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Old JM, Ong OTW, Stannard HJ. Red-tailed phascogales: A review of their biology and importance as model marsupial species. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL ZOOLOGY PART 2020; 335:217-227. [PMID: 33382214 DOI: 10.1002/jez.2438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2020] [Revised: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 12/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
There are many limitations when using traditional laboratory species. Limits on variation, may result in limited outcomes, at both the species and individual level, due to different individuals/species having diverse physiological processes, or differing molecular and genetic mechanisms. By using a variety of model species, we will be able to develop creative solutions to biological problems and identify differences of which we were not previously aware. The laboratory mouse has been a suitable model species for various mammalian studies, however most are bred specifically for laboratory research with limited variability due to selective breeding. Marsupial models offer unique research opportunities compared to eutherian models. We believe that there should be an expansion in marsupial model species, and the introduction of the red-tailed phascogale (Phascogale calura), a dasyurid marsupial, should be one of them. Phascogales are easily managed in captivity, and there are now multiple studies involving their development, reproduction, nutrition, behavior and immune system, which can serve as a baseline for future studies. The addition of the phascogale as a model species will improve future mammalian studies by introducing variability and offer alternate solutions to biological problems, particularly in the areas of genetics, nutrition, immunology, the neuro-endocrine system, and ageing, due to their semelparous reproductive strategy and hence, subsequent predictive physiology. In this review, we provide information based on existing research on red-tailed phascogales to support their inclusion as a model species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie M Old
- School of Science, Hawkesbury Campus, Western Sydney University, Penrith, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Oselyne T W Ong
- Children's Medical Research Institute, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Hayley J Stannard
- School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, Australia
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Old JM, Parsons C, Tulk ML. Hearing thresholds of small native Australian mammals – red-tailed phascogale (Phascogale calura), kultarr (Antechinomys laniger) and spinifex hopping-mouse (Notomys alexis). Zool J Linn Soc 2020. [DOI: 10.1093/zoolinnean/zlaa003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Hearing is essential for communication, to locate prey and to avoid predators. We addressed the paucity of information regarding hearing in Australian native mammals by specifically assessing the hearing range and sensitivity of the red-tailed phascogale (Phascogale calura), the kultarr (Antechinomys laniger) and the spinifex hopping-mouse (Notomys alexis). Auditory brainstem response (ABR) audiograms were used to estimate hearing thresholds within the range of 1–84 kHz, over a dynamic range of 0–80 dB sound pressure level (SPL). Phascogales had a hearing range of 1–40 kHz, kultarrs 1–35 kHz and hopping-mice 1–35 kHz, with a dynamic range of 17–59 dB SPL, 20–80 dB SPL and 30–73 dB SPL, respectively. Hearing for all species was most sensitive at 8 kHz. Age showed no influence on optimal hearing, but younger animals had more diverse optimal hearing frequencies. There was a relationship between males and their optimal hearing frequency, and greater interaural distances of individual males may be related to optimal hearing frequency. Because nocturnal animals use high-range hearing for prey or predator detection, our study suggests this may also be the case for the species examined in this study. Future studies should investigate their vocalizations and behaviour in their natural environments, and by exposing them to different auditory stimuli.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie M Old
- School of Science, Hawkesbury, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW, Australia
| | - Carl Parsons
- School of Medicine, Campbelltown, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW, Australia
| | - Melissa L Tulk
- School of Science, Hawkesbury, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW, Australia
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Karawita H, Perera P, Dayawansa N, Dias S. Dietary composition and foraging habitats of the Indian Pangolin (Manis crassicaudata) in a tropical lowland forest-associated landscape in southwest Sri Lanka. Glob Ecol Conserv 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gecco.2019.e00880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
