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Variation in growth and reproduction of Bolomys lasiurus (Rodentia: Muridae) in an Amazonian savanna

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 July 2009

Angelo De Lima Francisco ,
William E. Magnusson  and
Tânia M. Sanaiotti
Angelo De Lima Francisco
Affiliation:
Departamento de Ecologia, Institute Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia, Caixa Postal 478, 69011–970 Manaus AM, Brazil
William E. Magnusson
Affiliation:
Departamento de Ecologia, Institute Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia, Caixa Postal 478, 69011–970 Manaus AM, Brazil
Tânia M. Sanaiotti
Affiliation:
Departamento de Ecologia, Institute Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia, Caixa Postal 478, 69011–970 Manaus AM, Brazil
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Abstract

Reproduction by Bolomys lasiurus is strongly seasonal in the Amazonian savanna of Alter do Chāo, Pará, Brazil. No pregnant or lactating females were recorded during the early dry season (July-September). Relative growth rates showed a similar though less consistent pattern. These patterns do not appear to be due to a direct effect of rainfall as high reproduction and growth were recorded during the late dry season (October-November), even though rainfall and the availability of fruits of shrubs were low during that period. It is likely that reinitiation of reproduction during the dry season is due to an increase in the availability of invertebrates and/ or wind-dispersed seeds. Fire at the end of the dry season appears to affect the diet of the rats, causing an increase in the ingestion of invertebrates during the following wet season. However, our data do not indicate that fire affects individual reproductive output or growth.

Keywords

BolomysBrazilfiregrowthreproductionrodentsavanna
Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Tropical Ecology , Volume 11 , Issue 3 , August 1995 , pp. 419 - 428
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1995

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