DOCSLIB.ORG

Daily Torpor in a Pregnant Dunnart (Sminthopsis Macroura Dasyuridae: Marsupialia)

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Daily Torpor in a Pregnant Dunnart (Sminthopsis Macroura Dasyuridae: Marsupialia) ARTICLE IN PRESS www.elsevier.de/mambio Short communication Daily torpor in a pregnant dunnart (Sminthopsis macroura Dasyuridae: Marsupialia) By F. Geiser, Bronwyn M. McAllan and R.M. Brigham Centre for Behavioural and Physiological Ecology, Zoology and Human Biology, University of New England, Armidale NSW 2351, Australia; and Department of Biology, University of Regina, Regina SK, Canada S4S 0A2 Receipt of Ms. 17.2.2004 Acceptance of Ms. 3.6.2004 Key words: arid tone, mammalian reproduction, thermo-energetics Mammalian reproduction is an energetically Chruszcz and Barclay 2002; Willis 2005).It expensive process. In addition to normal appears that species with small litters or energetic costs for maintenance, locomotion offspring or those that spread the costs and thermoregulation, reproduction requires associated with reproduction over a long energy expenditure to acquire and process time, may be able to enter torpor during nutrients, produce milk, and transferring reproduction. However, information on tor- nutrients to growing offspring with the por by reproductively active mammals is consequent increase in metabolic rate (MR) limited and is currently restricted to only a (Farmer 2003). Torpor in heterothermic few of the large number of known hetero- mammals, on the other hand, results in an thermic mammals. overall reduction of energy expenditure and We tested whether marsupial dunnarts, is characterised by a pronounced fall in body Sminthopsis macroura, a small species temperature and MR (Geiser and Ruf 1995). (25 g)of the family Dasyuridae ( Fig. 1) For most mammals, these different energetic, can enter torpor while reproductively active. and also hormonal, demands appear to S. macroura is insectivorous, has a slow rate require a temporal sequence of reproduction of development, and lives in the arid and and torpor within the yearly schedule and semi-arid area of inland Australia where thus, torpor usually occurs during the non- conditions of limited food and water avail- reproductive season (Goldman et al. 1986; ability, which promote torpor use, occur Barnes 1996; Stamper et al. 1998; Mzilikazi regularly (Godfrey 1969; Geiser et al. 1998). and Lovegrove 2002). Not surprisingly then, A similar-sized closely related species there is a widely held view that torpor and (S. crassicaudata)with similar thermal and reproduction in mammals are mutually ex- developmental biology has been observed in clusive processes. torpor in the field while lactating (Morton Nevertheless, members of a few mammalian 1978). S. macroura is therefore suitable for taxa, including echidnas (Monotremata), addressing the question whether torpor may some small dasyurids and feathertail gliders be employed during reproduction. (Marsupialia), and some small insectivores We studied 12 adult, female S. macroura and bats (Placentalia), are known to enter (body mass 24:0 Æ 3:0 g)that were captive- torpor while pregnant and/or lactating (Ra- bred at the University of New England in cey 1973; Morton 1978; Geiser 1996; Armidale. Individual reproductive condition 1616-5047/$ - see front matter r 2005 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved. doi:10.1016/j.mambio.2004.06.003 Mamm. biol. 70 (2005) 2 Á 117–121 ARTICLE IN PRESS 118 F. Geiser et al. Fig. 1. A stripe-faced dunnart, Sminthopsis macroura. was classified following McAllan et al. measured as the rate of oxygen consumption (1991). When exhibiting oestrus, each female once over 23–24 h (Geiser et al. 1998). Food was paired with a male for the duration of the and water were not provided and T a was oestrous period. Of the 12 individuals stu- 16:8 Æ 0:5 1C: These measurements were also died, two did not exhibit oestrous cycles used to quantify minimum MR during torpor during the reproductive season, two were (TMR), and