I have been working with macropods for 5 years now, and I am familiar with the use of mammary gland distension and lactation to estimating how recently a female has carry young and in some cases if it has a dependent joey on foot. However, I was recently told, by someone knowledgeable in vertebrate management, that the distension of the the pouch itself can by use to estimate if the female has carried young before, or if it has never reproduce.
I have tried looking for articles that may support this, but I haven't had any luck. Does anybody know if this is accurate or not?
In Bettongs(rat-kangaroos) the pouch tightens just prior to birth leading to ejection of the larger young. May happen in Thylogale also.
I've worked with quokkas, woylies, boodies and bridled nailtails and I'd only be comfortable saying a female has a large joey (saggy pouch) or no young (tight & empty pouch). Cleanliness may come into it but there are all sorts of factors that may influence that as a predictive variable. I hope this helps.
Matt
Thank you Randy and Matt for the quick replies.
I actually found some reported reference to this method of determining the reproductive state of Macropods.
Chapter 9 of Jackson, S. 2007. Australian Mammals: Biology and Captive Management, has a very comprehensive guide on how to assess if a female is Non-parous, Parous or Pregnant, based on pouch and teats appearance.
It seems to be possible
Thanks
Miguel
Definitely nipple condition can give you lots more info than just pouch muscles.
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