Reproductive hormone monitoring of dugongs in captivity: Detecting the onset of sexual maturity in a cryptic marine mammal

2013 ◽  
Vol 140 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 255-267 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth A. Burgess ◽  
Wendy H. Blanshard ◽  
Andrew D. Barnes ◽  
Sam Gilchrist ◽  
Tamara Keeley ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Marine Mammal ◽  
Sexual Maturity ◽  
Reproductive Hormone ◽  
In Captivity

Breeding Biology of the Agile Wallaby, Macropus agilis (Gould) (Marsupialia : Macropodidae), in Captivity

1976 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 93 ◽  
Author(s):  
JC Merchant
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Maturity ◽  
Post Partum ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Morphological Characters ◽  
Oestrous Cycle ◽  
Vaginal Smear ◽  
Vaginal Smears ◽  
Main Cell ◽  
In Captivity ◽  
The Mean

Female agile wallabies in captivity reached sexual maturity at about 12 months old and males produced mature spermatozoa by 14 months. Breeding was continuous throughout the year and birth and oestrus were recorded in every month. The mean length of the oestrous cycle was 32.4 days, and the mean gestation period 29.4 days. Females exhibited post-partum oestrus, usually mating within 1 day of birth. Sixty-four young born in captivity comprised 24 males, 30 females and 10 of unknown sex. If a pouch young were removed or lost, the quiescent blastocyst resumed its development, to birth about 26.5 days later. Failure or absence of the blastocyst was followed by an oestrus at about the time of the corresponding post-partum oestrus. Both the oestrous cycle and the interval between removal of a pouch young and oestrus were significantly longer than when a pregnancy intervened. The oestrous cycle was characterized by changes in the proportions of the main cell types in the vaginal smear, and by changes in the appearance of the urogenital opening and the pouch and teats. The approach of oestrus could not be predicted from vaginal smears but the post-oestrous condition was always recognizable even without mating. Young animals first left the pouch for short periods between the ages of 176 and 211 days, and left permanently between 207 and 237 days. Animals of known age were measured and the development of various morphological characters noted at weekly intervals from about birth until 12 months old.

Age structure, growth pattern, sexual maturity, and longevity of Leptodactylus latrans (Anura: Leptodactylidae) in temperate wetlands

2017 ◽  
Vol 38 (3) ◽  
pp. 371-379 ◽  
Author(s):  
Javier A. López ◽  
Carolina E. Antoniazzi ◽  
Roxana E. Llanes ◽  
Romina Ghirardi
Keyword(s):  
Age Structure ◽  
Growth Pattern ◽  
Sexual Maturity ◽  
High Growth ◽  
First Year ◽  
Temperate Wetlands ◽  
In Captivity ◽  
Size At Sexual Maturity ◽  
Elevated Rate ◽  
One Year

We present the first data on age structure, growth pattern, and lines of arrested growth (LAG) forLeptodactylus latransin temperate wetlands. Based on these data, we estimate LAG periodicity, age, size at sexual maturity and longevity for this species. We also tested for differences of these parameters between sexes. The age was determined through skeletochronology. Female maturity was determined by presence of differentiated ova, while male maturity was assessed through histological analysis to evaluate spermatozoid production. To establish whether this species marks one LAG per year, eight individuals were kept one year in captivity. For each specimen, LAG was compared for different phalanges of the same toe clipped at start and end of captivity.Leptodactylus latransmarked one LAG per year, indicating a growth rhythm adjusted to a seasonal environment and mainly driven by genetic factors. Longevity was five years for both sexes and frogs reached sexual maturity during the first year, exhibiting a reproductive lifespan of four years. Sexual maturity was related to a minimal size of 60 mm or a body mass of around 33 g. There was no difference in either size or growth pattern between sexes. The von Bertalanffy growth model showed thatL. latransgrows fast after metamorphosis and their growth rate strongly decreases at about three years, probably due to the increased allocation of energy to reproduction. The high growth rates and early sexual maturation ofL. latranswould allow an elevated rate of population renewal.

