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Boom and bust: a review of the physiology of the marsupial genus Antechinus

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Abstract

The marsupial genus Antechinus is a group of small carnivorous marsupials from the order Dasyuromorphia (Family Dasyuridae) and is found in eastern Australia. The life history of all species in the genus is characterized by a complex, but highly synchronized life cycle in both sexes, culminating in a short mating period followed by total male mortality (semelparity). The breeding season is defined by a specific rate of increase in photoperiod, which is different for each species. In Antechinus spp., male mortality is due to the effects of high free testosterone and cortisol levels on many organ systems. Unusually, spermatogenesis is complete before testosterone levels begin to rise at the winter solstice. In males, low sperm counts have been compensated for by high proportions of sperm reaching the isthmus of the female reproductive tract and long-term storage in the crypts. The females survive to rear their young and may mate again in their second year. Gestation lasts from 26 to 34 days, depending on the species. However, developmental arrest can occur at several stages during embryogenesis, elongating the apparent gestation duration by several days. Several species have strong female sex biases in their litters. The high degree of life history synchrony and the cascade of endocrine-driven physiological events that result in male death are unusual physiological characteristics for mammals. Suggestions why semelparity may have evolved in Antechinus are discussed.

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Acknowledgments

We thank F. Geiser for critically reviewing the manuscript. R. Naylor was supported by an Australian Postgraduate Award, S. Richardson by RMIT University School of Medical Sciences Senior Research Fellowship, and B. McAllan received support from the Discipline of Physiology University of Sydney (internal funds).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pathology, Bio21 Institute, The University of Melbourne, 30 Flemington Road, 3010, Parkville, Victoria, Australia

    R. Naylor

  2. Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bio21 Institute, The University of Melbourne, 30 Flemington Road, 3010, Parkville, Victoria, Australia

    R. Naylor

  3. School of Medical Sciences, RMIT University, PO Box 71, 3083, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia

    S. J. Richardson

  4. Physiology and Bosch Institute, School of Medical Sciences, Anderson Stuart Building, F13, The University of Sydney, 2006, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

    B. M. McAllan

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  1. R. Naylor
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Correspondence to B. M. McAllan.

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Communicated by I.D. Hume.

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Naylor, R., Richardson, S.J. & McAllan, B.M. Boom and bust: a review of the physiology of the marsupial genus Antechinus . J Comp Physiol B 178, 545–562 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00360-007-0250-8

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