Morphological variation in deer mice in relation to sex and habitat

1987 ◽  
Vol 65 (3) ◽  
pp. 527-533 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xuhua Xia ◽  
John S. Millar
Keyword(s):  
Body Length ◽  
Tail Length ◽  
Deer Mice ◽  
Body Measurements ◽  
Adult Males ◽  
Adult Females ◽  
Foot Length ◽  
Hind Foot ◽  
Similar Body ◽  
Juvenile Males

Peromyscus maniculatus borealis were collected in two habitats with contrasting physiognomic features in the Kananaskis Valley, Alberta, in the summer of 1983. We tested for differences between sexes and habitats using 4 body measurements (body length, tail length, hind foot length, and ear length) and 10 cranial (including mandibular) measurements of 222 and 192 adult P. m. borealis, respectively. Body measurements of 132 juveniles and five cranial (including mandibular) measurements from 124 juvenile skulls were analysed similarly. When differences in body length were controlled, adult males had significantly longer hind feet than adult females. The mandible was also significantly longer in adult males than in adult females. We interpreted the longer hind foot length in adult males as an adaptation to provide greater mobility, and the differences in mandibular morphology as a consequence of differential habitat use between the two sexes. No significant differences were found between juvenile males and females. Sexual dimorphism appeared to be age dependent rather than size dependent when adults and juveniles of similar body size were analysed.

Somatic characteristics and reproduction of common vole, Microtus arvalis (Microtus arvalis

Biologia ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 65 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ivan Baláž
Keyword(s):  
Sea Level ◽  
Body Length ◽  
Common Vole ◽  
Reproductive Season ◽  
Adult Males ◽  
Microtus Arvalis ◽  
Foot Length ◽  
Hind Foot ◽  
The Common ◽  
Males And Females

AbstractReproduction potential and biometry of somatic characteristics of the common vole Microtus arvalis were evaluated and discussed. The results were processed on the basis of an extensive material (2,171 individuals) from the whole territory of Slovakia (315 sites situated at altitudes from 100 to 1500 m above sea level). Among the somatic characteristics studied, the highest variability was found in body length and the smallest in hind foot length. Highly significant differences were also found between the foot length of adult males and females. Populations of M. arvalis at low altitudes were less numerous than at higher altitudes. Altitudinal differences in average embryo numbers in female uteri as well as differences in follicle length in males during the reproductive season were also observed.

Shrews (Sorex spp.) somatometry and reproduction in Slovakia

Biologia ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 61 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ivan Baláž ◽  
Michal Ambros
Keyword(s):  
Body Length ◽  
Reproductive Cycle ◽  
Tail Length ◽  
Reproductive Activity ◽  
Sorex Araneus ◽  
Mating Season ◽  
Foot Length ◽  
Variable Characteristic ◽  
Hind Foot ◽  
Sorex Minutus

AbstractThe morphometrics and reproduction of shrews (Sorex araneus, S. minutus, S. alpinus) was studied in Slovakia. Significant differences in weight, body length and tail length were recorded in adult and subadult shrews. Adult individuals and males had higher mean somatometric values (apart from tail length of subadults). The hind foot length was the least variable characteristic, which can be considered as the most stable taxonomic somatic characteristic of shrews. Weight and body length varied considerably. Values of somatic characteristics in S. araneus and S. minutus increased with increasing altitude, apart from hind foot length in S. araneus, which decreased with increasing altitude. The values of somatic characteristics declined with increasing continentality, but tail length gradually increased in the direction west — east at the highland level. Sorex minutus was characterized by the greatest reproductive activity (length of reproductive cycle April–October, average number of embryos 6.97). The lowest reproductive activity was observed in S. alpinus (average number of embryos 5.72). The mating season of S. araneus began at the end of March and ended in August with an average number of embryos of 6.12.

Somatic characteristics and reproduction potential of snow vole and Tatra vole (Rodentia) in Slovakia

Biologia ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 67 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ivan Baláž ◽  
Michal Ambros
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Body Length ◽  
Reproductive Potential ◽  
Tail Length ◽  
The Body ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Foot Length ◽  
Chionomys Nivalis ◽  
Reproduction Season ◽  
Hind Foot

