Get smart: native mammal develops toad-smart behavior in response to a toxic invader

Ella Kelly and Ben L. Phillips

Behavioral Ecology, 2017, vol. 28, issue 3, 854-858

Abstract: Lay Summary Rapid behavioral shifts allow populations of a predator (the northern quoll) to persist in the presence of toxic cane toads. The northern quoll, a mesopredator from northern Australia, has declined dramatically with the invasion of a toxic prey species, the cane toad. We show that some quoll populations persist because quolls are less likely to attack toads. These individuals are therefore “toad-smart,” a trait that is likely passed down generations.Twitter: @ecology_ella

Keywords: behavioral change; invasive species; population viability analysis; Rhinella marina; selection; trait variation. (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2017
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