Aspects of reproduction, and morphology of the penis, of Pseudantechinus woolleyae (Marsupialia : Dasyuridae)
P. A. WoolleyDepartment of Ecology, Environment and Evolution, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Vic. 3086, Australia. Email: p.woolley@latrobe.edu.au
Australian Journal of Zoology 65(6) 357-361 https://doi.org/10.1071/ZO17086
Submitted: 12 January 2018 Accepted: 18 April 2018 Published: 4 May 2018
Abstract
Woolley’s Pseudantechinus, P. woolleyae, has remained virtually unstudied in the 30 years since its recognition in 1988 as a species distinct from P. macdonnellensis. It has a wide distribution in arid regions of Western Australia. What little is known of its biology comes largely from studies carried out over the years 1988–91 on one wild-caught female and her offspring, and a few specimens held in the collection of the Western Australian Museum. P. woolleyae is a seasonal breeder and young are born from late July to early October. They mature when ~7 months old. Both males and females are potentially capable of breeding in more than one year. Males have accessory erectile tissue that does not form an appendage on the penis.
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