Reproductive strategies of female northern hairy-nosed wombats

Abstract

[Extract] IN mammals, reproduction, growth of a foetus and lactation exert considerable energy demands on the mother (Oftedahl 1985). To meet an increase in energy demands, the mother can either increase her food intake and/or mobilise energy reserves in the form of fat (Pond 1978, Oftedahl 1985). In some environments, the timing of the reproductive cycle can be intrinsically linked to the quality and quantity of food available (Pond 1978, Angerbjorn 1986, Cameron et al. 1993, Atkinson and Ramsay 1995).

In large ungulates, body mass and body fat are greater in pregnant females than non-pregnant females (Cameron et al. 1993). This increase in body mass and fat is necessary for survival of both the offspring and mother (Oftedahl 1985, Cameron et al. 1993). There is also evidence that some species of marsupials also rely on body fat to support the energy requirements for lactation (e.g. brush-tailed possums, Trichosurus vulpecula, Bell (1981)).