Observations on the breeding and growth of the marsupial Perameles nasuta Geoffroy, with notes on other bandicoots.

1964 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 322 ◽  
Author(s):  
AG Lyne

A study has been made of 521 bandicoots (Perameles nasuta, 324; P. gunnii, 111 ; Isoodon obesulus, 86). Near Sydney, P. nasuta breeds all the year round with no indication of any peaks of breeding activity. Limited observations on P. gunnii and I. obesulus in Tasmania also suggest that births occur in every season of the year. Parturition of a single individual of P. nasuta was witnessed. Fifteen new-born specimens of this species were measured and body weight records were obtained for five of them. The average dimensions of these specimens, and consecutive measurements of three specimens born in captivity and of known age, were used to age pouch young of unknown age. Age changes in the appearance of P. nasuta are described and illustrated. Hair emerges on the trunk at about 40 days after birth and at 2 months the coat is similar to that of the adult. The rate of body growth is extremely rapid just prior to the opening of the eyes (usually at 45-48 days), and the young first appear outside the pouch several days later. The pouch contains eight teats, and the mean litter sizes were: P. nasuta, 2.44 (52 litters); P. gunnii, 2.23 (22 litters); I. obesulus, 2.33 (9 litters). In 47 litters of P. nasuta, 73 young were on teats of the left side compared with 46 on the right side of the pouch. The sexes were equally represented in the pouch young of the three species examined. In P. nasuta, sexual maturity is reached at about 450 g in females and about 650 g in males. The linear equivalence (cube root of the body weight) is used as an overall measure of size with which the parts of the body are compared.

1956 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 431-447 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. W. HARDISTY

1. The mean osmolar concentration (expressed as mM. NaCl/1.) of the serum for Lampetra planeri was found to be 110 mM. in the ammocoete and 113 mM. in the adult. For adult L. fluviatilis serum in November the mean osmolar concentration was 143 mM. and in March 136 mM. 2. In adult planeri the Cl concentration of the body fluids accounted for nearly 90% of the total concentration as compared with only 58% in the serum of the ammocoete. Adult fluviatilis kept in tap water throughout the winter appeared to show an increase in Cl levels. 3. Evidence has been produced to support the view that the differences observed in water, fat and Cl content of ammocoete and adult planeri and adult fluviatilis are consequences of the period of starvation preceding sexual maturity. 4. Pronounced seasonal variations have been found in the fat and Cl content of ammocoetes of planeri. 5. The osmotic uptake of water has been determined for adults of both species in fresh water. In planeri the rate of uptake for unit body weight is about four times as great as in fluviatilis. 6. Observations have also been made on the osmotic loss of water of ammocoete and adult planeri and of adult fluviatilis in sea water of different concentrations. For unit body weight osmotic loss of water in planeri is about twice that of fluviatilis. 7. Total losses of Cl have been determined for ammocoete and adult planeri in distilled water and their effects on internal Cl levels have been studied. Observations have also been made on the active uptake of Cl. 8. Acclimatization experiments on ammocoetes and adult planeri and on adult fluviatilis have failed to produce any evidence of regulation in sea water.


2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (02) ◽  
pp. 14-17
Author(s):  
K K Hadiya ◽  
A J Dhami ◽  
D V Chaudhari ◽  
P M Lunagariya

This study was initiated on 24 prepubertal Holstein x Kankrej crossbred heifers of nearly identical age (7-9 months) and body weight (130-140 kg) at University farm to evaluate the effect of high plane of nutrition on blood biochemical and minerals profile and the age at puberty. Twelve heifers were managed under routine farm feeding (control) and the rest 12 under ideal optimum feeding regime (treatment) that included extra 1 kg concentrate, 30 g min mix and ad-lib dry fodder. The body weight and ovarian ultrasonography together with blood sampling was carried out at monthly interval from 10 to 18 months of age to study the ovarian dynamics and blood biochemical changes. High plane of nutrition to growing heifers was beneficial in reducing the age of onset of puberty (by 2-3 months) compared to routine farm fed group. The mean plasma total protein and cholesterol concentrations showed a rising trend with significant variations from 10 to 16 months of age, where it got mostly stabilized indicating adult profile. The activity of enzymes GOT and GPT also rose gradually and significantly from 10 months till 14-15 months of age, and thereafter it remained more or less static till 18 months of age. The levels of both these enzymes were higher, with lower protein and cholesterol, in control than the treatment group from 15-16 months of age onwards. The mean plasma levels of both calcium and phosphorus increased gradually and significantly with advancing age till 16-17 months of age, with little higher values in supplemented than a control group. The plasma levels of zinc, iron, copper, and cobalt also showed rising trend with significant differences between 10th and 12th-14th months of age, and from 15th to 18th months of age the levels were statistically the same in all the groups with slightly higher values in the treatment group.


