, Phillip W Taylor Patterns of sperm precedence in Queensland fruit fly (Bactrocera tryoni): effects of male size and copulation duration

Sperm competition and selection can be studied through observation of non-random differential fertilization success, or sperm precedence, among mating males. Sperm precedence is typically measured as the proportion of progeny sired by the second male to mate with a sequentially mated female, termed the P2- value. P2 is most often expressed as a species specific mean value with the second male to mate typically gaining a moderate to high paternity. Observations of mean P2 over time can give insight into how sperm mechanisms function. However individual P2 values can range widely around recorded mean values, such that a species’ mean value may actually tell us little of the specific mechanisms that affect individual sperm precedence. This results from a high level of intraspecific variation amongst individual mating males. To identify potential effects on individual precedence patterns, specific morphological and behavioural traits need to be studied. The sperm precedence pattern of the Queensland Fruit Fly, an important economic crop pest, is studied here using the sterile male technique. This involves a female fly sequentially mated with two male flies, one of which has been sterilised by exposure to gamma radiation. A P2 value is calculated by comparing proportions of hatched and un-hatched eggs and assigning them to either the sterile or fertile male. The copulation duration of mating pairs and individual male size were also measured to identify specific mechanisms that affect individual variation in P2.

P19 Aaron MT Harmer, Diana Perez-Staples, Samuel R Collins, Phillip W Taylor Protein supplements increase sexual performance of male Queensland fruit flies

The Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) is used in Australia to control Queensland fruit flies, Bactrocera tryoni. In SIT, millions of flies are produced in a factory, rendered sterile by irradiation, and then released into nature. They then mate with wild flies, curtailing their reproduction. In essence, sex is the ‘active ingredient’ of SIT - more sexually proficient males mean better pest control. We focussed on nutritional supplements as a way to improve sexual maturation and performance of released sterile males. When sexually immature 2- day-old male flies are released into pest populations they face the challenge of finding adequate nutrition for survival, sexual maturation, and sexual performance. Even in the laboratory, with ad libitum access to carbohydrate and protein, most flies are not sexually mature until ~10 days old. Because protein is often difficult to obtain in nature, we tested the hypothesis that access to a protein source for just 24 or 48 hours immediately upon emergence will enhance male performance relative to flies that only receive sucrose. Both protein treatments were associated with increased male mating success, shorter latency until mating, longer copulations, increased sperm storage by mates, and decreased probability that their mates would accept a different male the next day. These results indicate that access to protein for a short period before release is a promising way to enhance the sexual performance of male Queensland fruit flies used for SIT in Australia.

P20 Luciana Möller, Jennifer Kingston, Shannon Corrigan, Joe Waas, Mark Hindell, Luciano Beheregaray, Robert Harcourt Are there genetic benefits from mate choice in marine mammals?

