Thermoregulation strategies differ for large macropods during high temperatures

Juillard, LQ; Ashby, LM; McEvoy, TJ; Ramp, D

Thermoregulation strategies differ for large macropods during high temperatures

Juillard, LQ Ashby, LM McEvoy, TJ Ramp, D

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Publisher:: Elsevier
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Journal of Thermal Biology, 2025, 132, pp. 104245
Issue Date:: 2025-08

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Juillard, LQ
dc.contributor.author	Ashby, LM
dc.contributor.author	McEvoy, TJ
dc.contributor.author	Ramp, D
dc.date.accessioned	2025-08-28T06:53:17Z
dc.date.available	2025-08-28T06:53:17Z
dc.date.issued	2025-08
dc.identifier.citation	Journal of Thermal Biology, 2025, 132, pp. 104245
dc.identifier.issn	0306-4565
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/189523
dc.description.abstract	In semi-arid drylands, landscape features such as water and trees are vital for individuals when reducing heat stress. In Australia, such landscapes have witnessed widespread canopy loss and considerable shifts in water availability due to anthropogenic processes, and are subject to greater frequencies of extreme temperatures. We explored the use of dammed watercourses and excavated earth tanks, and tree shade in two large macropod species, eastern grey kangaroos (Macropus giganteus) and red kangaroos (Osphranter rufus) in the semi-arid drylands of south-western Queensland. Using a thermal drone, camera traps, and temperature sensors, we examined the relationship between temperature, and water and canopy shade use by both species. The likelihood of kangaroos being observed in the sun was negatively correlated with temperature, with the likelihood of observing eastern grey kangaroos in the sun dropping below 50% when temperatures exceeded 28°C, and 17°C for red kangaroos. Probability of detecting kangaroos in the shade was positively correlated with temperature, with red kangaroos more strongly selecting shade than eastern grey kangaroos. For eastern grey kangaroos, we observed greatly increased activity at waterpoints when daily maximum temperatures exceeded 28°C, with a preference for dammed watercourses over excavated earth tanks. Only a weak trend of using dammed watercourses at high temperatures (>36°C) was detected for red kangaroos. As higher temperatures become more frequent due to climate change, our results suggest that the capacity of wildlife to persist may increasingly depend on the provision and maintenance of landscape features such as water and canopy shade.
dc.language	en
dc.publisher	Elsevier
dc.relation.ispartof	Journal of Thermal Biology
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1016/j.jtherbio.2025.104245
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
dc.subject	06 Biological Sciences
dc.subject.classification	Physiology
dc.subject.classification	3109 Zoology
dc.title	Thermoregulation strategies differ for large macropods during high temperatures
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	132
utslib.for	06 Biological Sciences
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney/Provost
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney/Provost/TD School
utslib.copyright.status	open_access	*
dc.rights.license	This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0). To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
dc.date.updated	2025-08-28T06:53:13Z
pubs.publication-status	Published
pubs.volume	132

Abstract:

In semi-arid drylands, landscape features such as water and trees are vital for individuals when reducing heat stress. In Australia, such landscapes have witnessed widespread canopy loss and considerable shifts in water availability due to anthropogenic processes, and are subject to greater frequencies of extreme temperatures. We explored the use of dammed watercourses and excavated earth tanks, and tree shade in two large macropod species, eastern grey kangaroos (Macropus giganteus) and red kangaroos (Osphranter rufus) in the semi-arid drylands of south-western Queensland. Using a thermal drone, camera traps, and temperature sensors, we examined the relationship between temperature, and water and canopy shade use by both species. The likelihood of kangaroos being observed in the sun was negatively correlated with temperature, with the likelihood of observing eastern grey kangaroos in the sun dropping below 50% when temperatures exceeded 28°C, and 17°C for red kangaroos. Probability of detecting kangaroos in the shade was positively correlated with temperature, with red kangaroos more strongly selecting shade than eastern grey kangaroos. For eastern grey kangaroos, we observed greatly increased activity at waterpoints when daily maximum temperatures exceeded 28°C, with a preference for dammed watercourses over excavated earth tanks. Only a weak trend of using dammed watercourses at high temperatures (>36°C) was detected for red kangaroos. As higher temperatures become more frequent due to climate change, our results suggest that the capacity of wildlife to persist may increasingly depend on the provision and maintenance of landscape features such as water and canopy shade.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/189523