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Precopulatory and Mating Behaviour in the Tasmanian Bettong Bettongia gaimardi Desmarest (Marsupialia: Potoroidae)

journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-16, 11:49 authored by Buchmann, OLKA, Rose, RW, Virtue, MC
Intersexual interactions in Tasmanian bettongs (Bettongia gaimardi) were observed in dyadic combinations. Several behaviours were associated with agonistic confrontations and occurred in predictable response sequences. There was no evidence of a consort period between males and pre-oestrous females. Overt sexual interactions occurred only on the night of oestrus, coincidentally with the maintenance of close spatial proximity. During copulation, multiple intromissions were regularly achieved but the intervals between successive bouts of these acts generally increased. Males were also observed to engage in regular attempts at social (urogenital) investigation and were apparently able to detect the reproductive state of all resident females, presumably utilising olfactory cues. The brevity of sexual interactions occurring between individuals contrasts with the more complex repertoire of the gregarious large macropodoid marsupials.

History

Publication title

Journal of Ethology

Volume

17

Pagination

1-15

ISSN

0289-0771

Department/School

School of Natural Sciences

Publisher

Japan Ethological Society

Place of publication

Kyoto, Japan

Repository Status

  • Restricted

Socio-economic Objectives

Expanding knowledge in the environmental sciences

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