Benefits from female multiple mating are easy to understand in species where males provide resources to females because material benefits are often conspicuous. However, in many species, including in marine mammals, females appear to gain nothing more from mating than the male's sperm. For these species it is assumed that females derive genetic benefits from multiple mating and mate choice. We are using large genetic and behavioural databases for Weddell seals (Leptonychotes weddelli) and Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops aduncus) to investigate whether female marine mammals gain genetic benefits from multiple mating and mate choice. We are combining microsatellite DNA makers and major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genes with modern analytical approaches to test the heterozygosity and genetic diversity hypotheses. If females are found to exert choice, we will attempt to identify the strategies employed by females to maximize offspring heterozygosity and to assess the two proposed roles of the MHC in mate choice. Preliminary results based on microsatellite loci found no evidence that female seals and dolphins were selecting genetic dissimilar partners or more heterozygous males. 32 ASSAB Conference 2006 Program P21 Robyn Ison, Gisela Kaplan, Hugh Ford A short study on the feeding frequency, territorial behaviour and breeding success of the , Rhipidura leucophrys The Willie Wagtail Rhipidura leucophrys is a strongly territorial, sexually monomorphic, insectivorous flycatcher that is commonly found throughout Australia. During the September-January breeding season, mated pairs will fiercely defend their territory and will contribute equally to nest-building, incubation, brooding and feeding of the young. This study took place 40 km south east of Narrabri NSW. This (undergraduate) project investigated foraging behaviour of one nesting pair of Willie Wagtails and its territorial behaviours and breeding success. The eleven day study was commenced three days after the young hatched. As adult sexes are visually indistinguishable, the behaviours were scored collectively for the pair. Sampling was conducted during three daily time intervals (6-7 am, 12-1 pm and 5-6 pm) for eleven consecutive days. The key findings were that the mean frequency of visits to the nest by the pair increased from 15 ± 0.57 visits/hour on the first day of the study, to 22 ± 2.8 visits/hour on the eighth day of the study. The mean frequency of visits decreased in the final three days before fledging. The pair fed their young more frequently in the mornings and the middle of the day than in the evenings. The pair was observed exhibiting aggressive behaviour towards eight different species of intruders. The only species that were observed within the Willie Wagtails territory during the study and not attacked were Noisy Miners and King Parrots. The pair of Wagtails observed had an original clutch size of three eggs, but only two of these survived to fledging.

P22 Brenda Kranz, David Morris, Laurence Mound, Tania Neville Facultative ovoviviparity and sex allocation in thrips

Idolothripine thrips provide an unparalleled opportunity for investigating the evolution of reproduction. In many species, females are facultatively ovoviviparous/viviparous, and individuals choose among egg laying, live birth or both. As thrips are haplodiploid, females have some control over the sex of their offspring. We present our phylogenetic contrast work for the subfamily, and detail a study of the Japanese idolothripine, Bactrothrips brevitubus. In this species, both sexes are produced by oviparity but only males are produced by ovoviviparity, so that sex allocation and reproductive mode act in tandem. Local resource competition between females for food and egg-laying sites may select for ovoviviparity, as females can retain their eggs until a better rearing site is located. Predatory mites could also select for ovoviviparity, as they consume the eggs but are non-fatal to larvae and adults. Population-wide sex ratios are generally unbiased, but our DNA and life history data indicate that the sex ratios are not Fisherian and are split according to the dominant reproductive mode in a patch. We consider how females tradeoff the best reproductive mode and sex allocation strategies. More broadly, we consider how egg retention and sex allocation may have coevolved in the subfamily.

P23 Claire Winnick, Kate Umbers, Stuart Allen, Greg I Holwell, Marie E Herberstein, Adam Stow, Luciano Beheregaray Mating behaviour and biogeography of the praying mantis Ciulfina sp. (Liturgusidae)

