Journal and Proceedings of the Royal Society of New South Wales, vol. 145, nos. 445 & 446, pp. 187-188. ISSN 0035-9173/12/020187-2
Thesis abstract
Diet, Nutrition and Haematology of Dasyurid Marsupials
Hayley Stannard
Abstract of a thesis for a Doctorate of Philosophy submitted to the University of Western Sydney, Richmond, Australia
Stannard’s PhD thesis examined diet, captive fed diets. Maintenance energy nutrition and haematology of six dasyurid requirements were determined for the red- species, which are a family of insectivorous tailed phascogale (954 kJ kg0.75 d-1), kultarr and/or carnivorous Australian marsupials. (Antechinomys laniger) (695 kJ kg0.75 d-1), Diet and nutrition were studied to obtain stripe-faced dunnart (Sminthopsis macroura) information on diet choice by translocated (359 kJ kg -0.75 d-1) and fat-tailed dunnart animals and food digestibility in captive (Sminthopsis crassicaudata) (542 kJ kg -0.75 animals. Haematology was studied in d-1). The morphology of the gastrointestinal captivity as it is associated with clinical health tract of both dunnart species and the kultarr and influenced by nutrition. The broad aim were simple and consisted of a unilocular of the study was to aid current wildlife stomach and relatively uniform intestine. management practices and future Digestibility studies in a larger dasyurid conservation efforts (such as reintroduction species, the eastern quoll, showed they had and translocation programs) for these six high apparent digestibility values for dry species and other marsupial species in matter, gross energy, protein and lipids Australia. (>84%). There was a significant difference in apparent digestibility of dry matter, gross Examination of the diet of a population of energy and protein between the two diets translocated red-tailed phascogales provided, kangaroo mince and chicken necks. (Phascogale calura) at Alice Springs Desert Park confirmed that they are primarily Analysis of blood parameters in the eastern insectivorous. They are also opportunistic (Dasyurus viverrinus) and spotted-tailed quoll predators within the park, consuming birds, (Dasyurus maculatus) provided new data for small mammals, and on occasion reptiles and blood chemistry and differential white cell plant material. values. Seasonal differences were determined Study of nutrition in red-tailed phascogales for total bilirubin, glucose, creatinine and and kultarrs showed apparent digestibility sodium levels. Eastern quolls one year of age values were above 81% for dry matter, and under had significantly higher alkaline energy, protein and lipids on a number of phosphatase values than older animals.
187 JOURNAL AND PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF NEW SOUTH WALES Stannard – Thesis abstract
ecology. The blood levels determined in this The results from this thesis have implications study can be used to assess clinical health of for captive management and future quolls and assist with captive management conservation efforts for Dasyurids. The and future reintroduction programs. The study has shown the diet choice of data gained in this study has been translocated phascogales in a new incorporated into the daily environment, which has contributed to management/husbandry practices for these improving translocation techniques used for species. this species. Nutritional experiments suggest that no single diet, if fed alone is appropriate for feeding captive dasyurids; and live insect diets provide behavioural enrichment, and Dr Hayley Stannard, enhance mental and physical stimulation. Native and Pest Animal Unit, The ability of captive animals to catch live School of Science and Health, food also increases the likelihood of their University of Western Sydney, survival post-release, if they are subject to Richmond NSW 2753 translocation in the future. Energy AUSTRALIA requirements differ between species and do not necessarily relate to body mass but likely E-mail: [email protected] relate to physiological adaptations and species
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