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ANIMAL REPRODUCTION
VCE Biology Unit 1 Area of Study 2
Student Trail
Welcome to Melbourne Zoo and the Reproduction Biology Program
Define the term, Reproduction
To reproduce, there is a structured process that must be completed. List the
general process of reproduction
-
Zoos Victoria is a Zoo Based Conservation Organisation. Explain the
importance of Zoo captive breeding programs and how we can determine if
reproduction has been successful
Complete the table for human reproduction
Attraction
Sexual
dimorphism:
Method
Courtship
Mating
Internal
External
Birth
Oviparous
Ovoviviparous
Parenting
Viviparous
Litter
per
young
Care
for
young
page 2
ANIMAL REPRODUCTION
Discovery Room
Animal:
Attraction
Sexual
dimorphism:
Courtship
Method
Mating
Internal
External
Birth
Oviparous
Ovoviviparous
Parenting
Viviparous
Litter
per
young
Care
for
young
Animal:
Attraction
Sexual
dimorphism:
Courtship
Method
Mating
Internal
External
Birth
Oviparous
Ovoviviparous
Parenting
Viviparous
Litter
per
young
Care
for
young
Animal:
Attraction
Sexual
dimorphism:
Method
Courtship
Mating
Internal
External
Birth
Oviparous
Ovoviviparous
Parenting
Viviparous
Litter
per
young
Care
for
young
page 3
Eutherian Mammals
Hamadryas Baboon
Hamadryas Baboons form social hierarchies that involve the formation of troops,
bands, clans and harems. A harem is the smallest unit and usually includes a
dominant breeding male,females and young. Bachelor groups also exist.
1.
What is the reproductive advantage of living in groups?
2. How do females indicate their readiness to mate?
3. What technology has been used to control reproduction in this group?
Table of reproductive features
Attraction
Sexual
dimorphism:
Method
Courtship
Mating
Internal
External
Birth
Oviparous
Ovoviviparous
Parenting
Viviparous
Litter
per
young
Care
for
young
page 4
Eutherian Mammals
Asian Elephant
The unsustainable Palm Oil industry has affected the South East Asian environment
dramatically; leaving the Asian elephant particularly vulnerable to habitat loss and
poaching. As a result, the Asian Elephant is endangered. To help safeguard this
species for the future, Melbourne Zoo has invested a large amount of its resources into
breeding its Asian Elephants.
1. Mek Kapah (female) and Bong Su (male) previously lived together in the Elephant Historic
Enclosure for decades. Why did they never breed?
2. Why did Melbourne Zoo opt for Artificial Insemination (AI) with each elephant instead of
waiting for natural conception to occur?
3.
All members of the herd help care for the young. What are the reproductive advantages
of this behaviour?
Table of reproductive features
Attraction
Sexual
dimorphism:
Method
Courtship
Mating
Internal
External
Birth
Oviparous
Ovoviviparous
Parenting
Viviparous
Litter
per
young
Care
for
young
Did you know that elephants are generally born tail rather than head first? This is believed to be an
evolutionary trait from when animals were born underwater (like whales) and can cause a number of issues now
on land.
page 5
Eutherian Mammals
Orang-utan
Orang-utans are generally solitary; however, young spend up to eight years in the
care of their mother. During this time, young orang-utans learn most of their survival
skills, including climbing, locating and remembering food sources and avoiding
predators.
Male orang-utans move into areas inhabited by females for mating, and then they
leave the female. The female raises the young.
1. What is the advantage for orang- utans living a solitary life?
Dewi (juvenile female) was conceived naturally in 2011, to parents Santan (male) and Maimunah
(female). Dewi was their second successful reproductive event, with Menyaru (sub-adult male), born
in 2003.
2. Describe some of the reproductive technologies that have been employed by Melbourne
Zoo to increase Maimunah’s chance of conception. Describe how the keepers prepared
Maimunah for motherhood.
3. Observe Maimunah’s interaction with Dewi for five- minutes, list the behaviours you
observe in the table below.
Parenting Behaviour
Other Behaviour
Table of reproductive features
Attraction
Sexual
dimorphism:
Method
Courtship
Mating
Internal
External
Birth
Oviparous
Ovoviviparous
Parenting
Viviparous
Litter
per
young
Care
for
young
page 6
Palm Oil
What’s Reproduction got to do with it?
The single biggest threat to the survival of orang-utans is the unsustainable production of
palm oil. Its rampant cultivation is destroying rainforest habitat at an alarming rate. The
simple fact is that Australian consumers can’t tell whether they are contributing to this crisis
because palm oil is not clearly labeled on most food products – instead it is often grouped
under the misleading category of ‘vegetable oil’. Since late 2009, Zoos Victoria’s Don’t Palm
Us Off campaign has advocated for the mandatory labeling of palm oil in all food products in
Australia and New Zealand.
Meet Marissa…
Zoos Victoria employs Reproductive Biologists who
specialize in the planning of successful reproductive
outcomes for our endangered species. Dr Marissa
Parrott (pictured) leads a team of specialists at Zoos
Victoria. She is an example of how working as a
biologist can help to save the world.
Get involved!
