Paternity analysis in a socially stable red kangaroo (Macropus rufus) group held in ex situ condition

• Grant number: 19/01995-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: May 01, 2019
• End date: April 30, 2020
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Veterinary Medicine - Animal Reproduction
• Principal Investigator: Cristiane Schilbach Pizzutto
• Grantee: Gabriel de Assis Duarte
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia (FMVZ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Red kangaroos (Macropus rufus) are the largest representants of the Macropodidae family and come from the arid and semi-arid regions of Australia; they reach their maturity between 15 and 24 months respectively for females and males. Although in nature these animals follow a very clear and established hierarchy, with the dominant male copulating with the females, without allowing any other male to pare the females of the group, we have observed the occurrence of opportunistic mating by subordinate males under conditions ex situ. Knowing these results and the importance of this information for reproductive management in captivity, it is important to confirm if these male mating copulations are being effective, and may in fact influence the reduction of inbreeding in this group. For this purpose, samples of 20 red kangaroos (Macropus rufus) will be used, 12 males and 8 females, of which 13 are adults and 7 pups; of these samples will be extracted DNA fragments and compared according to the microsatellite loci standardized for Macropodidae, which already showed high transferability between the different species of the genus Macropus. The results will be compared with observations of socio-sexual behaviors previously performed by the study group and will be extremely relevant for future behavior regarding the reproductive management of these animals.