drchris498
drchris498 t1_j6vcv92 wrote
Reply to comment by rugbat in Endangered male northern quolls are giving up sleep in favour of having more sex – and it could be killing them, according to a study that investigated why male northern quolls usually mate themselves to death in one season while females can live and reproduce for up to four years. by MistWeaver80
It's the same for this species, all males die each season
drchris498 t1_j6vcqvj wrote
Reply to comment by xMercurex in Endangered male northern quolls are giving up sleep in favour of having more sex – and it could be killing them, according to a study that investigated why male northern quolls usually mate themselves to death in one season while females can live and reproduce for up to four years. by MistWeaver80
I think it's more of a way for males to maximise thier reproductive output
drchris498 t1_j6vck2b wrote
Reply to Endangered male northern quolls are giving up sleep in favour of having more sex – and it could be killing them, according to a study that investigated why male northern quolls usually mate themselves to death in one season while females can live and reproduce for up to four years. by MistWeaver80
I'm one of the authors on this paper, let me know if you have any questions! It's been amazing seeing the response this paper has gotten.
drchris498 t1_j6wp4h9 wrote
Reply to comment by VeryNearlyAnArmful in Endangered male northern quolls are giving up sleep in favour of having more sex – and it could be killing them, according to a study that investigated why male northern quolls usually mate themselves to death in one season while females can live and reproduce for up to four years. by MistWeaver80
This is a natural behaviour. What we didn't know was why the males were actually dying. Scientists thought it could be excess stress hormones, but the levels were not elevated in this species. We decided to record their movement behaviour and found this lack of sleep. Given their symptoms we think this is what kills them.