Abstract
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 41-47 |
| Number of pages | 7 |
| Journal | Australian Journal of Zoology |
| Volume | 61 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2013 |
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The marsupial pouch: implications for reproductive success and mammalian evolution. / Edwards, Melanie; Deakin, Janine.
In: Australian Journal of Zoology, Vol. 61, 2013, p. 41-47.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
TY - JOUR
T1 - The marsupial pouch: implications for reproductive success and mammalian evolution
AU - Edwards, Melanie
AU - Deakin, Janine
PY - 2013
Y1 - 2013
N2 - Extant mammals are divided into sub- and infraclasses that are distinguished by their mode of reproduction. The monotremes lay eggs, the marsupials give birth to altricial young that typically develop in a pouch, and the eutherians have prolonged in utero development, resulting in well developed young at birth. The three groups exhibit what appears to be a nice progression of evolution towards the well developed newborn young of eutherian mammals. However, marsupials do not represent a step in the progression of producing well developed young, but maintain a reproductive strategy that has evolved to prosper in their specific niche. The production of undeveloped young with increased development in the pouch (or counterpart) provides specific advantages to those species living in diverse environments. The evolution of this reproductive strategy provides a clever solution to the uncertain and often adverse conditions encountered by many species, and the survival of the developing young in a pouch containing potentially harmful microorganisms is truly remarkable. In this review, we explore the unique features of the pouch, highlight the research questions that remain unanswered regarding this unique marsupial attribute and discuss the advantages of the marsupial reproductive strategy and the potential role of the pouch in mammalian diversification.
AB - Extant mammals are divided into sub- and infraclasses that are distinguished by their mode of reproduction. The monotremes lay eggs, the marsupials give birth to altricial young that typically develop in a pouch, and the eutherians have prolonged in utero development, resulting in well developed young at birth. The three groups exhibit what appears to be a nice progression of evolution towards the well developed newborn young of eutherian mammals. However, marsupials do not represent a step in the progression of producing well developed young, but maintain a reproductive strategy that has evolved to prosper in their specific niche. The production of undeveloped young with increased development in the pouch (or counterpart) provides specific advantages to those species living in diverse environments. The evolution of this reproductive strategy provides a clever solution to the uncertain and often adverse conditions encountered by many species, and the survival of the developing young in a pouch containing potentially harmful microorganisms is truly remarkable. In this review, we explore the unique features of the pouch, highlight the research questions that remain unanswered regarding this unique marsupial attribute and discuss the advantages of the marsupial reproductive strategy and the potential role of the pouch in mammalian diversification.
U2 - 10.1071/ZO12088
DO - 10.1071/ZO12088
M3 - Article
VL - 61
SP - 41
EP - 47
JO - Australian Journal of Zoology
JF - Australian Journal of Zoology
SN - 0004-959X
ER -