Semelparous Reproductive Strategy in New World Marsupials

Zangrandi, Priscilla L.; Vieira, Emerson M.

doi:10.1007/978-3-030-88800-8_19-1

Cited by 3 publications

(6 citation statements)

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“…The reproductive output and dispersion continuum is related to reproductive effort indicated by fecundity, and the degree to which breeding is dispersed or concentrated. Marsupials with large litters and fewer reproductive events were positioned at one end of this continuum and included species with an unique life history, semelparity (didelphids and dasyurids; [44]). At the opposite end, we found species (mostly diprotodontians) that allocate little in each reproductive event (litter size of one or two individuals), that can be spread over two to three years or more [8].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Marsupial position on life-history continua and the potential contribution of life-history traits to population growth

Ferreira,

Dickman,

Fisher

et al. 2023

Proc. R. Soc. B.

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Previous studies have suggested that mammal life history varies along the fast–slow continuum and that, in eutherians, this continuum is linked to variation in the potential contribution of survival and reproduction to population growth rate ( λ ). Fast eutherians mature early, have large litters and short lifespans, and exhibit high potential contribution of age at first reproduction and fertility to λ , while slow eutherians show high potential contribution of survival to λ . However, marsupials have typically been overlooked in comparative tests of mammalian life-history evolution. Here, we tested whether the eutherian life-history pattern extends to marsupials, and show that marsupial life-history trade-offs are organized along two major axes: (i) the reproductive output and dispersion axis, and (ii) the fast–slow continuum, with an additional association between adult survival and body mass. Life-history traits that potentially drive changes in λ are similar in eutherians and marsupials with slow life histories, but differ in fast marsupials; age at first reproduction is the most important trait contributing to λ and fertility contributes little. Marsupials have slower life histories than eutherians, and differences between these clades may derive from their contrasting reproductive modes; marsupials have slower development, growth and metabolism than eutherians of equivalent size.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Marsupial position on life-history continua and the potential contribution of life-history traits to population growth

Ferreira,

Dickman,

Fisher

et al. 2023

Proc. R. Soc. B.

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“…Lorini et al (1994) found two breeding seasons within a year in the population of M. incanus from Ilhéus (Bahia), a locality without a defi ned dry season (Nimer 1989), which is similar to our study area. The question of whether to classify species that might produce more than one litter in a breeding season is a matter of debate (Zangrandi & Vieira 2022).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The bulk of our understanding about this mortality pattern in small marsupials comes from studies on two Australian genera, Antechinus and Phascogale: females exhibit synchronous annual estrous, while males dedicate intensively to locating mates and often die immediately after, in a way that, in some cases, all males disappear from the population before the offspring are born (Boonstra 2005, Bradley 2003. Some studies claim the semelparous strategy and its variants (partial and facultative semelparity) for some species of the family Didelphidae (review in Zangrandi & Vieira 2022). The research on semelparity in didelphid marsupials suggests that both male and female individuals exhibit reduced survival following reproduction, although males may experience comparatively higher mortality than females (Lorini et al 1994, Martins et al 2006, Leiner et al 2008, Baladrón et al 2012, Barros et al 2015, Lopes and Leiner 2015, Albanese et al 2021.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…To date, the semelparous life-history strategy has been observed in nine Neotropical marsupial species so far, including species within the Marmosops genus (Zangrandi & Vieira 2022). The gray slender mouse opossum (M. incanus) and the Brazilian slender mouse opossum (M. paulensis) are partially sympatric species of this genus exhibiting evidence of a semelparous strategy (Lorini et al 1994, Leiner 2005, Macedo 2007, Leiner et al 2008, Barros et al 2015.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Results also indicated a synchronous reproduction onset driven by photoperiod cues. Zangrandi and Vieira (2022) categorized species of the genus Marmosops and five other Neotropical marsupial genera as having reproductive strategy I, following Lee et al (1982). Species classified in this category show seasonal reproduction, with a highly synchronized mating period lasting approximately 2 weeks preceding a long period to reach maturity (about 11 months).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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A TEST OF SEMELPARITY IN THE LONG-TERM POPULATION MONITORING OF THE MARSUPIAL Marmosops incanus (DIDELPHIMORPHIA, DIDELPHIDAE)

Zangrandi¹,

Kajin²,

Vieira³

2023

Oecol. Aust.

