Postnatal development in a marsupial model, the fat-tailed dunnart (Sminthopsis crassicaudata; Dasyuromorphia: Dasyuridae)

• DOI: 10.1038/s42003-021-02506-2
• Publication Date: 2021-09-23T14:32:14Z
• Authors: Laura E. Cook; Axel H. Newton; Christy A. Hipsley; Andrew J. Pask
• Keywords: Heterochrony; Altricial; Macropus; Monotreme

Marsupials exhibit unique biological features that provide fascinating insights into many aspects of mammalian development. These include their distinctive mode reproduction, altricial stage at birth, and the associated heterochrony is required for crawl to pouch teat attachment. are also an invaluable resource comparative biology, forming a distinct lineage from extant placental egg-laying monotreme mammals. Despite marsupial resources lagging behind those available placentals. The fat-tailed dunnart (Sminthopsis crassicaudata) laboratory based model, with simple robust husbandry requirements short reproductive cycle making it amenable experimental manipulations. Here we present detailed staging series dunnart, focusing on accelerated development forelimbs jaws. This study provides first skeletal developmental S. crassicaudata fundamental future studies exploring diversification, evolution.