A Technique for Marking Marsupial Pouch Young With Fluorescent Pigment Tattoos

Abstract

Small quantities of fluorescent pigments were tattooed into the pinnae of pouch young Dasyurus geoffroii and Isoodon obesulus (Marsupialia), and into the pinnae of 5-day-old Mus rnusculus (Rodentia). The tattoos contrasted sharply with natural skin pigmentation when scanned with a UV light. Of 11 pigments tested, Flare 610 pigments were the most persistent, remaining visible for a minimum of 6 months. The technique facilitates rapid, cheap and reliable marking of marsupial pouch young, and should be generally applicable for determining filial relationships in a wide range of marsupial species.