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IPS Conference 2006
Abstracts
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Abstract # 8:
Scheduled for Monday,
June 26, 2006
03:00 PM-03:20 PM:
Session 1 (Kuku)
Symposium
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BEHAVIORAL RESPONSES TO AVIAN AND TERRESTRIAL PREDATORS |
S. Gursky
Texas A&M University, Department of Anthropology, College Station, TX, 77843-4352, USA |
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| Predation pressure has an overwhelming influence on the behavior of nonhuman primates. In response to this powerful selective pressure, primates have evolved a variety of adaptations to thwart predators including concealment, vigilance, flight, alarm calls, group living and polyspecific associations. A crucial step in determining the risk of predation is predator identification. Studies of birds and mammals, including primates, indicate that they are often capable of discriminating between different types of predators. In this paper, I explore the influence of predator type (terrestrial vs. avian) on the anti-predator behavior of adult spectral tarsiers. Given the rarity with which the spectral tarsiers have been observed to interact with potential predators, it was necessary to experimentally create predator-prey interactions using model wooden predators in order to determine if they respond differently to distinct classes of predators. I conducted 66 experiments using wooden monitor lizard models, 73 experiments using wooden civet models, and 70 experiments using bird of prey models. The results of this study indicate that spectral tarsiers were more likely to modify their behavior in response to avian predators relative to terrestrial predators. Specifically, spectral tarsiers were more likely to freeze in response to the presence of avian predators than the terrestrial predators. They were also more likely to alarm call in response to avian predators than in response to the presence of terrestrial predators. |
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Modified: 18 December 2005
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