DOCSLIB.ORG

Evolutionary Divergence of Monodelphis Domestica And

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Evolutionary Divergence of Monodelphis Domestica And Euglena: 2013 Evolutionary Divergence of Monodelphis domestica and Myrmecopius fasciatus through Complete Mitochondrial Genome Analysis Kelsey Hermick1, Gabrielle Van Nest1, Michael Terwilliger1, Shannon Wood2, and Victoria Le- gere1. Department of Biology1 and Ecology2, Susquehanna University, Selinsgrove, PA 17870. Abstract Marsupials are characterized by the presence of a marsupium; however, two marsupial species lack a fully developed marsupium. Myrmecopius fasciatus has a protective flap of skin and Monodelphis domestica does not possess a protective pouch. Through the analysis of the marsu- pium, location of mammae, number of mammae, epipubic bone, and the structure of the pseudo- vaginal canal, we classified Myrmecopius fasciatus and Monodelphis domestica to be no more closely related to the outgroup than any other marsupial. Using MEGA5, Maximum Parsimony and Maximum Likelihood trees were developed to show evolutionary placement of the 27 taxa of interest using complete mitochondrial genome sequences. We interpret our analyses to indicate that the absence of a marsupium is a derived character state for both Myrmecopius fasciatus and Monodelphis domestica. The purpose of this paper is to analyze five morphological characters of the reproductive system in marsupials by phylogenetic analysis, specifically as they relate to Myrmecopius fasciatus and Monodelphis domestica. Please cite this article as: Hermick, K., G. Van Nest, M. Terwilliger, S. Wood, and T. Legere. 2013. Evolutionary divergence of Monodelphis domestica and Myrmecopius fasciatus through complete mitochondrial genome analysis. Euglena. doi:/euglena. 1(1): 17-25. Introduction teats differ among several marsupial species (Tyn- Marsupials are an infraclass of Mammalia whose dale-Biscoe 1987). The mammary glands lactate a distinguishing character is the presence of a marsu- nutritious supply of milk to the teats, and the young pium, a protective pouch used to carry underdevel- stay latched onto the teat for several weeks, or in oped offspring (Tyndale-Biscoe 2005). Marsupials some cases months. After the young are attached to give birth to poorly developed fetuses (4-5 weeks the teat, they consume the nutritious milk (Tyndale- old) that then crawl from the birth canal to the mar- Biscoe 2005). Whether the mammae are concealed supium, where they live until they reach maturity by the marsupium or exposed are character states of (Dawson et al.1989). However, while Myrmecopius marsupials. The mammae are often concealed within fasciatus and Monodelphis domestica each lack a the marsupium; however, some mammae are epider- fully developed marsupium, Monodelphis domestica mally exposed. completely lacks a pouch. (Wesierska and Turlejski The epipubic bone is a common morphology 2000). According to Cooper et al. (2003), Myrme- among marsupials, although there are some species copius fasciatus is still considered a marsupial be- that do not exhibit this characteristic, for example, cause the pelt acts as an underdeveloped pouch Notoryctes typhlops (Szalay 1994). The epipubic (Cooper et al. 2003). The purpose of this paper is to bone, or “marsupial bone”, is found in modern mar- analyze five morphological characters of the repro- supials, and other mammals, and functions as a sup- ductive system in marsupials, specifically as they port for the marsupium (Kielan-Jaworowska relate to Myrmecopius fasciatus and Monodelphis 1975). Because this bone is also found in other domestica. mammals, Kielan-Jaworowska (1975) thought that The offspring latch on to a mamma of its mother the original purpose of the epipubic bone was not to until the young are developed enough to function support the marsupium, but to aid in locomotion without full dependence (Tyndale-Biscoe 2005). (Kielan-Jaworowska 1975). Marsupials do not possess the placenta that all other Female marsupials possess two ovaries, two uteri mammals, excluding montrema, possess (Nelson and two vaginal canals (Dawson et al. 1989). In ad- 1978). Therefore, the presence of the marsupium is dition, marsupials possess the character of a third necessary for the young to grow to maturity (Dawson vaginal canal called the pseudovaginal canal that is et al. 1989). The location of mammae and number of specifically for giving birth. Progesterone is a hor- 17 Euglena: 2013 mone secreted from