Problem 1
One of the long-standing controversies in predatorprey limitation involves the wolf-moose interaction in North America. Eberhardt (1998,2000) and Messier and Joly (2000) present alternative views on how much this interaction affects moose abundance. Evaluate the data they present and their arguments for population control of moose by wolves.
Problem 8
Tammar wallabies (Macropus eugenii), a small \(6-10\) kg macropod, were introduced to New Zealand about 130 years ago. In their native Australia, they have been subject to predation by a variety of predators such as the marsupial lion (now extinct) and the marsupial tiger (also extinct), as well as large lizards and now the introduced dingo and red fox. New Zealand has none of these predators. Discuss how tammar wallabies might evolve in the absence of predation. Under what conditions would you expect antipredator behaviors to disappear from the New Zealand population of tammar wallabies? Blumstein et al. (2004) provide data on this issue.
Problem 9
Wildebeest in the Serengeti area of east Africa have a very restricted calving season. All females give birth within a space of three weeks at the start of the rainy season (sinclair and Arcese 1995). How would you test the hypothesis that this restricted calving season is an adaptation to reduce predation losses of calves?