We are now one step closer to mandatory palm oil labeling becoming a reality with the palm
oil Bill through the Senate and off to the House of Representatives for consideration. The
Bill is in the hands of the politicians but you can still help ensure mandatory labeling in
Australia by writing/emailing your Federal MP and telling them you want palm oil labeled!
• Write to food manufacturers asking whether they source sustainable palm oil
• Purchase foods with sustainable palm oil when they are appropriately labeled
• You can help make transparent labeling a reality by writing to you Federal M, let them
know that you want the choice
• Write to Food standards Australia New Zealand with your thoughts and concerns on
the issue.
How is Palm Oil labeled?
page 7
Eutherian Mammals
Sumatran Tiger
Cats are solitary animals, with the exception of lions that live in a social group. Female
tigers care for their young for up to 18 months. Mature males live a solitary life within
an established territory. A male’s territory can overlap that of several females. Female
cats are induced ovulators, where the stimulation of mating is needed for ovulation to
occur.
At the tiger exhibit, you may notice a range of strong smells in the area surrounding
the exhibit.
1. Outline the significance of smell for solitary animals such as tigers
2. Explain the reproductive advantages of territorial behaviour
3. Even though Ramalon (male) and Binjai (female) were genetically suited to breed, explain
why Melbourne Zoo kept them separated for two years before introducing them in the
same enclosure to mate.
4. Describe the major threat to the Sumatran Tiger’s habitat. Explain the impact this has had
on the species and what Zoos Victoria is doing to protect them from extinction.
Table of Reproductive features
Attraction
Sexual
dimorphism:
Method
Courtship
Mating
Internal
External
Birth
Oviparous
Ovoviviparous
Parenting
Viviparous
Litter
per
young
Care
for
young
page 8
Marsupials
Wombat, Potoroo
Marsupials are mammals that give birth to underdeveloped young that migrate into
the pouch to complete their development.
The common wombat is an ambassador animal for our Wipe 4 Wildlife Campaign.
This campaign encourages the community to help save local wildlife by making the switch to
recycled toilet paper and choosing products with the FSCÆ logo.
1. Rather than record the birth date of marsupials, zoo keepers take note of the date the joey
lives ‘Permanently Out of the Pouch’. Called the POP date, explain reasons why this is
done.
2. Explain Marsupial diapause. Suggest the reproductive and survival advantages of this
adaptation.
Table of Reproductive features
Attraction
Sexual
dimorphism:
Method
Courtship
Mating
Internal
External
Birth
Oviparous
Ovoviviparous
Parenting
Viviparous
Litter
per
young
Care
for
young
page 9
Monotremes
Platypus and Echidna
Monotremes are mammals that are oviparous or egg-laying and produce milk from
mammary glands. There are only three living examples of monotremes today; the
platypus and two species of echidna.
1. Monotremes are said to have characteristics of eutherian, marsupial, reptile and birds.
Describe how monotreme reproductive characteristics are similar to each of these groups
of animals.
2. Use the Venn Diagram to compare the characteristics of monotremes to other mammals.
Eutherian
Monotreme
Marsupial
Table of Reproductive features
Attraction
Sexual
dimorphism:
Method
Courtship
Mating
Internal
External
Birth
Oviparous
Ovoviviparous
Parenting
Viviparous
Litter
per
young
Care
for
young
page 10
Invertebrates
Stick Insects
Stick Insects belong to a group called arthropods. Many arthropods have adapted to
a method of reproduction called parthenogenesis. This method is defined as asexual
reproduction where offspring may develop from unfertilized eggs. The development
of unfertilized eggs allows the female to pass her DNA on to the next generation.
1. Describe the sexual dimorphism of the Stick Insect species you observe, commenting on
size, shape and any differences in behaviour you observe.
2. Explain the difference between asexual and sexual reproduction
.
3. In the classroom, list the species that have adapted to the following reproductive methods
Sexual
Asexual
4. Suggest the reproductive advantages and disadvantages of parthenogenesis (asexual
reproduction).
Advantage
Did you know? Some reptile populations are made
up entirely of females!
Disadvantage
page 11
Glossary
Fertilisation
Ovulation
Oestrus
Copulation
Courtship
Sexual reproduction
Asexual reproduction
Gestation period
Sexual dimorphism
Parthenogenesis
Oviparous
Viviparous
Ovoviviparous
the union of the sperm and egg (gametes) as occurs in animals or plants that
reproduce sexually.
the release of the egg from the ovary.
the period of fertility that usually coincides with ovulation during which a female will
copulate with males.
the act of placing sperm inside the body of the female animal.
the behaviour that precedes mating; usually aimed at attracting a mate.
any reproduction which involves the union of the sperm and the egg, regardless of
how the egg and sperm meet.
any reproduction that does not involve the union of sperm and egg.
the length of time it takes for a fertilised egg to develop to birth.
marked physical differences between the sexes
a type of asexual reproduction found in some animals (including stick insects) where
offspring can develop from unfertilised eggs.
Producing eggs that hatch outside the body
Giving birth to living offspring that develop within the mother's body
Producing eggs that hatch within the female's body without obtaining nourishment
from it