Non-invasive monitoring of adrenocortical physiology in a threatened Australian marsupial, the western quoll (Dasyurus geoffroii)

Jensen, Melissa A.; Moseby, Katherine E.; Paton, David C.; Fanson, Kerry V.

doi:10.1093/conphys/coz069

Cited by 8 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 55 publications

(75 reference statements)

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“…Similar patterns were also observed in other marsupial species such as woylies (Hing et al, 2017) and southern brown bandicoots (Dowle et al, 2012). The presences of these differences can be associated with the difference in the endocrine response or the metabolism and excretions of glucorticoids in different gender (Hing et al, 2017;Jensen et al, 2019). Another probable reason for the significant differences lies in the reproductive biology of bettongs.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 71%

Quantifying Faecal Glucocorticoid Profiles of Australian Marsupials Managed in Queensland, the Hidden Vale Wildlife Centre

Rao,

Pahuja,

Narayan

2024

Preprint

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Australia has the highest small-mammal extinction rate in the world, and there are ample of reasons that have led to the higher extinction rates such as introduction of feral species, wildfires, climate change and uneven population distribution. All these factors instil a dire need to protect the species in captive environment. Stress has a major role to play in maintaining an adequate welfare conditions for wildlife, hence quantification of the stress levels in captive animals help us understand the effectiveness of the methods used to house the animals. In this study, we assessed the stress levels of captive marsupials namely Rufous bettongs (Aepyprymnus rufescens) (n=9), Long-nosed potoroo (Potorous tridactylus) (n=4) and Greater bilby (Macrotis lagotis) (n=5) by measuring the faecal cortisol metabolites using the Enzyme-Immuno assay (EIA) (R4866). We carried out a laboratory validation of the EIA for the Rufous bettongs and long-nosed potoroo by demonstrating parallelism between the pooled faecal samples and the standard curve. We also used the iterative baseline approach to calculate the baseline levels and detect peak concentrations of FCM in all the studied species. No significant differences were found in the FCM and baseline levels in the potoroos. Results highlighted a significant difference (p &lt; 0.05) in the individual FCM and baseline levels of the bettongs. Additionally, significant differences (p &lt; 0.05) were found in the FCM and baseline levels between male and female bettongs. In case of bilbies, the FCM and baseline levels showed no significant differences, however the male and female baseline levels were significantly different (p &lt; 0.05). Our study provides the baseline and peak FCM concentrations in Long-nosed potoroos and Rufous bettongs under captive management. Future studies can use the iterative baseline approach and validated EIA to detect any possible variations in the FCM concentration and baseline values in captive marsupials created due to factors like sex, grouping, and housing conditions.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 71%

Quantifying Faecal Glucocorticoid Profiles of Australian Marsupials Managed in Queensland, the Hidden Vale Wildlife Centre

Rao,

Pahuja,

Narayan

2024

Preprint

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“…The difference detected in faecal corticosterone metabolite levels between males and females is most likely a general sex difference, which has previously been detected in a range of species (e.g., [76][77][78][79][80]) and was previously hinted at by Fowler (1988) [81].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 53%

An exploratory investigation of glucocorticoids, personality and survival rates in wild and rehabilitated hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus) in Denmark

et al. 2021

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Background The European population of hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus) is declining. It is therefore essential to optimise conservation initiatives such as the rehabilitation of sick, injured and orphaned hedgehogs. Wild animals placed in captivity may be prone to chronic stress, potentially causing negative health effects. Therefore, the effects of these rehabilitation efforts should consequently be evaluated. Furthermore, hand-raising orphaned hedgehogs is a laborious and costly task, and it is therefore relevant to document whether they have equal post release survival rates compared to their wild conspecifics. The objectives of this research were therefore to conduct an exploratory study of glucocorticoid levels in hedgehogs from different backgrounds and compare the post release survival of translocated, rehabilitated and wild, juvenile hedgehogs as well as the possible effect on survival of differences in shy or bold behaviour (personality) exhibited by individuals. Results We measured glucocorticoid levels in 43 wild-caught (n = 18) and rehabilitated (n = 25) hedgehogs and compared the post release survival and spatial behaviour of 18 translocated juvenile hedgehogs (eight hand-raised and ten wild) until hibernation. The possible effect on survival of differences in shy or bold behaviour (personality) exhibited by 17 juvenile individuals (seven hand-raised and ten wild) was also examined. Rehabilitated individuals and females had higher levels of faecal corticosterone metabolites compared to wild individuals and males, respectively. Rehabilitated individuals showed higher levels of saliva corticosterone than wild. The personality tests labelled 13 individuals as shy and 11 as bold. Post release survival was 57% for rehabilitated and 50% for wild individuals. Neither background nor personality affected post release survival. Home range measures were 3.54 and 4.85 ha. Mean dispersal length from the release sites was 217 ± 100 m. Conclusion The higher levels of corticosterone observed in rehabilitated compared to wild hedgehogs calls for consideration of the duration of admission to wildlife rehabilitation centres to reduce stress levels in the patients. Hand-raised juveniles appear to have the same prospects as wild, and personality does not seem to affect post release survival in hedgehogs, indicating that hand-raising of orphaned juvenile hedgehogs is a relevant contribution to the conservation of this species.

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“…Therefore, monitoring stress response is of interest to practitioners tasked with improving translocation outcomes [ 17 ]. Studies focusing on the immediate effects of translocation on glucocorticoids typically report an increase in concentrations [ 18 , 19 ]. However, much less is known about longer-term physiological changes, and even less when comparing responses of animals from different source populations [ 20 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Physiological response after translocation differs between source populations in a threatened mammal

Williams-Kelly,

Berry,

Branch

et al. 2023

R. Soc. open sci.

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Conservation translocations are an important tool in the prevention of species loss, but the translocation process is associated with numerous stressors. Non-invasively monitoring stress physiology via faecal glucocorticoid metabolites (FGMs) can provide valuable insights into factors impacting translocation success and how to mitigate negative impacts. After validating an assay to measure FGMs in greater stick-nest rats ( Leporillus conditor ), we examined whether translocation caused a predictable change in physiology. We compared longer-term (one to five months post-translocation) physiological responses across three source populations (remnant-wild, reintroduced-wild, captive-bred), and investigated effects of body condition and sex on FGMs. Notably, FGMs of the remnant-wild population did not significantly change post-translocation, while the reintroduced-wild population exhibited a significant decrease and the captive-bred population a significant increase. Individuals in lower body condition had the highest FGMs in both wild-type populations, whereas the captive-bred population showed the opposite relationship. There was no difference in FGMs between the sexes. Our work highlights that physiological responses after translocation may not be uniform and source population history is an important factor to be considered, emphasizing the need for novel ideas that facilitate successful adaptation. By better understanding how species and individuals respond to translocation, we can improve translocation outcomes.

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Non-invasive monitoring of adrenocortical physiology in a threatened Australian marsupial, the western quoll (Dasyurus geoffroii)

Cited by 8 publications

References 55 publications

Quantifying Faecal Glucocorticoid Profiles of Australian Marsupials Managed in Queensland, the Hidden Vale Wildlife Centre

Quantifying Faecal Glucocorticoid Profiles of Australian Marsupials Managed in Queensland, the Hidden Vale Wildlife Centre

An exploratory investigation of glucocorticoids, personality and survival rates in wild and rehabilitated hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus) in Denmark

Physiological response after translocation differs between source populations in a threatened mammal

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