CHANGES IN HEMATOLOGY OF ANTECHINUS-STUARTII (MARSUPIALIA), AND THEIR ASSOCIATION WITH MALE MORTALITY

Seasonal changes in the blood parameters of A. stuartii showed that most males and a few females were anemic immediately preceding the post-mating mortality of males. Gastrointestinal hemorrhage and intravascular hemolysis, possibly resulting from infections of Babesia sp., appear probable causes of the anemias. The marked lymphopenias and neutrophilias observed in males, but not females, were consistent with other evidence of a severe stress response in males at this time. The reduction in Hb concentration and hematocrit detected in most anemic animals was correlated with an increase in the resting O2 consumption and a reduction in aerobic scope. These changes coincide with a time of considerable energy expenditure by males and may contribute to their demise.