Lindsay A Hogan’s research while affiliated with University of Queensland and other places

Observations of 17 heifer-calf pairs were collected over the first 5 days postpartum (p.p.) to study nursing and maternal behaviour of beef cattle. Cattle were managed in a 6 ha paddock and heifer–calf interactions were determined from both regular visual observations and video recordings. Of 17 potential calves, one was stillborn and 3 died in the first 5 days p.p. associated with dystocia and congenital malformation. Four further potential neonatal calf mortality risks were identified, which included poor calving site selection (n = 1), calf misadventure (n = 1), heifer-calf separation (n = 3) and mismothering (n = 3), with each resulting in distress, physical exhaustion of the calf and impaired nursing. There was marked variation between heifers in the expression of optimal maternal behaviours, with only 39% classified as ‘good’ mothers. Dam terminated nursing bouts were 27% shorter in duration than calf terminated nursing bouts; 29% of heifers terminated nursing bouts at least 50% of the time. Only 68% of observed suckling interactions were considered effective. On average, the nursing behaviour lasted 7.0 min, with sucking making up 54% of the total nursing time, the sucking rate was 2.0 sucks/s, and the calves performed 7.5 teat-switches, 2.4 butts and 0.9 teat-strips per min of nursing. In 67% of nursing interactions, the calves sucked on all four teats. By three days p.p., all calves developed a clear, consistent suckling pattern. Prior to this, the calves had shorter nursing bouts, spent less time nursing and manipulating the udder, paused more, switched teats and butted less, and had a slower sucking rate. The behaviour of some calves (i.e., low teat fidelity and high levels of milk stimulation behaviours) suggested that their dam milk availability was low. This study has quantified early post-partum nursing behaviour of neonatal beef calves and highlighted dam and calf behaviours that may adversely affect milk intake and, therefore, impact calf survival.

Marsupial research, conservation, and management can benefit greatly from knowledge about glucocorticoid (GC) secretion patterns because GCs influence numerous aspects of physiology and play a crucial role in regulating an animal's response to stressors. Faecal glucocorticoid metabolites (FGM) offer a non-invasive tool for tracking changes in GCs over time. To date, there are relatively few validated assays for marsupials compared with other taxa, and those that have been published generally test only one assay. However, different assays can yield very different signals of adrenal activity. The goal of this study was to compare the performance of five different enzyme immunoassays (EIAs) for monitoring adrenocortical activity via FGM in 13 marsupial species. We monitored FGM response to two types of events: biological stressors (e.g., transport, novel environment) and pharmacological stimulation (ACTH injection). For each individual animal and assay, FGM peaks were identified using the iterative baseline approach. Performance of the EIAs for each species was evaluated by determining (1) the percent of individuals with a detectable peak 0.125 - 4.5 d post-event, and (2) the biological sensitivity of the assay as measured by strength of the post-event response relative to baseline variability (Z-score). Assays were defined as successful if they detected a peak in at least 50% of the individuals and the mean species response had a Z ⩾ 2. By this criterion, at least one assay was successful in 10 of the 13 species, but the best-performing assay varied among species, even those species that were closely related. Furthermore, the ability to confidently assess assay performance was influenced by the experimental protocols used. We discuss the implications of our findings for biological validation studies. (Available online 23 October 2015)

How monotremes and marsupials communicate and socially interact is paramount to their survival and reproductive success. Unfortunately, the majority of species are small, secretive and nocturnal, making the fundamental objective of behavioural study, observation and description, difficult in free-ranging animals. As a result, detailed studies of communication avenues, social behaviour and social organisation are only available, at present, for relatively few monotreme and marsupial species. In addition, a considerable portion of this information has been derived from captive individuals without corresponding field investigation, i.e. validation of captive studies in the field. Despite these shortcomings, a large body of information can be found in the literature and the main function of this chapter is to synthesise this information. For monotremes and marsupials, the different communication signal modalities (and the importance of each in different genera) and common social interaction types are reviewed and discussed. Due to the extensive scope and numerous facets associated with communication and social behaviour, it is impossible to cover all content related to this subject matter within this chapter. As such, life history strategies, mating systems, reproductive strategies, foraging strategies/behaviour, activity patterns, habitat selection, distribution and spacing/spatial behaviour have not been discussed.

