Activity and behaviour of lactating echidnas (Tachyglossus aculeatus multiaculeatus) from hatching of egg to weaning of young
Peggy D. Rismiller A B C and Michael W. McKelvey BA Anatomical Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia.
B Pelican Lagoon Research & Wildlife Centre, Penneshaw, SA 5222, Australia.
C Corresponding author. Email: echidna@kin.net.au
Australian Journal of Zoology 57(4) 265-273 https://doi.org/10.1071/ZO09031
Submitted: 31 March 2009 Accepted: 30 July 2009 Published: 26 October 2009
Abstract
Throughout their Australia-wide distribution, short-beaked echidnas breed during the winter months, i.e. June through early September. Actual duration of the female reproductive cycle, from attracting males and mating until weaning the young, can vary from 7 to 9 months depending on geographic location. Much of this variation is due to length of courtship and age of weaning the young. This paper presents data about the behaviour of free-ranging female echidnas on Kangaroo Island from egg laying through to weaning and compares it with findings from other areas. On Kangaroo Island, behaviour of lactating echidnas falls into two distinct phases: (1) while carrying the young in the pouch; and (2) after the young is placed in a nursery burrow. Females significantly increased both the number of hours active each day as well as the size of area utilised after the young was in the nursery. Although types of nursery burrows are similar throughout Australia, duration of use and frequency visited varies between geographic locations. A major difference is that Kangaroo Island echidnas are often active while carrying either the egg or the young in the pouch and echidnas in other regions remain in a burrow for extended periods.
Acknowledgements
This project was supported by the Earthwatch Institute throughout its duration. Other funds were received from the Mark Mitchell Research Foundation and the Philadelphia Zoological Society. This study was conducted under approvals from the University of Adelaide animal ethics committee and research permits from South Australian Department of Environment and Heritage. A special thanks to all Conservation Volunteers Australia and to the Earthwatch Institute participants for their untiring and ongoing assistance in the field. We would also like to thank the two reviewers for their helpful comments.
Abensperg-Traun, M. (1989). Some observations on the duration of lactation and movements of a Tachyglossus aculeatus acanthion (Monotremata: Tachyglossidae) from Western Australia. Australian Mammalogy 12, 33–34.
Beard, L. M. , and Grigg, G. C. (2000). Reproduction in the short-beaked echidna, Tachyglossus aculeatus: field observations at an elevated site in South-east Queensland. Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales 122, 91–99.
Caldwell, W. H. (1887). The embryology of monotremata and marsupialia. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society London Series B 178, 463–486.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Griffiths, M. , Kristo, F. , Green, B. , Fogerty, A. C. , and Newgrain, K. W. (1988). Observations on free-living lactating echidnas, Tachyglossus aculeatus (Monotremata: Tachyglossidae) and sucklings. Australian Mammalogy 11, 135–143.
Owen, R. (1834). On the ova of Ornithorhynchus paradoxus. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London 124, 555–566.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Rismiller, P. D. , and McKelvey, M. W. (2000). Frequency of breeding and recruitment in the short-beaked echidna, Tachyglossus aculeatus. Journal of Mammalogy 81(1), 1–17.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Wilkinson, D. A. , Grigg, G. C. , and Beard, L. A. (1998). Shelter selection and home range of echidnas, Tachyglossus aculeatus, in the highlands of south-east Queensland. Wildlife Research 25, 219–232.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
