We had the pleasure of collaborating with the University of Queensland on this research project. Our collaborative work was published by the Society for Reproduction and Fertility, Volume 145, in June 2013. To read the full article, please click here. Also available online at DOI: 10.1530/REP-13-0012 Abstract This review provides an update on what is currently known about wombat reproductive biology and reports on attempts made to manipulate and/or enhance wombat reproduction as part of the development of artificial reproductive technology (ART) in this taxon. Over the last decade, the logistical difficulties associated with monitoring a nocturnal and semi-fossorial species...
Reproductive biology of captive female Southern Hairy-Nosed Wombats (Lasiorhinus latifrons). Part 2: Oestrous behaviour
We had the pleasure of collaborating with the University of Queensland on this research project. Our collaborative work was published by the CSIRO in 2018, in the journal of Reproduction, Fertility, and Development. To read the full article, please click here. Also available online at CSIRO. doi: 10.1071/RD17539 Abstract The poor captive breeding success of southern hairy-nosed wombats (SHNWs; Lasiorhinus latifrons) has been attributed to the difficulty in accurately characterising oestrous behaviour and their relationship to circulating reproductive hormones. Over two wombat breeding seasons, the use of infrared cameras for 24-h remote behavioural monitoring and the analysis of urine samples collected...
Reproductive biology of captive Southern Hairy-Nosed Wombats (Lasiorhinus latifrons). Part 1: Oestrous cycle characterisation
We had the pleasure of collaborating with the University of Queensland on this research project. Our collaborative work was published by the CSIRO in 2018, in the journal of Reproduction, Fertility, and Development. To read the full article, please click here. Also available online at CSIRO. doi: 10.1071/RD17497 Abstract Southern hairy-nosed wombats (SHNWs: Lasiorhinus latifrons) do not breed well in captivity. To better understand their reproduction, daily urine samples were collected from nine captive females and analysed for volume (mL), specific gravity and a qualitative index of the number of epithelial cells, then stored at -20°C until samples could be...
The seminiferous epithelial cycle and microanatomy of the Koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) and Southern Hairy-Nosed Wombat (Lasiorhinus latifrons) testis
We had the pleasure of collaborating with the University of Queensland on this research project. Our collaborative work was published in the Journal of Anatomy, 2013. To read the full article, please click here. Also available online at PubMed. J. Anat. (2013) 222, pp380–389 doi: 10.1111/joa.12020 Abstract The koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) and southern hairy-nosed wombat (Lasiorhinus latifrons) are iconic Australian fauna that share a close phylogenetic relationship but there are currently no comparative studies of the seminiferous epithelial cell or testicular microanatomy of either species. Koala and wombat spermatozoa are unusual for marsupials as they possess a curved stream-lined head...
Southern Hairy Nose Wombat
The Southern Hairy-nosed Wombat is Queensland’s most endangered marsupial with a population of approximately 200 known individuals. By studying the closely related Southern Hairy-nosed Wombat, AACE contributes to gathering fundamental biological knowledge to aid in developing advanced breeding technologies that can be used to establish self-sustaining captive populations of both species. In 2009 a captive breeding and research centre for Southern Hairy-nosed Wombats was established by AACE in partnership with the University of Queensland. This centre provides healthy animals for captive management and breeding to contribute to the recovery of the critically endangered Northern Hairy-nosed Wombat.Research to be carried out:...
Bridled Nailtail Wallabies
The bridled nail-tail wallaby (Onychogalea fraenata), also known as the bridled nail-tailed wallaby, bridled nailtail wallaby, bridled wallaby, Merrin, and Flashjack, is an endangered species of macropod. It is a small wallaby found in three isolated areas in Queensland, Australia, whose population is rapidly declining. The total population of the species is currently estimated to be less than 300 mature individuals in the wild. This small wallaby is named for two distinguishing characteristics: a white “bridle” line that runs down from the back of the neck around the shoulders, and the horny spur on the end of its tail. Other...
Behavioral and endocrine responses to season and social dynamics of captive male Southern Hairy-Nosed Wombats (Lasiorhinus latifrons)
We had the pleasure of collaborating with the University of Queensland on this research project. Our collaborative work was published in the Journal of General and Comparative Endocrinology, Volume 261, in May 2018. To read the full article, please click here. Also available online at DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2018.01.021 Abstract Although southern hairy-nosed wombats (SHN wombats; Lasiorhinus latifrons) rarely breed in captivity, further knowledge of their reproductive physiology and behavior is likely to improve their breeding potential. This study examined the effect of seasonal variation and changes in social dynamics on the physiology and behavior of a captive population of male SHN wombats...
Validation of techniques to measure reproductive hormones in the urine of female southern hairy-nosed wombats (Lasiorhinus latifrons)
We had the pleasure of collaborating with the University of Queensland on this research project. Our collaborative work was published in the Journal of General and Comparative Endocrinology, Volume 252, in October 2017. To read the full article, please click here. Also available online at DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2017.08.003 Highlights Urinary hormone analysis may increase our understanding of wombat reproduction. Two exogenous hormone trials were conducted to validate enzyme-immunoassays. Refinement of assay techniques is required to analyse urinary oestrogens. Urinary progesterone was effective for assessing reproductive function in wombats.
Measurement of testosterone and cortisol metabolites and luteinising hormone in captive Southern Hairy-Nosed Wombat (Lasiorhinus latifrons) urine
We had the pleasure of collaborating with the University of Queensland on this research project. Our collaborative work was published in the Journal of General and Comparative Endocrinology, Volume 250, in September 2017. To read the full article, please click here. Also available online at DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2017.06.001 Abstract This study reports the validation and use of enzyme immunoassays (EIA) to measure changes in plasma and urinary luteinizing hormone, testosterone metabolites (UTM) and cortisol metabolites (UCM) in captive southern hairy-nosed wombats (Lasiorhinus latifrons). GnRH agonist and ACTH agonist challenges were conducted to validate urinary testosterone (male wombat only) and cortisol (male...
Long-term measurement of body temperature in the southern hairy-nosed wombat (Lasiorhinus latifrons)
We had the pleasure of collaborating with the University of Queensland on this research project. Our collaborative work was published in the Journal of Australian Mammology, in August 2016. To read the full article, please click here. Also available online at DOI: 10.1071/AM15041 Abstract The southern hairy-nosed wombat (Lasiorhinus latifrons) is a nocturnal, fossorial marsupial that has evolved a range of physiological and behavioural adaptations to its semiarid environment. This study describes long-term core body temperature (Tb) of L. latifrons in a population with opportunities for behavioural thermoregulation through burrow use. Tb was measured hourly in 12 captive L. latifrons using implanted dataloggers over a...
Non-invasive urine collection in the female Southern Hairy-Nosed Wombat (Lasiorhinus latifrons) with the aid of classical conditioning
We had the pleasure of collaborating with the University of Queensland on this research project. Our collaborative work was published in the Journal of Zoo Biology, in September 2014. To read the full article, please click here. Also available online at DOI: 10.1002/zoo.21171 Abstract We propose that regular urine samples can be used to monitor and characterize the reproductive cycle of the wombat, but this approach has never before been attempted in a marsupial. We conducted a three stage conditioning process for non-invasive urine collection in captive female wombats, which included (1) initial habituation and observation of urination patterns; (2)...