N OCIETY' - the Society for Reproductive Biology

(Front cover) Leadbeater's possum (Gymnobelideus leadbeateri) was though to have been extinct for more than 50 yearswhen it was rediscovered in the tall Mountain Ash (Eucalyptus delegatensis) forests of Victoria's Central Highlands in1961. This rare and beautiful possum is soft grey above with a prominent dark stripe along the midline, a creamy-whiteunder surface and a long dark furry tail. It is nocturnal and lives in small family groups or colonies which build their nestsin the hollows of large old eucalypts. It feeds mainly on insects and gum secreted from wattles, for example the Silverwattle (Acacia dealbata), in the understorey ofthe forest. Leadbeater's possum is one of the faunal emblems of the state ofVictoria and is endangered by the continued clearing and destruction of old growth forests, which has resulted in habitatfragmentation and subsequent population declines. They breed well in captivity and can be seen in the Nocturnal House atHealesville Sanctuary. Observing them in the wild is more challenging because of their rather shy and cryptic nature.Assistance in production of this publication was provided by the Medical lllustration Unit, MonashUniversity, and the Institute of Reproduction & Development, Monash University.Printed by Snap Printing, Notting Hill, Victoria1