1971 ◽  
Vol 55 (3) ◽  
pp. 651-665 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. M. HUGHES ◽  
R. GAYMER ◽  
MARGARET MOORE ◽  
A. J. WOAKES

1. The O2 consumption and CO2 release of nine giant tortoises Testudo gigantea (weight range 118 g-35·5 kg) were measured at a temperature of about 25·5°C. Four European tortoises Testudo hermanni (weight range 640 g-2·16 kg) were also used. The mean RQ values obtained were 1·01 for T. gigantea and 0·97 for T. hermanni. These values were not influenced by activity or size. 2. The data was analysed by plotting log/log regression lines relating body weight to O2 consumption. Both maximum and minimum metabolic rates recorded for each individual T. gigantea showed a negative correlation with body weight. For active rates the relation was O2 consumption = 140·8W0·97, whereas for inactive animals O2 consumption = 45·47W0·82. 3. The maximum rates were obtained from animals that were observed to be active in the respirometer and the minimum rates from animals that remained quiet throughout. The scope for activity increased with body size, being 82 ml/kg/h for animals of 100 g and 103 ml/kg/h for 100 kg animals. The corresponding ratio between maximum and minimum rates increases from about 2 to 6 for the same weight range. 4. Values for metabolic rate in T. hermanni seem to be rather lower than in T. gigantea. Analysis of the relative proportion of the shell and other organs indicates that the shell forms about 31% of the body weight in adult T. hermanni but only about 18% in T. gigantea of similar size. The shell is not appreciably heavier in adult T. gigantea (about 20%). 5. Data obtained for inactive animals is in good agreement with results of other workers using lizards and snakes. Previous evidence suggesting that chelonians show no reduction in metabolic rate with increasing size is not considered to conflict with data obtained in the present work.


2016 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 26
Author(s):  
Wanmi Nathaniel ◽  
Onyeanusi I. Barth ◽  
Nzalak J. Oliver ◽  
Aluwong Tanang

<p class="jbls-body"><span lang="EN-GB">A total of one hundred and seventy-three fertilized eggs were used for morphometry, gross and histological studies. At day 4 of incubation, the mean body weight of the helmeted guinea fowl embryo was 0.6401 ± 0.0211 g. It was at day 10 of incubation that there was an increase in the whole body weight of the embryo to be 0.8650 ± 0.676 g. The whole brain weight indicated relative increased at day 4 as compared to that of the whole body weight. Graphically, there were steady increase in the body, brain and optic lobe weights. Histologically, cells and neurones that make up the optic lobe is probably as a result of the migration of immature cells from the ventricular neuroepithelium. </span></p>


Author(s):  
Iyad Ali ◽  
Naser Shraim ◽  
Wafaa’ Atrash ◽  
Aisha Sirafi ◽  
Huda Abadi

Artificial Sweeteners (AS) are synthetic sugar substitutes that have sweetening potency hundreds of times more than the table sugar (sucrose). Artificial sweeteners are regarded as attractive alternatives to sugar as they add no calories to food intake. There are many hypotheses suggesting that AS may enhance appetite and cause weight gain. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of AS on food intake, fluid intake and body weight of mice. Acceptable daily intakes of AS solutions were administered orally to different set of mice for four weeks. The body weight, food consumption and fluid intake were measured. At the same time, the effect of Zingiber officinale extracts (natural appetite suppressor), Thymus vulgaris extracts (natural appetite inducer) and cyproheptadine (an appetite stimulant drug) on body weight of mice was evaluated. Artificial sweeteners consumption cause insignificant changes in body weight (p>0.05). However, the mean consumption of food and solutions varies significantly for some groups. The consumption of AS has no significant effect on body weight and may contribute to weight maintenance and energy balance as substitutes to high caloric sugar