average daily MR (ADMR). paired with males at the time MR measure- Torpor was defined as MR falling below 75% ments were conducted, and the remaining of the resting MR at the same T a and torpor eight exhibited oestrous cycles during the bout duration as the time period when MR reproductive season and were paired with was o75% resting MR. Measurements were males prior to MR measurements. We did conducted between late July and mid-Sep- not know at the time of measurements tember (late winter/early spring)within the whether or not the animals were pregnant; normal reproductive season for the species this was determined after the measurements (Godfrey 1969). Numerical values are pre- during weekly assessment of reproductive sented as mean71 standard deviation (SD) condition. When not paired for mating, for ‘‘n’’, the number of individuals. dunnarts were maintained individually in Of the 12 dunnarts measured, 11 were not cages as described in Geiser et al. (1998) pregnant. Ten of these individuals entered under the natural photoperiod of Armidale at torpor and one remained normothermic an ambient temperature ðT aÞ of 20 1C. Cages (Fig. 2). The 12th dunnart, the lightest were cleaned weekly when animals were individual measured (19.2 g), was pregnant weighed and reproductive condition assessed. during our measurements. This individual To determine whether or not individuals entered torpor (Fig. 2A)and gave birth entered torpor, the MR of each animal was approximately 9 days after the measurement. ARTICLE IN PRESS Daily torpor in a pregnant dunnart 119 7 pregnant 6 5 4 3 2 1 A 0 7 non-pregnant ) 6 -1 h -1 g 5 2 4 3 2 1 B 0 Oxygen consumption (mlO 7 non-pregnant 6 5 4 3 2 1 C 0 15 18 21 24 3 6 9 12 15 Local time (h) Fig. 2. Oxygen consumption of female dunnarts (Sminthopsis macroura) measured over 1 day at 16.8 1C. Female (A) was pregnant and entered a 4 h torpor bout lasting from 06:00 to 10:00 h, female (B) was non-pregnant and entered a 10 h torpor bout lasting from 02:00 to 12:30 h, and female (C) was non-pregnant and the only individual that remained normothermic. The black bar indicates the period of darkness. The torpor pattern shown for the non-pregnant dunnart (B) was one of the longest observed. ARTICLE IN PRESS 120 F. Geiser et al. As the gestation period in this species is that a low MR during parts of the reproduc- 12.5 days (Godfrey 1969), the female had tive season is one of the traits required completed 30% of pregnancy on the day for torpor expression during pregnancy or she entered torpor. Its minimum TMR lactation. À1 À1 (0.23 ml O2 g h )was even less than the Species for which torpor has been observed mean TMR of non-pregnant animals during the reproductive period are also À1 À1 (0.3270.35 ml O2 g h , n ¼ 10), but the insectivorous or nectarivorous. Abundance pregnant dunnart only remained in torpor of most insects (and other arthropods)and for 4.05 h, somewhat shorter (65%)than nectar fluctuate (Csada and Brigham 1994; the average torpor bout length of the Law 1994). Occurrence of torpor during non-pregnant individuals (6.2572.96 h). reproduction may thus be linked to the food The ADMR of the pregnant female consumed by the mammals. Species that have (31.7 kJ dayÀ1)was among the lowest mea- access to relatively predictable food supplies sured in the non-pregnant females that during the reproductive season, like many entered torpor (36.575.5 kJ dayÀ1), and the herbivorous rodents, may be able to adopt ADMR of all individuals entering torpor was strict homeothermy while pregnant or lactat- lower than that of the individual remaining ing. In contrast, species with relatively normothermic (49.6 kJ dayÀ1). The pregnant unpredictable, weather-dependent food sup- female raised two young successfully, wean- plies may improve fitness via the ability to use ing them about 70 days after birth as torpor. What remains to be resolved is the expected (Godfrey 1969). relative importance of reproduction and diet Our study documents another mammalian in determining torpor expression during