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VETS2015 Veterinary Conservation Biology > Marsupial Structure and Function > Flashcards

Marsupial Structure and Function Flashcards

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1
Q

Social structure

A
  • Considerable diversity
  • Long-term bonds between males and females rare
  • Exclusive home ranges of individuals uncommon
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2
Q

Solitary species

A
  • Smal, nocturnal carnivores or omnivores
  • Densely vegetated habitats where food is dispersed and requires individual hunting
  • Males and females come together for mating only
  • Promiscuous or polygynous mating system
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3
Q

Group-living species

A

Small, stable groups
- advantageous to males in groups, as they are present at the right time for breeding

Large, unstable groups

  • increased size, mobility, diurnal activity, specialisations for utilising grasses in open areas
  • Hierarchal, promiscuity/polygyny
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4
Q

Sexual Size Dimorphism

A
  • One sex is significantly larger than the other
  • Usually indicates competition for access to mates
  • The few monogamous marsupial species have no sexual dimorphism
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5
Q

Behaviour: Communication

A
  • Olfactory (chemical) - specialised skin glands
  • Auditory - vocalisations and other auditory queues
  • Visual - trichromatic vision
  • Tactile - grooming, passive contact
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6
Q

Behaviour: Activity and Rest

A

Activity

  • Mainly nocturnal
  • Some active in daylight, esp. dawn and dusk

At rest
- Shelter in constructed nests, burrows, hollows or logs

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7
Q

Thermoregulation

A

COLD

  • Increase MR
  • Huddling in groups
  • Torpor

HEAT

  • Behavioural
  • Panting, sweating, licking
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8
Q

Cardiorespiratory function

A

Compared to eutherians:

  • 30% heavier heart
  • Lower resting heart rate
  • Similar max heart rate
  • Lower resting respiratory rate
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9
Q

Metabolism

A
  • Resting body temp 2-3 degrees lower than eutherians

- Lower BMR (lower nutritional requirements, can increase significantly in response to cold)

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10
Q

Neurological System

A
  • Small brain

- Large olfactory bulbs

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11
Q

Integumentary System (skin)

A
  • Cutaneous scent glands - common vestibule, forehead, ears, pouch, sternum
  • Endocrine sweat glands - paws and tail
  • Volplane (gliding) membrane
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12
Q

Musculoskeletal structure

A

Compared with eutherians:

  • Hard palate fenestrated (having perforations, apertures)
  • Epipubic bones
  • Lack fully developed patella
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13
Q

Musculoskeletal structure - Skull

A
  • Large facial area
  • Small cranial cavity
  • Narrow oral gape
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14
Q

Musculoskeletal structure - Forefeet

A
  • Some climbers have forcipate hand (digits 1 and 2 opposable)
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15
Q

Musculoskeletal structure - Hindfeed

A

1st digit may be:
Reduced/absent (kangaroos)
Strong and used for prehension (possum)

Digits 2 and 3 may be syndactylus

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16
Q

Saltatation

A

“Hopping”

  • Energetic advantages certain animals at certain speeds
  • Top kangaroo speed = 70km/hr
17
Q

GIT: Carnivores/insectivores

A

Very simple

  • Simple stomach
  • No caecum
  • Small and large intestine short with similar diameter
18
Q

GIT: Omnivores

A
  • More complex to deal with plant material
  • Salivary glands larger
  • Large intestine more developed (fermentation)
  • Caecum generally large
19
Q

Special features of Diprotodont

A

Wombats - open rooted teeth that grow continuously

Wallabies & kangaroos - sequentially erupting molars. Teeth shed as they are worn out –> prolongs time with good quality teeth

20
Q

GIT: Herbivores

A
  • Greater development of salivary glands

- Greater expansion of gut for fermentation

21
Q

GIT: Foregut fermenters

A
  • Stomach expanded and sacculated
  • Long small intestine
  • Colon and caecum well developed

Kangaroos and wallabies

22
Q

GIT: Hindgut fermenters

A
  • Microbial fermentation occurs in enlarged caecum and/or colon
  • Simple stomach

Wombats, koalas, possums

23
Q

Problems for hindgut fermenters

A
  • Less opportunity to absorb microbial amino acids and B vitamins (some use caecotrophy to overcome this)
  • Disturbance of gut flora by antibiotics

VETS2015 Veterinary Conservation Biology (10 decks)

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