the corpus luteum within the mammals. One major feature is that five tRNA genes uterus that prepares marsupials for parturition by around the origin of the light strand replication are softening the tissues of the pseudovaginal canal rearranged. Another is the anticodon of tRNAasp (Tyndale-Biscoe 2005). The pseudovaginal canal can which is post transcriptionally changed by an RNA either be permanent, meaning that after birth the ca- editing process, altering the coding capac- nal remains open, or transitional, meaning after birth, ity. tRNAasp codes for the anticodon GCC in mar- the tissues within the canal fuse and there is no indi- supials versus that of the GTC anticodon that monot- cation that a canal ever existed (Sweet 1907). remes and placentals code for. The mammalian mi- Marsupials today are found only on three conti- tochondrial genome codes for 22 tRNAs, 2 rRNAs, nents; however, fossil records show that at one point, and 13 proteins. This alteration likely contributed to marsupials were prevalent across the the evolutionary divergence of marsupials from globe. Continental drift during the Oligocene Era (34 eutherians (Janke et al. 1994). to 23 million years before the present) tore the conti- A single morphological character is not suffi- nents apart, and today, 235 species of marsupial can cient in distinguishing between two taxa. Monodel- be found in Australia and 99 species can be found in phis domestica and Myrmecopius fasciatus do not the Americas (Nelson 1978). Throughout the world, possess a physical marsupium; however, other char- marsupials could not compete with other placental acters that these species possess are synapomorphic mammals and began to die out, but in South America with those of species among the marsupial infraclass. and especially Australia, the marsupials had no major Therefore, Monodelphis domestica and Myrmecopius predators and little competition for survival, so they fasciatus both lack a marsupium, but are still classi- were able to flourish and evolve into many forms fied under marsupials because of their reproductive (Nelson 1978). structures and gestation periods (Cooper et al. 2003; There are two major features that distinguish the and Wesierska and Turlejski 2000). mitochondrial genome of marsupials from other Table 1: Taxa selected were identified by scientific name, order, and common name. Taxa were used for phyloge- netic analysis. The authority for each taxa is also included. There are seven extant orders being investigated from the marsupial infraclass and one order from the placental mammals, Cannis lupus. Complete mitochondrial genome sequences were collected from accession numbers through NCBI. (NCBI 2013) (Redlist 2012) Accession Taxa: Scientific Name Order Common Name Authority Number Lagostrophus fasciatus Diprotodontia Banded Hare-wallaby Péron & Lesueur, 1807 NC_008447 Macropus robustus Diprotodontia Common Wallaroo Gould, 1841 NC_001794 Lagorchestes hirsutus Diprotodontia Rufous Hare-wallaby Péron & Lesueur, 1807 NC_008136 Petaurus breviceps Diprotodontia Sugar Glider Waterhouse, 1838 NC_008135 Vombatus ursinus Diprotodontia Common Wombat Shaw, 1800 NC_003322 Phalanger vestitus Diprotodontia Stein's Cuscus Milne-Edwards, 1877 NC_008137 Potorous tridactylus Diprotodontia Long-Nosed Potoroo Kerr, 1792 NC_006524 Tarsipes rostratus Diprotodontia Honey Possum Gervais & Verreaux, 1842 NC_006518 Trichosurus vulpecula Diprotodontia Common Brushtail Possum Kerr, 1792 NC_003039 Phascolarctos cinereus Diprotodontia Koala Goldfuss, 1817 NC_008133 Pseudocheirus peregrinus Diprotodontia Common Ring-Tail possum Boddaert, 1785 NC_006519 Monodelphis domestica Didelphimorphia Gray Short-Tailed Opossum Wagner, 1842 NC_006299 Metachirus nudicaudatus Didelphimorphia Brown Four-Eyed Opossum E. Geottroy, 1854 NC_006516 delphis Virginiana Didelphimorphia Virginia Opossum Kerr, 1792 NC_001610 Myrmecobius fasciatus Dasyuromorphia Numbat Waterhouse, 1836 NC_011949 Thylacinus cynocephalus Dasyuromorphia Tasmanian tiger Harris, 1808 NC_011944 Dasyurus hallucatus Dasyuromorphia Northern Quoll Gould, 1842 NC_007630 Sminthopsis crassicau- Dasyuromorphia Fat-Tailed Dunnart Gould, 1844 NC_007631 data Sminthopsis douglasi Dasyuromorphia Julia Creek Dunnart Archer, 1979 NC_006517 Sarcophilus harrisii Dasyuromorphia Tasmanian Devil Boitard, 1841 NC_018788 Macrotis lagotis Peramelemorphia Greater Bilby Reid, 1837 NC_006520 Isoodon macrourus Peramelemorphia Northern Brown bandicoot Gould, 1842 NC_002746 Perameles gunnii Peramelemorphia