Seasonal weather extremes and climate have a direct and indirect influence on the physical and behavioural processes of animals. Understanding how these processes differ between species is a fundamental element of understanding how animals interact with their environment. Monotremes and marsupials have some unique physiological and behavioural characteristics that distinguish them from eutherian species. For example, monotremes and marsupials typically have a lower body temperature (by 1.0-3.0⁰C), a lower basal metabolic rate (by 30%), and also display a greater daily range of body temperature (2-6⁰C), than eutherians (0.5-1.5⁰C). The short-beaked (SB) echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus lacks sweat glands and possesses no methods for increasing evaporative heat loss, yet it inhabits all major terrestrial ecosystems in Australia including the hot arid Simpson Desert. The platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus) is exceptional in its ability to maintain its body temperature (Tb) in cold water. Unlike aquatic eutherian species of similar size, that are unable to maintain their Tb in water colder than 25⁰C, the platypus is able to maintain its Tb in water as cold as 5⁰C. The platypus achieves this by having an extremely low conductance, good physical insulation and the strong ability to control heat loss through peripheral vessels. Uniquely, marsupials are born ectothermic and develop endothermy during lactation within a thermally stable pouch. Adult marsupials typically have well-developed thermoregulatory capacity, that is they use both respiratory and non-respiratory physiological mechanisms, in addition to metabolic heat production and behaviour, to maintain Tb. However, many marsupial species rely extensively on behavioural rather than physiological means for thermoregulation. In this chapter, the thermal relations of monotremes and marsupials (both Australasian and New World) will be discussed. Specifically, the regulation and maintenance of Tb, basic metabolic rate, heat exchange mechanisms, thermal conductance, physiological and behavioural responses to hot and cold conditions, controlled hypothermia in relation to food supply and reproduction, and behavioural thermoregulation, in particular how species avoid the extremes of heat and aridity.

Marsupials and monotremes are the dominant mammalian fauna in Australia, Papua New Guinea (PNG) and parts of South America. Monotremes are unique; they possess a range of reptilian and mammalian characteristics. Marsupials are highly diverse and occupy a wide range of ecologically diverse niches and habitats. They have distinct physiologies and their ability to control foetal development and nurture extremely immature young is providing beneficial insights into developmental physiology and human medicine. Insights into marsupial herbivory are benefitting agriculture and climate science. Studies on these mammals that have or will benefit mankind in medicine, agriculture and environmental science have been highlighted. This book covers current knowledge of all aspects of the basic biology and ecology of marsupials and monotremes including evolution and biogeography, genomics, musculoskeletal anatomy, thermal regulation, reproduction, nutrition and feeding strategies, behaviour and social interactions, health and disease, current conservation status, exploitation and utilisation and finally addresses this question: "Are monotremes and marsupials inferior?" The principal audience for this book will be undergraduate students at the tertiary level. Within these chapters, standalone text boxes have been incorporated with examples of the most up-to-date research undertaken to make the book a resource to research students and scientists. Many text boxes highlight the enigmatic nature of marsupials and monotremes and where knowledge of their biology could be of value to the wider community (medicine, agriculture and environment). This compilation emphasizes the utility of the information being generated from research with these mammals to the wider scientific community.

This study examined the spatial defecation patterns of numbats within captivity and tested the efficacy of a food colorant as a fecal marker in this species. Rather than randomly distributing scats throughout their environment, the numbats aggregated their feces at specific sites forming latrines. It is unclear whether the strong inclination for latrine formation was due to this species' inherent behavior or is a direct result of captivity. Males were found to have a higher daily defecation rate, different defecation time, larger number of latrines, and greater number of scats per quadrant, as compared to females. In this study, the majority of scats were deposited along enclosure boundaries and for both sexes there was a higher probability of latrines being placed along enclosure fencing shared with a female neighbor. The high concentration of latrines along boundaries suggests that they may play a role in territorial defense. The results also indicated that captive numbats tend to choose defecation points away from food and refuge sites. Transit and total retention time of the marker through the GIT was ≤3 hr and between 24 and 27 hr, respectively. A marker dose of 3 gtts feed(-1) × 2 feeds day(-1) was required to reach a steady and detectable state of marker output, which enabled accurate identification of individual samples during the breeding season. Reliable labeling was obtained using blue and red colored food dye, and there was no evidence that incorporation of the marker into the diet had any negative effects on food intake. Zoo Biol. XX:XX-XX, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals Inc.

This review provides an update on what is currently known about wombat reproductive biology and reports on attempts made to manipulate and/or enhance wombat reproduction as part of the development of artificial reproductive technology (ART) in this taxon. Over the last decade, the logistical difficulties associated with monitoring a nocturnal and semi-fossorial species have largely been overcome, enabling new features of wombat physiology and behaviour to be elucidated. Despite this advance, captive propagation rates are still poor and there are areas of wombat reproductive biology that still require attention, e.g., further characterisation of the oestrous cycle and oestrus. Numerous advances in the use of ART have also been recently developed in the Vombatidae but despite this research, practical methods of manipulating wombat reproduction for the purposes of obtaining research material or for artificial breeding are not yet available. Improvement of the propagation, genetic diversity and management of wombat populations requires a thorough understanding of Vombatidae reproduction. While semen collection and cryopreservation in wombats is fairly straightforward there is currently an inability to detect, induce or synchronise oestrus/ovulation and this is impeding progress in the development of artificial insemination (AI) in this taxon.

