FREQUENCY OF BREEDING AND RECRUITMENT IN THE SHORT-BEAKED ECHIDNA,<i>TACHYGLOSSUS ACULEATUS</i>

Rismiller, Peggy D.; McKelvey, Michael W.

doi:10.1644/1545-1542(2000)081<0001:fobari>2.0.co;2

Cited by 46 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 14 publications

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“…Despite their near ubiquitous Australian distribution, their relatively small size and cryptic habit mean that observations on the definitive monotreme behaviour, egg-laying, are very rare. We know of only one occasion when egg-laying has been observed, and this was part of a very labour-intensive 7-year field study in which up to 19 female echidnas were monitored each year and pouches checked every 2-3 days after copulation (Rismiller and McKelvey, 2000). From this study, the gestation period was calculated to be 2371 days.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 79%

“…If realtime information on the animal's physiological state is required, comparable data can be collected from implanted T b transmitters (Beard et al, 1992), but loss of signal, as occurs almost inevitably in a field situation, will reduce the quality and usefulness of the data. We were able to use information on T b collected by data loggers to calculate egg-laying to within 2-3 days, which is as good as the estimates from the very labour-intensive study of Rismiller and McKelvey (2000). The insights provided by T b reduce many of the uncertainties associated with the timing of events in wild populations where the animals cannot be continually observed, while leaving the animals undisturbed during crucial periods.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The end of the period was similarly assessed by the return of circadian variability and upward spikes. When an egg or young was observed, the date of egg-laying was calculated assuming an incubation period of 10.5 days (Griffiths, 1978;Rismiller and McKelvey, 2000), and growth curves for echidna young from Rismiller and McKelvey (2003).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Our most precise data come from echidna 5D5E in 1999 which was found with both a newly hatched young and egg-shell in the pouch. Because the egg-shell remains in the pouch for a maximum of 48 h (Rismiller and McKelvey, 2000), in this case egg-laying must have occurred very close to the change in T b (Fig. 2c).…”

Section: Article In Pressmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In eastern Australia, including Tasmania, egg-laying normally occurs in a burrow which has been dug by the mother shortly beforehand (Griffiths, 1978). On Kangaroo Island egg-laying may occur in a purpose-dug burrow or a variety of other shelters (Rismiller and McKelvey, 2000). The egg is laid directly into a pouch which forms on about day 15 of pregnancy, where it is incubated for about 10.5 days (Griffiths et al 1969;Rismiller and McKelvey, 2000).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 4 more Smart Citations

Body temperature as an indicator of egg-laying in the echidna, Tachyglossus aculeatus

Nicol

Andersen

2006

Journal of Thermal Biology

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 79%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Article In Pressmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Body temperature as an indicator of egg-laying in the echidna, Tachyglossus aculeatus

Nicol

Andersen

2006

Journal of Thermal Biology

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Conserved and variable: Understanding mammary stem cells across species

2017

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Postnatal mammary gland development requires the presence of mammary stem and progenitor cells (MaSC), which give rise to functional milk-secreting cells and regenerate the mammary epithelium with each cycle of lactation. These long-lived, tissue-resident MaSC are also targets for malignant transformation and may be cancer cells-oforigin. Consequently, MaSC are extensively researched in relation to their role and function in development, tissue regeneration, lactation, and breast cancer. The basic structure and function of the mammary gland are conserved among all mammalian species, from the most primitive to the most evolved. However, species vary greatly in their lactation strategies and mammary cancer incidence, making MaSC an interesting focus for comparative research. MaSC have been characterized in mice, to a lesser degree in humans, and to an even lesser degree in few additional mammals. They remain uncharacterized in most mammalian species, including "ancient" monotremes, marsupials, wild, and rare species, as well as in common and domestic species such as cats. Identification and comparison of MaSC across a large variety of species, particularly those with extreme lactational adaptations or low mammary cancer incidence, is expected to deepen our understanding of development and malignancy in the mammary gland. Here, we review the current status of MaSC characterization across species, and underline species variations in lactation and mammary cancer through which we may learn about the role of MaSC in these processes. V C 2017 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry

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An evaluation of DNA sample source and molecular markers to determine gender in the short‐beaked echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus)

Hulse,

Tomsett,

Roser

et al. 2023

Zoo Biology

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The short‐beaked echidna is sexually monomorphic such that gender identification without veterinary intervention is challenging. The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the most optimal noninvasive genetic source by extracting echidna genomic DNA (gDNA) from fecal scats, plucked hair, and quills to perform genetic sex testing using a range of molecular markers. Sex determination of 14 captive short‐beaked echidnas was determined by amplifying isolated DNA from noninvasive samples, targeting two Y chromosome (male‐specific) genes (mediator complex subunit 26 Y‐gametologue [CRSPY] and anti‐Müllerian hormone Y‐gametologue [AMHY]), in addition to four confirmed sex‐specific RADseq markers. Results of noninvasive samples were compared with blood samples and clinical records. Receiver operating characteristic curves were used to assess accuracy of sex determination of markers for each sample type. The gender of the echidnas was successfully identified on 75% of occasions using fecal samples, 90.6% occasions using hair, and 84.6% occasions with quills. Overall, the male‐specific RADseq markers accurately identified the sex of echidnas with all sample types for 90% of animals; compared with 81.5% using CRSPY, and 82.0% using AMHY to identify sex. Collection of hair, quills, and feces provides a useful alternative to invasively collected samples, however, the accuracy of results depends on sample type and genetic marker selected. We found gender determination in the short‐beaked echidna was most accurate using four male‐specific RADseq markers on gDNA isolated from blood and hair. The noninvasive genetic sexing techniques documented here will inform and facilitate husbandry and genetic management of captive echidna populations.

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FREQUENCY OF BREEDING AND RECRUITMENT IN THE SHORT-BEAKED ECHIDNA,TACHYGLOSSUS ACULEATUS

Cited by 46 publications

References 14 publications

Body temperature as an indicator of egg-laying in the echidna, Tachyglossus aculeatus

Body temperature as an indicator of egg-laying in the echidna, Tachyglossus aculeatus

Conserved and variable: Understanding mammary stem cells across species

An evaluation of DNA sample source and molecular markers to determine gender in the short‐beaked echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus)

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