Edith Cowan University Research Online Theses : Honours Theses 1998 Behaviour of Gilbert's Potoroo (Potorous gilbertii Gould) in captivity Kylie Dijon Burke Edith Cowan University Follow this and additional works at: https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses_hons Part of the Zoology Commons Recommended Citation Burke, K. D. (1998). Behaviour of Gilbert's Potoroo (Potorous gilbertii Gould) in captivity. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses_hons/461 This Thesis is posted at Research Online. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses_hons/461 Edith Cowan University Copyright Warning You may print or download ONE copy of this document for the purpose of your own research or study. The University does not authorize you to copy, communicate or otherwise make available electronically to any other person any copyright material contained on this site. You are reminded of the following: Copyright owners are entitled to take legal action against persons who infringe their copyright. 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BEHAVIOUR OF GILBERT'S POTOROO (POTOROUS GILBERTI/ GOULD) IN CAPTIVITY BY KYLIE DIJON BURKE A Thesis Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Award of Ba1,;hclor of Science in Biological Sciences with Honours in the Department of Science, Edith Cowan University. Date of Submission : 20th february 1998 USE OF THESIS The Use of Thesis statement is not included in this version of the thesis. ii TABLE OF CONTENTS Page ABSTRACT vii DECLARATION ix ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS LIST OF TABLES xi LIST OF FIGURES xti 1 INTRODUCTION 1 ·1.1 Ethological Methodology 2 1.2 Social Behaviour r:tnd Communication 4 1.2.1 Observed marsupial social behaviour 6 1.2.1.1 Chemical/Olfactory Communication 6 1.2.1.2 Acoustic Communir.ation 8 iii 1.2.1.3 Visual Communication 9 1.2.1.4 Tactile Communication 11 1.3 Sexual Behaviour 12 1.4 Potoroid Behaviour 13 1.5 Gilbert's Potoroo 16 1.5.1 The relationships and taxonomy of Potorous Desmarest species 16 1.5.2 The history of Gilbert's Potoroo 18 1.5.3 The rediscovery of Gilbert's Potoroo 19 1.5.4 The recovery process 21 1.6 Aims of the Project 24 2 MATERIALS AND METHODS 26 2.1 The Captive Colony 26 2.2 Video Equipment 29 2.3 Data Collection 30 " 2.4 Annotated/Descriptive Data Collection 34 2.4.1 The behavioural catalogue 34 2.4.2 The sequence descriptions 35 2.5 Statistical (Tabulated)/Continuous Data Collection 37 2.5.1 Behavioural type frequency 37 2.5.2 Activity patterns 38 2.6 Statistical Methods for Analysis 39 2.6.1 Male Vs male 39 2.6.2 Male Vs female 40 2.6.3 Female Vs female 40 2. 7 Procedural Limitations 40 2.8 Ethical Considerations 42 3 RESULTS 43 3.1 Annotated/Descriptive Data 43 3.1.1 The behavioural catalogue 43 3.1.2 The sequence descriptions 53 3.1.2.1 Locomotion 53 3.1.2.2 Feeding/Foraging behaviour 53 3.1.2.3 Social behaviour 54 3.1.2.4 Individual behaviour 54 3.1.2.5 Vigilance 55 3.1.2.6 Agonistic behaviour 55 3.1.2.7 Marking 56 3.1.2.8 Sexual behaviour 56 3.1.2.9 Stereotypical behaviour 57 3.1.2.10 Nesting/burrowing 57 3.2 Statistical (Tabulated)/Continuous Data 58 3.2.1 Behavioural type frequency 58 3.2.1.1 Cage 2 - male #28 58 3.2.1.2 Cage 3/4 · male #3 60 3.2.1.3 Cage 3/4 - female #10 60 3.2.1.4 Cage 3/4 - female #32 63 3.2.1.5 Cage 5 - male #11 63 3.2.1.6 Cage 5 - female #18 66 3.2.1.7 Cage 7/8 - male #7 66 vi 3.2.1.8 Cage 7/8 - female #19 69 3.2.1.9 Cage 7/8 - female #27 69 3.2.2 Activity patterns 72 3.3 Results of Statistical Analyses 73 3.3.1 Male Vs male 73 3.3.2 Male Vs Female 74 4 DISCUSSION 74 4.1 Conclusions 82 5 REFERENCES 86 vii ABSTRACT In late 1994, Gilbert's Potoroo was rediscovered almost 120 years after it was believed to have become extinct. It was found at Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve, near Albany, Western Australia. Since then, it has become urgent that detailed studies of the potoroo's behaviour and et:ology be undertaken, so as to increase the understanding of the needs of ',his critically endangered marsupial. Due to its critical status, increasing the number of animals is of paramount importance to the continued survival of