Hydrodynamic reception in the Australian water rat, Hydromys chrysogaster

Hanke, Wolf; Meyer, Sabine; Bleckmann, Horst; Dehnhardt, Guido

doi:10.1007/s00359-020-01416-8

Cited by 2 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 37 publications

(46 reference statements)

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“…The rakali (Hydromys chrysogaster) is a semi-aquatic rodent native to Australia. It is highly adapted to the aquatic environment with partially webbed hind feet and a strong tail to aid swimming, dense vibrissae that can sense prey moving in the water and water-repellent double-layered fur for insulation (Watts and Aslin 1981;Hanke et al 2020). It is predominantly nocturnal and carnivorous, with a diet consisting mainly of fish, crustaceans, invertebrates, and molluscs (Harris 1978;Woollard et al 1978).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Putting rakali in the spotlight: innovative methods for detecting an elusive semi-aquatic mammal

Sanders,

Nimmo,

Turner

et al. 2024

Wildlife Res.

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Context Freshwater ecosystems rank among the most threatened environments on Earth. Monitoring aquatic and semi-aquatic species is vital to informing conservation of freshwater ecosystems. However, many semi-aquatic mammals can be difficult to detect with conventional survey methods. Aims We aimed to identify the most effective survey method for detecting an Australian semi-aquatic mammal, the rakali (Hydromys chrysogaster). Methods We compared rakali detection rates among camera-trapping, live-trapping and visual surveys, and tested the influence of camera angle, trap proximity to water and time of survey, across the Yanco Creek system in southern New South Wales. Key results Nocturnal spotlight surveys were the most effective method for detecting rakali, with most observations occurring while individuals were foraging or swimming in the water. Camera traps facing a floating platform and cage traps mounted on floating platforms performed better than those deployed on land. Downward-facing camera traps detected rakali three times more often than did forward-facing cameras. Trapping rakali was unreliable, with the species detected at fewer than half of the sites where presence was confirmed via visual observation and camera traps. For species absence to be determined with 95% confidence, 2–4 weeks of nightly trapping is required, compared with six nights of visual surveys or 12 nights for a platform-facing camera. Morning visual surveys were largely ineffective because of predominantly nocturnal rakali activity and difficulty in detecting signs in creek environments. Conclusions The likelihood of detecting rakali can be maximised through the use of nightly spotlighting and deployment of baited camera traps focussed on platforms or natural resting areas within a water body. Implications Understanding the effectiveness of each method is essential for developing species-appropriate protocols for population monitoring. Our findings present suitable options to be further explored among the 100-plus small (<1 kg) semi-aquatic mammals worldwide that share similar behaviours and characteristics to the rakali, many of which are threatened or data deficient.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Putting rakali in the spotlight: innovative methods for detecting an elusive semi-aquatic mammal

Sanders,

Nimmo,

Turner

et al. 2024

Wildlife Res.

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The incomparable fascination of comparative physiology: 40 years with animals in the field and laboratory

Bleckmann

2023

J Comp Physiol A

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This paper is not meant to be a review article. Instead, it gives an overview of the major research projects that the author, together with his students, colleagues and collaborators, has worked on. Although the main focus of the author’s work has always been the fish lateral line, this paper is mainly about all the other research projects he did or that were done in his laboratory. These include studies on fishing spiders, weakly electric fish, seals, water rats, bottom dwelling sharks, freshwater rays, venomous snakes, birds of prey, fire loving beetles and backswimmers. The reasons for this diversity of research projects? Simple. The authors’s lifelong enthusiasm for animals, and nature's ingenuity in inventing new biological solutions. Indeed, this most certainly was a principal reason why Karl von Frisch and Alfred Kühn founded the Zeitschrift für vergleichende Physiologie (now Journal of Comparative Physiology A) 100 years ago.

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Hydrodynamic reception in the Australian water rat, Hydromys chrysogaster

Cited by 2 publications

References 37 publications

Putting rakali in the spotlight: innovative methods for detecting an elusive semi-aquatic mammal

Putting rakali in the spotlight: innovative methods for detecting an elusive semi-aquatic mammal

The incomparable fascination of comparative physiology: 40 years with animals in the field and laboratory

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