Register      Login
Australian Journal of Zoology Australian Journal of Zoology Society
Evolutionary, molecular and comparative zoology
RESEARCH ARTICLE

Adaptation of wild-caught Tasmanian devils (Sarcophilus harrisii) to captivity: evidence from physical parameters and plasma cortisol concentrations

Susan M. Jones A B , Tammy J. Lockhart A and Randolph W. Rose A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A School of Zoology, University of Tasmania, Private Bag 5, Hobart, Tas. 7001, Australia.

B Corresponding author. Email: s.m.jones@utas.edu.au

Australian Journal of Zoology 53(5) 339-344 https://doi.org/10.1071/ZO05043
Submitted: 29 July 2005  Accepted: 10 October 2005   Published: 11 November 2005

Abstract

This study assessed whether capture and transferral into captivity represents a significant stressor to Tasmanian devils. Four male and four female devils were captured in the wild and housed for 6 months in captivity in male–female pairs. Blood samples were collected for cortisol assay at capture, every 24 h for the first 4 days, and then monthly; body weight and tail width were monitored weekly. In the males, mean plasma cortisol concentrations were highest (49 ± 9.19 ng mL–1) at the time of initial capture; cortisol concentrations declined significantly after 48 h in captivity (9.2 ± 5.96 ng mL–1) and did not change significantly over the months in captivity. Females exhibited a different pattern: plasma cortisol concentrations were highest (74.0 ± 3.24 ng mL–1) in the initial sample, but mean concentrations remained elevated in samples taken at 24, 48 and 96 h after initial capture, and did not exhibit a significant decline (to 20.65 ± 8.95 ng mL–1) until 4 weeks after capture. During the first 2 months in captivity, the male devils lost ~8.7% of their original body weight, and females lost 10.6% during this same period. However, body weights then rose during the rest of the experiment. These results suggest that Tasmanian devils experience elevated plasma cortisol concentrations in response to capture and transfer into captivity. However, these high concentrations are not maintained during 6 months in captivity, suggesting that the animals are not chronically stressed.


References

Baker, M. L. , Gemmell, E. , and Gemmell, R. T. (1998). Physiological changes in brushtail possums, Trichosurus vulpecula, transferred from the wild into captivity. Journal of Experimental Zoology 280, 203–212.
Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | PubMed | Bradley A. J. (2003). Stress, hormones and mortality in small carnivorous marsupials. In ‘Predators with Pouches’. (Eds M. Jones, C. Dickman and M. Archer.) pp. 254–267. (CSIRO Publishing: Melbourne.)

Bryant, S. L. (1988). Maintenance and captive breeding of the marsupial eastern quoll, Dasyurus viverrinus. International Zoo Yearbook 27, 119–124.
Buchmann O., and Guiler E. (1977). Behaviour and ecology of the Tasmanian devil, Sarcophilus harrisii. In ‘The Biology of Marsupials’. (Eds B. Stonehouse and D. Gilmore.) pp. 155–168. (Macmillan: London.)

Buddle, B. M. , Aldwell, F. E. , Jowett, G. , Thomson, A. , Jackson, R. , and Paterson, B. M. (1992). Influence of stress of capture on haematological values and cellular immune responses in the Australian brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula). New Zealand Veterinary Journal 1992, 155–159.
Department of Primary Industries (2005). Water and Environment, Tasmania. Devil Disease. Available at http://www.dpiwe.tas.gov.au/inter.nsf/WebPages/JCOK-65X2Y6?open [Verified 5 January 2005].

de Villiers, M. , van Jaarsveld, A. S. , Meltzer, D. G. A. , and Richardson, P. R. K. (1997). Social dynamics and the cortisol response to immobilization stress of the African wild dog, Lycaon pictus. Hormones and Behavior 31, 3–14.
Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | PubMed | Hughes R. L. (1982). Reproduction in the Tasmanian devil Sarcophilus harrisii (Dasyuridae, Marsupialia). In ‘Carnivorous Marsupials. Vol. 1’. (Ed. M. Archer.) pp. 49–63. (Royal Zoological Society of New South Wales: Sydney.)

Jackson S. (2003). ‘Australian Mammals: Biology and Captive Management.’ (CSIRO Publishing: Melbourne.)

Johnson, E. O. , Kamilaris, T. C. , Chrousos, G. P. , and Gold, P. W. (1992). Mechanisms of stress: a dynamic overview of hormonal and behavioural homeostasis. Neuroscience and Behavioral Reviews 16, 115–130.
Jones M. E.(1995). Tasmanian devil, Sarcophilus harrisii. In ‘Mammals of Australia’. (Ed. R. Strahan.) pp. 82–82. (Read Books: Sydney.)

Jones, S. M. , and Bell, K. (2004). Plasma corticosterone concentrations in males of the skink Egernia whitii during acute and chronic confinement, and over a diel period. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part A 137, 105–113.
Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | McDonald I. R. (1977). Adrenocortical functions in marsupials. In ‘The Biology of Marsupials’. (Eds B. Stonehouse and D. Gilmore.) pp. 345–378. (Macmillan: London.)

McDonald, I. R. , and Bradshaw, S. D. (1977). Plasma corticosteroids and the effect of adrenocorticotrophin in a macropodid marsupial (Setonix brachyurus, Quoy and Gainard). Journal of Endocrinology 75, 409–418.
PubMed | Pemberton D. (1990). Social organisation in the Tasmanian devil Sarcophilus harrisii. Ph.D. Thesis, University of Tasmania, Hobart.

Pemberton, D. , and Renouf, D. (1993). A field study of communication and social behaviour of the Tasmanian devil at feeding sites. Australian Journal of Zoology 41, 507–526.
Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | Presidente P. J. A. (1984). Parasites and disease of brushtail possums (Trichosurus spp.): occurrence and significance. In ‘Possums and Gliders’. (Eds A. Smith and I. Hume.) pp. 171–187. (Surrey Beatty: Sydney.)

Presidente, P. J. A. , and Correa, J. (1981). Haematology, plasma electrolytes and serum biochemical values of Trichosurus vulpecula (Kerr) (Marsupialia: Phalangeridae). Australian Journal of Zoology 29, 507–517.
Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | Roberts M. (1990). The management implications of life history variation in captive mammals: analysis of body mass, size and condition. In ‘Proceedings of the AAZPA Annual Conference, Indiana’. pp. 354–362.

Romero, L. M. (2004). Physiological stress in ecology: lessons from biomedical research. Trends in Ecology & Evolution 19, 249–255.
Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Sernia, C. , Bradley, A. J. , and Mc Donald, I. R. (1979). High affinity binding of adrenocortical and gonadal steroids by plasma proteins of Australian marsupials. General and Comparative Endocrinology 38, 496–503.
Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | PubMed |

Than, K. A. , and McDonald, I. R. (1973). Adrenocortical function in the Australian brush-tailed possum, Trichosurus vulpecula (Kerr). Journal of Endocrinology 58, 97–109.
PubMed |

Than, K. A. , and McDonald, I. R. (1974). Metabolic effects of cortisol and corticotrophins in the Australian brush-tailed possum, Trichosurus vulpecula (Kerr). Journal of Endocrinology 63, 137–147.
PubMed |

Weiss, M. , and Richards, P. G. (1971). Adrenal steroid secretion in the Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii) and the eastern native cat (Dasyurus viverrinus). A comparison of adrenocortical activity of different Australian marsupials. Journal of Endocrinology 49, 263–275.
PubMed |

Wingfield, J. , and Sapolsky, R. (2003). Reproduction and resistance to stress: when and how. Journal of Neuroendocrinology 15, 711–724.
PubMed |