AbstractSomatic features (morphometric or meristic features, i.e., body weight, length of body, tail, hind foot and ear) and reproduction characteristics (number of embryos in uterus, reproduction potential, duration of reproduction season) are the basic attributes of the biology of a species. In the present paper, biometry of somatic characteristics and reproduction potential of two mountain vole species, the Tatra vole (Microtus tatricus) and the snow vole (Chionomys nivalis) which originate from various sites of Slovakia, were investigated. Among somatic features, the body length, tail length, hind foot length, length of ear and body weight were assessed. The highest variability was found in body length and the lowest one in the hind foot length. These characteristics were evaluated separately for sub-adult and adult individuals, and males and females. Values of somatic features and body weight of both species are larger in males than in females. Throughout the life of these rodents, the ratio between the length of tail and length of body does not vary considerably. The reproductive potential of the two species is, compared to other small mammals, very low and the length of reproductive season is shorter in the extreme conditions of the mountain environment. Thanks to a sufficient data set, it was possible to evaluate the influence of altitude on somatic features as well as on reproduction potential of M. tatricus and it was found that the average values of somatic features and body weight increased with increasing altitude.

Habitat use and body form of the long-tailed mouse (Pseudomys higginsi)

1993 ◽  
Vol 20 (6) ◽  
pp. 733 ◽  
Author(s):  
DM Stoddart ◽  
G Challis
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Use ◽  
Body Length ◽  
Tail Length ◽  
Montane Forest ◽  
Body Form ◽  
Foot Length ◽  
Lowland Forests ◽  
Hind Foot ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Forest Habitats

The Tasmanian long-tailed mouse (Pseudomys higginsi) is more readily trapped in upland habitats (alpine and montane forest habitats) than in lowland forests in southern Tasmania. Morphometric examination of the relationship between hind-foot length and head-body length, and tail length and head-body length, in eight species of Pseudomys reveals that P. higginsi has both a relatively longer hind foot and tail than other species in the genus, but the significance of this is unclear.

Characteristics of Bonpala sheep

1997 ◽  
Vol 22 ◽  
pp. 15-18 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. K. Vij ◽  
M. S. Tantia ◽  
A. E. Nivsarkar
Keyword(s):  
Body Length ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Morphological Characteristics ◽  
Tail Length ◽  
Sheep Breed ◽  
Sample Survey ◽  
Body Measurements ◽  
Dual Purpose ◽  
Face Width ◽  
Face Length

SummaryBonpala is a dual purpose sheep breed found in Sikkim, Western Bhutan and Eastern Nepal. A sample survey was conducted in east Sikkim to record characteristics of Bonpala sheep. Information was recorded on morphological characteristics, management practices and body measurements. Bonpala sheep have mixed colours ranging from all white, white and black or all black. Measurements were recorded of body length, height, heart girth, paunch girth, rump width, pin width, face length, face width, ear length, tail length, horn length and horn circumference.

Growth and development of Rattus lutreolus (Rodentia : Muridae) in the laboratory

1979 ◽  
Vol 27 (6) ◽  
pp. 945 ◽  
Author(s):  
BJ Fox
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Body Length ◽  
Growth And Development ◽  
Body Measurements ◽  
Breeding Colony ◽  
Reproductive Maturity ◽  
Stages Of Growth ◽  
Hind Foot ◽  
Developmental Features ◽  
Laboratory Breeding

A laboratory breeding colony of R. l. lutreolus was used to obtain data on the growth in the length of head, hind foot, tail, head and body, and body weight during the first 130 days of life. The development of external body features was compared to that known for other Australian Rattus. The young are blind and naked at birth and are not fully furred until 13 days. Incisors are visible at day 8 (5-11) and erupt about day 12 (8-15) with the eyes opening at 17 days (15-18). Independence was achieved at about 25 days (23-30) with the first signs of reproductive maturity at about 60-70 days. Five stages of growth can be related to developmental features from teeth eruption to puberty and reproductive maturity. The onset of hearing (14-15) days appear to be as important in development as does the opening of the eyes. Body measurements show sigmoid relationships to a linear equivalence of weight (W*0.33), except for head and body length which is linear. R. l. lutreolus belongs to the fast-growing group in Australian murids. Measurements from laboratory-bred animals are in agreement with those for field animals, with head and body length the best single parameter for obtaining approximate ages.

scholarly journals Reproduction and growth in a Neotropical arboreal mouse: Oecomys rutilus (Sigmodontinae: Cricetidae) in French Guiana

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
François Catzeflis
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
French Guiana ◽  
Tail Length ◽  
Crystalline Lens ◽  
Postnatal Growth ◽  
Morphometric Measurements ◽  
Daily Growth ◽  
Foot Length ◽  
Average Litter Size ◽  
Hind Foot

