BREEDING AND REPRODUCTION OF 15 WILD RODENTS MAINTAINED AS LABORATORY COLONIES

  • 1 January 1976
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 26  (2) , 237-243
Abstract
Data on reproduction and production were presented for laboratory colonies of Microtus pennsylvanicus tananaensis, M. oeconomus macfarlani, M. o. operarius, M. miurus, M. abbreviatus, Lemmus lemmus, L. sibiricus trimucronatus, Dicrostonyx stevensoni, Clethrionomys rutilus, Peromyscus maniculatus borealis, P. m. bairdii, Baiomys taylori, Calomys ducilla, C. callosus and Acomys cahirinus. Litter size varied from 2.0 in A. cahirinus to 5.5 in C. callosus. Infant (neonatal) and juvenile lesses through the end of the 1st month ranged from 9% in C. callosus to 45% in M. o. operarius. Young successfully weaned per female ranged from 3.4 in L. sibericus to 15.2 in P. m. bairdii. The number of young weaned per female per month, which may be the most useful measure of production, ranged from 0.6 in A. cahirinus to 2.6 in C. ducilla. The most common 21 day interval between litters confirms postpartum estrus and mating, and a 21 day gestation in most cricetids.

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