Meet the tiny carnivorous marsupial that has so much intense sex, its immune system literally collapses

FOR many, dying while having sex would be the dream way to go. But for two particular species, dying while furiously mating is an everyday reality.

FOR many, dying while having sex would be the dream way to go.

But for two particular species of antechinus — tiny, carnivorous marsupials recently discovered by Queensland University of Technology researchers — dying while furiously mating is an everyday reality.

Each year, all the males in the species engage in a mating and fighting rampage, which only ends when they are dead.

Lead researcher Andrew Baker, a mammologist from QUT’s Science and Engineering Faculty, said the furious copulating can last up to 14 hours over a two to three-week period before the males die of sexual exhaustion.

“The breeding period is basically two to three weeks of speed-mating, with testosterone-fuelled males coupling with as many females as possible, for up to 14 hours at a time,” Dr Baker said.

“Ultimately, the testosterone triggers a malfunction in the stress hormone shut-off switch; the resulting rise in stress hormones causes the males’ immune systems to collapse and they all drop dead before the females give birth to a single baby.”

The two species are the newest addition to a total of five suicidally sexed carnivorous marsupials found in the last three years.

However, scientists are concerned that three of the new antechinus — called Tasman Peninsula Dusky Antechinus — are already under threat due to climate change, feral pests and habitat loss.

“Most of its limited habitat falls within state forest, which is being logged. This species now apparently only lives in tiny, fragmented stands of intact forest that are under threat,” said Dr Baker.

“It’s a shame that mere moments after discovery, these little Tasmanian marsupials are threatened with extinction at human hands.”

Dr Baker said that he suicidal sexcapades of the marsupials don’t help its survival.

“This yearly male suicide mission, which halves each antechinus population, means the mums have enough spiders and insects to eat while they raise the next precious generation.

“But the future of each species is entrusted to the mothers alone.”