The Julia Creek dunnart, Sminthopsis douglasi (Marsupialia : Dasyuridae): breeding of a threatened species in captivity and in wild populations

2015 ◽  
Vol 63 (6) ◽  
pp. 411 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. A. Woolley
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Biology ◽  
Breeding Season ◽  
Threatened Species ◽  
Cycle Length ◽  
Heavy Rainfall ◽  
Wild Populations ◽  
Reproductive Condition ◽  
In Captivity ◽  
Basic Features

A detailed description of the methods used to house, maintain and assess the reproductive condition of captive Julia Creek dunnarts, Sminthopsis douglasi, that led to successful breeding of the species in captivity is provided. Basic features of the reproductive biology of this species of Sminthopsis have been established from observations made on captive animals. The females are polyoestrous, with a cycle length of ~28 days. Young are born 13–16 days after mating and are dependent on the mother for ~70 days. The age at which captive animals commence breeding ranged from 13 to 38 weeks (females) and 23 to 40 weeks (males). Both sexes are capable of breeding when two years old. Breeding in wild populations is seasonal and occurs over a six-month period from August to March, which encompasses the hottest and wettest time of the year. Both females and males are known to be capable of breeding in more than one season and females have the potential to rear two litters in a season. Recruitment of young to the population may be affected by heavy rainfall during the breeding season that can lead to closure of the cracks and holes in which the dunnarts shelter.

Observations on the behaviour of the smoky mouse Pseudomys fumeus (Rodentia: Muridae).

2000 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 35 ◽  
Author(s):  
RE Woods ◽  
FD Ford
Keyword(s):  
Social Interactions ◽  
Breeding Season ◽  
Wild Population ◽  
New South ◽  
Post Partum ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Wild Populations ◽  
South Wales ◽  
In Captivity ◽  
In The Wild

This study examined aspects of behaviour in a captive colony of smoky mice, Pseudomys fumeus, over a two year period. Wherever possible behaviours observed in the captive population are compared to data collected in a study of a wild population in south-eastern New South Wales. This paper provides the first recorded observations of behavior in this species. Both captive and wild populations of P. fumeus display strictly nocturnal circadian activity rhythms. In the captive study, P. fumeus were found to exhibit social interactions similar to some previously studied Pseudomys species. However, in the wild, the species was found to communally nest during the breeding season, behaviour not observed in other Pseudomys from similar habitats. P. fumeus in captivity can have more than two litters in one breeding season which suggests that their reproductive parameters are more flexible than previous studies of wild populations have shown. Field data indicate that post-partum oestrus can occur in this species, and that gestation lasts for approximately 30 days, although these observations are based on a small sample.

STUDIES ON THE BIOLOGY OF THE MUSKRAT IN MANITOBA: PART I. OESTROUS CYCLE AND BREEDING SEASON

1952 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 243-253
Author(s):  
J. A. McLeod ◽  
G. F. Bondar
Keyword(s):  
Breeding Season ◽  
Cycle Length ◽  
Oestrous Cycle ◽  
Minimum Time ◽  
Vaginal Smear ◽  
In Captivity ◽  
In The Wild ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Time Required ◽  
Mean Time

A study of oestrus in female muskrats was conducted during the summers of 1950 and 1951 as part of a five year investigation of the biology of the muskrat in Manitoba. Two captive females examined daily by the vaginal smear method from June 30 to Aug. 10, 1950, inconclusively indicated an oestrous cycle length of about 30 days which agreed with the findings of Beer on Wisconsin muskrats. In 9151 10 female muskrats of various ages and of different lengths of time in captivity were examined daily beginning on March 13 and continuing until August 15. The data obtained at this time showed a considerable variation in the lengths of the oestrous cycles in different females or, even, in the same individual from time to time. The minimum time required for the completion of an oestrous cycle was found to be two days while the maximum time observed was 22 days. On the basis of 136 complete oestrous cycles studied, the modal time was found to be approximately four days and the mean time 6.1 days. The longer cycles found by ourselves in 1950 and by Beer are interpreted as representing pseudopregnancies and not oestrous cycles. Failure of muskrats to mate in captivity or in the wild during the latter part of the summer is attributed to sexual inactivity of the males and not the females.

