Reproductive behaviour of the southern-hairy nosed wombat (Lasiorhinus latifrons)

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doi:10.1071/ZO10068

Evolutionary, Molecular and Comparative Zoology

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Supplementary Series

All volumes of the Australian Journal of Zoology Supplementary Series are online and available to subscribers of Australian Journal of Zoology.

Reproductive behaviour of the southern-hairy nosed wombat (Lasiorhinus latifrons)

Lindsay Hogan ^A ^B ^E, Clive Phillips ^B, Allan Lisle ^A, Alan Horsup ^C, Tina Janssen ^D and Stephen Johnston ^A

^A School of Agriculture and Food Sciences, The University of Queensland, Gatton, Qld 4343, Australia.
^B Centre for Animal Welfare and Ethics, School of Veterinary Science, The University of Queensland, Gatton, Qld 4343, Australia.
^C Queensland Department of Environment and Resource Management, Rockhampton, Qld 4701, Australia.
^D Rockhampton Botanical Gardens and Zoo, Rockhampton, Qld 4700, Australia.
^E Corresponding author. Email: lindsay.hogan@uqconnect.edu.au

Australian Journal of Zoology 58(6) 350-361 http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/ZO10068
Submitted: 8 October 2010 Accepted: 13 January 2011 Published: 14 February 2011





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Abstract

The southern hairy-nosed wombat (Lasiorhinus latifrons) is under threat as its current distribution range and population size is declining. The low reproductive rates observed for this species, both in the wild and within captivity, are a cause for concern; as such this study was designed to provide a comprehensive account of reproductive behaviour in L. latifrons. The behaviour of four groups of captive animals (each 1♂ : 2♀) was remotely monitored for 14 months using a digital video-surveillance system. Using this technology, 13 distinctive reproductive-based behaviours were identified and recorded; each behaviour was allocated to one of two categories: courtship/guarding or mating. The courtship-to-mating ritual was made up of six consecutive phases: investigation, attraction, chase, restraint, coitus and recovery. In total, 423 courtship and 49 mating bouts were observed from five (2♂ : 3♀) wombats. Courtship behaviour was observed on 116 days, with a mean bout number of 3.6 ± 0.2 per day and a mean total daily time of 29.8 ± 1.8 min. Mating was observed on 24 days, with a mean bout number of 2.1 ± 0.3 per day and a mean total daily time of 100.1 ± 9.8 min. Courtship occurred over the entire enclosure area and three distinctive courtship locomotor patterns were identified: spiral-circles, straight-lines and random. Matings occurred only in closed spaces and were always accompanied by courtship behaviour. In contrast, only 68% of all courtship days were associated with a mating event. Receptivity in the female wombats lasted for 13 h and the behavioural signs of oestrus were so subtle that only the reaction/interest of the male could be used for its detection. The covert reproductive behaviours identified for female L. latifrons closely match those previously reported for captive common wombats and may relate to this species’ need to conserve energy.

Additional keywords:coitus, oestrus, receptivity, reproductive behaviour.

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