Mantids in the genus Ciulfina are tree-trunk dwellers commonly found in woodland and rainforest throughout coastal Queensland. This genus exhibits intriguing reproductive biology, behaviour and biogeography. Hence, Ciulfina provide an excellent model for addressing important questions in evolutionary and behavioural ecology. Here we present three honours projects which will examine various aspects of Ciulfina mating behaviour and biogeography. Male genital morphology can influence fertilization success. Ciulfina rentzi exhibits the rare condition of chiral male genitalia. The extent to which this chirality influences fertilization success of males is of interest. In addition, sperm precedence and the effect of successive copulation with males of differing chiralities will be investigated. Sperm transfer patterns can also influence fertilization success. Mating experiments will be conducted using C. biseriata to examine the effect of increased risk of sperm competition on sperm transfer. Techniques in histology will also be used to examine reproductive anatomy and physiology. Field observations of the geographical distribution of species in the genus Ciulfina suggest clearly defined, parapatric borders. Patterns of genetic diversification are to be investigated using molecular techniques. Mitochondrial and microsatellite markers will be used to elucidate speciation history and biogeography of Ciulfina sp. in far north Queensland, particularly with regard to parapatric boundaries. 33 ASSAB Conference 2006 Program P24 Luis Ortiz Catedral, Dianne Brunton Nesting sites and nesting success of a translocated population of red-crowned kakariki Cyanoramphus novaezelandiae Translocations are central in New Zealand conservation; yet several translocated populations remain unstudied. We studied red-crowned kakariki breeding on Tiritiri Matangi Island. This is the first breeding study at a mammalian predator-free site and the first detailed study on a translocated population of this species. A total of 60 nests were found in natural sites and nesting boxes. These nests occurred in remnant forest, grassland and replanted habitat. Natural nests occurred in trees, clusters of thick vegetation, logs and ground burrows. Nests showed considerable variability in cavity characteristics reflecting the diversity of nesting sites used by kakariki. Clutch size was similar to figures reported for natural populations. Hatchability was lower in 2004-2005. However, it reached other reported values when considered over seasons. Nesting success was lower for the 2004-2005 season than in 2005-2006 (40%-79% respectively). Two second clutches were found in 2005-2006, associated with a longer egg laying period than in 2004- 2005. In the first year, the egg laying period was 51 days, whereas in the following year it reached 99 days. There was no effect of laying date on either clutch size or nest success. Similarly, nest type did not affect nest success. Kakariki exhibited flexibility in nesting site and habitat selection, thus increasing their potential for translocation to fragmented areas. Seasonal variability greatly impact nest success; perhaps through changes in food availability. It is thus essential to identify and monitor key food resources that could enhance nesting success via direct management.

Observing behaviour P25 Natalie T Schmitt, Daniel W Searle, Jeff La Valette Application of stills and video camera traps in behavioural and ecological research Observation and monitoring of individuals and populations in the wild often carries with it the problem of human interference, which may ultimately affect the quality of results. Passive infrared camera traps dramatically reduce and in many cases eliminate observer influence, as well as providing a tool for monitoring cryptic species in a wide range of environments. Stills camera traps have been successfully used to estimate objectively parameters such as size, density, survival and recruitment for populations of Tigers, Jaguars and other cryptic fauna in tropical and temperate forests. Stills camera traps are also currently being deployed to monitor Tasmanian Devil populations affected by the Devil Facial Tumour Disease. Population estimates are obtained by applying the theoretical framework of mark/recapture models. Video camera traps are a relatively new research innovation specifically designed to explore behavioural parameters in individuals and populations including feeding techniques, intra- and inter-species competition and denning behaviour. Video may also be more effective than stills cameras in identifying individuals, by reducing loss of information due to asymmetry bias. We are currently working with video traps in collaboration with a documentary film production to monitor the progression of the Devil Facial Tumour Disease in a number of wild individuals in Tasmania’s South West. With the development of new cellular technology, whereby images can be transmitted to mobile phones, camera traps may revolutionize the way we study animal behaviour. P26 K Pillay, VM Peddemors Movement patterns of tiger sharks, Galeocerdo cuvier, at the Aliwal Shoal, Umkomaas, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa Tiger sharks are considered potentially dangerous, yet dive tourism operators of Umkomaas are offering tiger shark diving using bait to attract these sharks. Tiger sharks are the ninth most commonly caught shark in KZN, but the catch is spatially skewed with increased catches in central KZN inshore of the Aliwal Shoal. Telemetry tracking was employed to determine the movement patterns and habitat use of tiger sharks at the Aliwal Shoal with the aim of determining any impact from baiting. VEMCO receivers were placed at five strategic positions on the reef. Seven tiger sharks were tagged (5 females & 2 males). Most of the detections occurred at North Sands (200 detections) which is frequently used as a recreational diving area and is more than 1km north of the baiting area. The second most frequented region was the nearest inshore reef off Greenpoint. Some niche separation was evident in that large tiger sharks (between 2.9m PCL – 3.2m PCL) dominated North Sands, while smaller sharks (between 1.7m-2.3m PCL) dominated Greenpoint. Detections only occurred between mid-morning and afternoon, with no tiger sharks being detected after 18:00pm at any of the receivers. Preliminary results suggest baiting has minimal impact on the ranging of these sharks. 34 ASSAB Conference 2006 Program P27 Janine Buist Monitoring bait uptake for reproductive control vaccines in Macropods

