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Comparative studies on the reproductive biology of three species of laboratory bred Australian conilurine rodents (Muridae: Hydromyinae)
Author(s) -
BREED W. G.
Publication year - 1989
Publication title -
journal of zoology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.915
H-Index - 96
eISSN - 1469-7998
pISSN - 0952-8369
DOI - 10.1111/j.1469-7998.1989.tb02517.x
Subject(s) - biology , litter , zoology , reproductive biology , reproduction , muridae , sexual maturity , ecology , pregnancy , lactation , genetics
The reproductive biological parameters of laboratory bred and maintained individuals from three species of Australian conilurine rodents, Notomys alexis, Pseudomys australis and P. nanus were determined. Considerable' divergence was found in interbirth intervals (indicative of gestation length) in nonsuckling and suckling mothers, litter size, growth rate of pups, age at weaning, and time of sexual maturity in both males and females. It is concluded that selection has been for rapid production and development of young in P. nanus , whereas in P. australis and, especially N. alexis , litter size has been maximized within the constraints of the mammary formula. These data further emphasize the high degree of plasticity of the reproductive system in this assemblage of old endemic murid rodents of Australasia.