Tammar Wallaby (Macropus eugenii)WIKIPEDIA, THOMAS
Kangaroo first-timers
Species: Tammar wallaby, Macropus eugenii
Genome size: Approximately 3 billion base pairs
Interesting fact: The tammar wallaby was the first Australian marsupial to be discovered and is now the first member of the kangaroo family to have its genome sequenced. The small marsupials have a highly synchronized breeding cycle, with most wallabies giving birth around January 22. The females usually mate within hours of giving birth, but then undergo a rare gestation process whereby the embryo remains in a state of dormancy for 11 months before implanting in the uterus. Researchers hope the wallaby’s genome will further illuminate mammalian reproduction.
M.B. Renfree, et al., “Genome sequence of an Australian kangaroo, Macropus eugenii, provides insight into the evolution of mammalian reproduction and development,” Genome ...
