A comparison of reproduction in two chipmunk species (Eutamias)

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Abstract
Eutamias amoenus and E. minimus are potential competitors in western Alberta. The former species has larger litters and reproduces at an earlier age, on an average, than the latter. Other aspects of reproduction (breeding season, prenatal mortality) do not appear to differ greatly, though supporting data are somewhat inadequate. The higher reproductive potential should confer an advantage on amoenus in competition with minimus. The observed difference in litter size of these two congeners seems to be best explained by a difference in available food in the two habitats. This hypothesis should be tested by a comparative study of the energetics of the two species populations.

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