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RESEARCH ARTICLE
Contents Vol 46(3)

Extended sperm storage recorded in red-tailed phascogale (Phascogale calura) during a trial translocation to Vulkathunha-Gammon Ranges National Park, South Australia

Tessa P. Manning https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7038-6418 A * , Talitha Moyle B , David Peacock C and Jeremy J. Austin A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Australian Centre for Ancient DNA, School of Biological Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia.

B Department for Environment and Water South Australia, Port Augusta, SA 5700, Australia.

C Davies Livestock Research Centre, School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, University of Adelaide, Roseworthy, SA 5371, Australia.

* Correspondence to: tessa.manning@adelaide.edu.au

Handling Editor: Mark Eldridge

Australian Mammalogy 46, AM24021 https://doi.org/10.1071/AM24021
Submitted: 27 June 2024  Accepted: 21 October 2024  Published: 7 November 2024

© 2024 The Author(s) (or their employer(s)). Published by CSIRO Publishing on behalf of the Australian Mammal Society.

Abstract

We present a case of extended sperm storage in a female red-tailed phascogale (Phascogale calura) during a trial reintroduction in 2022. Parentage reported by single nucleotide polymorphism genotyping revealed the father of one litter had died approximately 50 days before the litter was born. The recorded gestation period for red-tailed phascogales is 28–32 days. Our record indicates sperm storage and/or diapause of up to 15–27 days, at least double the previously recorded sperm storage duration in this species.

Keywords: breeding, dasyurid, genetic management, life history, marsupial, mating system, reintroduction, reproduction, sperm storage.

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