Growth of the Eastern Quoll, Dasyurus viverrinus (Shaw), (Marsupialia) in Captivity

1984 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 21 ◽  
Author(s):  
JC Merchant ◽  
K Newgrain ◽  
B Green

The growth and development, from 10 to 270 days old, of eastern quolls in a captive colony was recorded. Young were able to detach from the teat by 65 days of age and their eyes were open by 80 days. Statistically significant differences in some measurements from males and females were found as early as 85 days of age. The weaning period commenced at 102 days ofage, and coincided with eruption ofthe first molar teeth. Total independence, determined by the cessation of lactation in the mother, was as early as 142 days in litters of one or as late as 200 days in larger litters. There was a high correlation between litter size and age at independence. Lactation was maintained in all previously suckled mammary glands of adult females after the death of young aged 65 days or over if some siblings remained. This was due to the ability of young of this age to detach and reattach to the teats at will. The implication of this observation is that the commonly held view that the numbers of surviving young in marsupial litters corresponds to the number of lactating teats in the adult female may not always be correct.

1984 ◽  
Vol 32 (5) ◽  
pp. 623 ◽  
Author(s):  
RT Gemmell ◽  
MT Walker ◽  
G Johnston ◽  
G Cepon

Twenty adult female bandicoots, Isoodon macrourus, housed in outside enclosures, were examined weekly and the number, sex and teat position of young were recorded throughout 1982. Thirty-nine litters were monitored throughout lactation. The number of young declined from 107 early in lactation to 73 at weaning. Loss of young from the pouch (n = 19) was more pronounced during the colder months of the year. This reduction in litter size may enable the bandicoots to produce some young in unfavourable conditions and thus extend their breeding season.


2007 ◽  
Vol 67 (4) ◽  
pp. 707-713 ◽  
Author(s):  
V De Conto ◽  
R Cerqueira

The reproduction, development and growth of Akodon lindberghi were studied in captivity. The colony was derived from animals captured in Simão Pereira, Minas Gerais state, which represents a new area of geographical distribution known for this species. Twelve males and twelve females were crossed, producing 144 young in 53 litters. Post-partum oestrus was observed and gestation length was estimated in 23 days. Litter size ranged from 1 to 4 with a mean of 2.72 (SD = 0.97, n = 53) and modal size of 3. Sexual dimorphism was neither present in body mass at birth nor at weaning. There was a significant negative correlation between litter size and mass at birth or weaning. Permanent emergence of adult external appearance occurred at 15 days. Puberty for males and females was 43 and 42 days, respectively, and the first fecundation event for two females was recorded at 47 and 54 days of age. The weight growth was described by fitting a Gompertz model. No significant difference was found in any parameter of growth curves for males and females. Measurements (head-body, tail, hind foot and internal and external ear lengths) obtained for adult individuals also did not reveal the presence of sexual dimorphism.


1986 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
pp. 199 ◽  
Author(s):  
RT Gemmell

In Queensland the bandicoot breeds throughout the year, but the breeding rate decreases from April to June. In this study, it was found that animals born from April to June gave birth to their first litter at an earlier age than those born in January-March, October-December or July-September: 204.0, 229.7, 244.0 and 286.8 days respectively. Similarly, the mean weights of the mothers of the four groups when giving birth to their first litter increased from 845.0 g to 873.0, 938.2 and 954.1 g respectively. The 11 bandicoots born in July-September formed two groups: five animals gave birth at 193.8 � 7.3 days (range 176-212 days) at a weight of 734.0 � 17.3 g (range 680-780 g) six animals gave birth at 364.3 � 7.7 days (range 352-399 days) at a weight of 1137.5 � 42.2 g (range 1020-1307 g). The latter group appeared to have delayed their sexual maturity during the decreased or non-breeding part of the year. Bandicoots which delay their sexual maturity are heavier when they produce their first litter than the faster developing animals. Therefore it is unlikely that decrease growth and development rates during April-June prevents the onset of sexual maturity. It is probable that the environmental cues which inhibit breeding in the adult female also affect the maturation of juvenile females.


2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (8) ◽  
pp. 744-750 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hongyang Li ◽  
JingyaWei ◽  
Fengtao Ma ◽  
Qiang Shan ◽  
Duo Gao ◽  
...  