this species. An understanding of the behavioural repertoire of the species will aid in its recovery and provide the basis for manageme,nt decisions concerning breeding, habitat management and captive care. Behavioural studies of captive animals may also act as a guide for future field studies. The present study was conducted on nine animals housed in the captive colony at Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve to determine the behavioural repertoire of the species, w!th particular attention to breeding behaviour, interactions between males and fema!Hs and the behaviour of males housed under different conditions. The latter was to determine if there was a behavioural cause for excessive encrustation of male genitalia. The activity patterns of the animals were 2lso studied. J viii It was found that the behavioural repertoire of Gilbert's Potoroo is similar to that of other Potorous spp. and other closely related potoroicl marsupials. No obvious behavioural differences between a male housed alone and males housed with one or two females were observed that would indicate a behavioural cause for penile encrustation. Some differences in the behaviours of sexually compatible and incompatible pairs were observed. It was also found that althougt1 Potorous gilbertii is most active at night, activity before sunset and after sunrise was commonly seen throuout the study. Activity during the middle of the day was, however, observed on only a few occassions. IX DECLARATION I certify that this thesis does not incorporat,e without acknowledgement any material previously submitted for a de.gree or diploma in any institution of higher education; and trat to the best of my knowledge and belief it does not contain any material previously published or written by any other person except where due reference is made in the text. Kylie Dijon Burke 20 February 1998 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to thank my supervisors Dr. Alan Needham and Dr. Jackie Courtenay for their guidance and assistance throughout the duration of my study. Without their help and input, this study would not have even got off the ground. I would also like to thank Sony for lending me some of the equipment needed and the Department of Conservation and Land Management for purchasing the rest. Thanks should especially go to Peter Collins for setting up all of my equipment. Lawrence Cuthbert for designing the swivel mechanism for the cameras and Alan Danks for organising my accommodation whilst I was in Albany. Thanks also to Archie Martin Vax, Albany for discounting the price of the tapes used for the study, and Telstar TV and Video Rental, Albany, for the discount in hiring fee for the TV and video used to view the tapes. I would also like to thank Pender Pedler for his assistance in helping me decide on the most appropriate method of statistical analysis. My final thanks must go to the staff of CALM, Albany, for their friendship and support whilst I was down there, especially Dave Wilson without whose support I would have gone mad. Xl LIST OF TABLES Table Page 2.1 Configuration of study animals in their respective cages. 26 xii LIST OF FIGURES Figure Page 2.1 Diagram of the captive housing arangements. 27 2.2 Status of known relationships of individuals within the 28 captive colony of Gilbert's Potoroo. 3.1 Total number of times male #28 displays any of the behavioural 59 types on a given date. 3.2 Total number of tlmes male #3 displays any of the behavioural 61 types on a given date. 3.3 Total number of times female #10 displays any of the behavioural 62 types on a given date. 3.4 Total number of times female #32 displays any of the behavioural 64 types on a given date. 3.5 Total number of times male #11 displays any of the behavioural 65 types on a given date. 3.6 Total number of times female #18 displays any of the behavioural 67 types on a given date. 3.7 Total number of times male #7 displays any of the behavioura 68 types on a given date. 3.8 Total number of times female #19 displays any of the behavioural 70 types on a given date. fl. XIII 3.9 Total number of times female #27 displays any of the behavioural 71 types on a given date.