Coalitions in male sugar gliders: are they natural?

Sadler, Laila M.; Ward, Simon

doi:10.1111/j.1469-7998.1999.tb01026.x

Cited by 15 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 17 publications

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“…There are few documented cases worldwide of long‐term use. The two best cases are from regrowth forest in southern Australia where populations of 20–100 sugar gliders were supported by nest boxes (Wood & Wallis ; Sadler & Ward ; Beyer & Goldingay ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Specific nest box designs can improve habitat restoration for cavity‐dependent arboreal mammals

Goldingay

Rueegger

Grimson

et al. 2015

Restoration Ecology

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Tree‐cavity‐dependent wildlife faces future shortages of cavities due to a decline in the abundance of large, old trees in many parts of the world. Nest boxes are proposed as a tool to restore habitat value but evidence of their effectiveness for arboreal mammals remains equivocal. This may arise from a poor understanding of design preferences. We conducted investigations in two landscapes in eastern Australia to determine whether species show a preference for specific designs. We observed a preference by some mammal species for particular designs (33–78% occupied/used), suggesting that design refinement can improve the frequency with which nest boxes are used. Although feral species may out‐compete target species for nest boxes, we did not observe this. We recorded feral honeybees (Apis mellifera) in 6–9% of nest boxes but they did not remain, and many occupied boxes were later used by mammals. The introduced common myna bird (Acridotheres tristis) was prevalent in one landscape, but competition for nest boxes was localized. For nest boxes to be an effective habitat restoration tool, they must be able to be occupied over long periods of time. We investigated this for the squirrel glider (Petaurus norfolcensis), an arboreal marsupial threatened through part of its geographic range. Squirrel gliders occupied and bred within nest boxes (100% used) at two locations continuously over a 10‐year period with minimal nest box maintenance. Individuals occupied boxes for up to 7 years. This confirms that targeted nest box programs can be an effective restoration tool for cavity‐dependent arboreal mammals.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Specific nest box designs can improve habitat restoration for cavity‐dependent arboreal mammals

Goldingay

Rueegger

Grimson

et al. 2015

Restoration Ecology

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“…Previous inferences of dispersal in sugar gliders have been based on limited direct observations and video camera data, with somewhat conflicting results. Although both male and female young dispersed from their natal population in eucalypt remnants in an agricultural matrix in southern Victoria (Suckling ), Sadler and Ward () reported that nesting groups of sugar gliders had female‐biased sex ratios and inferred that the dispersing sex was male. Overall, our results are consistent with the species showing female philopatry and male‐biased dispersal.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of landscape matrix on population connectivity of an arboreal mammal, Petaurus breviceps

Malekian

Cooper

Saint

et al. 2015

Ecology and Evolution

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Ongoing habitat loss and fragmentation is considered a threat to biodiversity as it can create small, isolated populations that are at increased risk of extinction. Tree‐dependent species are predicted to be highly sensitive to forest and woodland loss and fragmentation, but few studies have tested the influence of different types of landscape matrix on gene flow and population structure of arboreal species. Here, we examine the effects of landscape matrix on population structure of the sugar glider (Petaurus breviceps) in a fragmented landscape in southeastern South Australia. We collected 250 individuals across 12 native Eucalyptus forest remnants surrounded by cleared agricultural land or exotic Pinus radiata plantations and a large continuous eucalypt forest. Fifteen microsatellite loci were genotyped and analyzed to infer levels of population differentiation and dispersal. Genetic differentiation among most forest patches was evident. We found evidence for female philopatry and restricted dispersal distances for females relative to males, suggesting there is male‐biased dispersal. Among the environmental variables, spatial variables including geographic location, minimum distance to neighboring patch, and degree of isolation were the most important in explaining genetic variation. The permeability of a cleared agricultural matrix to dispersing gliders was significantly higher than that of a pine matrix, with the gliders dispersing shorter distances across the latter. Our results added to previous findings for other species of restricted dispersal and connectivity due to habitat fragmentation in the same region, providing valuable information for the development of strategies to improve the connectivity of populations in the future.

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“…Observations of social behaviour in captivity may be particularly misleading if group structure differs greatly from that which is the norm in the wild (Sadler & Ward, 1999). However, studies of captive animals may allow the observation of subtle social interactions that are overlooked in field studies because of limited visibility of the subjects, or a lack of continuity of observations.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Patterns of coalition formation and spatial association in a social carnivore, the African wild dog (Lycaon pictus)

2003

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In many social species, relationships within groups seem to be non-random but related to variables such as rank, kinship or sexual attractiveness. The endangered African wild dog Lycaon pictus is a social carnivore that lives in large, stable packs, and intra-pack associations might be expected to display similar patterns. We investigated patterns of coalition formation (support during dominance interactions, and partnership interactions) and resting associations between members of a captive pack of 19 wild dogs. The social organization of the captive pack was similar to that of free-ranging packs in many respects. Polyadic (group) incidents of coalition support were also observed in a free-ranging pack. Patterns of coalition formation in the captive pack were related to rank. Most aggressive interactions involved high-ranking individuals (particularly the alpha, beta and third-ranking males) and coalitionary support tended to reinforce the existing hierarchy. However, there was at least one example of support influencing a successful rank challenge. Support was affected by potential risks and benefits, the latter including dominance through association and revolutionary alliances. An even stronger pattern overlaid associations between pack members: coalitions and resting associations were strongest between members of the same age-sex cohort, and may have enabled the eventual dominance of younger pack members over adults. Among adults, coalitionary associations were sometimes overridden by intersexual relationships. The results from this captive pack suggest that wild dogs are sensitive to differences in competitive ability. This information, in conjunction with strong affiliative bonds between littermates, is used to manoeuvre for position in the social hierarchy. It may also be important during dispersal, in encounters with other dispersing groups of the same sex. Although most features of the social structure of the captive pack were comparable to those of free-ranging packs, aspects such as the influence of relatedness on coalition formation still need to be explored.

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Coalitions in male sugar gliders: are they natural?

Cited by 15 publications

References 17 publications

Specific nest box designs can improve habitat restoration for cavity‐dependent arboreal mammals

Specific nest box designs can improve habitat restoration for cavity‐dependent arboreal mammals

Effects of landscape matrix on population connectivity of an arboreal mammal, Petaurus breviceps

Patterns of coalition formation and spatial association in a social carnivore, the African wild dog (Lycaon pictus)

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