Darwin’s road not taken: white sclera, shared intentionality, niche construction, predator fear, teams and Homo origins DOI Open Access
John R. Skoyles

Published: Nov. 4, 2023

Palaeoanthropologists have yet to pinpoint how Homo evolved from Australopithecus. I propose niche construction ending predator ambush and stalking attacks, white sclera, ultrafast team cognition were key.Human sclera allows the quick, distant detection of line-of-sight. This is unique. In other primates, predators eliminate conspicuous-eyed individuals. Consequently, nonhuman primates coloured hiding gaze direction broadcasting. Recognizing line-of-sight’s split-second changes a distance enables attention shifts that support intercoupling cognitions (cognitive alignment, shared intentionality, coordination). Under certain conditions, such coordinated teams can niche-construct predator-shunning safe habitats. Once shunning replaces hunting, it stops targeting, allowing persist.Constructing predator-safe habitats ended “landscape fear” limited Australopithecus foraging, health, cognitive/cultural development. shunned freed fear, these allowed previously “wheel-clamped” cognitive potentials, including social learning, flourish, revolutionizing hominin capacity for cultural evolution cumulative culture. Thus, transfigured Australopithecus’s phenotype into Homo. White-eyed australopiths, argue, first humans.Significance Statement: The prevailing view genetic initiated emergence human genus However, research on fear in songbirds capuchin monkeys, along with its negative effects learning transmission, points non-genetic alternative. this account, arose when group found way gain shunning, not attack, freeing them constant predation fear. Ending unlocked triggering phenotypic change dividing humans hominids. Critically, plausible mechanism must enabled achieve end predation. A comprehensive review provides compelling argument did indeed exist past occurrence be empirically established. proposed centres two often-overlooked traits: conspicuous our line-of-sight due unique ability coordination. proposal posits emerged white-sclera-eyed used their coordinate as get shun them. perspective challenges dominant assumptions identifies unexplored avenues origins.

Language: Английский

Sustained predation pressure may prevent the loss of anti‐predator traits from havened populations DOI Creative Commons
Natasha D. Harrison, Ben L. Phillips, Adrian F. Wayne

et al.

Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 14(7)

Published: July 1, 2024

Conservation havens free of invasive predators are increasingly relied upon for fauna conservation, although havened populations can lose anti-predator traits, likely making them less suitable life 'beyond the fence'. Sustaining low levels mammalian predator pressure inside may prevent loss traits from populations. We opportunistically compared behavioural and morphological between four woylie (

Language: Английский

Citations

4
Dancing with the devil: Could native predators inside ‘predator‐free’ havens be good for the conservation of threatened native prey species? DOI
Natasha D. Harrison, Ben L. Phillips, Nicola J. Mitchell

et al.

Journal of Applied Ecology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Jan. 6, 2025

Abstract As invasive predators continue to drive global biodiversity loss, predator‐free havens are rapidly being established recover threatened fauna. An unintended consequence of these efforts is that havened populations can lose anti‐predator traits, making them poorly suited for reintroduction into landscapes contain predators. One approach showing promise in preventing the loss critical responses from situ predator exposure. Here we evaluate this via experimental translocations determine whether predation pressure a native mesopredator (chuditch; Dasyurus geoffroii ) effective retaining behavioural and morphological traits Endangered woylie ( Bettongia penicillata ogilbyi ). We conducted replicated reintroductions semi‐havened (free but exposed chuditch) non‐havened (control) woylies vacant bushland containing chuditch, feral foxes Vulpes vulpes cats Felis catus monitored survival, reproduction, physiology (faecal glucocorticoid metabolites, fGCM), proxies before 10 months after their release. found no effects source population on weight, pes length, agitation behaviour or fGCM. Survival probability was higher males, individuals with fGCM levels, could not attribute differences survival they originated haven. These findings suggest sustained chuditch inside haven has been maintaining supporting faced novel Synthesis Applications . In exposure be valuable tool preserving populations. However, it will crucial understand thresholds across contexts fauna withstand recommending broad‐scale adoption strategy.

Language: Английский

Citations

0
More complex anti-predator behaviors develop with age in Chinese water deer fawns DOI
Xiaorong Chen,

Quancheng Jiang,

Yikai Wang

et al.

Behavioural Processes, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 105168 - 105168

Published: Feb. 1, 2025

Language: Английский

Citations

0
Behavioral changes in captivity: Consequences for captive breeding and reintroduction programs DOI
Jennifer L. Kelley, Renée C. Firman, Constantino Macı́as Garcı́a

et al.

Elsevier eBooks, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Jan. 1, 2025

Language: Английский

Citations

0
The quick and the dead: Behavioral plasticity of anti‐predator responses in an Endangered mammal DOI Creative Commons
Natasha D. Harrison, Chloe H. Frick, Adrian F. Wayne

et al.