There is a great need for the ability to remotely disseminate vaccines for wildlife populations. Unfortunately this highly desirable application faces many logistical, behavioural and physiological challenges. Baits must be designed which are nutritiously balanced, will not spoil easily and have a high palatability. Uptake of these baits must be monitored extensively in order to evaluate a variety of factors including; bait shyness, intra-specific competition for food resources and foraging behaviour. This study aims to design succesful vaccine baits, in order to reduce fertility in a semi-wild population of Eastern Grey kangaroos. The Tammar Wallabies will be used as a model species to investigate bait optimization and quantisation of vaccine delivery. The differences in behaviour associated with bait uptake between these two different populations of Macropods will also be investigated. Reproductive behaviour and fecundity pre and post vaccine delivery also needs to be addressed. Monitoring will be performed utilising both remote monitoring technology such as; sensor activated cameras, data logging scales and microchip readers, as well as live observations.

Movie: Friday 21 April at the BBQ

Presented by Natasha Fijn Domesticating ungulates in Mongolia, or Saikhanaa the Herder

Mongolian herders are reliant on large, domesticated ungulates, specifically native breeds of horses (Equus caballus) and cattle (including yak, Bos grunniens), as a means of subsistence. The use of milk from female domesticated animals is an important aspect of Mongolian society. Young herd animals are handled from birth as part of this milking process and interact with humans on a daily basis. Human social communication with these ungulates consists of a complex range of vocalisations and body language, varying depending on age, sex and the species of the animal. This constant interaction and communication between herder and herd animal is an important part of the domestication process. My presentation will be in the form of a short ethnographic film. Digital footage is an effective medium for visually demonstrating the complex social relationship that exists between humans and domesticated ungulates. The film will focus on a hard-working teenage boy, called Saikhanaa, who has herded animals in a high altitude, mountainous region of Mongolia for the past ten years. He demonstrates his knowledge of the genealogy of the animals within the extended family herd and the identification of individual animals on the basis of distinguishing features, such as coat pattern and colouration. It is evident that these large ungulates form an integral part of Mongolian pastoral- nomadic society.

