1. Metatheria (marsupials)

2. Marsupials:
kangaroo
Wombat
Wallaby
Koala
Marsupial wolf

3. Our friend, the opossum only marsupial in north america
Young tiny at birth (0.16 g)
Attach to nipples in pouch (marsupium)
Short gestation, longer lactation

4. Opossum:
Mating season, January – July, 1-2 litters depending on latitude.
Egg fertilized in fallopian tubes, also surrounded by a shell membrane (soft) at that time.
Gestation (about 8 days).
Last 1/3 of gestation (4 days), membrane shed, eggs sink into depressions in uterine wall (has a kind of placenta, but no firm implantation), absorbs nutrients and embryos continue to grow.

5. Gestation totals about 12-13 d.
7-9 young make it to suckling stage.
Lactation continues to a total of about days.
Rarely live longer than 18 months. In wild, maximum known lifespan was 3 years.
Females often get just 1 breeding season.

6. Some differences (from placentals) found in marsupials
Eggs slightly larger than in placentals ( mm vs mm)
Young never larger than about 1 g, no matter size of mother
Gestation always short as or shorter than length of estrus cycle
No placenta
Many have pouch, but some only have folds of skin, and a few don’t have anything

7. Differences in female reproductive tracts: Label The Diagram

8. Size difference in Monotremes and Marsupials compared to placental mammals

9. Gestation versus lactation
What does this graph show?
Marsuipals compared to placental mammals of the same size have Shorter Gestation (time in the womb) However, longer Lactation time ( time nursing the offspring)
What does this data mean?
Overall Marsuipals take longer to grow their offspring compared to Placentals

10. Another way to look at this...

11. Time: conception to weaning
Takes marsupial longer than placental to raise young to same size (weaning age)

12. So, which is “better?”
Costs:Lactation is most energetically costly period of reproduction, and less efficient means of energy transfer to young. Probably costs them a bit more in terms of time and energy.
Constraints: Newborn marsupials need to be able to crawl to pouch or teat, suckle, breathe, digest. But no wings, hooves, or flippers!
Flexibility:Marsupials in individual offspring at time of birth, can adjust litter sizes, etc.

13. Placental vs. marsupial morphology:

14. Australian Marsupials:
Over 140 species:
Most are threatened due to

15. Red Kangaroo: Diet: Herbivore
Average life span in the wild:Up to 23 years
Size: 3.25 to 5.25 ft
Weight:200 lbs
Group name:Mob
Can reach speeds up to 35 mph and jump over 6 feet

16. Diet: Lives on eucalyptus leaves
Average life span in the wild:20 years
Size:23.5 to 33.5 in
Weight:20 lbs
Protection status: Threatened.

17. Bandicoot/Billby Over 40 species Diet: omnivore Lifespan: 2-3 years
Size: 7-14 inches 1-3 pounds
All species are endangered

18. Tasmian Devil Diet: Carnivore Lifespan: 5 years Size:20 to 31 in
Weight:9 to 26 lbs
Protection status:Endangered

19. The Amazing Antechinus!
All females give birth within a few days each year.
In late Sept, shortly after females mate, all males die!
Semelparous: only 1 reproductive period per lifetime
Iteroparous: multiple reproductive events per lifetime