1966 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 557 ◽  
Author(s):  
GH Brown ◽  
HN Turner ◽  
SSY Young ◽  
CHS Dolling

Estimates were made of the effects of the following factors on 10 fleece and body characteristics measured on breeding ewes aged 1½ to 10½ years in three mating groups over a period of 15 years: age of ewe, single or twin birth, age of dam, the ewe's own lambing performance, the year in which measurements were made, and the year in which each set of ewes was born. Two groups (S and MS) were under selection for high clean wool weight at 15–16 months, with a ceiling on wrinkle score and fibre diameter, while the third (C) was a random control. Changes with age were present in all characteristics and were similar in the three groups. The finding that selection on wool weight at an early age had no effect on subsequent age changes in any characteristic is of considerable importance. Greasy and clean wool weight reached a maximum at 34 years, then declined by 0.3–0.2 1b per year. Percentage clean yield, fibre diameter, body weight, and wrinkle score had maxima at 5½ to 6½ years. Staple length fell consistently by approximately 0.2 cm per year, while face cover rose consistently but slightly. Crimp number rose, fell, and rose again, while fibre number rose, fell, and remained constant from 4½ years. The chief source of increase in wool weight from l½ to 3½ years was an increase in the total number of fibres. The chief source of the subsequent fall was a decrease in fibre volume, with a minor contribution from a fall in total fibre number after 6½ years. Twin-born ewes cut 0.21 lb (4.2% of the mean) less clean wool per year over their lifetime than single-born ewes, while the progeny of 2-year-old ewes cut 0.32 lb (6.4%) less than the progeny of adults. The main source of lower weight in each case was a lower total fibre number. Pregnancy lowered clean wool weight more than lactation, the separate effects being 0.87 and 0.38 lb respectively (17.4 and 7.7% of the mean) and the combined effect 1.25 1b or 25.1%. Pregnancy lowered total fibre number but lactation had no further effect. Mean clean wool weights over all ages in the C group varied from year to year, the range being from 1.08 lb (21.6%)below the mean to 0.97 lb (19.4%) above. Differences in total fibre number contributed between one-third and two-thirds of the variation. Ewes born in consecutive years in the S and MS groups showed marked upward trends in clean wool weight, fibre number, and staple length, with a marked downward trend in crimp number and a slight upward trend in body weight. These trends demonstrate direct and correlated responses to the strong selection for high clean wool weight at 15–16 months of age, and the associated slight selection against fibre diameter and wrinkle score. The mean annual increases in clean wool weight were 0.15 and 0.11 Ib (3.0 and 2.2%) in the S and MS groups, approximately 40% of the increase arising from increased total fibre number and 40% from increased staple length. The effects of age and lambing performance can be used to predict productivity in flocks of differing age structures. As the casting age rises to 54 years changes in productivity are negligible. With a rise in casting age to 7½ years the average clean wool weight of the flock would fall by 0.14 lb, with a slight decrease in staple length and crimp number. These changes need to be balanced against any increased lambing percentage or decreased annual genetic gain due to increased generation interval. Comparison with other available figures indicates that age changes may vary from one area to another.


1995 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
R.T. Gemmell

The brushtail possum is a common arboreal marsupial that is well adapted to the Australian urban environment and to rearing in captivity. Data obtained from 100 female possums housed in a semi-captive colony over a 7 year period demonstrate the reproductive capability of this marsupial. The main breeding season is from March to June with a declining number of births occurring from July to October. The possums gave birth to 259 single young and one set of twins. The range of the lactation period was from 177 to 200 days with the birth of the subsequent young occurring at 188.4 ± 4.1 days post partum (SD, n = 5). The growth rate of the young female possum varied greatly after day 100 post partum, the mean body weight of possums at day 172, being 753.0 ± 76.2g (SD, n = 5) with a range of 685 to 851 g. Female possums, with a mean body weight of 2171 ± 388g, gave birth to their first litter on day 345.9 ± 69.3 days postpartum (mean, SD, n = 7). Although two female possums trapped in the wild were held in captivity for 64 and 63.4 months and one possum bred in captivity had a life span of 51.5 months, the mean life span was 21.0 ± 12.5 months (SD, n =3D 8), with a range of 14.3 to 51.5 months. This life span is very variable and it is of interest to determine if this is an artefact of captivity or is also observed in the wild.