35 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] email [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] University of Newcastle University of New South Wales University of Sydney University of New South Wales University of New South Wales University of New South Massey University University of Newcastle University of New England Macquarie University Macquarie University Flinders University Massey University Dunedin, New Zealand University of Auckland Australian National University Australian National University Macquarie University Macquarie University Canberra Australian National University University of New England Flinders University Kings Cross, NSW University of Otago Auckland University of Queensland Middle Cove, NSW Affiliation 2 Affiliation Massey University National University Australian University Macquarie NSW Canley Heights, Carlton, VIC Australian National University Wales University of New South 36 ASSAB Conference 2006 Program Conference ASSAB School of Biological Sciences 201/61 Darlinghurst Road Department of Zoology 1 Lyon Ave School of Integrative Biology 213 Eastern Valley Way School of Psychology Sciences School of Biological, Earth and Environmental School of Biological Sciences School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences School of Biological Sciences Ecology and Conservation Group 28 Carnarvon Street, Belleknowes School of Biological Sciences School of Botany and Zoology Research School of Biological Sciences Behaviour Centre for the Integrative Study of Animal Department of Biological Sciences 4 Derrick Street School of Botany and Zoology Centre for Neuroscience and Animal Behaviour School of Botany and Zoology School of of Biological Sciences Department Street 8 Sutherland 382 Drummond Street and Environmental Studies Centre for Resource Earth and Environmental Sciences School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences School of Biological, Group Ecology and Conservation and Life Sciences School of Environmental and Animal Behaviour Centre for Neuroscience Study of Animal Behaviour Centre for the Integrative Study of Animal Behaviour Centre for the Integrative Affiliation 1 Affiliation Conservation Group Ecology and Griffith, Simon Hagman, Mattias Hall, Matt Goldizen, Anne W Gould, Yaffa Griffin, Andrea Gallo, Eduardo Germano, Jennifer Geurts, Jacqueline Freire, Raf Galligan, Toby Eyre, Libby Fijn, Natasha Fisher, Diana Drayton, Jean Ebeling, Wiebke Evans, Chris Cope, Taneal Delaney, Kim Dennis, Todd E Cheng, Ken Collins, Samuel R Colombelli-Négrel, Diane Brunton, Dianne Buist, Janine Chen, Hou-chun Bonduriansky, Russell Brooks, Rob Bayly, Karen Beilharz, Rolf Blomberg, Simon Anderson, Michael Anderson, Pat Backwell, (Kate) Barry, Katherine Name [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] email [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] University of Adelaide Flinders University Macquarie University Macquarie University Australian National University University of New England Australian National University Massey University University of New England Adelaide University of New England University of New South Wales NSW Department of Primary Industries University of Ulm University of New England University of Adelaide Flinders University Macquarie University Australian National University University of New South Wales University of Canterbury University of Tasmania Flinders University Massey University Macquarie University Macquarie University Macquarie University Affiliation 2 Affiliation Christchurch University Macquarie University Humboldt NSW Mosman, Australian National University Macquarie University Macquarie University 37 ASSAB Conference 2006 Program Conference ASSAB School of Zoology School of Biological Sciences Ecology and Conservation Group Graduate School of the Environment Department of Biological Sciences Behaviour Centre for the Integrative Study of Animal Discipline of Physiology School of Biological Sciences Graduate School of the Environment Centre for the Integrative Study of Animal Behaviour Centre for Neuroscience and Animal Behaviour Sciences School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Agricultural