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Letendre C, Sawyer E, Young LJ, Old JM. Immunosenescence in a captive semelparous marsupial, the red-tailed phascogale (Phascogale calura). BMC ZOOL 2018. [DOI: 10.1186/s40850-018-0036-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
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Stannard HJ, Bekkers JM, Old JM, McAllan BM, Shaw ME. Digestibility of a new diet for captive short-beaked echidnas (Tachyglossus aculeatus). Zoo Biol 2017; 36:56-61. [DOI: 10.1002/zoo.21347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2016] [Revised: 12/05/2016] [Accepted: 12/13/2016] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Hayley J. Stannard
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences and Charles Perkins Centre; University of Sydney; Sydney New South Wales Australia
| | | | - Julie M. Old
- School of Science and Health; Western Sydney University; Richmond New South Wales Australia
| | - Bronwyn M. McAllan
- Discipline of Physiology; School of Medical Sciences and Bosch Institute; The University of Sydney; New South Wales Australia
| | - Michelle E. Shaw
- Taronga Wildlife Hospital; Taronga Conservation Society Australia; Mosman New South Wales Australia
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Hermsen EM, Young LJ, Old JM. Major Histocompatibility Complex Class II in the red-tailed phascogale (Phascogale calura). AUSTRALIAN MAMMALOGY 2017. [DOI: 10.1071/am16002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Diversity in major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genes can be correlated with the level of immunological fitness of an individual or group of individuals. This study tested published primer sets designed to amplify fragments of the MHC Class II DAB and DBB genes to amplify the equivalent gene fragments in red-tailed phascogales (Phascogale calura). Seventeen genomic DNA samples extracted from phascogale muscle tissue were used to amplify the initial DAB and DBB fragments; however, only DAB PCR proved successful. The fragments were 172 bp in length between the primers and had a high level of identity to other known marsupial MHC Class II DAB gene sequences (89–98%), including those of the koala (Phascolarctos cinereus), Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii), common brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula) and several wallaby species. Multiple sequence alignment revealed limited variability of MHC Class II genes between the individuals, but eight individual sequences in total. Genomic DNA was subsequently extracted from three fresh red-tailed phascogale scat samples and DAB fragments successfully amplified. The technique will allow for red-tailed phascogales to be sampled non-invasively in the wild and to determine the level of MHC diversity among individuals in the population.
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Stannard HJ, Tong L, Shaw M, Van Sluys M, McAllan B, Raubenheimer D. Nutritional status and functional digestive histology of the carnivorous Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii). Comp Biochem Physiol A Mol Integr Physiol 2016; 205:1-7. [PMID: 27956166 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2016.12.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2016] [Revised: 12/06/2016] [Accepted: 12/07/2016] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Tasmanian devils (Sarcophilus harrisii) are the largest carnivorous marsupial in Australia. Currently many animals are being held in captivity as a management procedure to combat Devil Facial Tumor Disease. Only one published study thus far has investigated nutrition in Tasmanian devils, determining their maintenance energy requirements and digestibility on a rodent diet. More information is needed on Tasmanian devil nutritional and gastrointestinal function to aid in their management. Our study aimed to investigate the current nutritional status of Tasmanian devils in a captive population and functional morphology and histology of their gastrointestinal tract. Animals were maintained on a diet of kangaroo, rabbit, quail and chicken wings and digestibility of these items by the devils was high (>85% for dry matter, protein and lipid). Kangaroo and rabbit were high protein diet items while the quail and chicken wings provided high lipid to the diet, and carbohydrates were minimal (≤3% energy). Maintenance energy requirements were determined to be 620kJkg-0.75d-1 with no significant difference between males and females. Opportunistic samples for gastrointestinal morphology were obtained from captive specimens. Tasmanian devils have a simple digestive tract similar to other dasyurid species. Both the morphology and histology of the gastrointestinal tract show specialization for a high protein carnivorous diet.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hayley J Stannard
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, and Charles Perkins Centre, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia.