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Semelparity, the life-history strategy characterized by death after first reproduction, is restricted in mammals to only two marsupial families, Dasyuridae in Australasia and Didelphidae in the Neotropics. Among didelphids, studies suggest a semelparous pattern for mouse opossums of the genus Marmosops. These studies have revealed that both sexes may have low survival rates after reproduction in two distinct Atlantic Forest populations. However, the semelparous strategy, which is usually considered a speciesspecific trait, can also be found in only some populations of Dasyuridae species. Thus, in this study, we aimed to investigate the occurrence of the semelparous life strategy in a population of M. incanus in an Atlantic Forest area of the PARNA Serra dos Órgãos, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, through survival estimates using 13-year capture-mark-recapture data from a long-term population study. We established cohorts, grouping the capture histories of individuals born by the end of the breeding season. We built a global model in which survival and recapture rates vary with time and between sexes, in addition to the interaction between these factors. Model selection and averaged survival estimates were in accordance with the semelparous strategy for this population of M. incanus, with survival being affected by both sex and time. Even though we found that the survival of females was higher than that of males as expected, the difference was small. Here we confirm that another population of M. incanus displays a semelparous life-history strategy, supporting previous considerations of museums specimens. Nonetheless, the causes and mechanisms of semelparity in didelphid species are still to be understood.

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HABITAT SELECTION OF Marmosops incanus (LUND, 1841) (DIDELPHIMORPHIA, DIDELPHIDAE) IN THE SERRA DOS ÓRGÃOS NATIONAL PARK, ATLANTIC FOREST, SOUTHEAST BRAZIL

2023

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Habitat selection is one of the mechanisms responsible for allowing species coexistence and, therefore, local richness of communities. This study investigates microhabitat selection by the opossum, Marmosops incanus, in a forested area in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. We measured microhabitat variables related to vegetation structure and inferred M. incanus abundance as a measure of habitat use. Eight microhabitat variables were measured in each trap station: litter, herbaceous and woody stems, rock outcropping, canopy cover, foliar vertical obstruction at three heights (FOV), and number of fallen trunks. Based on a correlation matrix, we selected four microhabitat variables (litter, rock outcropping cover, FOV, and number of fallen trunks) and performed a Poisson regression using the selected variables and M. incanus abundance. Litter and rock outcropping cover were positively related to abundance, thus representing the habitat characteristics selected by the species. We infer that litter represents a source of food items, since it can support an abundant fauna of macroinvertebrates, especially arthropods. Rock outcroppings can be used as shelter and protection against predators. Other studies have recorded M. incanus using habitat in a unique way, either by changing the frequency of ground/understory use, or habitats with high/few herbaceous and litter cover, as the habitat varied from restinga to fragmented forests. Different habitat selection patterns were observed in areas where M. incanus and M. paulensis are sympatric, or Gracilinanus microtarsus, both of which have comparable size and ecology. We suppose the selection patterns recorded in this study are a result of the absence of a congener species in the study area. It may allow M. incanus to use more frequently areas where near-ground strata are clear and highly covered with litter. It remains to be evaluated if habitat simplification leads to behavior homogenization.

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Semelparous Reproductive Strategy in New World Marsupials

Cited by 3 publications

References 115 publications

Marsupial position on life-history continua and the potential contribution of life-history traits to population growth

Marsupial position on life-history continua and the potential contribution of life-history traits to population growth

A TEST OF SEMELPARITY IN THE LONG-TERM POPULATION MONITORING OF THE MARSUPIAL Marmosops incanus (DIDELPHIMORPHIA, DIDELPHIDAE)

HABITAT SELECTION OF Marmosops incanus (LUND, 1841) (DIDELPHIMORPHIA, DIDELPHIDAE) IN THE SERRA DOS ÓRGÃOS NATIONAL PARK, ATLANTIC FOREST, SOUTHEAST BRAZIL

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