A reliable method for the confirmation of sex in Geocrinia frogs is currently unavailable. A captive colony of Geocrinia frogs was used to determine whether fecal steroid analysis could be used as a noninvasive method of sex diagnosis in mature frogs. Linear discriminate analysis, using measured concentrations of fecal hormones, also was applied to establish whether a reliable model could be developed to verify the sex of juvenile frogs. Fecal samples were collected over a 3-month period from all frogs in 2010, and again from 12 frogs in 2011. Samples were pooled for each individual and tested for testosterone metabolites (TMs) and estrone conjugate metabolites (EMs) using enzyme immunoassays. Mature male frogs had higher (P < 0.01) mean TM : EM ratios than those of mature females, with mature male and female ratio ranges being 100% distinct. Mature female frogs had higher (P < 0.01) mean EM concentrations than those of mature males, but EM concentrations overlapped between the sexes in 18.7% of cases. There was no statistical difference (P = 0.28) between mature males and females in mean or range of TM concentration, with overlap between the sexes in 75% of cases. Juveniles had hormone values similar to those recorded for mature male and female frogs. Generated discriminate rules were able to distinguish (100%) between mature males and females and correctly classified the sex of 75% of the juvenile frogs. It was concluded that fecal steroid analysis offers a promising, noninvasive approach to sex identification in Geocrinia frogs.

Annual patterns of faecal cortisol metabolite (FCM) secretion were examined in six captive numbats (Myrmecobius fasciatus). The use of enzyme-immunoassay for the measurement of FCM in the numbat faeces was validated using an adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) challenge and the resultant FCM measurements represent the first description of adrenal endocrinology in this species. Total overall, baseline and peak FCM mean concentrations varied according to individual, but not gender. For males, mean baseline and overall FCM secretion was higher in spring in summer (compared to winter and autumn) and was elevated during the breeding season. For females, mean baseline FCM secretion did not differ by season or breeding season, but mean overall FCM secretion was elevated during the breeding season. Thus, male (but not female) numbats display an annual change in FCM secretion that is strongly linked to their seasonal pattern of reproduction. Significant FCM elevations (n=178) were observed in response to 20 different stressors, with these stressors being allocated to one of six categories: ANIM, ENVIRO, HAND, HEALTH, MAN and UNK. The mean proportion of positive responses to each category varied according to category, season and breeding season, but did not vary by individual or gender. ANIM and HEALTH stressors elicited a higher response rate than all other categories and an increase in the number of ANIM, ENVIRO, and HEALTH stressors were observed during the breeding season. Although there were multiple stressors within the captive environment that the numbats reacted to, this did not translate into a welfare issue.

The reproductive endocrinology of the highly endangered numbat (Myrmecobius fasciatus) is described for the first time. Patterns of faecal steroid secretion (progesterone [PM], oestradiol-17β [E2] and testosterone [TM] metabolites) were examined within a captive numbat population over 1 year and revealed a highly synchronized seasonal pattern of reproduction. TM secretion increased progressively from September to November, peaked in December and then decreased in February. All females displayed luteal phases (1-3), between late-November to late-March, in association with pregnant (Pr, n=4), non-productive mated oestrous cycles (NMEC, n=8) and non-mated oestrous cycles (NEC, n=6). The mean oestrous cycle length was 30.2 ± 1.1 d (n=11) and was comprised of a mean follicular (n=11) and luteal (n=18) phase length of 16.2 ± 1.6 d and 14.0 ± 0.8 d, respectively. No variation in mean luteal phase length or PM concentration according to cycle type (Pr, NMEC, NEC) or cycle number (1st, 2nd or 3rd cycle) was detected. Longitudinal profiling of PM secretion confirmed that the female numbat is seasonally polyoestrous and that the luteal phase occurs spontaneously. Changes in the secretion of E2 provided little instructive information on oestrous cycle activity. Mating success was 31%, with age and subject having no effect on mating success. Timing of introduction, of male to female, appeared to impact mating success, with paired animals introduced for a shorter time frame (≤14 d) prior to the first observed mating successfully producing young. Collectively, results of the present study confirm that PM and TM can be reliably used to index numbat reproductive activity.