In-depth studies have identified many hormones important for controlling mammary growth and maintaining lactation. One of these is melatonin, which is synthesized and secreted by the pineal gland to regulate circadian rhythms, improve antioxidant capacity, and enhance immunity. Prolactin is secreted by the pituitary gland and is associated with the growth and development of mammary glands as well as initiation and maintenance of lactation. The hypothalamus-pituitary system, the most important endocrine system in the body, regulates prolactin secretion mainly through dopamine released from tuberoinfundibular dopaminergic neurons. This review provides a reference for further study and describes the regulation of lactation and prolactin secretion by melatonin, primarily via the protection and stimulation of tuberoinfundibular dopaminergic neurons.


1968 ◽  
Vol 46 (5) ◽  
pp. 1023-1029 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. H. McEwan

The growth curves of minimum body weights of fast-growing caribou reared in captivity and slow-growing wild caribou are compared. Captive animals exhibit a cyclical pattern of growth characteristic of other cervid species. The differences in the declining growth constants of wild caribou compared to captive caribou are attributed to environmental factors and activity, resulting in higher maintenance costs.


2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (4) ◽  
pp. 63-67
Author(s):  
N. N. Shumilina ◽  
◽  
E. E. Larina ◽  

The pride of Russia has always been sable. Sable is unique not only in the quality of its fur, but also in the fact that almost the entire range of its habitat is located on the territory of our country. It was in our country that this animal was first bred in captivity. In this regard, Russia has long had a monopoly on the production of sable skins. In 1969, the black sable breed was approved, and in 1998, the «Saltykov» type of sable was approved. JSC «Saltykovsky Breeding farm» has created a unique herd of dark Sables with evenly spaced gray hair, the skins of which are valued at auctions by 10–30% more expensive [2]. The article presents the results of a comparative assessment of the productive qualities of Sables without gray hair and with different degrees of gray created in JSC «Plemzverosovkhoz » Saltykovsky» livestock. As a result of the analysis, it was found that Sables with gray hair have higher bonitirovki scores (more than 50%). Analyzing the indicators of bonitirovki in males and females with different degrees of gray hair, it was found that the quality of pubescence and color of males with bright gray hair is significantly superior to individuals without gray hair, the same trend is observed in females. In addition, a positive correlation was found (0,79) between the weight of skins in grams, their length and area both in Sables without gray hair, and in individuals with different degrees of gray hair. The most common defect on skins without gray hair is soaking.


1996 ◽  
Vol 199 (2) ◽  
pp. 337-349 ◽  
Author(s):  
K A Hammond ◽  
K C Lloyd ◽  
J Diamond

Using lactation in mice as a model, we sought to determine whether ceilings on sustained energy expenditure reside in the capacities of energy-acquiring and input organs (such as the intestine) or of energy-expending and output organs (such as the mammary glands). To distinguish between these possibilities experimentally, we surgically varied the teat number of lactating mother mice while simultaneously varying their litter size. The energy burden on each teat (i.e. the pup/teat ratio) could thus be varied independently of the energy burden (i.e. litter size) on the mother herself or on her intestine. At each teat number, pup mass proved to be maximal at intermediate litter sizes. At a given pup/teat ratio, mothers with five teats weaned pups no larger than the pups of normal (10-teat) mothers, even though the total energy burden on the former mothers was only half as large. Mothers with only two teats could not wean any pups. Litter size controlled maternal food intake, which in turn controlled intestinal mass and nutrient uptake capacity. Disproportionately high food intake for the smallest litters appears to reflect capital start-up costs of lactation. Pup mass is evidently limited by inadequate suckling stimulation of mammary glands.


Koedoe ◽  
1973 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
C.J. Stutterheim ◽  
J.D. Skinner

A captive colony of Gerbillurus p. paeba was studied inan outdoor enclosure and observation cages. The general behaviour is discussed and notes on the reproduction andreproductive behaviour given. Increasing the number of lighthours and increasing the temperature seem to induce fertilityin both males and females. The external parasites found on Gerbillurus are listed.


Reproduction ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 127 (5) ◽  
pp. 587-592 ◽  
Author(s):  
M Holt ◽  
O Vangen ◽  
W Farstad

The aim of the present study was to evaluate how ovulation rate and survival rate through pregnancy had been affected by more than 110 generations of upwards selection on litter size in mice. The mean number of pups born alive was 22 in the high line (selected line) and 11 in the control line (an increase in 2.6 standard deviations). Selection on litter size increased ovulation rate by 4.6 standard deviations, and it is suggested that selection also increased embryonic mortality in late pregnancy. Embryo survival from ovulation until birth was 66% in the selected line and 69% in the control line, and the observed loss in litter size from day 16 of pregnancy until birth was possibly higher in the high line compared with the control line. Selection for higher litter size has significantly increased body weight in both males and females, as the mean weight at mating for the females was 46 g in the high line and 33 g in the control line respectively.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document