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Investigating Differences in Vigilance Tactic Use within and between the Sexes in Eastern Grey Kangaroos

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  • Guillaume Rieucau
  • Pierrick Blanchard
  • Julien G A Martin
  • François-René Favreau
  • Anne W Goldizen
  • Olivier Pays

Abstract

Aggregation is thought to enhance an animal’s security through effective predator detection and the dilution of risk. A decline in individual vigilance as group size increases is commonly reported in the literature and called the group size effect. However, to date, most of the research has only been directed toward examining whether this effect occurs at the population level. Few studies have explored the specific contributions of predator detection and risk dilution and the basis of individual differences in the use of vigilance tactics. We tested whether male and female (non-reproductive or with young) eastern grey kangaroos (Macropus giganteus) adopted different vigilance tactics when in mixed-sex groups and varied in their reliance on predator detection and/or risk dilution as group size changed. This species exhibits pronounced sexual dimorphism with females being much smaller than males, making them differentially vulnerable toward predators. We combined field observations with vigilance models describing the effects of detection and dilution on scanning rates as group size increased. We found that females with and without juveniles relied on predator detection and risk dilution, but the latter adjusted their vigilance to the proportion of females with juveniles within their group. Two models appeared to equally support the data for males suggesting that males, similarly to females, relied on predator detection and risk dilution but may also have adjusted their vigilance according to the proportion of mothers within their group. Differential vulnerability may cause sex differences in vigilance tactic use in this species. The presence of males within a group that do not, or only partially, contribute to predator detection and are less at risk may cause additional security costs to females. Our results call for reexamination of the classical view of the safety advantages of grouping to provide a more detailed functional interpretation of gregariousness.

Suggested Citation

  • Guillaume Rieucau & Pierrick Blanchard & Julien G A Martin & François-René Favreau & Anne W Goldizen & Olivier Pays, 2012. "Investigating Differences in Vigilance Tactic Use within and between the Sexes in Eastern Grey Kangaroos," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 7(9), pages 1-8, September.
  • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0044801
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0044801
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Olivier Pays & Michel Goulard & Simon P. Blomberg & Anne W. Goldizen & Etienne Sirot & Peter J. Jarman, 2009. "The effect of social facilitation on vigilance in the eastern gray kangaroo, Macropus giganteus," Behavioral Ecology, International Society for Behavioral Ecology, vol. 20(3), pages 469-477.
    2. Guillaume Rieucau & Julie Morand-Ferron & Luc-Alain Giraldeau, 2010. "Group size effect in nutmeg mannikin: between-individuals behavioral differences but same plasticity," Behavioral Ecology, International Society for Behavioral Ecology, vol. 21(4), pages 684-689.
    3. Guy Beauchamp, 2008. "What is the magnitude of the group-size effect on vigilance?," Behavioral Ecology, International Society for Behavioral Ecology, vol. 19(6), pages 1361-1368.
    4. Mark A. Lung & Michael J. Childress, 2007. "The influence of conspecifics and predation risk on the vigilance of elk (Cervus elaphus) in Yellowstone National Park," Behavioral Ecology, International Society for Behavioral Ecology, vol. 18(1), pages 12-20, January.
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