Behaviour and Breeding in Captivity of the Namaqua Gerbil <i>Desmodillus Auricularis (Cricetidae: Gerbillinae)</i>

Keogh, Hillary

doi:10.1080/00445096.1973.11448514

Cited by 5 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 13 publications

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“…All gerbil species were nocturnal, substantiating the reports of Choate (1972), Keogh (1973) and Stutterheim & Skinner (1973). Nocturnalism is often associated with high daytime temperatures in arid environments and the auricularis which is considerably larger than G. paeba, yet their feeding tactics appear similar.…”

Section: Species Profilessupporting

confidence: 86%

“…Activity denotes movement, usually locomotion, although feeding, drinking, elimination and other activities are included (Falls 1968). Ashby (1972) has reviewed some of the patterns of diel activity exhibited in mammals in both the field and laboratory, but it is clear that little is known of the activity phasing of southern African rodents (Choate 1972;Keogh 1973;Nel & Rautenbach 1974;Nel 1975;Christian 1977). The prime objective of this preliminary study was to describe, verify and compare the activity patterns of several species of southern African rodents under controlled laboratory conditions.…”

Section: Department Of Zoology and Entomology Rhodes University Gramentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Mus musculus and Praomys natalensis, two small commensal murids with similar ecologies, were both nocturnal. This may represent an adaptation to human disturbance and predation, or to an essentially deserticolous way of life (Green, Keogh, Gordon, Pinto & Hartwig 1980;Keogh & Price In press). The short-term phasing record for M. musculus, but not for P. natalensis, may reflect its relatively larger energy demands because of its smaller size.…”

Section: Species Profilesmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Notes on the activity patterns of 12 species of southern African rodents and a new design of activity monitor

Perrin

1981

South African Journal of Zoology

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Section: Species Profilessupporting

confidence: 86%

Section: Department Of Zoology and Entomology Rhodes University Gramentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Species Profilesmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Notes on the activity patterns of 12 species of southern African rodents and a new design of activity monitor

Perrin

1981

South African Journal of Zoology

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“…Whilst there are several brief reports indicating the occurrence of facultative delay of implantation in other GerbillinaeTatera brantsi and T. afra (Measroch, ] 954); T. indica (Prasad, 1961;Bland, ] 969); Meriones crassus (Marafie, Nayak & Al-Zaid, ]978) and Desmodillus auricularis (Keogh, 1973)-the information is too sparse to permit any conclusions to be drawn regarding the relationship between the number of young nursed and gestation length. In comparison with all other species of laboratory rodents the Mongolian gerbil has the highest incidence and greatest extent of implantation delay induced by lactation.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mating post partum and length of gestation in the Mongolian gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus)

Norris

Adams

1981

Lab Anim

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SummaryIn gerbils mated post partum gestation was prolonged when 3 or more young were nursed. A well-defined linear, positive relationship existed between the length of gestation and number of young nursed, with an increase of )·9 days per individual young. No evidence was found for the existence of implantation periods approximating in length to a normal oestrous cycle.In the Mongolian gerbil the length of gestation is 24-26 days (Nakai, Nimura, Tamura, Shimizu & Nishimura, 1960) and this also applies to females mated post partum and having the young removed shortly after birth (Norris & Adams, 1971). Under such conditions implantation occurs on Day 8 after mating (Norris & Adams, 1971;Fischer & Floyd, 1972). In nursing gerbils, prolongation of gestation through delayed implantation was indicated by Marston & Chang (1965) and subsequently confirmed by Norris & Adams (1971) and Meckley & Ginther (1971.The present report concerns the relationship between the number of nursing young and gestation length, and the possible occurrence of discrete implantation 'periods' in gerbils undergoing delayed implantation.and checking the numbers of young nursed, were carried out daily at 0900-1000.Litter sizes were adjusted, when necessary, the day following parturition, and the desired number of young maintained by cross fostering. Vaginal smears were taken by lavage, and upon confirmation of mating (=Day 1 of pregnancy) the stud male was removed. The young were weaned on Day 30 and the stud male reintroduced.The results were subjected to regression analysis. ResultsData based on 171 pregnancies are presented in Table 1. All females nursing 3 or more young experienced some prolongation of gestation, the longest recorded being 48 days in a female nursing 9 young. A positive, well-defined linear relationship was detected between gestation length and the number of young nursed, the best estimate of this relationship being y = 25·29 + 1·930x, where y is the length of gestation and x the number of young nursed. The prolongation of gestation per unit increase in the number of young nursed was thus estimated as 1·93 ± 0·07 days (P < 0·001).The estimated day of implantation, based on the post-implantation phase lasting 17 days, is illustrated The calculated regression is y = 25·29 + 1·93x.• Delay = a gestation length of at least 27 days.

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Ecology of small rodents in Africa

Delany¹

1986

Mammal Review

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This account considers progress in research on small rodent ecology since about 1970. While some ecological survey has been undertaken throughout much of the continent, the main research thrust has involved the detailed examination of population processes in a range of habitats from deserts to tropical rain forests. The deserts and semi‐arid regions support a range of species with some better adapted to these harsh conditions than others. The adaptations manifest themselves in different life history strategies e.g., opportunistic with high turnover species, or low turnover‐low reproduction species, in their physiology e.g., adaption to water retention, and in their behaviour e.g., avoiding heat of day. Long term studies show large numerical fluctuations with a quick response by some species to favourable conditions caused by relatively high precipitation. In the savanna and grasslands, studies have centred on population dynamics, the relationship between food and breeding, reproductive and life history strategies and the determination of niche. These have been approached through the study of groups of species in particular localities as well as by the examination of individual species. In these habitats populations are more stable and less erratic than in semi‐arid regions. Perturbations, particularly fire, can have various effects on the numbers and species composition of the disturbed area. In the tropical rain forest population fluctuations are modest and may take up to 2–3 years to pass from a peak to a trough and back again. Breeding typically extends over much of the year with, apparently, the greatest number of rodents occurring on the ground surface. Bush and temporary farms derived as a result of forest modification support more animals (and often more species) than forest. The niches occupied by forest rodents are poorly understood and very little is known of the ecology within the canopy. In most localities a small number of species are abundant and the remainder much less frequent.

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Behaviour and Breeding in Captivity of the Namaqua Gerbil Desmodillus Auricularis (Cricetidae: Gerbillinae)

Cited by 5 publications

References 13 publications

Notes on the activity patterns of 12 species of southern African rodents and a new design of activity monitor

Notes on the activity patterns of 12 species of southern African rodents and a new design of activity monitor

Mating post partum and length of gestation in the Mongolian gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus)

Ecology of small rodents in Africa

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