Eastern Barred Bandicoot Gray, 1838 NC_006521 Caenolestes fuliginosus Paucituberculata Dusky Shrew Opossum Tomes, 1863 NC_005828 Canis lupus dingo Carnivora Dingo Meyer, 1793 NC_008092 Dromiciops gliroides Microbiotheria Monito del Monte Thomas, 1894 NC_005826 Notoryctes typhlops Notoryctemorphia Southern Marsupial Mole Stirling, 1889 NC_006522 18 Euglena: 2013 Materials and Methods Maximum Parsimony (MP), Figure 1-2, trees were The sequences collected from each taxon were run. mitochondrial complete genome (Table 1). The se- To construct Figures 1 and 2, MEGA 5 was used quences were acquired from the NCBI (National with a bootstrap of 1,000 replications (Tamura et. al Center for Biotechnology
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 Specialised Thylacinid, Thylacinus Macknessi; (Marsupialia: Thylacinidae) from Miocene Deposits of Riversleigh, Northwestern Queensland
    A SPECIALISED THYLACINID, THYLACINUS MACKNESSI; (MARSUPIALIA: THYLACINIDAE) FROM MIOCENE DEPOSITS OF RIVERSLEIGH, NORTHWESTERN QUEENSLAND JEANElTE MUIRHEAD M uirhead, J ., 1992. A specialised thylacinid, Thylacinus macknessi, (Marsupialia: Thylacinidae) from Miocene deposits of Riversleigh, northwestern Queensland. Australian Mammalogy 15: 67-76. Thylacinus macknessi is described from Miocene sediments of Riversleigh, northwestern Queensland. Comparisons with other thylacinids and dasyurids reveal it to be a new species of Thy/acinus. In most features it is as specialised as T. cynocepha/us and it is not considered to be ancestral to any other taxon. The presence of such a specialised thylacine in the Riversleigh deposits argues for a pre-Late Oligocene divergence of this group from the Dasyuridae. Key words: Thylacine, 1h)'lacinus macknessi, Thylacinidae, Riversleigh, Tertiary, Queensland, Marsupialia. I. Muirhead. Schoo/ of Bi%gica/ Sciences, University of New South Wa/es, PO Box I Kensington New South Wales 2033. Manuscript received /4 September 1991. THE Thylacinidae is a small family consisting of a abbreviations used are: QMF, Queensland Museum recently extinct form Thy/acinus cynocepha/us Harris, palaeontological collection; AR, temporary catalogue and two Tertiary taxa. Although thylacinid premolars number in School of Biological Science, U niversity of have been recovered from the Miocene Wipajiri New South Wales. Measurements of tooth dimensions Formation of South Australia and the late Pliocene of 7: macknessi are presented
    [Show full text]
  • Size Relationship of the Tympanic Bullae and Pinnae in Bandicoots and Bilbies (Marsupialia: Peramelemorphia)
    Size Relationship of the Tympanic Bullae and Pinnae in Bandicoots and Bilbies (Marsupialia: Peramelemorphia) by Melissa Taylor BSc This thesis is presented for the degree of Bachelor of Science Honours, School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, of Murdoch University Perth, Western Australia, 2019 Author’s Declaration I declare that this thesis is my own account of my research and contains as its main content work which has not previously been submitted for a degree at any tertiary education institution. Melissa Taylor iii Abstract Hearing is an important factor allowing species to obtain information about their environment. Variation in tympanic bullae and external pinnae morphology has been linked with hearing sensitivity and sound localisation in different mammals. Bandicoots and bilbies (Order Peramelemorphia) typically occupy omnivorous niches across a range of habitats from open, arid deserts to dense, tropical forests in Australia and New Guinea. The morphology of tympanic bullae and pinnae varies between peramelemorphian taxa. Little is known about the relationship between these structures, or the extent to which they vary with respect to aspects of ecology, environment or behaviour. This thesis investigated the relationship between tympanic bulla and pinna size in 29 species of bandicoot and bilby. Measurements were taken from museum specimens to investigate this relationship using direct measuring methods and linear dimensions. It was hypothesised that an inverse relationship between bullae and pinnae may exist and that species residing in arid regions would have more extreme differences. Environmental variables were examined to determine the level of influence they had on bullae and pinnae. This study found that there was a phylogenetic correlation between the structures and that they were significantly influenced by temperature (max/average) and precipitation (average).
