Marsupials Biology and Management

Explore the fascinating world of Marsupials

• Discover the diversity, biology, behaviour, and ecology of marsupial animals.
• Explore how that knowledge can be applied to better managing individual animals or populations of animals, in the wild and in captivity.
• A course for people working with animals, those in a wildlife management position or anyone who is hoping to work with animals.

This is an experiential learning-based course. Throughout your studies you will have the opportunity to network with and learn from a variety of industry professionals. Establishing real-world relationships and confidence is key to career success. 

Lesson Structure

There are 10 lessons in this course:

1. Marsupial Evolution, Taxonomy and External Morphology
   • Introduction and History
   • Evolution
   • Taxonomy
   • Marsupial Orders - American and Australian
   • Families within orders
   • Comparing diversity
2. Internal Anatomy, Physiology and Senses
   • Introduction
   • Neural Systems and Intelligence
   • Vision
   • Dentition
   • Digestion
   • Skeleton - head, postcranial, scent glands and olfaction
   • Reproduction - males, embryonic development, lactation and litter size
   • Basal metabolism - longevity, lifespan
3. Behaviour
   • Introduction
   • Social behaviours
   • Territoriality and home range
   • Thermoregulation, torpor and hibernation
   • Mating systems
   • Caring for young
   • Vocalisation and threat behaviour
   • Feeding and diet
   • Den sites and nests
   • Habitat
   • Predation and predators
4. Marsupial Health
   • Pathogens and Parasites
   • Viruses - hepatovirus, herpes, other significant viruses
   • Cancer - facial tumor disease, other cancers
   • Parasites and other pathogens -chlamydia, sarcoptic mange, coccidiosis, leptospirosis, tuberculosis
   • Nematodes
   • White muscle disease
   • Lumpy jaw
   • Marsupials as disease vectors
   • Malnutrition and starvation
   • Pollution
   • Shock, injury, bit wounds, burns, electrocution, ocular injury, skeletal trauma
   • Marsupial health care - stress, diet, housing
5. Marsupial Carnivores
   • Dsyuridae - Quolls, Devils and relatives
   • Dasyuridae characteristics
   • Tasmanian devil
   • Quolls - review 6 species
   • Dunnarts
   • Antechinuses - review 10 species
   • Numbats, Myrmecobiidae
   • Thylacine
6. Macropods
   • Introduction
   • Taxonomy
   • Kangaroos, Wallabies, Wallaroos- Macropus
   • Tree Kangaroos - Dendrolagus
   • Rock Wallabies - Petrogale
   • Quokka - Setonix
7. Diprotodontia Marsupials
   • Introduction to wombats, koalas, possums and relatives
   • Koala -characteristics, diet, reproduction
   • Wombats characteristics taxonomy, review on 2 living species
   • Ringtail Possums
   • Brush tailed Possums
   • Gliders and striped Possums
   • Pygmy Possums
   • Feather tailed possums
   • Potoroos and relatives
   • Honey Possum
8. Peramelemophs
   • Peramelidae - bandicoots and echymiperas
   • Peramelinae – Australian Bandicoots.
   • Peroryctinae – Giant & Raffrays Bandicoots.
   • Echymiperinae – Echimiperas and Papuan Bandicoots
   • Chaeropodidae - the pig-footed bandicoot (presumed extinct)
   • Thylacomyidae - bilbies
9. Other Marsupials
   • Notoryctemorphia - Marsupial moles
   • Didelpimorphia - American Opossums
   • Microbiotheria - Monito del monte
   • Paucituberculata - Shrew and Rat Opossums
10. Sustainable Management of Marsupials
    • Introduction
    • Sustainable management
    • Threats and Amelioration
    • Political influence
    • Climate change
    • Habitat protection and modification
    • Control of exotic species
    • Disease Management
    • Monitoring
    • Fire management
    • Artificial habitats - conservation breeding, geographical isolation, genetic impoverishment

Each lesson culminates in an assignment which is submitted to the school, marked by the school's tutors and returned to you with any relevant suggestions, comments, and if necessary, extra reading.