REPRODUCTION IN THE EUROPEAN HARE IN SOUTHERN ONTARIO

1959 ◽  
Vol 37 (5) ◽  
pp. 627-631 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. K. Reynolds ◽  
R. H. Stinson
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Biology ◽  
Breeding Season ◽  
Litter Size ◽  
Lepus Europaeus ◽  
European Hare ◽  
Southern Ontario ◽  
Adult Weight ◽  
The Third ◽  
In Captivity

Certain aspects of the reproductive biology and growth of the European hare, Lepus europaeus hybridus Desmarest, were studied in 1949–52 in southwestern Ontario. The breeding season began in January and declined in August, reaching its height between the second week of February and the third week of June when all females examined were pregnant. The litter size varied from one to four; an average of 1.6 foetuses occurred in the early litters (January–March) and 3.8 in later litters (April–June). One young raised in captivity grew to adult weight (4100 g) in 6 months.

scholarly journals Breeding in wild populations of a small dasyurid marsupial, Planigale ingrami, in north-western Queensland using a novel method for collection of specimens

2014 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
pp. 81 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. A. Woolley ◽  
C. Elliott
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Biology ◽  
Breeding Season ◽  
Reproductive Strategies ◽  
Breeding Cycle ◽  
Wild Populations ◽  
Reproductive Structures ◽  
Identification Of Species ◽  
Novel Method ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
North Western

The reproductive biology of the long-tailed planigale (Planigale ingrami) is less well known than that of its congeners P. gilesi and P. tenuirostris. Aspects of the anatomy of reproductive structures and the pattern of reproduction of P. ingrami were established by examination of specimens extracted from the stomachs of feral cats shot in north-western Queensland. This species has an extended breeding season that commences in August and probably ends in December, and both males and females may live to breed in more than one season, providing support for the similarity of the reproductive strategies of these three species of Planigale. Females of P. ingrami have twelve nipples in the pouch, the form of which may differ from that of other planigales. Pouch morphology may prove useful in the identification of species of Planigale providing observations are made on the appearance of the pouch throughout the breeding cycle.

scholarly journals Habitat and social context affect memory phenotype, exploration and covariance among these traits

2018 ◽  
Vol 373 (1756) ◽  
pp. 20170291 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Dalesman
Keyword(s):  
Individual Differences ◽  
Cognitive Abilities ◽  
Lymnaea Stagnalis ◽  
Memory Formation ◽  
Long Term Memory ◽  
Wild Populations ◽  
In Captivity ◽  
Specific Trait ◽  
Context Specific

Individual differences in cognitive ability are predicted to covary with other behavioural traits such as exploration and boldness. Selection within different habitats may act to either enhance or break down covariance among traits; alternatively, changing the environmental context in which traits are assessed may result in plasticity that alters trait covariance. Pond snails, Lymnaea stagnalis , from two laboratory strains (more than 20 generations in captivity) and F1 laboratory reared from six wild populations were tested for long-term memory and exploration traits (speed and thigmotaxis) following maintenance in grouped and isolated conditions to determine if isolation: (i) alters memory and exploration; and (ii) alters covariance between memory and exploration. Populations that demonstrated strong memory formation (longer duration) under grouped conditions demonstrated weaker memory formation and reduced both speed and thigmotaxis following isolation. In wild populations, snails showed no relationship between memory and exploration in grouped conditions; however, following isolation, exploration behaviour was negatively correlated with memory, i.e. slow-explorers showing low levels of thigmotaxis formed stronger memories. Laboratory strains demonstrated no covariance among exploration traits and memory independent of context. Together these data demonstrate that the relationship between cognition and exploration traits can depend on both habitat and context-specific trait plasticity. This article is part of the theme issue ‘Causes and consequences of individual differences in cognitive abilities’.

scholarly journals Long-term trends in wild-capture and population dynamics point to an uncertain future for captive elephants

2019 ◽  
Vol 286 (1899) ◽  
pp. 20182810 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Jackson ◽  
Dylan Z. Childs ◽  
Khyne U. Mar ◽  
Win Htut ◽  
Virpi Lummaa
Keyword(s):  
Population Dynamics ◽  
Wild Populations ◽  
Birth Rates ◽  
As Species ◽  
In Captivity ◽  
Elephant Population ◽  
Long Term Trends ◽  
Uncertain Future ◽  
Primary Focus

