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Cook LE, Newton AH, Hipsley CA, Pask AJ. Postnatal development in a marsupial model, the fat-tailed dunnart (Sminthopsis crassicaudata; Dasyuromorphia: Dasyuridae). Commun Biol 2021; 4:1028. [PMID: 34475507 PMCID: PMC8413461 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-021-02506-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2021] [Accepted: 07/29/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Marsupials exhibit unique biological features that provide fascinating insights into many aspects of mammalian development. These include their distinctive mode of reproduction, altricial stage at birth, and the associated heterochrony that is required for their crawl to the pouch and teat attachment. Marsupials are also an invaluable resource for mammalian comparative biology, forming a distinct lineage from the extant placental and egg-laying monotreme mammals. Despite their unique biology, marsupial resources are lagging behind those available for placentals. The fat-tailed dunnart (Sminthopsis crassicaudata) is a laboratory based marsupial model, with simple and robust husbandry requirements and a short reproductive cycle making it amenable to experimental manipulations. Here we present a detailed staging series for the fat-tailed dunnart, focusing on their accelerated development of the forelimbs and jaws. This study provides the first skeletal developmental series on S. crassicaudata and provides a fundamental resource for future studies exploring mammalian diversification, development and evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura E Cook
- School of Biosciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Axel H Newton
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Christy A Hipsley
- School of Biosciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Sciences, Museums Victoria, Carlton, VIC, Australia
| | - Andrew J Pask
- School of Biosciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia.
- Department of Sciences, Museums Victoria, Carlton, VIC, Australia.
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Jones MK, Huff TB, Freeman EW, Songsasen N. Differential expression of urinary volatile organic compounds by sex, male reproductive status, and pairing status in the maned wolf (Chrysocyon brachyurus). PLoS One 2021; 16:e0256388. [PMID: 34415938 PMCID: PMC8378691 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0256388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2020] [Accepted: 08/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The maned wolf (Chrysocyon brachyurus) is an induced ovulator. Though the mechanism of ovulation induction remains unknown, it is suspected to be urinary chemical signals excreted by males. This study assessed volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in weekly urine samples across 5 months from 13 maned wolves (6 intact males, 1 neutered male, 6 females) with the goal of identifying VOCs that are differentially expressed across sex, reproductive status, and pairing status. Solid-phase microextraction (SPME) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) were used to extract and separate VOCs that were identified via spectral matching with authentic standards, with spectral libraries, or with new software that further matches molecular fragment structures with mass spectral peaks. Two VOCs were present across all 317 urine samples: 2,5-dimethyl pyrazine and 2-methyl-6-(1-propenyl)-pyrazine. Fifteen VOCs differed significantly (Adj. P < 0.001 and |log2 fold change| >2.0) between intact males and females. Using partial least squares-discriminant analysis, the compounds with the highest importance to the sex classification were delta-decalactone, delta-dodecalactone, and bis(prenyl) sulfide. Sixty-two VOCs differed between intact males and the neutered male. Important classifier compounds were 3-ethyl 2,5-dimethyl pyrazine, 2-methyl-6-(1-propenyl)-pyrazine, and tetrahydro-2-isopentyl-5-propyl furan. Several VOCs established as important here have been implicated in reproductive communication in other mammals. This study is the most robust examination of differential expression in the maned wolf thus far and provides the most comprehensive analysis of maned wolf urinary VOCs to date, increasing the sample size substantially over previous chemical communication studies in this species. New data analysis software allowed for the identification of compounds in the hormone-producing mevalonate pathway which were previously unreported in maned wolf urine. Several putative semiochemicals were identified as good candidates for behavioral bioassays to determine their role in maned wolf reproduction, and specifically in ovulation induction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marieke K. Jones
- Center for Species Survival, Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, National Zoological Park, Front Royal, Virginia, United States of America
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Thomas B. Huff
- Shared Research Instrumentation Facility, George Mason University, Manassas, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Elizabeth W. Freeman
