The acoustic repertoire of the burrowing bettong (Bettongia lesueur)

Abstract

Acoustic signalling is used by a range of taxa to convey information. Terrestrial marsupials are not considered particularly vocal, however acoustic signalling in this group may be important for predator avoidance and social cohesion. We defined the nocturnal acoustic repertoire of the burrowing bettong, a social macropod that shelters down warrens during the day, using micro audio-recorders on the radio-collars of 19 individuals. Alarm calls were emitted in response to external stimuli just prior to fleeing, whilst aggression and submission calls were generally recorded simultaneously in pairs of individuals, usually in food defence. Submission calls were often made whilst laying and defending with the hind feet. Contact calls were quieter and emitted when one individual slowly approached another. The isolation call was only observed in interactions between adult and juvenile. Bettong call rates were higher at night when bettongs were active (nearly 50/h) than during the day (<6/h). Males emitted alarm calls more often than females, and smaller females produced higher rates of submission calls than larger females. This study provides a foundation for improved call elicitation analysis in bettongs which could assist with conservation management.