species capable of entering torpor during reproduction. pregnancy. While the general torpor vari- ables of this female were similar to that in the non-pregnant individuals, it remained in Acknowledgements torpor for a shorter period than most of the non-pregnant individuals. Nevertheless em- This work was supported by a grant from the ploying torpor substantially reduced its Australian Research Council to FG, and ADMR and consequently food and water University of New England Research Grants requirements. As the minimum TMR of the to FG and BMM. We thank Rebecca Drury pregnant dunnart was similar to that for non- and Wendy Westman for technical support. pregnant dunnarts, we estimate from the body temperature–ambient temperature dif- ferential during torpor for the species (Geiser et al. 1998)that its minimum body tempera- References ture was about 20 1C. Barnes, B. M. (1996): Relationship between hiber- The observation of torpor in a pregnant nation and reproduction in male ground dunnart raises the question of how mammals, squirrels. In: Adaptations to the Cold: Tenth which appear to be strictly homeothermic International Hibernation Symposium, Ed. by during the reproductive season (e.g. ground F. Geiser, A. J. Hulbert, S. Nicol. Armidale: squirrels, marmots and hamsters)( Goldman UNE Press, Pp. 71–80. et al. 1986; Barnes 1996; Mzilikazi and Chruszcz, B. J.; Barclay, R. M. R. (2002): Lovegrove 2002), differ from those that Thermoregulatory ecology of a solitary bat, exhibit torpor when reproductive. It appears Myotis evotis, roosting in rock crevices. Funct. that mammals with small litters or individual Ecol. 16, 18–26. offspring or those who spread the reproduc- Csada, R. D.; Brigham, R. M. (1994): Reproduc- tion constrains the use of daily torpor by free tive effort and the associated metabolic costs ranging common poorwills (Phalaenoptilus nut- over a long time, like monotremes, many tallii).
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Lindsay Masters
    CHARACTERISATION OF EXPERIMENTALLY INDUCED AND SPONTANEOUSLY OCCURRING DISEASE WITHIN CAPTIVE BRED DASYURIDS Scott Andrew Lindsay A thesis submitted in fulfillment of requirements for the postgraduate degree of Masters of Veterinary Science Faculty of Veterinary Science University of Sydney March 2014 STATEMENT OF ORIGINALITY Apart from assistance acknowledged, this thesis represents the unaided work of the author. The text of this thesis contains no material previously published or written unless due reference to this material is made. This work has neither been presented nor is currently being presented for any other degree. Scott Lindsay 30 March 2014. i SUMMARY Neosporosis is a disease of worldwide distribution resulting from infection by the obligate intracellular apicomplexan protozoan parasite Neospora caninum, which is a major cause of infectious bovine abortion and a significant economic burden to the cattle industry. Definitive hosts are canid and an extensive range of identified susceptible intermediate hosts now includes native Australian species. Pilot experiments demonstrated the high disease susceptibility and the unexpected observation of rapid and prolific cyst formation in the fat-tailed dunnart (Sminthopsis crassicaudata) following inoculation with N. caninum. These findings contrast those in the immunocompetent rodent models and have enormous implications for the role of the dunnart as an animal model to study the molecular host-parasite interactions contributing to cyst formation. An immunohistochemical investigation of the dunnart host cellular response to inoculation with N. caninum was undertaken to determine if a detectable alteration contributes to cyst formation, compared with the eutherian models. Selective cell labelling was observed using novel antibodies developed against Tasmanian devil proteins (CD4, CD8, IgG and IgM) as well as appropriate labelling with additional antibodies targeting T cells (CD3), B cells (CD79b, PAX5), granulocytes, and the monocyte-macrophage family (MAC387).