Maintaining sustainable populations in captivity without supplementation through wild-capture is a major challenge in conservation that zoos and aquaria are working towards. However, the capture of wild animals continues for many purposes where conservation is not the primary focus. Wild-capture hinders long-term conservation goals by reducing remaining wild populations, but the direct and long-term indirect consequences of wild-capture for captive population viability are rarely addressed using longitudinal data. We explored the implications of changes in wild-capture on population dynamics in captivity over 54 years using a multi-generational studbook of working Asian elephants ( Elephas maximus ) from Myanmar, the largest remaining captive elephant population. Here we show that population growth and birth rates declined between 1960 and 2014 with declines in wild-capture. Importantly, wild-caught females had reduced birth rates and a higher mortality risk. However, despite the disadvantages of wild-capture, the population may not be sustainable without it, with immediate declines owing to an unstable age-structure that may last for 50 years. Our results highlight the need to assess the long-term demographic consequences of wild-capture to ensure the sustainability of captive and wild populations as species are increasingly managed and conserved in altered or novel environments.

scholarly journals Diurnal activity pattern of white-rumped vulture, Gyps bengalensis (Gmelin, 1788) in captivity during breeding season at Bangladesh National Zoo, Dhaka

2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 81-85
Author(s):  
Md Abraharul Islam ◽  
Monirujjaman ◽  
Rasel Ahammed ◽  
Mahruma Aktar
Keyword(s):  
Breeding Season ◽  
Activity Pattern ◽  
Diurnal Activity ◽  
In Captivity ◽  
National Zoo ◽  
Gyps Bengalensis

Abstract not availableJahangirnagar University J. Biol. Sci. 7(1): 81-85, 2018 (June)

Reproductive biology of the parsley frog, Pelodytes punctatus, at the northernmost part of its range

1993 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 131-147 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Ohm ◽  
A.G. Toxopeus ◽  
J.W. Arntzen
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Biology ◽  
Breeding Season ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
First Year ◽  
Adult Size ◽  
Dune System ◽  
Population Size Estimates ◽  
Coastal Dune System ◽  
Source Sink ◽  
Second Period

AbstractThe reproductive biology and population dynamics of Pelodytes punctatus were studied at the breeding season over a three year period in a coastal dune system located at the extreme northwestern border of the species' range. Adult population size estimates ranged from about 100 in the first year to 60 in the third year. Males were remarkably sedentary near the pond under artificially provided shelters. Many were observed during the most of the breeding season which lasted from mid-March or the end of March to the end of April or mid-May. Most spawning took place in the second half of March or early April. In two years out of three a second period of spawning involving fewer animals was observed in the first half of May. Both periods of spawning coincided with, or shortly followed, periods of rising median air temperature. Egg-clutches were deposited in the deepest parts of pond, mainly on submerged vegetation not reaching the surface. An average sized clutch contained approximately 360 eggs. Development of the embryos until hatching took from 4 to 14 days, depending on the ambient temperature. Larval development and growth were fast. Recently metamorphosed froglets at a size of around 18 mm were found from the end of May onwards. Juveniles may reach adult size in the autumn of the year that they were born. Adult frogs did not show a strong fidelity to the breeding pond between years. In the study area the population structure of Pelodytes punctatus seems to be best described by a source - sink model in which flourishing populations in the dunes give rise to short lived satellite populations outside the dunes.

A study on Indian Peafowl (Pavo cristatus) emphasising breeding season and feeding behaviour in captivity

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Junaid Naseer ◽  
Khalid Mahmood Anjum ◽  
Muhammad Asif Munir ◽  
Muhammad Awais Nazir ◽  
Muhammad Zubair Yousaf ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breeding Season ◽  
Feeding Behaviour ◽  
Daily Basis ◽  
Faecal Analysis ◽  
Analysis Technique ◽  
Faecal Samples ◽  
Pavo Cristatus ◽  
In Captivity ◽  
Dietary Components ◽  
Sand And Gravel

Present research was planned to evaluate the breeding and feeding behaviour of Indian peafowl reared in captivity at Zoological Gardens of Government and Private Sector. For feeding behaviour, a total of fifty pairs (n=100) of Pavo cristatus at both Government Zoological Gardens (n=25pairs) and Private Sectors (n=25pairs) were observed on daily basis. The breeding season of Indian peafowl is not fixed but mostly it breeds in rainy season from April to August. It was observed that most of birds at Government Zoological Gardens breed in month of May, while most of birds at Private Sectors breed in the month of August. For feeding behaviour a total of 200 faecal samples per week were collected for six weeks, out of which 100 samples per week were randomly selected for further analysis. Faecal analysis technique showed that dietary components of Indian peafowl were covered by plant contents following by animal sources. Among the plants components grass seeds were predominant followed by dicotyledon and fruits with least portion of monocotyledons. Among animal components, ants, grasshopper, earthworms, spider and unidentified bones were present. Faecal analysis indicated the presence of some non-food items such as sand and gravel.

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