Observations on the Reproduction of Peromyscus in Captivity

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Abstract
Reproductive data obtained from 445 captive female Peromyscus of 7 species are summarized. The maximum total litters was 26 and the maximum in one year 14, both in P. leucopus. Average litters per year varied from 2.4 in P. florldanus to 817 in P. maniculatus bairdii and mean litter size from 1.72 In P. florldanus to 4.84 In P. maniculatus gracllls. The maximum number of young in a litter was 11, recorded for P. m. bairdii. Evidence for a postpartum estrus In P. ealifornicus and P. eremlcus is presented. P. maniculatus, P. eremlcus and P. polionotus had the majority of their litters between it A. M. and 5 P. M. Litter mortality because of cannibalism or desertion varied from 19% In P. m. gracllis to 56% in P. floridanus. Under constant laboratory conditions of food, temperature, and lighting the mice bred throughout the year with only slight variations in percentages of females breeding from month to month. Species in the subgenus Peromyscus are smaller in body size and have a lower litter mortality, larger Utters, and greater reproductive potential than those of the subgenera Haplomylomys and Podomys.

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