The private life of echidnas: using accelerometry and GPS to examine field biomechanics and assess the ecological impact of a widespread, semi-fossorial monotreme

Christofer J Clemente; Christine E Cooper; Philip C Withers; Craig Freakley; Surya Singh; Philip Terrill

doi:10.1242/jeb.143867

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The private life of echidnas: using accelerometry and GPS to examine field biomechanics and assess the ecological impact of a widespread, semi-fossorial monotreme

Journal article

Peer reviewed

The private life of echidnas: using accelerometry and GPS to examine field biomechanics and assess the ecological impact of a widespread, semi-fossorial monotreme

Christofer J Clemente, Christine E Cooper, Philip C Withers, Craig Freakley, Surya Singh and Philip Terrill

Journal of Experimental Biology, Vol.219, pp.3271-3283

2016

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1242/jeb.143867

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Abstract

tachyglossus aculeatus

GPS

digging

stride

locomotion

The short-beaked echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus) is a monotreme and therefore provides a unique combination of phylogenetic history, morphological differentiation and ecological specialisation for a mammal. The echidna has a unique appendicular skeleton, a highly specialised myrmecophagous lifestyle and a mode of locomotion that is neither typically mammalian nor reptilian, but has aspects of both lineages. We therefore were interested in the interactions of locomotor biomechanics, ecology and movements for wild, free-living short-beaked echidnas. To assess locomotion in its complex natural environment, we attached both GPS and accelerometer loggers to the back of echidnas in both spring and summer. We found that the locomotor biomechanics of echidnas is unique, with lower stride length and stride frequency than reported for similar-sized mammals. Speed modulation is primarily accomplished through changes in stride frequency, with a mean of 1.39 Hz and a maximum of 2.31 Hz. Daily activity period was linked to ambient air temperature, which restricted daytime activity during the hotter summer months. Echidnas had longer activity periods and longer digging bouts in spring compared with summer. In summer, echidnas had higher walking speeds than in spring, perhaps because of the shorter time suitable for activity. Echidnas spent, on average, 12% of their time digging, which indicates their potential to excavate up to 204 m3 of soil a year. This information highlights the important contribution towards ecosystem health, via bioturbation, of this widespread Australian monotreme.

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Title: The private life of echidnas: using accelerometry and GPS to examine field biomechanics and assess the ecological impact of a widespread, semi-fossorial monotreme
Authors: Christofer J Clemente (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering
Christine E Cooper (Author) - Curtin University
Philip C Withers (Author) - Curtin University
Craig Freakley (Author) - University of Queensland
Surya Singh (Author) - University of Queensland
Philip Terrill (Author) - University of Queensland
Publication details: Journal of Experimental Biology, Vol.219, pp.3271-3283
Publisher: Company of Biologists Ltd.
Date published: 2016
DOI: 10.1242/jeb.143867
ISSN: 0022-0949
Organisation Unit: School of Science and Engineering - Legacy; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Science, Technology and Engineering
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99451084702621
Output Type: Journal article

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Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration
Web Of Science research areas: Biology; Zoology

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