Aims

• Explain the likely origin of marsupials.
• Explain classification of marsupials.
• Identify common external anatomical features in marsupials.
• Explain common and diverging characteristics in the internal biology of marsupials.
• Discuss and compare behavioural characteristics in a number of different marsupials.
• Describe health issues that affect marsupials.
• Identify and describe the biology, behaviour and care of marsupial carnivores.
• Identify and describe the biology, behaviour and care of Macropods from the Diprotodontia order.
• Identify and describe the biology, behaviour and care of non-macropod marsupials in Diprotodontia.
• Identify and describe the biology, behaviour and care of marsupials in order Peramelemorphia.
• Identify and describe the biology, behaviour and care of other marsupials, specifically from the taxonomic orders Didelphimorphia, Microbiotheria, Notoryctemorphia and Paucituberculata.
• Discuss issues related to the sustainable management of marsupials.

MARSUPIALS ARE DIFFERENT TO OTHER MAMMALS

Marsupial anatomy differs to other mammals in several areas including brain, vision, skeletal features, and reproductive systems. Arguably the most notable distinction between marsupials and other animal types are the birth of their young at an embryonic stage. That is, marsupial young will crawl from inside their mother to attach to an external teat when still in an embryonic state, i.e., tiny, pink, limbs barely formed, eyes still closed. They will then continue their development, often sheltered by a temporary or permanent pouch and/or the soft, safe, security of their mother's warm skin and fur. 

EXPLORE THE FUTURE OF MARSUPIAL DIVERSITY

The sustainable management of marsupials depends considerably on the sustainable management of the global environment. There are several environmental threats which inherently influence ability to effectively manage wildlife, e.g., climate change, habitat loss, different pathogens, and so on. As described throughout this course, many marsupials have experienced extensive population declines, even extinction, due to the impacts of introduced predators and competitors. Other threats such as anthropogenic pollution and endocrine disruptors are also relevant. 

There have been numerous documented marsupial declines and extinctions, particularly for those species which fall within the critical weight range (35 – 5,500 g). However, many known species are rarely surveyed, cryptic and/or data deficient. As such, it is difficult to know how accurate extinction numbers are. That is, it is possible that more species have severely declined, or have even been lost, than recorded.

Australasian mammals, including marsupials, are one of the most highly threatened globally. Today, 34 species are extinct in Australia. 24 % of living Australian marsupials are currently classified as threatened, i.e., critically endangered, endangered, or vulnerable; 38 % in New Guinea, and invariably similar figures throughout the other Australasian islands. 

In Australia, there have been two ‘waves of extinction’, with the highest losses occurring between 1888 and the 1950s. This was predominantly felt throughout the more arid regions of Southern Australia. Despite the ongoing efforts by various conservational groups to avoid a third wave of extinction, it is now said that extinction rates are accelerating. This is especially due to the continued loss of our natural biodiversity, especially through habitat destruction.

The exact reasons for a species’ extinction can be difficult to determine. For example, reasons for the decline to extinction of the pig-footed bandicoot, Chaeropus ecaudatus, are relatively uncertain. Their presumed extinction has been attributed to a range of factors. A lack of records and species knowledge from the time permits only acceptance of the rational that decline and extinction were likely due to the factors given, i.e., invasive predation; changed habitats, especially due from introduced herbivores and colonisation; and, altered fire regimes. 

As science and technology have advanced, many new marsupial species have been able to be identified and described. Around 50 have been recorded within the last 25 years or so. As humans have become more aware of the importance of retaining global biodiversity and environmental well-being, more concentrated efforts have been given to ensuring sustainable wildlife management. 

A current wave of declines and extinctions is extending into the northern tropics of Australia. Until recently, a variety of marsupial species thrived throughout these regions. This decline has been unexpected, having had no historic precedence. The Australian northern tropics have some of the most extensive and biodiverse national parks in Australia. Species and population declines are being observed throughout all land types, including pristine national parks and world heritage areas. It has been suggested that feral cats are one of the primary causes, particularly as the most severely affected species appear to be small. 

It is also important to consider that sustainable management also implies the regulation of marsupial population numbers, as necessary. Certain species have become so well established in particular places and are such prolific breeders that their population numbers have gotten out of hand. This inevitably leads to human-wildlife conflicts, welfare issues for the animals and the potential for native species to quickly become considered pests. Arguably, the most well-known example of this is kangaroos in various regions of Australia. On several occasions, population numbers have grown so large in certain areas that regulated culling has been permitted. In some cases, it could be said that population control was essential. For example, where numbers were so high that when conditions changed, thousands of kangaroos became subject to starvation. Further, in these scenarios, the environment becomes ravaged, unable to support such high population numbers. Sustainable management means ensuring the animals and the environment into the future. 

Why Study with ACS?