    [Show full text]
  • A Phylogeny and Timescale for Marsupial Evolution Based on Sequences for Five Nuclear Genes
    J Mammal Evol DOI 10.1007/s10914-007-9062-6 ORIGINAL PAPER A Phylogeny and Timescale for Marsupial Evolution Based on Sequences for Five Nuclear Genes Robert W. Meredith & Michael Westerman & Judd A. Case & Mark S. Springer # Springer Science + Business Media, LLC 2007 Abstract Even though marsupials are taxonomically less diverse than placentals, they exhibit comparable morphological and ecological diversity. However, much of their fossil record is thought to be missing, particularly for the Australasian groups. The more than 330 living species of marsupials are grouped into three American (Didelphimorphia, Microbiotheria, and Paucituberculata) and four Australasian (Dasyuromorphia, Diprotodontia, Notoryctemorphia, and Peramelemorphia) orders. Interordinal relationships have been investigated using a wide range of methods that have often yielded contradictory results. Much of the controversy has focused on the placement of Dromiciops gliroides (Microbiotheria). Studies either support a sister-taxon relationship to a monophyletic Australasian clade or a nested position within the Australasian radiation. Familial relationships within the Diprotodontia have also proved difficult to resolve. Here, we examine higher-level marsupial relationships using a nuclear multigene molecular data set representing all living orders. Protein-coding portions of ApoB, BRCA1, IRBP, Rag1, and vWF were analyzed using maximum parsimony, maximum likelihood, and Bayesian methods. Two different Bayesian relaxed molecular clock methods were employed to construct a timescale for marsupial evolution and estimate the unrepresented basal branch length (UBBL). Maximum likelihood and Bayesian results suggest that the root of the marsupial tree is between Didelphimorphia and all other marsupials. All methods provide strong support for the monophyly of Australidelphia. Within Australidelphia, Dromiciops is the sister-taxon to a monophyletic Australasian clade.
    [Show full text]
  • Ba3444 MAMMAL BOOKLET FINAL.Indd
    Intot Obliv i The disappearing native mammals of northern Australia Compiled by James Fitzsimons Sarah Legge Barry Traill John Woinarski Into Oblivion? The disappearing native mammals of northern Australia 1 SUMMARY Since European settlement, the deepest loss of Australian biodiversity has been the spate of extinctions of endemic mammals. Historically, these losses occurred mostly in inland and in temperate parts of the country, and largely between 1890 and 1950. A new wave of extinctions is now threatening Australian mammals, this time in northern Australia. Many mammal species are in sharp decline across the north, even in extensive natural areas managed primarily for conservation. The main evidence of this decline comes consistently from two contrasting sources: robust scientifi c monitoring programs and more broad-scale Indigenous knowledge. The main drivers of the mammal decline in northern Australia include inappropriate fi re regimes (too much fi re) and predation by feral cats. Cane Toads are also implicated, particularly to the recent catastrophic decline of the Northern Quoll. Furthermore, some impacts are due to vegetation changes associated with the pastoral industry. Disease could also be a factor, but to date there is little evidence for or against it. Based on current trends, many native mammals will become extinct in northern Australia in the next 10-20 years, and even the largest and most iconic national parks in northern Australia will lose native mammal species. This problem needs to be solved. The fi rst step towards a solution is to recognise the problem, and this publication seeks to alert the Australian community and decision makers to this urgent issue.
    [Show full text]
  • Spotted Tailed Quoll (Dasyurus Maculatus)
    Husbandry Guidelines for the SPOTTED-TAILED QUOLL (Tiger Quoll) (Photo: J. Marten) Dasyurus maculatus (MAMMALIA: DASYURIDAE) Author: Julie Marten Date of Preparation: February 2013 – June 2014 Western Sydney Institute of TAFE, Richmond Course Name and Number: Captive Animals Certificate III (18913) Lecturers: Graeme Phipps, Jacki Salkeld, Brad Walker DISCLAIMER Please note that this information is just a guide. It is not a definitive set of rules on how the care of Spotted- Tailed Quolls must be conducted. Information provided may vary for: • Individual Spotted-Tailed Quolls • Spotted-Tailed Quolls from different regions of Australia • Spotted-Tailed Quolls kept in zoos versus Spotted-Tailed Quolls from the wild • Spotted-Tailed Quolls kept in different zoos Additionally different zoos have their own set of rules and guidelines on how to provide husbandry for their Spotted-Tailed Quolls. Even though I researched from many sources and consulted various people, there are zoos and individual keepers, researchers etc. that have more knowledge than myself and additional research should always be conducted before partaking any new activity. Legislations are regularly changing and therefore it is recommended to research policies set out by national and state government and associations such as ARAZPA, ZAA etc. Any incident resulting from the misuse of this document will not be recognised as the responsibility of the author. Please use at the participants discretion. Any enhancements to this document to increase animal care standards and husbandry techniques are appreciated. Otherwise I hope this manual provides some helpful information. Julie Marten Picture J.Marten 2 OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY RISKS It is important before conducting any work that all hazards are identified.
