Synchrony of Estrus in Common Shrews

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Abstract
Timing of first estrus was recorded for female common shrews (Sorex araneus) in a dense population near Oxford, England. Time of estrus could be identified to within 24 h for eight of 13 females captured regularly on the study site. Six of these females became sexually receptive within 26 h of one another, and seven within 48 h. The number of males captured in each female's range increased significantly around the time of first estrus. The number captured in the range of a female within 24 h of estrus varied between five and eight (mean ± SE = 6.1 ± 0.4), and the minimum number of females in estrus visited by each male varied from zero to four (mean ± SE = 1.6 ± 0.2). Synchrony of estrus may facilitate opportunities for choice of mates or multiple mating by females.

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