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Using the Koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) as a Case Study to Illustrate the Development of Artificial Breeding Technology in Marsupials: an Update

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Reproductive Sciences in Animal Conservation

Part of the book series: Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology ((AEMB,volume 1200))

Abstract

The successful development and application of an assisted breeding program in any animal relies primarily on a thorough understanding of the fundamental reproductive biology (anatomy, physiology and behaviour) of the species in question. Surely, the ultimate goal and greatest hallmark of such a program is the efficacious establishment of a series of reliable techniques that facilitate the reproductive and genetic management of fragmented populations, both in captivity and in the wild. Such an achievement is all that more challenging when knowledge of the reproductive biology of that species is essentially rudimentary and without adequate models to compare to. Using the koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) as a case study, this chapter provides insights into the development of a concept that began as small undergraduate student project but that subsequently evolved into the first-ever successful artificial insemination of a marsupial. Apart from this historical perspective, we shall also provide a brief review of the current reproductive biology of the koala, discuss technical elements of current assisted breeding technology of this species, its application to the closely related wombat, and the potential role it might play in helping to conserve wild koala populations in the form of a live koala genome bank. There is little doubt that the unique reproductive biology and tractability of the koala has been a benefit rather than a hindrance to the success of artificial breeding in this species.

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Acknowledgements

The success of the koala ART program has largely been achieved through the dedication and support of a wide range of scientific collaborators, post-graduate students and zoological institutions. In alphabetic order, we are extremely grateful for the contribution and support of Dr Camryn Allen, Dr Katie Ballantyne, Ms Michele Barnes, Prof Ken Beagley, Ms Michelle Burridge, Mr Kevin Bradley, Prof Randal Cameron, Prof Frank Carrick, Dr Ron Cox, Dr Jon Curlewis, Mr Robert Douglas, Dr Bill Ellis, Prof Jaime Gosalvez, Ms Lyndal Hulse, Dr Carmen Lopez-Fernandez, Mr Alan Lisle, Dr Tamara Keeley, Prof Michael McGowan, Dr Allan McKinnon, Mr Al Mucci, Mr Paul O’Callaghan, Dr Vere Nicolson, Ms K Nilsson, Dr Nancy Phillips, Dr Michael Pyne, Prof Jennifer Seddon, Mr Peter Theilman and Dr Yeng Peng Zee.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Wildlife Biology Unit, School of Agriculture and Food Sciences, The University of Queensland, Gatton, Australia

    Stephen D. Johnston

  2. Academic Unit of Reproductive and Developmental Medicine, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK

    William V. Holt

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  1. Stephen D. Johnston
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Correspondence to Stephen D. Johnston .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, National Zoological Park, Washington, DC, USA

    Pierre Comizzoli

  2. Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, National Zoological Park, Front Royal, VA, USA

    Janine L. Brown

  3. Academic Unit of Reproductive and Developmental Medicine, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK

    William V. Holt

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Johnston, S.D., Holt, W.V. (2019). Using the Koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) as a Case Study to Illustrate the Development of Artificial Breeding Technology in Marsupials: an Update. In: Comizzoli, P., Brown, J., Holt, W. (eds) Reproductive Sciences in Animal Conservation. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, vol 1200. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-23633-5_12

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