    [Show full text]
  • Chuditch Dasyurus Geoffroii
    Chuditch Dasyurus geoffroii Conservation Status: Vulnerable Identification The chuditch Dasyurus geoffroii, also known as the western quoll, is the largest carnivorous marsupial that occurs in Western Australia. The northern quoll Dasyurus hallucatus is the other quoll that occurs in WA, but its current distribution in the Pilbara and Kimberley does not overlap with the chuditch in the southwest of WA. The chuditch has mostly brown fur with distinctive white spots. It has large rounded ears, a pointed muzzle and a mostly black, brushy tail about three-quarters the length of it head and body. Unlike many other marsupials, chuditch do not have a hopping gait. Head and Body Length: 26-40cm Tail Length: 21-35cm Weight: 1.3kg (male) and 0.9kg (female) Taxonomy Family: Dasyuridae Genus: Dasyurus Species: geoffroii Other Common Names: western quoll The chuditch is closely related to the northern quoll Dasyurus hallucatus, which is found in the Pilbara, Kimberley and across the northern areas of Photos: K. Page/DBCA the Northern Territory and Queensland. Distribution and Habitat Chuditch were previously known from most of Australia, occurring in every Mainland State and Territory. It was relatively abundant until European settlement, when the species underwent a drastic decline and contraction. It went extinct in New South Wales in the 1940s, Victoria in the 1950s and in Queensland between 1880 and 1910. It is now largely restricted to the south-west of Western Australia, with small numbers in the Midwest, Wheatbelt and South Coast Regions. Historically, chuditch inhabited a wide range of habitats, but today it survives mostly in Jarrah Eucalyptus marginata forests and woodlands, mallee shrublands and heathlands.
    [Show full text]
  • Mammals of the Avon Region
    Mammals of the Avon Region By Mandy Bamford, Rowan Inglis and Katie Watson Foreword by Dr. Tony Friend R N V E M E O N G T E O H F T W A E I S L T A E R R N A U S T 1 2 Contents Foreword 6 Introduction 8 Fauna conservation rankings 25 Species name Common name Family Status Page Tachyglossus aculeatus Short-beaked echidna Tachyglossidae not listed 28 Dasyurus geoffroii Chuditch Dasyuridae vulnerable 30 Phascogale calura Red-tailed phascogale Dasyuridae endangered 32 phascogale tapoatafa Brush-tailed phascogale Dasyuridae vulnerable 34 Ningaui yvonnae Southern ningaui Dasyuridae not listed 36 Antechinomys laniger Kultarr Dasyuridae not listed 38 Sminthopsis crassicaudata Fat-tailed dunnart Dasyuridae not listed 40 Sminthopsis dolichura Little long-tailed dunnart Dasyuridae not listed 42 Sminthopsis gilberti Gilbert’s dunnart Dasyuridae not listed 44 Sminthopsis granulipes White-tailed dunnart Dasyuridae not listed 46 