| | - Lydia Tong
- Taronga Wildlife Hospital, Taronga Conservation Society Australia, Mosman, NSW 2088, Australia
| | - Michelle Shaw
- Taronga Wildlife Hospital, Taronga Conservation Society Australia, Mosman, NSW 2088, Australia
| | - Monique Van Sluys
- Wildlife Conservation and Science, Taronga Conservation Society Australia, Mosman, NSW 2088, Australia
| | - Bronwyn McAllan
- Discipline of Physiology, School of Medical Sciences, and Bosch Institute, University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - David Raubenheimer
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, and Charles Perkins Centre, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
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Changes to food intake and nutrition of female red-tailed phascogales (Phascogale calura) during late lactation. Physiol Behav 2015; 151:398-403. [DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2015.08.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2015] [Revised: 08/04/2015] [Accepted: 08/05/2015] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Price ER, Brun A, Caviedes-Vidal E, Karasov WH. Digestive adaptations of aerial lifestyles. Physiology (Bethesda) 2015; 30:69-78. [PMID: 25559157 DOI: 10.1152/physiol.00020.2014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Flying vertebrates (birds and bats) are under selective pressure to reduce the size of the gut and the mass of the digesta it carries. Compared with similar-sized nonflying mammals, birds and bats have smaller intestines and shorter retention times. We review evidence that birds and bats have lower spare digestive capacity and partially compensate for smaller intestines with increased paracellular nutrient absorption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edwin R Price
- Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin;
| | - Antonio Brun
- Laboratorio de Biología Integrativa, Instituto Multidisciplinario de Investigaciones Biológicas de San Luis, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, San Luis, Argentina; and
| | - Enrique Caviedes-Vidal
- Laboratorio de Biología Integrativa, Instituto Multidisciplinario de Investigaciones Biológicas de San Luis, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, San Luis, Argentina; and Departamento de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas y Laboratorio de Biología "Professor E. Caviedes Codelia," Universidad Nacional de San Luis, San Luis, Argentina
| | - William H Karasov
- Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin
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Stannard HJ, McAllan BM, Old JM. Dietary composition and nutritional outcomes in two marsupials,Sminthopsis macrouraandS. crassicaudata. J Mammal 2014. [DOI: 10.1644/13-mamm-a-071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
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Stannard HJ, Old JM. Biology, life history, and captive management of the kultarr (Antechinomys laniger). Zoo Biol 2014; 33:157-65. [DOI: 10.1002/zoo.21128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2013] [Revised: 02/20/2014] [Accepted: 03/14/2014] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Hayley J. Stannard
- Native and Pest Animal Unit; School of Science and Health; University of Western Sydney; Penrith NSW Australia
| | - Julie M. Old
- Native and Pest Animal Unit; School of Science and Health; University of Western Sydney; Penrith NSW Australia
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Stannard HJ, Old JM. Digestibility of two diet items by captive eastern quolls (Dasyurus viverrinus). Zoo Biol 2013; 32:417-22. [PMID: 23606336 DOI: 10.1002/zoo.21073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2012] [Revised: 02/21/2013] [Accepted: 03/04/2013] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
The eastern quoll (Dasyurus viverrinus) is a carnivorous Australian marsupial that has undergone significant geographical range contraction since European settlement, and is extinct on the mainland. Nutrition is not well researched in captive eastern quolls, and captive diets often consist of commercial pet foods as opposed to raw meat or insect diets. Improving nutrition will enhance reproductive output and ensure suitable numbers of quolls are bred to be used in translocation programs. The present study analyzed the composition of kangaroo mince and chicken necks, and the digestibility of these items, in a captive environment. The quolls had high apparent total tract digestibility on the chicken neck and kangaroo mince treatments (DM 83-88%, GE 95-97%, protein 94-97%, and lipids 94-95%, respectively). The apparent total tract digestibility of DM, GE, and proteins was significantly higher (t14= 2.465, P < 0.05; t14= 2.489, P < 0.05; t14= 5.470, P < 0.01, respectively) on the kangaroo mince treatment compared with the chicken neck treatment. This study provides the first data on Cu (-18-37%), S (86-95%), and Zn (26-28%) apparent total tract digestibility in a Dasyurid. Data gathered during this study can be used to improve management practices for captive quolls, including diet formulation and mineral supplementation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hayley J Stannard
- Native and Pest Animal Unit, School of Science and Health, University of Western Sydney, Penrith, Australia.
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