scholarly journals Sexual maturation in free-ranging Chilabothrus angulifer (Serpentes: Boidae)

2016 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 163
Author(s):  
Tomás M. Rodríguez-Cabrera ◽  
Javier Torres López ◽  
Ruben Marrero ◽  
Ernesto Morell Savall ◽  
Ana Sanz Ochotorena
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Natural History ◽  
Reproductive Biology ◽  
Sexual Maturation ◽  
West Indies ◽  
Sexual Maturity ◽  
Limited Information ◽  
The West ◽  
In Captivity ◽  
Free Ranging

The Cuban Boa (C. angulifer) is the only boid snake in Cuba. It is the largest member of the genus, as well as the largest snake in the West Indies (> 400 cm in snout-vent length); as such, it is an iconic species of the Cuban herpetofauna. Although the snake’s natural history is poorly known, several studies describe aspects of its reproductive biology in captivity. Herein we document the sizes and ages at which both sexes reach sexual maturity in nature, and show that the Cuban Boa reaches adulthood at a much smaller size than previously reported for captive snakes. Based on the limited information on the growth rate of C. angulifer in nature, males must reach breeding size after 3 years and females after 5 years

Observations on the breeding and growth of the marsupial Perameles nasuta Geoffroy, with notes on other bandicoots.

1964 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 322 ◽  
Author(s):  
AG Lyne
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Sexual Maturity ◽  
The Body ◽  
Cube Root ◽  
Single Individual ◽  
Age Changes ◽  
Breeding Activity ◽  
In Captivity ◽  
The Mean ◽  
The Right

A study has been made of 521 bandicoots (Perameles nasuta, 324; P. gunnii, 111 ; Isoodon obesulus, 86). Near Sydney, P. nasuta breeds all the year round with no indication of any peaks of breeding activity. Limited observations on P. gunnii and I. obesulus in Tasmania also suggest that births occur in every season of the year. Parturition of a single individual of P. nasuta was witnessed. Fifteen new-born specimens of this species were measured and body weight records were obtained for five of them. The average dimensions of these specimens, and consecutive measurements of three specimens born in captivity and of known age, were used to age pouch young of unknown age. Age changes in the appearance of P. nasuta are described and illustrated. Hair emerges on the trunk at about 40 days after birth and at 2 months the coat is similar to that of the adult. The rate of body growth is extremely rapid just prior to the opening of the eyes (usually at 45-48 days), and the young first appear outside the pouch several days later. The pouch contains eight teats, and the mean litter sizes were: P. nasuta, 2.44 (52 litters); P. gunnii, 2.23 (22 litters); I. obesulus, 2.33 (9 litters). In 47 litters of P. nasuta, 73 young were on teats of the left side compared with 46 on the right side of the pouch. The sexes were equally represented in the pouch young of the three species examined. In P. nasuta, sexual maturity is reached at about 450 g in females and about 650 g in males. The linear equivalence (cube root of the body weight) is used as an overall measure of size with which the parts of the body are compared.

Reproduction in the parma wallaby, Macropus parma, Waterhouse

1973 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 331 ◽  
Author(s):  
GM Maynes
Keyword(s):  
Small Proportion ◽  
Sexual Maturity ◽  
Mating Behaviour ◽  
Post Partum ◽  
Reproductive Pattern ◽  
Embryonic Diapause ◽  
Young Females ◽  
Short Intervals ◽  
In Captivity ◽  
Small Holding

