Reproduction in the Cape porcupine Hystrix africaeaustralis: an ecological perspective
نویسنده
چکیده
Cape porcupines, Hystrix africaeaustralis, apparently have a wide ecological tolerance and are found extensive ly throughout Southern Africa. These fossorial hystrico morph rodents are monogamous, live in extended family groups, breed seasonally in summer rainfall areas, and adult pairs produce only a single litter each year. A litter interval ofabout one year is maintained through lactational anoestrus, lasting about 100 days followed by three to seven 'sterile' oestrous cycles, each lasting about 30 days. Changes in the age at first successful reproduction appear to be the most important result ofa change in density, and regula tion ofnumbers probably results from the effect(s) ofsocial factors on reproductive output.
منابع مشابه
Urinary characteristics of the Cape porcupine Hystrix africaeaustralis: effects of photoperiod and temperature.
The Cape porcupine Hystrix africaeaustralis is a large (11-18 kg), nocturnal, burrowing and group-living rodent. It experiences a metabolic response to seasonal acclimatization and is a hind gut fermenter. Changes in the urinary electrolyte and free urinary catecholamine concentrations of Cape porcupines were related to combined changes of ambient temperature and photoperiod regime. Three group...
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The Cape porcupine Hystrix africaeaustralis is a large (12-18 kg) nocturnal hystricomorph rodent occurring throughout southern Africa where it is sometimes used as a source of food and often regarded as a nuisance by crop-producing fanners. They live in family groups, these generally comprising an adult male, adult female and varying numbers of offspring of successive litters. Reproduction is c...
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