    [Show full text]
  • GOLDEN BANDICOOT Isoodon Auratus
    NT Action Plan GOLDEN BANDICOOT Isoodon auratus Conservation Status Australia: Vulnerable Northern Territory: Endangered Priority for Management in the NT Rank: 5 Photo: K. Brennan Priority actions for 2015-2025 4. Identify options, risks and cost benefits for • Establish threat surveillance on Wessel further translocations/reintroductions Islands to ensure the security and longevity of extant subpopulations. Implement an Recommended monitoring for targets: action plan to eradicate feral animals if they Indirect monitoring parameter(s) are detected. 1. Marchinbar, Raragala and Guluwuru • Determine any impact of removing animals Islands are free of cats, black rats and (for translocations) on the founder other threats population by re-surveying sites on 2. Suitable fire regime implemented to Marchinbar Island where founder animals maintain and enhance Golden Bandicoot were removed and compare with sites were habitat animals have not been removed. • Confirm the on-going survival of Direct monitoring parameter(s) translocated populations by re-surveying 1. Population estimates are stable for within 5 years of last survey (2011). Marchinbar, Raragala and Guluwuru Island • Interpret population data in the context of populations fire history on the Wessel Islands and adapt management actions if population Further research required to enhance changes (declines or increases) species recovery: necessitate them. 1. Effective methods of cat control on the • If feasible, establish a population on the NT mainland mainland. 2. Identification of optimal fire regime: can be undertaken as part of adaptive Targets for 2020: management program 1. Prepare and implement biosecurity plans for the islands, including feral animal surveillance 2. Complete surveys of Marchinbar, Guluwuru, and Raragala island populations 3.
    [Show full text]
  • Checklist of the Mammals of Indonesia
    CHECKLIST OF THE MAMMALS OF INDONESIA Scientific, English, Indonesia Name and Distribution Area Table in Indonesia Including CITES, IUCN and Indonesian Category for Conservation i ii CHECKLIST OF THE MAMMALS OF INDONESIA Scientific, English, Indonesia Name and Distribution Area Table in Indonesia Including CITES, IUCN and Indonesian Category for Conservation By Ibnu Maryanto Maharadatunkamsi Anang Setiawan Achmadi Sigit Wiantoro Eko Sulistyadi Masaaki Yoneda Agustinus Suyanto Jito Sugardjito RESEARCH CENTER FOR BIOLOGY INDONESIAN INSTITUTE OF SCIENCES (LIPI) iii © 2019 RESEARCH CENTER FOR BIOLOGY, INDONESIAN INSTITUTE OF SCIENCES (LIPI) Cataloging in Publication Data. CHECKLIST OF THE MAMMALS OF INDONESIA: Scientific, English, Indonesia Name and Distribution Area Table in Indonesia Including CITES, IUCN and Indonesian Category for Conservation/ Ibnu Maryanto, Maharadatunkamsi, Anang Setiawan Achmadi, Sigit Wiantoro, Eko Sulistyadi, Masaaki Yoneda, Agustinus Suyanto, & Jito Sugardjito. ix+ 66 pp; 21 x 29,7 cm ISBN: 978-979-579-108-9 1. Checklist of mammals 2. Indonesia Cover Desain : Eko Harsono Photo : I. Maryanto Third Edition : December 2019 Published by: RESEARCH CENTER FOR BIOLOGY, INDONESIAN INSTITUTE OF SCIENCES (LIPI). Jl Raya Jakarta-Bogor, Km 46, Cibinong, Bogor, Jawa Barat 16911 Telp: 021-87907604/87907636; Fax: 021-87907612 Email: [email protected] . iv PREFACE TO THIRD EDITION This book is a third edition of checklist of the Mammals of Indonesia. The new edition provides remarkable information in several ways compare to the first and second editions, the remarks column contain the abbreviation of the specific island distributions, synonym and specific location. Thus, in this edition we are also corrected the distribution of some species including some new additional species in accordance with the discovery of new species in Indonesia.