Female M. parma in captivity reach sexual maturity at 11 1/2-16 months of age. Scrota1 size indicates that sexual maturity is attained in males at about 22 months. One male had spermatozoa at 19-20 months and another had a first fertile mating at 24-25 months. Mating behaviour is described and resembles that of other small macropodids. M. parma is monovular and polyoestrous. The oestrous cycle has a mean length of 4197810.72 days (n = 58; range 36-59 days) while the gestation period is 34.54*0.13 days (n = 28; range 33-36 days). Post-partum oestrus and mating occurred from 4 to 13 days after birth in a small proportion (16.7%) of those animals examined. However, most animals had an oestrus, while carrying a pouch young, between 45 and 105 days after birth. A few animals did not come into oestrus at all while carrying a pouch young. Removal of pouch young typically resulted in return to oestrus between 6 and 15 days later, in females that had not had a post-partum oestrus or an oestrus while carrying a pouch young. Females which mated at some stage during lactation prior to removal of pouch young gave birth 31.16 days later (n = 3; range 30.5-32.0 days). Three females at the Melbourne Zoo had estimated delayed gestation periods of 31, 31, and 32 days. The earliest observation of a young with its head out of the pouch was at 146 days of pouch life. Most young had left the pouch for short intervals by 175 days with the youngest observed out at 160 days. Young permanently leave the pouch at 211.9+-1.0 days (n = 10; range 207-218 days). Permanent exchange of pouch young has been observed in two cases, both at approximately the time young were first leaving the pouch for short intervals. Some females that mated while carrying a young in the pouch gave birth 6-11 days after permanent pouch exit of the primary young. Unmated females returned to oestrus 12-24 days after permanent pouch exit of their young. Young were weaned at 2 5 3 ) months after pouch exit. Most females entered anoestrus in 1968 following transfer of the animals into small holding pens. In 1969 only 5 of 24 matings resulted in young in the pouch, while in 1970 the corresponding figure was 21 of 44 matings. In both years there was evidence of young being born but apparently being lost during the climb from the urogenital opening to the pouch, probably because of overcrowding of the mothers. Evolution of embryonic diapause is discussed in relation to the reproductive pattern established for M. pavma. It is postulated that embryonic diapause first arose at the end of pouch life and has come to occupy the entire length of pouch life in most macropodids.

Reproduction of the whiptail wallaby, Macropus parryi Bennett (Marsupialia : Macropodidae), in captivity with age estimation of the pouch-young

1998 ◽  
Vol 25 (6) ◽  
pp. 635 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. M. Johnson
Keyword(s):  
Age Estimation ◽  
Sexual Maturity ◽  
Post Partum ◽  
Age Determination ◽  
Oestrous Cycle ◽  
Gestation Period ◽  
Body Measurements ◽  
In Captivity ◽  
The Mean

Reproduction of the whiptail wallaby, Macropus parryi, was studied in captivity. The mean length of the oestrous cycle was 41.8 days while the mean length of the gestation period was 38.0 days. M. parryi bred throughout the year and post-partum oestrus was not recorded although mating did occur during the pouch life when the pouch-young was 118–168 days of age. The length of the pouch-life was 256–267 days and weaning occurred 104–215 days after emergence from the pouch. Sexual maturity for females occurred at 509–647 days of age. An age-determination table was produced and found useful for predicting age of pouch-young using body measurements.

scholarly journals Seasonal changes in gonad maturity, proximate and fatty acid composition of Limbaugh’s damselfish, Chromis limbaughi Greenfield & Woods, 1980 (Pisces: Pomacentridae)

2019 ◽  
Vol 71 (4) ◽  
pp. 755-765
Author(s):  
Mayra González-Félix ◽  
Martin Perez-Velazquez ◽  
Hugo Cañedo-Orihuela
Keyword(s):  
Seasonal Changes ◽  
Gulf Of California ◽  
Sexual Maturity ◽  
Captive Breeding ◽  
Reproductive Season ◽  
Major Constituent ◽  
Aquarium Trade ◽  
In Captivity ◽  
One Year ◽  
Breeding Techniques

