Advances in the captive breeding and reproductive biology of the short-beaked echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus)

Andrea Wallage; Lauren Clarke; Lindy Thomas; Michael Pyne; Lyn Beard; Arthur Ferguson; Allan Lisle; Stephen Johnston

doi:10.1071/ZO14069

Translator Disclaimer

27 July 2015 Advances in the captive breeding and reproductive biology of the short-beaked echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus)

Andrea Wallage, Lauren Clarke, Lindy Thomas, Michael Pyne, Lyn Beard, Arthur Ferguson, Allan Lisle, Stephen Johnston

Author Affiliations +

Australian J. of Zoology, 63(3):181-191 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1071/ZO14069

Abstract

Captive breeding of the short-beaked echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus) has proven a difficult challenge; as recently as 2009, there were fewer than 10 echidnas born in captivity. We present observations of captive reproductive behaviour following video surveillance and measurements of body temperature collected from six captive female echidnas over a six-year period. In the first series of observations (2009–10) we examined the efficacy of artificial burrow boxes as possible aids for reproductive success. Females with access to burrow boxes had significantly higher levels of reproductive activity (P = 0.001), there was coincidental improvement in the production of eggs or pouch young (two eggs, one unhatched and one offspring). During 2009–10, a range of reproductive behaviours (courtship, copulation and postcopulation) were documented and analysed, as were new observations of oestrous cycle activity. Female body temperature was characteristically stable during egg incubation during this study and has the potential to be used as a tool for the assessment of reproductive status. Following initial observations, burrow boxes and infrared lamps were implemented as standard husbandry in our echidna breeding facility and the effects on reproductive success were monitored, albeit less intensively, for a further four years (2011–14). Although no direct causal effect could be ascribed, the use of burrow boxes and heat lamps coincided with a total of 13 young being born to four females in the last four years (2011–14). These female echidnas were found to be receptive at intervals throughout the breeding season, both before and after presumed incubation phases, suggesting that captive animals exhibit polyoestry. In 2012 and 2014, the same female showed evidence of producing two young from one breeding event.

Citation Download Citation

Andrea Wallage, Lauren Clarke, Lindy Thomas, Michael Pyne, Lyn Beard, Arthur Ferguson, Allan Lisle and Stephen Johnston "Advances in the captive breeding and reproductive biology of the short-beaked echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus)," Australian Journal of Zoology 63(3), (27 July 2015). https://doi.org/10.1071/ZO14069

Received: 5 January 2014; Accepted: 1 June 2015; Published: 27 July 2015

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

PERSONAL SIGN IN
Full access may be available with your subscription

Password Forgot your password?

Show

Remember Email on this computer

Remember Password

No BioOne Complete account? Create an account
or Access Institutional Sign In via Shibboleth or OpenAthens

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Price: $25.00 ADD TO CART

Includes PDF & HTML, when available

RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS

KEYWORDS/PHRASES

PUBLICATION TITLE:

PUBLICATION YEARS