- Center for Species Survival, Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, National Zoological Park, Front Royal, Virginia, United States of America
- School of Integrative Studies, George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Nucharin Songsasen
- Center for Species Survival, Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, National Zoological Park, Front Royal, Virginia, United States of America
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Toledo G, Astúa D. A successful multiple litter adoption in a nursing southern black-eared opossum, Didelphis aurita (Didelphimorphia, Didelphidae). BEHAVIOUR 2020. [DOI: 10.1163/1568539x-bja10030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Adoption by an alloparent of an offspring or a litter occurs in at least eight mammal orders, but is rare in marsupials, and was never confirmed in opossums. Here we report the first unequivocal and documented successful event of alloparental adoption of two distinct litters by a single captive female Southern Black-eared Opossum Didelphis aurita (Didelphimorphia, Didelphidae). The female, still nursing her biological litter, accepted and nursed the two offered litters. All three litters were raised simultaneously, and the female cared for and displayed protective behaviour indistinctively of the biological or adopted pups. She was kept captive until released along with her biological litter, which was weaned and fled independently, and the two adoptive litters clinging on her back. This event sheds additional light on the little known social and maternal behaviour of opossums, suggesting it is possibly more complex than originally thought.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela Toledo
- aProBicho Centro Veterinário, Av. Nossa Sra. da Assunção 461, Butantã 05359-000, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Diego Astúa
- bLaboratório de Mastozoologia, Departamento de Zoologia, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Av. Prof. Moraes Rego, s.n., Cidade Universitária, 50670-901 Recife, PE, Brazil
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Astúa D, Carvalho RA, Maia PF, Magalhães AR, Loretto D. First evidence of gregarious denning in opossums (Didelphimorphia, Didelphidae), with notes on their social behaviour. Biol Lett 2015; 11:20150307. [PMID: 26085500 PMCID: PMC4528478 DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2015.0307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2015] [Accepted: 05/27/2015] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The Didelphidae are considered solitary opossums with few social interactions, usually limited to mating-related or mother-pouch young interactions. Anecdotal reports suggest that additional interactions occur, including den sharing by a few individuals, usually siblings. Here, we report novel observations that indicate opossums are more social than previously thought. These include nest sharing by males and females of Marmosa paraguayana, Gracilinanus microtarsus and Marmosops incanus prior to the onset of the breeding season and without signs of sexual activity; this is taken to indicate early pair-bonding matching and cooperative nest building. We also recorded den sharing among recently weaned siblings of Didelphis aurita and Caluromys philander. In addition, we observed 13 individuals of Didelphis albiventris representing three age classes resting without agonistic interactions in a communal den. These are the first reports of gregarious behaviour involving so many individuals, which are either unrelated or represent siblings from at least two litters, already weaned, sharing the same den with three adults. Sociality in opossums is probably more complex than previously established, and field experimental designs combining the use of artificial nests with camera traps or telemetry may help to gauge the frequency and extent of these phenomena.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diego Astúa
- Laboratório de Mastozoologia, Departamento de Zoologia, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Av. Prof. Moraes Rego, s/n. Cidade Universitária, Recife, PE 50670-901, Brazil
| | - Rafael A Carvalho
- Laboratório de Mastozoologia, Departamento de Zoologia, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Av. Prof. Moraes Rego, s/n. Cidade Universitária, Recife, PE 50670-901, Brazil
| | - Paula F Maia
- Laboratório de Mastozoologia, Departamento de Zoologia, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Av. Prof. Moraes Rego, s/n. Cidade Universitária, Recife, PE 50670-901, Brazil
| | - Arthur R Magalhães
- Laboratório de Mamíferos, Departamento de Ecologia e Sistemática, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, Castelo Branco s/n, João Pessoa, PB 58059-900, Brazil
| | - Diogo Loretto
- Laboratório de Biologia e Parasitologia de Mamíferos Silvestres Reservatórios, Pavilhão Lauro Travassos, IOC/Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Av. Brasil 4365, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21040-360, Brazil
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