Journal article
Pursuit dynamics among australian marsupials and dogs: Comparative locomotor performance and escape probability
The Journal of Experimental Biology, Vol.Advanced access
17-Sep-2026
PMID: 42751729
Abstract
Predation can strongly influence population outcomes, and locomotor performance may be especially important during pursuit-evasion interactions. We hypothesised that differences in performance-based escape capacity could contribute to the abundance and distribution of prey populations. We compared the locomotor performance of northern brown bandicoots (Isoodon macrourus), which persist across mainland Australia, and northern quolls (Dasyurus hallucatus), which have declined on the mainland, with that of domestic dogs (Canis familiaris; multiple breeds, 3.4-44 kg) as an approximation of canid performance. Velocity, acceleration and changes in heading were extracted from top-down video footage and used to estimate relative escape performance. Dogs achieved the highest mean and maximum speeds, whereas quolls showed the greatest turning capacity. Bandicoots were the slowest, least agile and most predictable of the three groups. The ability of quolls to outmanoeuvre a pursuing predator may help explain their association with structurally complex habitats, where agility should provide a greater advantage. By contrast, the persistence and abundance of northern brown bandicoots are likely supported by other ecological traits because their locomotor capacity for avoiding pursuit predators appears limited. These findings show that locomotor performance alone cannot explain prey population outcomes, but may interact with habitat complexity to favour different escape strategies.
Details
- Title
- Pursuit dynamics among australian marsupials and dogs: Comparative locomotor performance and escape probability
- Authors
- Joshua L Gaschk (Corresponding Author) - University of the Sunshine CoastKaylah Del Simone - The University of QueenslandAmi Fadhillah Amir Abdul Nasir - The University of QueenslandMikaela J Bratovic - University of the Sunshine CoastRobbie S Wilson - The University of QueenslandChristofer J Clemente - The University of Queensland
- Publication details
- The Journal of Experimental Biology, Vol.Advanced access
- Publisher
- The Company of Biologists Ltd.
- DOI
- 10.1242/jeb.252204
- ISSN
- 1477-9145
- PMID
- 42751729
- Copyright note
- © 2026. Published by The Company of Biologists. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium provided that the original work is properly attributed.
- Organisation Unit
- School of Science, Technology and Engineering; Centre for Bioinnovation
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 991262586002621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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