The relationship between prey size and handling time and prey size and capture success in three sympatric species of dasyurid marsupials

Calver, M.C., Bradley, J.S. and King, D.R. (1988) The relationship between prey size and handling time and prey size and capture success in three sympatric species of dasyurid marsupials. Australian Wildlife Research, 15 (6). pp. 615-623.

Abstract

Regressions of handling time on prey weight were determined for Sminthopsis hirtipes, S. ooldea and Ningaui spp. preying on grasshoppers and cockroahces. A simple linear regression fitted the relationships better than logarithmaic models. The slopes of the regression lines were steeper for grasshopper than for cockroach prey in all species, and for each prey type the slopes for the predators were ranked in order of predator weight. Capture efficiency (the proportion of successful attacks) did not vary significantly between predator species and prey types, and all predators showed declining capture efficiencies with increasing prey size. Niche separation in these dasyurids does not appear to be based on different optimal prey sizes for each species.

Publication Type:	Journal Article
Murdoch Affiliation:	School of Environmental and Life Sciences
Publisher:	Commonwealth Scientific And Industrial Research Organization
URI:	http://researchrepository.murdoch.edu.au/id/eprint/900

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