| Titre : | The temporal multimodal influence of optical and auditory cues on the repellent behaviour of ring-billed gulls (Larus delewarensis) |
| Auteurs : | Caitlin A. Lecker, Auteur ; Michael H. Parsons, Auteur ; Daniel R. Lecker, Auteur ; Ronald J. Sarno, Auteur ; Faith E. Parsons, Auteur |
| Type de document : | Article |
| Dans : | Wildlife Research (42(3) 2015) |
| Article en page(s) : | 232-240 |
| Langues: | Anglais |
| Résumé : | Context. A generation of new animal repellents is based on the premise that threat stimuli are best interpreted through multiple sensory pathways. Ring-billed gulls (RBG; Larus delawarensis) offer a unique opportunity to assess the efficacy of multimodal repellents over time. This pest species is repelled by both auditory and optical cues and persists in stable populations, often remaining in the same colony for life. This distinctive attribute makes it possible to assess colonies independently over time and space. Aims. We assessed the unimodal (single-cue treatment) and multimodal (paired-cue) response by RBG to auditory (conspecific distress call) and optical (green or red laser) cues, along with a double-negative control (flashlight aimed at ground, background noise). Methods. All stimuli were investigated separately and together within a 3 x 2 factorial design randomised by treatment and site. We predicted that paired stimuli would generate more pronounced (number of gulls fleeing from a roost) and faster (flight initiation time) responses than stimuli presented alone with a control. Key results. The distress call was more effective than either visual signal and almost nullified our ability to detect a multimodal response. However, the multimodal influence was detected on two levels. Gulls were more likely to flee from either paired treatment (optical + auditory) than from unimodal stimuli (laser light only; P |



