Establishment of a captive colony of Bettongia tropica (Marsupialia: Potoroidae) by cross-fostering; and observations on reproduction

Abstract

It is demonstrated that cross-fostering is a practical way of improving the rate of increase of a rare species in captivity. Two adult Bettongia tropica were captured in northern Queensland and housed in captivity in Adelaide, South Australia. Eleven pouch young born in captivity to the wild-caught B. tropica were transferred at 20 days old or older to B. penicillata foster mothers and nine were reared successfully. Of a further 10 young not fostered, six were reared by the wild-caught mother. Fostering allowed the wild-caught female to produce surviving young nearly twice as frequently as if she had reared them in her pouch.

Sexual maturity occurred at 246-523 days (x[bar] = 407.2 ± 59.9 days) in 4 males and at 185-429 days (x[bar] = 300.5 ± 26.0 days) in 11 females. Breeding continues throughout the year and females undergo embryonic diapause whilst supporting a pouch young. The female reproductive system is remarkable for its relatively long urethra and lateral vaginae and consequently short urogenital sinus. The male reproductive system is unremarkable, having a carrot-shaped prostate gland and three pairs of Cowper's glands, as do many other macropodoid species. Two pairs of paracloacal glands are found in males and females.