Age estimation by measurement of Joeys of the Euro Macropus robustus Gould in Western Australia.

Abstract

Repeated measurements of pes length, tail length, and body weight have been taken on euro (M. robustus) joeys of known age during pouch development. These measurements were then used to construct regressions against age. Each of the three regressions have been used separately to estimate the ages of a sample of joeys from the field and the estimates compared. Growth proportions of yard joeys and joeys from the field are similar and were little affected by the nutritional level of the mother. Finally, a procedure is outlined showing how the regressions may be used to estimate the ages of euro joeys.