Behaviour of juvenile antechinus flavipes: a preliminary study

Abstract

The life history of Antechinus flavipes is characterised by post-mating, male mortality in the wild. This study identifies behaviour of juvenile male and female A. flavipes. A. flavipes were captured in South East Queensland and maintained in separate enclosures under natural lighting. The behaviour of each A. flavipes was recorded using a ccd camera positioned in front its enclosure. The cameras were interfaced with a computer and a DVD recorder. Each enclosure was illuminated by infra-red light emitting diodes. The two-day observation period was divided into 15 second intervals in order to identify and quantify behaviours of brief duration. This preliminary study was limited to one male and one female A. flavipes in order to process the large amount of data required. Twelve behaviours were identified. The male A. flavipes devoted a greater proportion of time to some of these behaviours than the female and was active for a greater proportion of the total observation time than the female. The male also exhibited a greater number of activities per hour than the female. This parameter varied greatly during the observation period for each sex. The behaviour patterns in this preliminary study will be utilised in the design of a more comprehensive study to examine behaviour of a larger number of A. flavipes at crucial stages of their life history