Breeding of Captive Kangaroo Rats, Dipodomys merriami and D. microps

Daly, Martin; Wilson, Margo; Behrends, Phil

doi:10.2307/1381177

Cited by 27 publications

(17 citation statements)

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“…Our population from a productive part of the Chihuahuan Desert is near the upper extreme of this variability. There is probably also sig-nificant geographic variation in mean litter size, from "='2 young in the Sonoran and Chihuahuan Deserts of Arizona to 2.4-2.6 young in the Mojave and Great Basin Deserts of California and Nevada (Reynolds 1960, Bradley and Mauer 1971, Daly et al 1984, Kenagy and Bartholomew 1985. Nevertheless, the overall life history of the species appears to be quite similar throughout its range.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

“…Nevertheless, the overall life history of the species appears to be quite similar throughout its range. Litter size is small, with a range of 1-6 young and a mean of 2-3 young; and females may produce at least two litters per year (Chew and Butterworth 1959, 1964, Reynolds 1960, Daly et al 1984, Kenagy and Bartholomew 1985. Individuals grow and mature relatively slowly, requiring 2-3 mo to attain reproductive age and 4-6 mo to attain 90% of maximum adult body mass Butterworth 1959, Reynolds 1960).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Population Ecology of a Desert Rodent: Dipodomys Merriami in the Chihuahuan Desert

Zongyong¹,

Brown²

1987

Ecology

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We show that the extremely flexible life history and other facultative behaviors of the kangaroo rat, Dipodomys merriami, facilitate adult survival and enable this small mammal to maintain remarkably stable populations despite wide, unpredictable fluctuations in its desert environment. Mark-recapture methods provided data on population density, growth, reproduction, dispersal, and survival for a population of D. merriami in the Chihuahuan Desert of southeastern Arizona from 1978 through 1984. Population density showed both annual and interannual fluctuations, but varied only from ::::3 to 15 individuals/ha.The life history is characterized by long survival (up to at least 3.5 yr), modest and variable reproductive effort (zero to at least two litters per year, and an average of two young per litter), slow growth and maturation of young (at least 3 mo from birth to reproductive maturity), and frequent, facultative dispersal of adults as well as juveniles (75% of the males and 59% of the females that lived >4 mo dispersed). This combination oflife history traits enabled D. merriami to confine reproduction to favorable periods, with the result that although adults of both sexes showed a loss of body mass associated with reproduction, there was no evidence that they experienced increased risk of mortality. Frequent and male-biased dispersal of adults is probably not unique to this species. Most standard methods of analyzing mark-recapture data probably underestimate the frequency of dispersal and its effects on sex ratio and genetic structure.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Population Ecology of a Desert Rodent: Dipodomys Merriami in the Chihuahuan Desert

Zongyong¹,

Brown²

1987

Ecology

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“…The effects of eliminating mate choice in a captive population may be evident in the copulation success of pairing. Unsuccessful breeding and low reproductive success as a consequence of matings during which the movement of the female was restricted have been reported in tigers ( Panthera tigris ) (van Bemmel 1968), black rhinoceros ( Diceros bicornis ) (Smith & Read 1992), and kangaroo rats ( Dipodomys merriami ) (Daly et al 1984). In tree shrews ( Tupaia glis ) (Schreiber et al 1993) and pygmy rabbits ( Brachylagus idahoensis ) (Elias et al 2006) paired for mating solely to minimize their genetic relatedness, as few as 20% and 37%, respectively of mating introductions (defined as females and males placed together to facilitate copulation and subsequent fertilization) result in pair formation and subsequent litter production.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Role of Familiarity and Preference in Reproductive Success in Ex Situ Breeding Programs

Martin-Wintle

Shepherdson

2012

Conservation Biology

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: Success of captive‐breeding programs centers on consistent reproduction among captive animals. However, many individuals do not reproduce even when they are apparently healthy and presented with mates. Mate choice can affect multiple parameters of reproductive success, including mating success, offspring production, offspring survival, and offspring fecundity. We investigated the role of familiarity and preference on reproductive success of female Columbia Basin pygmy rabbits (Brachylagus idahoensis) as measured by litter production, litter size, average number of young that emerged from the burrow, and average number of young that survived to 1 year. We conducted these studies on pygmy rabbits at the Oregon Zoo (Portland, Oregon, U.S.A.) and Washington State University (Pullman, Washington, U.S.A.) from February to June 2006, 2007, and 2008. Before mating, we housed each female adjacent to 2 males (neighbors). Female preference for each potential mate was determined on the basis of behavioral interactions observed and measured between the rabbits. We compared reproductive success between females mated with neighbor and non‐neighbor males and between females mated with preferred and nonpreferred males. Our findings suggest that mating with a neighbor compared with a non‐neighbor and mating with a preferred neighbor compared with a nonpreferred neighbor increased reproductive success in female pygmy rabbits. Litter production, average number of young that emerged, and average number of young that survived to 1 year were higher in rabbits that were neighbors before mating than in animals who were not neighbors. Pairing rabbits with a preferred partner increased the probability of producing a litter and was significantly associated with increased litter size. In captive breeding programs, mates are traditionally selected on the basis of genetic parameters to minimize loss of genetic diversity and inbreeding coefficients. Our results suggest that integrating genetic information with social dynamics and behavioral measures of preference may increase the reproductive output of the pygmy rabbit captive‐breeding program. Our findings are consistent with the idea that allowing mate choice and familiarity increase the reproductive success of captive‐breeding programs for endangered species.

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“…Male and female kangaroo rats are solitary, territorial and defend burrows and food caches (Bartholomew & Caswell, 1951;Daly, Wilson, & Behrends, 1984;Garner, 1974). Patch capacities were based on an observed kangaroo rat territory size of 1750 ± 620 m 2 (1 SE) in high quality habitat (Gummer & Robertson, 2003).…”

Section: Patch Sizementioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of landscape and patch-level attributes on regional population persistence

Heinrichs

Bender

Gummer

et al. 2015

Journal for Nature Conservation

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Breeding of Captive Kangaroo Rats, Dipodomys merriami and D. microps

Cited by 27 publications

References 0 publications

Population Ecology of a Desert Rodent: Dipodomys Merriami in the Chihuahuan Desert

Population Ecology of a Desert Rodent: Dipodomys Merriami in the Chihuahuan Desert

Role of Familiarity and Preference in Reproductive Success in Ex Situ Breeding Programs

Effects of landscape and patch-level attributes on regional population persistence

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