Reproduction in the Female Dasyurid Antechinus-Minimus-Maritimus (Marsupialia, Dasyuridae)

Abstract

Reproduction in female Antechinus minimus maritimus was investigated in the field and laboratory. Field data were obtained from a mark-recapture study. A laboratory colony was maintained to investigate the oestrous pattern, length of gestation and development of pouch young. Breeding occurred in winter with births in July or August. Gestation (mean ± SD) was 30.6 ± l.5 days for animals mated in the laboratory. Epithelial cells were present in the urine for 34.8 ± 8.3 days, a lengthy period compared to A. stuartii (19.3 ± 4.4 days). Ovaries from females before the breeding season contained small developing follicles. During the breeding season Graafian follicles (4-8 per ovary) or corpora lutea (4-13 per ovary) were found. Reproduction in A. m. maritimus females is similar to that described previously in other Antechinus.