Myrmecobius fasciatus Numbat Myrmecobiidae vulnerable 48 Chaeropus ecaudatus Pig-footed bandicoot Peramelinae presumed extinct 50 Isoodon obesulus Quenda Peramelinae priority 5 52 Species name Common name Family Status Page Perameles bougainville Western-barred bandicoot Peramelinae endangered 54 Macrotis lagotis Bilby Peramelinae vulnerable 56 Cercartetus concinnus Western pygmy possum Burramyidae not listed 58 Tarsipes rostratus Honey possum Tarsipedoidea not listed 60 Trichosurus vulpecula Common brushtail possum Phalangeridae not listed 62 Bettongia lesueur Burrowing bettong Potoroidae vulnerable 64 Potorous platyops Broad-faced
    [Show full text]
  • Minutes from the Kangaroo Island Dunnart Workshop Monday 27 May 2019, Ozone Hotel, Kangaroo Island
    Minutes from the Kangaroo Island dunnart workshop Monday 27 May 2019, Ozone Hotel, Kangaroo Island In attendance Rosemary Hohnen (National Environmental Science Program (NESP) Threatened Species Recovery Hub (TSRH)), Jasper Taylor (Kangaroo Island (KI) Natural Resources Management (NRM) Board), John Woinarski (NESP TSRH), Sarah Legge (NESP TSRH), Chris Dickman (NESP TSRH), Oliver Tester (Department of Environment and Energy, Australian Government (DoEE)), Leonie Brettell (DoEE), Emma Graham (DoEE), Dan Rogers (Department for Environment and Water Government of SA (DEW)), Peter Copley (DEW), Jody Gates (DEW), Jennie Fluin (DEW), Jason Higham (DEW), Matt Heard (DEW), Robyn Molsher (DEW), Damon Ezis (DEW), Damian Miley (Natural Resources KI, DEW (NRKI)), Mike Grieg (NRKI), Phillipa Holden (NRKI), Brett Dalzell (NRKI), Venetia Bolwell (NRKI), Karleah Berris (NRKI), Brenton Florance (NRKI), Josh Mulvaney (NRKI), Paul Jennings (NRKI), Danny Male (NRKI), Ross Evans (NRKI), Rebecca Mussared (NRKI), Sharon Gullickson (NRKI), Anne McLean (NRKI), Tony Sandeman (NRKI), Katherine Tuft (Arid Recovery), Hugh McGregor (Arid Recovery), Pat Hodgens (Kangaroo Island Land for Wildlife (KI LfW), Heidi Groffen (KI LfW), James Doube (KI landholder), Peter Hammond (KI landholder), Nirbeeja Saraswati (KI landholder), Tony Robinson (KI landholder), Julia Haska (KI landholder), John Hodgson (KI landholder), Pip Masters (Envisage Environmental Solutions (EES)) and Rick Southgate (EES). Apologies Sally Box (Threatened Species Commissioner, Australian Government), Fiona Fraser (DoEE), Peter Latch (DoEE), Brett Murphy (Charles Darwin University TSRH) and Trish Mooney (NRKI). Introduction and welcome Dan Rogers welcomed all participants to the meeting and outlined the aim of the workshop: to discuss the information known about the Kangaroo Island dunnart and the threats to it, and use this to develop a Conservation Advice under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 ( EPBC Act) for the species.