Animals ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (10) ◽  
pp. 822 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nalbert ◽  
Czopowicz ◽  
Szaluś-Jordanow ◽  
Moroz ◽  
Mickiewicz ◽  
...  

A longitudinal study was carried out to investigate the influence of two different rearing systems of young kids on their development to sexual maturity. Kids born to small ruminant lentiviruses-infected (SRLV) female goats were split into two groups: the immediately-after-birth weaned group and the unweaned group. Kids’ body weight (BWT) was measured before the first consumption of colostrum, and then at the age of one week, and one, two, four, and seven months. The relationship between the rearing system and BWT at each age was investigated using mixed linear models adjusted for potential confounders. The mean BWT of kids of the immediately-after-birth weaned group was significantly lower at the age of one week, one month, and two months, and then the difference became insignificant. The mean daily body weight gain (DWG) was significantly lower in the immediately-after-birth weaned group during the whole first month of life, but then DWG in both groups became equal. Crude mortality rate did not differ significantly between groups. This study shows that weaning kids immediately after birth does not appear to have any negative impact on kids’ development except transient growth retardation, which is fully compensated until they reach sexual maturity.


1957 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 75 ◽  
Author(s):  
PK Briggs ◽  
MC Franklin ◽  
GL McClymont

Dry adult Merino ewes were fed at daily or weekly intervals on oat grain at levels which provided 4.0, 3.0, or 2.0 lb starch equivalent (S.E.) per sheep per week. The experimental periods were 223, 223, and 181 days respectively. Differences between the mean body weights of the ewes a t the three levels of feeding were highly significant (P < 0.001). Body weight varied only slightly and no losses occurred in ewes fed weekly at the rate of 4.0 lb S.E. per head. Ewes fed daily a t this level had a significantly greater mean body weight (P < 0.001) a t the conclusion of the 223-day experimental period. The addition of a sodium chloride supplement did not improve the body weight or wool production of ewes fed weekly a t the level of 4.0 lb S.E. The mean body weight of ewes fed at the levels of 3.0 or 2.0 lb S.E. per head declined over the first 12 and 18 respectively and thereafter remained relatively constant. There were no significant differences at these levels of feeding between groups fed daily and weekly in respect of body weight, wool production, or survival rates. Ewes fed a t the level of 4.0 lb S.E. grew significantly more wool than those given 3.0 lb S.E. (P < 0.001). Losses were negligible in all groups except those fed a t the level of 2.0 lb S.E. In these groups there were few deaths in the first 16 weeks, but in the subsequent 10 weeks losses totalled 17.1 per cent. Ewes fed a t the level of 2.0 lb S.E. consumed their rations at a significantly slower rate (P < 0.01) than did those fed a t the level of 4.0 lb S.E.


1969 ◽  
Vol 9 (39) ◽  
pp. 417 ◽  
Author(s):  
RAE Pym ◽  
R Sledge

An experiment was conducted to examine the effect of restricted feeding under two lighting systems during the rearing period on the initial laying performance of broiler type pullets. The rearing treatments were imposed at nine weeks of age, removed at 22 weeks and the trial was discontinued at 36 weeks of age. The feeding treatments (restricted versus ad lib.) were arranged factorially with the lighting treatments (decreasing versus increasing). Birds reared on restricted feeding reached sexual maturity 16 days later than full fed birds, ate 17 per cent less feed to 22 weeks and gained seven per cent less in body weight to 24 weeks of age and ten per cent less to 36 weeks. Birds reared under the decreasing lighting regime reached sexual maturity at the same age as those reared under increasing lighting, ate five per cent more feed during the rearing and laying periods and gained five per cent more in body weight to 24 weeks. The mean weight of eggs laid between 24 and 34 weeks of age from pullets subjected concurrently to decreasing lighting and restricted feeding was approximately two grams heavier than that of the other three treatment combinations. Mean egg weight was one gram greater in the restricted than in the full fed group, although the difference was not statistically significant. Laying mortality was lower in the restricted fed group than in the full fed group.


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