Milk consumption and estimates of growth energetics in pouch young of the northern brown bandicoot, Isoodon macrourus (Peramelidae, Marsupialia), in captivity |
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Authors: | J. C. Merchant J. A. Libke K. Newgrain |
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Affiliation: | Division of Wildilife and Ecology, CSIRO, P.O. Box 84, Lyneham, A.C.T. 2602, Australia |
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Abstract: | Milk consumption was measured in pouch young of the northern brown bandicoot, Isoodon macrourus , using the 22Na turnover technique. Milk consumption rates increased from about 2.3 ml young−1 d−1 at 23 days post-partum to about 17.2ml young−1 d−1 at 52 days, just prior to weaning. Young increased in mass from 8.5 g to around 112 g over the same period. Masś gained for each ml of milk consumed ranged from 0.28 to 0.65 gml−1. The efficiency with which young converted milk energy and protein into body energy and protein ranged from 16.1 to 39.6% and 38.4 to 82.3%, respectively. |
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