Endangered Marsupials in Australia Endure Sleep Deprivation for Sex

The high sex drive of the males of an Australian marsupial species that is on the verge of extinction may be causing them to die young.

Researchers from the University of the Sunshine Coast, as well as the University of Queensland in Australia, found that male northern quolls choose to have sex over sleeping, possibly making them die up to four times faster compared to the females of the species.

Christofer Clemente, an animal ecophysiologist from the University of Sunshine Coast, said that it appears that their desire is so great that they choose not to sleep to spend more time looking for women. Clemente is a co-author of the paper.

Clemente added that The risks of sleep deprivation in rodents are well known, and many of the symptoms are more prevalent in male quolls than females.

Northern Quolls of Australia

A marsupial species about the size of a house cat called a northern quoll is on the verge of extinction. Of the four quoll species of Australia, they are the smallest, only reaching a maximum body length of about 15 inches. The population of northern quolls, distant relatives of more well-known marsupials like kangaroos, koalas, and wombats, has been declining recently.

This is caused by several things, including habitat destruction by fire and clearing of land for human or livestock grazing or development, as well as predation by feral cats, dingoes, and foxes. Because they are frequently poisoned after ingesting or merely licking the toxic toads, the invasive cane toad in Australia poses a serious threat to these marsupials.

According to Australia's Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment, and Water, there was no evidence of disease, a severe parasite infestation, or whatever other obvious changes at the site that could have caused the rapid decline in the Mary River region of the Northern Territory's Northern Quoll population, which was thought to be the cause of about 31% of their deaths.

In contrast to male northern quolls, which typically only live to the age of one, females can live for four years.

Up All Night Walking

On the island of Groote Eylandt, which is off the coast of the Northern Territory of Australia, researchers gathered information on the quolls' movements for 42 days. They discovered that males traveled farther and slept for shorter periods than females, with some males traveling up to 6.5 miles per night in search of females to mate with. That is equivalent to about 25 miles per night in human terms after accounting for stride length.

Joshua Gaschk, a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Sunshine Coast, said that two males whom they named Moimoi and Cayless traveled 6.5 miles and 5.8 miles, respectively, in a single night. Gaschk Is the lead author of the study.

They also discovered that while women slept for 24% of the time, men slept for only 7% of the time.

These males appear to be more risk-averse, lose weight, become more aggressive, and are more vulnerable to parasites as a consequence of their lack of sleep. The precise reason for the males' early deaths is still unknown, however, as the researchers were unable to identify any genetic disorder that was endangering more males than females. According to the researchers, the primary reason for their shorter lifespans is their insufficient sleep.

Clemente said that after just one season, something is unquestionably causing their health to deteriorate, and the researchers believe that lack of sleep may be to blame.

Gaschk agreed, saying that sleep deprivation and its accompanying symptoms for an extended period would make recovery impossible and could account for the causes of death noted in males following breeding season.

Lack of sleep may have a significant impact on the survival of other marsupial species as well. Gaschk stated that one of their group's objectives is to find out if members of their family, such as antechinus or marsupial mice, and Tasmanian Devils, suffer from sleep deprivation.

Although they do not experience the die-off, Virginian opossums (Didelphis virginiana) and Tasmanian devils (Sacrophilus harrisii) both go through a comparable physiological shift to other semelparous species.

Northern quolls are a great model species for the impacts of sleep deprivation on normal functioning if male quolls choose to forgo sleep at the expense of their survival, Newsweek reports.

The study by Gaschk, Clemente. and several colleagues was published in the journal Royal Society Open Science.