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Evolutionary, molecular and comparative zoology
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RESEARCH ARTICLE
Contents Vol 54(4)

Faecal steroid analysis and urinary cytology of the squirrel glider (Petaurus norfolcensis)

Carly Woodd A B C , Natasha A. Czarny B , Ian M. G. Gunn B and Wayne Sturrock A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A School of Applied Sciences and Engineering, Monash University, Peninsula Campus, Frankston, Vic. 3199, Australia.

B AGSRCA, Department of Physiology, Monash University, Clayton campus, Clayton, Vic. 3800, Australia.

C Corresponding author. Email: carly.woodd@med.monash.edu.au

Australian Journal of Zoology 54(4) 277-285 https://doi.org/10.1071/ZO06019
Submitted: 2 February 2006  Accepted: 9 June 2006   Published: 11 August 2006

Abstract

Non-invasive techniques were used to investigate the reproductive biology of captive squirrel gliders (Petaurus norfolcensis) for 3 months during the breeding season. The squirrel glider is a medium-sized marsupial glider of eastern Australia and is currently listed as a threatened species as a result of habitat destruction and fragmentation. Urinary cytology was used to determine the timing of oestrus, and the presence of sperm confirmed mating. Progesterone and oestradiol-17β were identified in faecal samples via thin-layer chromatography, and were used to characterise the reproductive cycle. Reproductive activity was observed in three of four females, with births occurring during June and July. A preoestrus increase in faecal oestradiol-17β was detected in a single female, whilst significant increases occurred post partum (±2 days) in two of four females, suggesting that the squirrel glider may undergo a postpartum oestrus. Faecal progesterone profiles showed low concentrations before oestrus and significantly elevated concentrations after oestrus, which were maintained throughout pregnancy. Parturition coincided with a decrease in progesterone concentrations (±1 day). This study successfully used non-invasive monitoring of urinary cytology and faecal steroids to define luteal and gestational length as 16–17 days, a previously unpublished detail.


Acknowledgments

This project was completed as part of an honours study, with many thanks to Dr Jonathan Hirst and Professor Graham Jenkin at the Department of Physiology, Monash University, and to Dr Geoff Shaw and Dr Terrence Fletcher of the Department of Zoology, University of Melbourne, for the access to their facilities. Thank you also to the staff at Pearcedale Conservation Park for access to their animals.


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