Predator exposure and gene flow as tools to preserve antipredator traits in havened populations: behavioural observations of quenda

When predation pressure is relaxed, for example, in predator-free conservation havens, populations can rapidly lose antipredator traits. Such trait loss is thought to be accelerated when resource competition becomes the dominant selection pressure in the absence of predation risk. Under these circumstances, antipredator traits may be retained by reducing resource competition through predator exposure (both of which reduce selection against antipredator traits) or by maintaining gene flow with predator-savvy populations. Here, we examine differences in antipredator traits in quenda, Isoodon fusciventer, inside and outside of a conservation haven in which low levels of gene flow and predator exposure have been maintained. While we identified three behavioural phenotypes, we found little difference in antipredator responses between the havened and nonhavened populations and no evidence for a difference in resource competition. Both populations showed some level of predator recognition and avoidance, with quenda from both populations consuming less food from feeding stations treated with fox scent. There was no difference in foraging and vigilance responses in the presence of fox cues between havened and nonhavened quenda. Nonhavened quenda tended to be less agitated during handling than havened quenda, but handling reactivity was documented across both populations. Our findings suggest that predator exposure and gene flow with nonhavened populations may be effective tools to maintain antipredator responses in havened populations, but their relative importance remains to be determined.