
%0 Journal Article
%A Freegard, C.J. 
%A Calver, M.C. 
%A Richards, J.D. 
%A Bradley, J.S. 
%T Age estimation of pouch young and growth of the burrowing bettong, Bettongia lesueur, (Marsupialia: Potoroidae) on Heirisson Prong, Shark Bay, Western Australia
%J Australian Mammalogy
%D 2007/10/01
%V 29
%N 2
%P 157-167
%K 
%R https://doi.org/10.1071/AM07020
%U https://www.publish.csiro.au/paper/AM07020 
%X Measurements of hind foot length, weight, head length and tail length were collected from pouch young, young at foot, sub-adults and adults of a reintroduced population of the vulnerable burrowing bettong, Bettongia lesueur, on Heirisson Prong, Shark Bay, Western Australia. A key based on qualitative characteristics was used to age individuals and a Richards growth function was fitted to plots of hind foot length versus age. The patterns of growth and morphological characteristics were similar for males and females. Both sexes exhibited a growth pattern typical of a medium-sized macropod with an initial slow phase of growth followed by a rapid phase that slowed as adult size was reached. The growth curves are suitable for broad estimates of the age of wild-caught animals from pouch young to early adulthood. 