Limbaugh?s damselfish, Chromis limbaughi Greenfield & Woods, 1980, is endemic to the Gulf of California, and one of the five most exploited species for the aquarium trade in this region. C. limbaughi is a gonochoristic, gregarious and territorial species without sexual dimorphism that inhabits rocky, sheltered areas. Development of captive breeding techniques for this species would not only ensure a continued supply of fish for the commercial trade, but perhaps more importantly, it would also alleviate fishing pressure and support stock enhancement. Thus, as a first step towards achieving these goals, in this work, we investigated some aspects of the reproductive biology of C. limbaughi. Seasonal fish samplings, with a total of eighty-nine fish caught in one year, were carried out at San Esteban Island, Gulf of California, Mexico. The reproductive season of C. limbaughi extends, at least, from May to September. A new maximum standard length of 10.5 cm is reported for this species. The estimated size at first sexual maturity was 7.90 cm for males and 7.59 cm for females. For both male and female gonads, the major constituent fatty acids were palmitic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, docosahexaenoic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid and arachidonic acid. The water-quality conditions under which maturation of C. limbaughi took place were measured, and should prove useful for the management of broodstock in captivity.

scholarly journals Selected life history traits of Leptaxis simia (Gastropoda: Hygromiidae) established in the laboratory

2021 ◽  
Vol 67 (4) ◽  
pp. 367-376
Author(s):  
Elżbieta Kuźnik-Kowalska ◽  
Robert A. D. Cameron ◽  
Małgorzata Proćków
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Maturity ◽  
Life History Traits ◽  
Shell Growth ◽  
Land Snail ◽  
Reproductive Capacity ◽  
Juvenile Growth ◽  
Full Size ◽  
Mode Of Reproduction ◽  
Long Period ◽  
In Captivity

Among ten adult specimens of the Madeiran endemic land snail Leptaxis simia kept in the laboratory, a single clutch of 110 eggs was reared, and the mortality, growth and reproductive capacity of hatchlings over a 1240- day period were monitored. Of 70 hatchlings, 34 survived to complete shell growth at around 640 days. Growth was rapid, and mortality high in the early stages; growth slowed and mortality was very low as full size was approached. Snails kept singly failed to lay any eggs. Among those with potential mates, only three clutches were produced, one of which yielded no hatchlings. Clutches were produced at least five months after shell growth was complete. Mortality increased sharply after the onset of sexual maturity, and the oldest snail survived for three and a half years. The apparently very strictly semelparous mode of reproduction, delayed sexual maturity and relatively long period of juvenile growth are discussed in relation to other species, and to the practical problems of rearing potentially endangered species in captivity.

Reproduction in Captive Wallaroos - the Eastern Wallaroo, Macropus-Robustus-Robustus, the Euro, Macropus-Robustus-Erubescens and the Antilopine Wallaroo, Macropus-Antilopinus

1987 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 225 ◽  
Author(s):  
WE Poole ◽  
JC Merchant
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Maturity ◽  
Post Partum ◽  
Reproductive Activity ◽  
Oestrous Cycle ◽  
Full Length ◽  
Reproductive Patterns ◽  
In Captivity

Wallaroos were bred in captivity during almost 20 years. Individual males attained sexual maturity at between 18 and 20 months old and females at between 14 and 24 months old; both sexes were capable of breeding throughout the year. Gestation was 30-38 d and extended almost the full length of the oestrous cycle, 31-46 d. Post-partum mating usually produced a blastocyst subject to lactational quiescence. Removal or loss of a pouch young usually resulted in birth 28-32 d later but up to 41 d later in the presence of an actively suckled young-at-foot. Pouch life ranged between 231 and 270 d, with vacation of the pouch usually followed by another birth 1-14 d later. Lactation exceeded 12-14 months but suckling had waned by 15-17 months. Reproductive patterns for M. r. robustus and M. r. erubescens were similar although significant differences between the subspecies were recorded in length of oestrous cycle, the interval from loss of pouch young to birth and post-partum oestrus, the length of pouch life and the time between vacation of the pouch and birth. In addition, the reproductive activity of hybrids produced by matings between the subspecies was observed, as was that of a limited number of M. antilopinus.

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