Conservation Science and Practice, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: March 24, 2025

Abstract Populations isolated from predation inside predator‐free havens often exhibit a reduction in anti‐predator traits. The loss of such traits has critical bearing on strategic conservation management, and so it is important to understand the basis trait shift how may be retained or restored. We explored plasticity behaviors an Endangered mammal, woylie ( Bettongia penicillata ogilbyi ) at both individual population level. quantified responses woylies sourced either haven (havened) indigenous wild (non‐havened) before after translocation site with low densities introduced predators, providing first experimental test corresponding survival consequences this species. Initially, havened had weak (lower agitation) compared non‐havened animals. After exposure apparent was lower cohort cohort. Those individuals that did survive, however, stronger end study, approaching level response shown by their counterparts. This within‐individual behavior provides evidence for behavioral particular trait, suggesting some aspects regained following predators flexibility can advantageous. At same time, previously indicates fixed differences other remain likely also contribute survival. discuss implications these findings management.

Language: Английский

Citations

0
The best of both worlds: Why antipredator traits are lost in predator-free havens and how to keep them DOI Creative Commons
Natasha R. LeBas, Jennifer Rodger, Rowan A. Lymbery

et al.

Biological Conservation, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 307, P. 111178 - 111178

Published: April 29, 2025

Language: Английский

Citations

0
Reintroducing native predators improves antipredator responses in naïve prey DOI Creative Commons
Ben Stepkovitch, Leanne K. Van der Weyde, Graeme Finlayson

et al.

Animal Behaviour, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 214, P. 11 - 25

Published: June 18, 2024

Prey animals may lack appropriate predator avoidance behaviours to novel predators, which has contributed the decline of many species worldwide following human introduction predators. Excluding predators from conservation reserves been used attempt recover naïve with mixed success. However, in absence prey naiveté can be exacerbated. Reintroducing native suggested as a solution addressing this problem and act stepping stone improve behavioural responses We tested two species, burrowing bettong, Bettongia lesueur, spinifex hopping mouse, Notomys alexis, reintroduction predator, western quoll, Dasyurus geoffroii, determined whether exposure improved their antipredator introduced feral cats, Felis catus. Quoll-exposed bettongs spent less time engaged inattentive foraging compared control (nonpredator exposed) but did not discriminate between nonpredator visual or olfactory cues (native novel). mice modified open habitats increased wariness presence quoll stimuli, whereas cat-exposed only exhibited cat stimuli. Our results show that reintroductions general there was weak evidence led an response reintroducing behaviour ontogenetically populations make them more suitable for releases outside fences where are present.

Language: Английский

Citations

2
Insuring woylies (Bettongia penicillata ogilbyi) against extinction: establishment of Perup Sanctuary DOI
Natasha D. Harrison, Sian Thorn,

Marika A. Maxwell

et al.

Wildlife Research, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 51(7)

Published: June 27, 2024

Context Predator free havens are increasingly relied upon to preserve populations of imperilled species, yet despite their substantial cost, the success these ventures is rarely critically evaluated. Aims Based on 12 years population monitoring data, we report translocation woylies (Bettongia penicillata ogilbyi) Perup Sanctuary, a 423 ha predator-free haven in south west Western Australia. Methods We built spatially explicit capture–recapture models estimate density, growth rates, and survivorship inside sanctuary. Using estimates, additional demographic information, aimed show key drivers evaluate establishment sanctuary against predetermined criteria, run simulations different sampling designs determine robust design for future this population. Key results The rapidly increased first 3 (2010–2013), then fluctuated around density ~0.9 ha−1 before declining slightly recent ~0.6 ha−1. All criteria evaluated were met. previous months’ rainfall was driver body weight declined over time, indicating that may be regulated by food resources. Conclusions Woylies have established persisted into success. Harvests from appear been sustainable. discuss findings context recommend ongoing continue ensure remains viable well managed. Implications describe important considerations supplementation harvest fenced populations, including: source animals (selecting free-living individuals captive ones); timing release (releasing more early improve probabilities); rates (<30% adults harvested per generation seemeded sustainable case). study can inform management other havened they benefit mammal conservation.

Language: Английский

Citations

2
Identifying the most effective behavioural assays and predator cues for quantifying anti-predator responses in mammals: a systematic review DOI Creative Commons
Natasha D. Harrison, Rochelle Steven, Ben L. Phillips

et al.

Environmental Evidence, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 12(1)

Published: April 1, 2023

Mammals, globally, are facing population declines. Protecting and breeding threatened populations inside predator-free havens translocating them back to the wild is commonly viewed as a solution. These approaches can expose predator-naïve animals predators they have never encountered result, many conservation projects failed due predation of individuals that lacked appropriate anti-predator responses. Hence, robust ways measure responses urgently needed help identify naïve at risk, select for translocation, monitor managed changes in traits. Here, we undertake systematic review collates existing behavioural assays identifies assay types predator cues provoke greatest

Language: Английский

Citations

5
Havens are a pathway, not an endpoint, for species recovery: A response to Woinarski et al. (2023) DOI
John Read,

Kev Bradley,

Iain J. Gordon

et al.

Biological Conservation, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 285, P. 110212 - 110212

Published: Aug. 5, 2023

Language: Английский

Citations

5