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The Golden-backed Tree-rat (Mesembriomys macrurus) (Peters 1876): reproduction, growth, development and behaviour in captivity.
Abstract
The golden-backed tree-rat (Mesembriomys macrurus) is a large arboreal rodent that has suffered a significant reduction in range since European settlement. Seven (3 male, 4 female) founding adults for a captive colony were captured on the Mitchell Plateau WA and transferred to Alice Springs (NT). The reproduction, growth, development and behaviour of M. macrurus in captivity were recorded. Twenty-three litters were born with litter size of 1 to 3 (median litter size: 2; overall sex ratio parity). There was no apparent seasonality in breeding. Oestrous cycle (9.9 ± 0.4 days) and gestation (46.8 ± 2.8 days) were estimated from known births and birth dates determined from calculated growth curves. Mean weight at birth was 17.2 g and growth of the young was rapid, with head length reaching an asymptote at about 40 days and head-body length at 50 days. Young were weaned at about 40 days and adult pelage complete by 98 days. Reproductive maturity occurred from five to six months for females and testes became scrotal from 76 days. Developmental stages and captive behaviour were also recorded. These results are compared with reproduction and growth of the closely related black-footed tree-rat (M. gouldii) and brush-tailed rabbit-rat (Conilurus penicillatus).
AM24007 Accepted 10 July 2024
© CSIRO 2024
