Reproduction of the root vole (Microtus oeconomus) at the edge of its distribution range

Authors : Linas BALCIAUSKAS, Laima BALCIAUSKIENE, Agne JANONYTE

Pages : 668-675

Doi:10.3906/vet-1106-4

View : 16 | Download : 7

Publication Date : 0000-00-00

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Data on the reproduction of the root vole insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(Microtus oeconomus); in Lithuania, the margin of its geographic range, are presented in the context of litter size analysis. In Lithuania, the breeding season lasts from April until the end of October. The average litter size was 5.93 ± 0.11 insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(2-14);, decreasing from a mean of 8.0 embryos in June to 4.3 in October, with 2-3 litters per year. The average body mass of breeding females was 40.4 ± 0.6 insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(16.5-77.0); g. However, 6.25% of females start breeding with a body mass of under 25 g. Litter size was found to increase from south to north in the geographical distribution range of the species and is described by the regression Litter size = 0.11147 x latitude - 0.2646 insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(R2 = 0.79);. The small litter size and the comparatively small number of litters in the Lithuanian population indicate that reproduction is similar to that of other populations in the southern part of the geographical range of the species.
Keywords : Key words Microtus oeconomus, reproduction, litter size, Lithuania