Research Centre, Trangie, Australia Department of Experimental Ecology Centre for Neuroscience and Animal Behaviour Department of Environmental Biology School of Biological Sciences Graduate School of the Environment School of Botany and Zoology Sciences School of Biological, Earth and Environmental School of Biological Sciences Department of Biological Sciences Department 17 Ruby Street Biological Sciences Research School of Sciences Department of Biological Sciences Department of Biological Biological Sciences Research School of and Animal Behaviour Centre for Neuroscience Zoology School of Botany and Group Ecology and Conservation and Animal Behaviour Centre for Neuroscience of South Australia Royal Zoological Society Affiliation 1 Affiliation Ltd Canesis Network Oorebeek, Margot Peddemors, Vic Perez-Staples, Diana Narendra, Ajay Nelson, Ximena Nordström, Karin Minot, Ed Möller, Luciana Massaro, Melanie McEvoy, Joanne McGuire, Angela Lemon, Michelle Magrath, Rob Mariette, Mylene Koboroff, Adam Kranz, Brenda Lambert, Sarah Kawasaki, Noriyoshi Kilgour, RJ (Bob) Klose, Stefan M Johnson, Gayle Johnston, Greg Kaplan, Gisela Jennions, Michael Ji, Weihong Holwell, Greg How, Martin Ison, Robyn Hawkins, Margaret Hemmi, Jan M Herberstein, Mariella Harland, Duane Harmer, Aaron Hartwig, Simone Name [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] email [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] University of New South Wales University of New South Wales Australian National University Australian National University Flinders University Flinders University Westerway, TAS Westerway, TAS University of Sydney University of Sydney Australian National University University of Tasmania Macquarie University Australian National University Massey University Macquarie University Macquarie University Macquarie University Skidmore College Macquarie University University of Queensland Australian Cotton Research Institute Macquarie University Macquarie University Macquarie University Macquarie University Macquarie University Affiliation 2 Affiliation National University Australian University Macquarie University Macquarie University Macquarie University of Auckland Australian National University Macquarie University 38 ASSAB Conference 2006 Program Conference ASSAB CSIRO Entomology Behaviour Centre for the Integrative Study of Animal Behaviour Centre for the Integrative Study of Animal Department of Biological Sciences Department of Biological Sciences Behaviour Centre for the Integrative Study of Animal Sciences School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Centre of Excellence in Vision Science Centre of Excellence in Vision Science School of Botany and Zoology School of Zoology Behaviour Centre for the Integrative Study of Animal Research School of Biological Sciences IUABS Behaviour Centre for the Integrative Study of Animal Department of Psychology Behaviour Centre for the Integrative Study of Animal 103 Van Ness Road Behaviour Centre for the Integrative Study of Animal Vision, Touch and Hearing Research Centre Centre for the Integrative Study of Animal Behaviour the Integrative Study Centre for of Animal Behaviour the Integrative Study Centre for of Animal Behaviour the Integrative Study Centre for Sciences School of Biological Zoology School of Botany and Department of Psychology Sciences School of Biological Sciences School of Biological Wildlife Foundation 'Before Its Too Late' Road 1706 Gordon River Sciences School of Biological Sciences School of Biological Affiliation 1 Affiliation Sciences School of Biological Research Zajitschek, Susanne (Susi) Zeil, Jochen Zhang, Shaowu Wiszniewski, Joanne Woo, Kevin L Zajitschek, Felix Wilson, David Winnick, Claire Vorobyev, Misha Whitehouse, Mary Wignall, Anne E Taylor, Phillip W Thomas, Jodi L Van Dyk, Daniel Stafford, Kevin Sulikowski, Danielle Taylor, Alan Sinn, David Smith, Carolynn (K-lynn) Smolka, Jochen Shine, Rick Simpson, Steve Sims, Rachel Schmitt, Natalie T Searle, Daniel Richards, Nansi Robertson, Jeremy Schlotfeldt, Beth Rao, Dinesh Raubenheimer, David Reaney, Leeann Peters, Richard Prabhu, Catherine Preethi Radhakrishnan, Name ASSAB Conference 2006 Program

