Characterisation of the pouch microbiome and association with reproductive outcomes in the koala (Phascolartos cinereus)

Abstract

This thesis investigated how microbial communities present in koala pouches impact on reproductive outcomes through the sequencing and cultivation of microorganisms from longitudinal pouch samples. The results of this thesis provide a unique insight into potential microbial drivers of neonatal mortality, which is a growing issue at several captive breeding facilities. The findings have important implications for the treatment, prevention, and management of neonatal mortality in healthy breeding koala populations.

Pouch bacteria: an understudied and potentially important facet of marsupial reproduction

“…Interestingly, although both animal groups showed similar decreases in microbial richness between mating and parturition, the pouch microbiota of successful mothers re-diversified in the months following parturition, whereas unsuccessful mothers remained dominated by Enterobacteriaceae until loss of young occurred 5-7 months post-partum. 29 Taken together with similar findings in koalas by Osawa et al 21 and O'Callaghan, 13 these recent findings add further weight to the hypothesis that dysbiosis of microbial communities in the marsupial pouch may be associated with neonatal mortality.…”