University of Tasmania, Australia

Sex ratio manipulation for conservation

Mechanisms involved in sex ratio adjustment in mammals are poorly understood, but there is emerging evidence that glucose, glucocortocoids and androgens all play a role. Recent studies have been able to manipulate sex ratios experimentally. This project will investigate underlying mechanisms for sex ratio manipulation, and experimentally test these. Experimental manipulation will be applied to determine the utility of sex ratio adjustment for conservation purposes, particularly the management of captive breeding facilities where sex ratios are often male-biased.