    [Show full text]
  • Platypus Collins, L.R
    AUSTRALIAN MAMMALS BIOLOGY AND CAPTIVE MANAGEMENT Stephen Jackson © CSIRO 2003 All rights reserved. Except under the conditions described in the Australian Copyright Act 1968 and subsequent amendments, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, duplicating or otherwise, without the prior permission of the copyright owner. Contact CSIRO PUBLISHING for all permission requests. National Library of Australia Cataloguing-in-Publication entry Jackson, Stephen M. Australian mammals: Biology and captive management Bibliography. ISBN 0 643 06635 7. 1. Mammals – Australia. 2. Captive mammals. I. Title. 599.0994 Available from CSIRO PUBLISHING 150 Oxford Street (PO Box 1139) Collingwood VIC 3066 Australia Telephone: +61 3 9662 7666 Local call: 1300 788 000 (Australia only) Fax: +61 3 9662 7555 Email: [email protected] Web site: www.publish.csiro.au Cover photos courtesy Stephen Jackson, Esther Beaton and Nick Alexander Set in Minion and Optima Cover and text design by James Kelly Typeset by Desktop Concepts Pty Ltd Printed in Australia by Ligare REFERENCES reserved. Chapter 1 – Platypus Collins, L.R. (1973) Monotremes and Marsupials: A Reference for Zoological Institutions. Smithsonian Institution Press, rights Austin, M.A. (1997) A Practical Guide to the Successful Washington. All Handrearing of Tasmanian Marsupials. Regal Publications, Collins, G.H., Whittington, R.J. & Canfield, P.J. (1986) Melbourne. Theileria ornithorhynchi Mackerras, 1959 in the platypus, 2003. Beaven, M. (1997) Hand rearing of a juvenile platypus. Ornithorhynchus anatinus (Shaw). Journal of Wildlife Proceedings of the ASZK/ARAZPA Conference. 16–20 March.
    [Show full text]
  • Thylacinidae
    FAUNA of AUSTRALIA 20. THYLACINIDAE JOAN M. DIXON 1 Thylacine–Thylacinus cynocephalus [F. Knight/ANPWS] 20. THYLACINIDAE DEFINITION AND GENERAL DESCRIPTION The single member of the family Thylacinidae, Thylacinus cynocephalus, known as the Thylacine, Tasmanian Tiger or Wolf, is a large carnivorous marsupial (Fig. 20.1). Generally sandy yellow in colour, it has 15 to 20 distinct transverse dark stripes across the back from shoulders to tail. While the large head is reminiscent of the dog and wolf, the tail is long and characteristically stiff and the legs are relatively short. Body hair is dense, short and soft, up to 15 mm in length. Body proportions are similar to those of the Tasmanian Devil, Sarcophilus harrisii, the Eastern Quoll, Dasyurus viverrinus and the Tiger Quoll, Dasyurus maculatus. The Thylacine is digitigrade. There are five digital pads on the forefoot and four on the hind foot. Figure 20.1 Thylacine, side view of the whole animal. (© ABRS)[D. Kirshner] The face is fox-like in young animals, wolf- or dog-like in adults. Hairs on the cheeks, above the eyes and base of the ears are whitish-brown. Facial vibrissae are relatively shorter, finer and fewer than in Tasmanian Devils and Quolls. The short ears are about 80 mm long, erect, rounded and covered with short fur. Sexual dimorphism occurs, adult males being larger on average. Jaws are long and powerful and the teeth number 46. In the vertebral column there are only two sacrals instead of the usual three and from 23 to 25 caudal vertebrae rather than 20 to 21.