    [Show full text]
  • Terrestrial Native Mammals of Western Australia
    TERRESTRIALNATIVE MAMMALS OF WESTERNAUSTRALIA On a number of occasionswe have been asked what D as y ce r cus u ist ica ud q-Mul Aara are the marsupialsof W.A. or what is the scientiflcname Anlechinusfla.t,ipes Matdo given to a palticular animal whosecommon name only A n t ec h i nus ap i ca I i s-Dlbbler rs known. Antechinusr osemondae-Little Red Antechinus As a guide,the following list of62 speciesof marsupials A nteclt itus mqcdonneIlens is-Red-eared Antechi nus and 59 speciesof othersis publishedbelow. Antechinus ? b ilar n i-Halney' s Antechinus Antec h in us mqculatrJ-Pismv Antechinus N ingaui r idei-Ride's Nirfaui - MARSUPALIA Ningauirinealvi Ealev's-KimNinsaui Ptaiigole*fuilissima beiiey Planigale Macropodidae Plani gale tenuirostris-Narrow-nosed Planigate Megaleia rufa Red Kangaroo Smi nt hopsis mu rina-Common Dulnart Macropus robustus-Etro Smin t hop[is longicaudat.t-Long-tailed Dunnart M acr opus fu Ii g inos,s-Western Grey Kangaroo Sminthops is cras sicaudat a-F at-tailed Dunnart Macrcpus antilo nus Antilope Kangaroo S-nint hopsi s froggal//- Larapinla Macropu"^agi /rs Sandy Wallaby Stnintllopsirgranuli,oer -Whire-railed Dunnart Macrcpus rirra Brush Wallaby Sninthopsis hir t ipes-Hairy -footed Dunnart M acro ptrs eugenii-T ammar Sminthopsiso oldea-^f r oughton's Dunnart Set oni x brac ltyuru s-Quokka A ntec h inomys lanrger-Wuhl-Wuhl On y ch oga I ea Lng uife r a-Kar r abul M.yr nte c o b ius fasc ialrls-N umbat Ony c hogalea Iunq ta-W \rrur.g Notoryctidae Lagorchest es conspic i Ilat us,Spectacied Hare-Wallaby Notorlctes
    [Show full text]
  • Chuditch (Dasyurus Geoffroii) Recovery Plan
    Chuditch (Dasyurus geoffroii) Recovery Plan Wildlife Management Program No. 54 Department of Environment and Conservation i WESTERN AUSTRALIAN WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM NO. 54 Chuditch Dasyurus geoffroii Recovery Plan ‘ July 2012 Department of Environment and Conservation Locked Bag 104, Bentley Delivery Centre WA 6983 ii FOREWORD This is a Recovery Plan prepared within the framework laid down in Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) Policy Statements Numbers 44 and 50 (CALM 1992; CALM 1994), and the Australian Government Department for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities (SEWPAC) Recovery Planning Compliance Checklist for Legislative and Process Requirements (DEWHA 2008), with the assistance of funding provided by the Australian Government. Recovery Plans outline the recovery actions that are required to address those threatening processes most affecting the ongoing survival of threatened taxa or ecological communities, and begin the recovery process. Recovery Plans delineate, justify and schedule management actions necessary to support the recovery of threatened species and ecological communities. This Recovery Plan has been developed with the involvement and cooperation of a range of stakeholders, but individual stakeholders have not necessarily committed to undertaking specific actions. The attainment of objectives and the provision of funds may be subject to budgetary and other constraints affecting the parties involved. Proposed actions may be subject to modification over the life of the plan due to changes in knowledge. Information in this Recovery Plan was accurate at July 2012. Recovery Plan Preparation: This Recovery Plan was prepared by Judy Dunlop and Keith Morris (Department of Environment and Conservation) for the Chuditch Recovery Team. This plan was reviewed and updated by Holly Raudino and the map was prepared by Amy Mutton.
    [Show full text]
  • Ecology and Predator Associations of the Northern Quoll (Dasyurus Hallucatus) in the Pilbara Lorna Hernandez Santin M.Sc
    Ecology and predator associations of the northern quoll (Dasyurus hallucatus) in the Pilbara Lorna Hernandez Santin M.Sc. A thesis submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at The University of Queensland in 2016 School of Biological Sciences Abstract The northern quoll (Dasyurus hallucatus) is an endangered carnivorous marsupial in the family Dasyuridae that occurs in the northern third of Australia. It has declined throughout its range, especially in open, lowland habitats. This led to the hypothesis that rocky outcrops where it persists provide a safe haven from introduced predators and provide greater microhabitat heterogeneity associated with higher prey availability. Proposed causes of decline include introduced cane toads (Rhinella marina, which are toxic), predation by feral cats (Felis catus), foxes (Vulpes vulpes), and the dingo (Canis lupus), and habitat alteration by changes in fire regimes. The National Recovery Plan highlighted knowledge gaps relevant to the conservation of the northern quoll. These include assembling data on ecology and population status, determining factors in survival, especially introduced predators, selecting areas that can be used as refuges, and identifying and securing key populations. The Pilbara region in Western Australia is a key population currently free of invasive cane toads (a major threat). The Pilbara is a semi-arid to arid area subject to cyclones between December and March. I selected two sites: Millstream Chichester National Park (2 381 km2) and Indee Station (1 623 km2). These are dominated by spinifex (hummock) grasslands, with rugged rock outcrops, shrublands, riparian areas, and some soft (tussock) grasslands. They are subject to frequent seasonal fires, creating a mosaic of recently burnt and longer unburnt areas.