Name Talks and Posters Name Talks and Posters Name Talks and Posters Allen, Simon P16 Harland, Duane P3 Peter, Ryan T34 Allen, Stuart P23 Harmer, Aaron T20, T46, P9, P19 Peters, Richard T28 Anderson, Michael T3 Hartwig, Simone T35 Phillips, RJ T1 Bala, Leah T40 Hazlitt, SL T44 Pillay, K P26 Barnett, Mark T50 Hemmi, Jan M T9, T26, T27, T48, Pix, Waltraud T26 T49 Barnett, Paul D P4 Herberstein, Mariella T15, T16, T17, T47, Platzen, Dirk T33 P15, P23 Barry, Katherine (Kate) T17 Hindell, Mark P20 Prabhu, Catherine P5 Beheregaray, Luciano P16, P20, P23 Holtze, Susanne T25 Radhakrishnan, Preethi T19 Bishop, PJ T4, P6 Holwell, Greg T16, T17, P23 Rao, Dinesh T47 Bonduriansky, Russell T61 How, Martin T27 Raubenheimer, David Plenary, T1 Briskie, Jim V T55 Hunt, John T38, T40 Reaney, Leeann T58 Brooks, Robert T22, T23, T38, T40 Ikenaga, Jun T12 Richards, Nansi T18, P15 Brunton, Dianne T3, T37, T59, T63, Ishiwata, Toshie T12 Robertson, Jeremy T21 P24 Buist, Janine P27 Ison, Robyn P21 Robinson, K T15 Burke, Darren T18, T30, P15 Jackson, Robert R T24 Rogers, Lesley T6, P10, P11, P12, P13 Bussière, Luc T23 Jennions, Michael T38, T40 Schlotfeldt, Beth T2 Catedral, Luis Ortiz P24 Ji, Weihong T37, T63 Schmitt, Natalie T P25 Cato, Douglas H T62 Johnson, Gayle P13 Schneider, JM T15 Champ, Conor T25 Johnston, Greg T42 Schwarz, S T10 Chen, Hou-Chun P10, P11 Kalko, EKV T60 Searle, Daniel W P25 Cheng, Ken T7, T8, T47, P5 Kaplan, Gisela T11, T52, P10, P11, Shaddik, K T15 P12, P13, P14, P21 Christensen, Rebekah T21 Kilgour, RJ (Bob) T12 Shine, Rick Plenary Clements, KD T1 Kingston, Jennifer P20 Sigg, DP T44 Collins, Samuel R P18, P19 Kleindorfer, Sonia T2, T13, T14, T21, Simpson, Steve Plenary T31, T54, T56 Colombelli-Négrel, Diane T14 Klose, Stefan M T60 Sims, Rachel T53 Cope, Taneal T59 Koboroff, Adam T52, P14 Sinn, David T57, P1 Corrigan, Shannon P16, P20 Kondo, Junko T33 Smith, C T60 Delaney, Kim P6 Kranz, Brenda T39, P22 Smith, Lee T42 Dennis, Todd E T3, T5 Kuan, Stacey T32 Smolka, Jochen T49 Drayton, Jean T38 La Valette, Jeff P25 Stow, Adam P23 Ebeling, Wiebke T9 Lambert, Sarah T56 Sulikowski, Danielle P15 Eldridge, MDB T44 Landers, T T5 Tautz, J T10 Elgar, MA T15 Laube, P T5 Taylor, Phillip W T19, T20, P7, P9, P18, P19 Evans, Barbara A T37 Lemon, Michelle T62, P9 Thalau, Peter T6 Evans, Chris T28, T29, T30, Lubin, Yael P17 Uetake, Katsuji T12 T32, P2, P8 Evans, Linda T32 Lynch, Tim P T62 Umbers, Kate P23 Fijn, Natasha movie Magrath, Rob T33 Van Dyk, Daniel T29 Fisher, Diana T41 Marshall, Justin T26 Vorobyev, Misha T25, T26 Ford, Hugh P21 Massaro, Melanie T55 Waas, Joe P20 Forer, P T5 Mauck, Bob T45 Walker, Michael T5 Freeman, R T5 McEvoy, Jo P1 Wapstra, Erik P1 Freire, Raf T6 McGuire, Angela T31 Wehner, Rüdiger T8 Galligan, Toby T54 Minot, Ed T45 Wheelwright, Nat T45 Ganeshina, Olga T25 Möller, Luciana P16, P20 Whitehouse, Mary T50, P17 Gaskett, AC T15 Morris, David P22 Wignall, Anne E P7 Germano, Jennifer T4 Mound, Laurence P22 Wilson, David T36 Geurts, Jacqueline T43 Munro, Ursula T6 Wiltschko, Roswitha T6 Goldizen, Anne W T44 Narendra, Ajay T7, T8 Wiltschko, Wolfgang T6 Griffin, Andrea T51 Nelson, Ximena T24, P2 Winnick, Claire P23 Griffith, Simon Plenary Neville, Tania P22 Wiszniewski, Joanna P16 Guilford, Tim T5 Nordström, Karin P4 Woo, Kevin L T30, P8 Hagman, Mattias T64 O'Carroll, David C P2, P4 Zajitschek, Susanne T22 Hall, Matt T23 Oorebeek, Margot T13 Zeil, Jochen T26, T27, T48, T49 Harcourt, Robert G T62, P20 Pahl, M T10 Zemke-White, WL T1 Hare, James F T36 Peddemors, Vic T34, P26 Zhang, Shaowu T10 Perez-Staples, Diana T20, P18, P19 Zhu, H T10 39