    [Show full text]
  • Threatened Species Mammals Property Planning Guide
    LANDHOLDER SERIES - PROPERTY PLANNING GUIDE LANDHOLDER SERIES THREATENED SPECIES MAMMALS PROPERTY PLANNING GUIDE THREATENED SPECIES - MAMMALS There are 33 native terrestrial and 41 marine The main threats to mammals are via disease (e.g. Facial tumour disease mammals which are known to occur in in Tasmanian Devils, aquatic fungus Mucoramphiborum in Platypus or Tasmania, of these, 7 marine mammals and toxoplasmosis from cats), road kill and predation from foxes and cats. The clearance of native vegetation and inappropriate use of fire are also 3 terrestrial mammals are threatened under contributing to the decline in the range and/or populations of native state and federal law. mammals in Tasmania. EXAMPLES OF THREATENED MAMMALS OF TASMANIA EXAMPLES OF THREATENED MAMMALS OF TASMANIA State status Commonwealth status (TSPA listing) (EPBCA listing) Thylacinus cynocephalus Thylacine X EX Perameles gunnii gunnii Eastern-barred Bandicoot VU Dasyurus maculatus maculatus Spotted-tailed Quoll R VU Pseudomys novaehollandiae New Holland Mouse E VU Sarcophilus harrisii Tasmanian Devil E EN Vombatus ursinus ursinus Common Wombat VU TSPA: E=Endangered, V=Vulnerable. EPBCA: EN=Endangered, CR=Critically Endangered, VU=Vulnerable. See Threatened Species Management Fact sheet for further explanation. TASMANIAN DEVIL There is no doubt that persecution led to the extinction of the Thylacine in Tasmania and the process may have been accelerated by a distemper-type disease. The second largest marsupial carnivore the Tasmanian Devil, whilst also suffering some persecution, exacerbated by road-kill, is now also under dire threat from the facial tumour disease. This species is listed as endangered under both the Tasmanian Threatened Species Protection Act 1995 and Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.
    [Show full text]
  • Paucituberculata: Caenolestes) from the Huancabamba Region of East Andean Peru
    Mammal Study 28: 145–148 (2003) © the Mammalogical Society of Japan Short communication Shrew opossums (Paucituberculata: Caenolestes) from the Huancabamba region of east Andean Peru Darrin P. Lunde1,* and Victor Pacheco2 1 Division of Vertebrate Zoology (Mammalogy), American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West @ 79th Street, New York, NY 10024, USA 2 Curador de Mamíferos, Museo de Historia Natural, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Apartado 14-0434, Lima, Peru Shrew opossums of the genus Caenolestes are restricted Peru north and south of the Huancabamba Depression. to the northern Andes and include four species: C. fuligi- nosus, C. convelatus, C. caniventer and C. condorensis Materials and methods (Albuja and Patterson 1996). Caenolestes fuliginosus is a highland species of the páramos of central Ecuador, Small mammal surveys were conducted in the Depar- Colombia and western Venezuela, but the remaining tamento de Cajamarca, Peru in June 1995 and June 1996. three species occur in sub-tropical montane forests at Victor and Museum Special snaptraps and Sherman live lower elevations (Albuja and Patterson 1996). Caeno- traps were baited with a 6 : 2 : 2 : 1 mixture of peanut lestes convelatus and C. caniventer are known from the butter, oatmeal, raisins and bacon. Specimens were western slopes of the Andes, the former from Colombia preserved as either dried study skins and skulls with and northern Ecuador and the latter from southern alcohol preserved carcasses, or as whole specimens that Ecuador and northern Peru (Bublitz 1987), while the were first fixed in formalin and subsequently transferred recently described Caenolestes condorensis is currently to 70% ethanol.
    [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]
  • SPOTTED-TAILED QUOLL (Tiger Quoll)
    Husbandry Guidelines for the SPOTTED-TAILED QUOLL (Tiger Quoll) (Photo: J. Marten) Dasyurus maculatus (MAMMALIA: DASYURIDAE) Date By From Version 2014 Julie Marten WSI Richmond v 1 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 anima l 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. This includes working with the animal and maintaining the enclosure.
    [Show full text]