    [Show full text]
  • Supporting Information
    Supporting Information Fisher et al. 10.1073/pnas.1310691110 Fig. S1. Index of seasonal predictability in arthropod abundance (Colwell’s P) plotted against latitude of sampling sites where dasyurid and didelphid marsupials have been recorded in rainforest (filled points) and grassland (unfilled points). Lines indicate fitted regressions (solid line = rainforest, dashed line = grassland). Fig. S2. Mean index of seasonal predictability in arthropod abundance (Colwell’s P) plotted against mean latitude of sample points for dasyurid and didelphid marsupials in (A) shrubland and (B) Eucalypt forest and woodland habitats. Sampled species occurred in a relatively narrow range of latitudes in these habitats. Fisher et al. www.pnas.org/cgi/content/short/1310691110 1of13 Fig. S3. Phylogeny of insectivorous marsupials with known life history data, based on ref. 1 with updates from ref. 2. 1. Cardillo M, Bininda-Emonds ORP, Boakes E, Purvis A (2004) A species-level phylogenetic supertree of marsupials. J Zool 264(1):11–31. 2. Fritz SA, Bininda-Emonds ORP, Purvis A (2009) Geographical variation in predictors of mammalian extinction risk: Big is bad, but only in the tropics. Ecol Lett 12(6):538–549. Fisher et al. www.pnas.org/cgi/content/short/1310691110 2of13 Fisher et al. Table S1. Reproductive traits and diets of insectivorous marsupials Latitude (south) www.pnas.org/cgi/content/short/1310691110 Proportion Proportion Female for Habitat of of age species class for females males Male Breeding Copulation Litters Scrotal at first with species Genus species
    [Show full text]
  • A New Species of False Antechinus (Marsupialia: Dasyuridae)
    Rec. West. Aust. Mus. 1988,14(1): 35-59 A new species of false antechinus (Marsupialia~ Dasyuridae) from Western Australia, with remarks on the generic classification within the Parantechini D.]. Kitchener* and N. Caputit Abstract Pseudantechinus woolleyae sp. nov., frqm the Pilbara, Ashburton, Murchison and Little Sandy Desert regions of Western Australia, is described as a new species. It is pheneticaIly closest to Pseudantechinus macdonnellensis and phylogenetically closest to Pseudantechinus macdonnellensis, Pseudantechinus hilami and Pseudantechinus 'ningbing'. Introduction Tate (1947) in his taxonomic monograph on Dasyuridae placed Antechinus apicalis (Gray, 1842) in the monotypic genus Parantechinus. This was because it differed from all other Antechinus, except A. macdonnellensis (Spencer, 1896), in having an extreme reduction of the posterior premolars to single rooted vestiges. He placed A. macdonnellensis and A. mimulus (Thomas, 1906) in the genus Pseu­ dantechinus, because in addition to the reduction of their upper posterior pre­ molar, they totally lacked the corresponding lower tooth and also had an inflated alisphenoid and mastoid bulla. Ride (1964), in comments accompanying his description of Antechinus rosa­ mondae, considered that the morphology of his new species cast considerable doubt on the validity of the genera Parantechinus and Pseudantechinus. An­ techinus rosamondae had no posterior upper or lower premolar and an even more greatly inflated bulla than A. macdonnellensis. Rather than erect yet another mono­ typic genus, Ride argued for the return to the wider concept of Antechinus, noting that A. macdonnellensis spanned the range of dental characters of Antechinus (sensu latu) and that bulla inflation or its absence did not divide Antechinus into two groups.
    [Show full text]