Comparison of growth and development of the red-tailed phascogale (Phascogale calura) in three captive colonies


Autoria(s): Foster, W. K.; Bradley, A. J.; Caton, W.; Taggart, D. A.
Contribuinte(s)

Dugald McGlashan

Data(s)

01/01/2006

Resumo

The red-tailed phascogale ( Phascogale calura) is an endangered dasyurid species that has recently been brought into captivity in an effort to increase numbers before release back into the wild. As part of investigations into the reproductive biology of the species, information on the growth and development of young was collected throughout lactation from litters raised in three separate colonies. Growth curves for aging young throughout lactation and a timetable of developmental changes were constructed. While two colonies, with fourth- and fifth-generation captive animals, showed no significant difference in growth, animals from a third colony that had been wild caught before breeding displayed a slower rate of growth from 34 days of age. The pattern of development resembled that of other dasyurids, with young left in the nest from 44 days of age, fully furred by 78 days and weaned between 90 and 110 days. Captive phascogales invest heavily in their young, with litters weighing 380 +/- 67% of maternal bodyweight at weaning.

Identificador

http://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:81394

Idioma(s)

eng

Publicador

Csiro Publishing

Palavras-Chave #South-western Australia #Tapoatafa Marsupialia #Maternal Strategies #Age-determination #Life-history #Pouch Young #Dasyuridae #Reproduction #Wild #Investment #C1 #270503 Animal Anatomy and Histology #780105 Biological sciences
Tipo

Journal Article