Abstract: Postnatal growth and development of the small Neotropical mouse Oecomys rutilus (Sigmodontinae: Cricetidae) were investigated from birth to day 143, in the laboratory. Morphometric measurements at age of 3 days, of both sexes combined, revealed body weight to be 3.4 ± 0.3 g, mean tail length as 27.4 ± 1.1 mm, and mean hind foot length as 9.3 ± 0.7 mm. Body weight was found to increase steadily until at least 69 days, whereas the instantaneous growth rates of other measurements declined earlier: the daily growth of hind foot length declined to a minimum at age of 24 days, and the growth of tail and of ear declined by the age of 33 days. Average litter size for 12 captive births was 2.5, ranging from 2 to 3. The preserved eye crystalline lens was weighted in 23 captive-born animals of known age, allowing a rough estimate of the age of reproduction in wild-caught animals. Based on the inferred relation between eye-lens weight and age, the youngest reproductive (pregnant) wild-caught females had an estimated age of 90 and 95 days.

scholarly journals Are there sex differences in the body size of the Eurasian red squirrel in Slovakia?

2015 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 5-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander Čanády ◽  
Ladislav Mošanský ◽  
Peter Krišovský
Keyword(s):  
Function Analysis ◽  
Tail Length ◽  
The Body ◽  
Red Squirrel ◽  
Sexual Interaction ◽  
Mean Values ◽  
Foot Length ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Hind Foot ◽  
Males And Females

Abstract Sexual dimorphism of the Eurasian red squirrel on five somatic variables (head-and-body length, tail length, hind foot length, ear length and body weight) was evaluated on 55 squirrels. The overlap of values of the measured traits among sexes was high, but in all traits (with exception of the tail length) males seem to exhibit slightly higher mean values than females. However, these differences were non-significant, with the exception of a small significant difference in the tail length and tail-to-head-and-body ratio. Similarly, the results of discriminant function analysis show no differences between the sexes. Positive correlation analyses, together with PCA values, confirmed that tail length and hind foot length are traits that play a significant role in overall variability. We suggest that this relationship could explain their mutual importance in locomotion, where the feet are essential for movement in the trees. By contrast, the tail maintains balance on thin branches, or during jumps from one crown to another. Longer tails also demonstrate differential selection on males and females for a locomotor trait. Similarly, we discuss whether variations in tail length were connected to female reproductive success. Our results suggest that the non-significant results regarding SSD provide the benefit of the same size for both sexes in the protection of territory as well as inter- and intra-sexual interaction.

Body size, sexual dimorphism, and seasonal mass fluctuations in a larger sika deer subspecies, the Hokkaido sika deer (Cervus nippon yesoensis Heude, 1884)

2001 ◽  
Vol 79 (1) ◽  
pp. 154-159 ◽  
Author(s):  
Masatsugu Suzuki ◽  
Manabu Onuma ◽  
Mayumi Yokoyama ◽  
Koich Kaji ◽  
Masami Yamanaka ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Dimorphism ◽  
Body Mass ◽  
Body Length ◽  
Sika Deer ◽  
Cervus Nippon ◽  
Total Body Mass ◽  
Foot Length ◽  
Hind Foot ◽  
Total Body ◽  
Cervus Nippon Yesoensis

Measurements of shoulder height, body length, hind-foot length, and total body mass were collected from 309 Hokkaido sika deer (Cervus nippon yesoensis Heude, 1884) (115 males and 194 females) and analyzed statistically for sexual dimorphism and seasonal body mass fluctuations. The von Bertalanffy equation was fitted to the growth curves that resulted. Asymptotic shoulder height, body length, and hind-foot length were 106.2, 112.6, and 52.9 cm in males and 94.8, 103.9, and 49.4 cm in females, respectively. Total body mass showed distinct seasonal fluctuations, ranging between 102.8 and 151.0 kg in adult males and 68.0 and 99.8 kg in adult females. Male/female ratios in shoulder height, body length, hind-foot length, and total mass were 1.12, 1.08, 1.07, and 1.51, respectively. These results indicate that the Hokkaido sika deer is one of the largest subspecies, at least in skeleton size. A larger body and longer hind foot would seem to be evolutionary adaptations to Hokkaido's cold, snowy environment.

scholarly journals The Diet and Sexual Differences of the Caspian Bent-Toed Gecko,Tenuidactylus caspius(Squamata: Gekkonidae), in Northern Iran

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-4 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vida Hojati ◽  
Reza Babaei Savasari
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Dimorphism ◽  
Culex Pipiens ◽  
Tail Length ◽  
Adult Males ◽  
Northern Iran ◽  
Widespread Distribution ◽  
Adult Females ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
Prey Items

The Caspian bent-toed gecko,Tenuidactylus caspius, is one of the most common nocturnal lizards of Iran with widespread distribution especially in the northern provinces. This research was done in order to study the diet and sexual dimorphism of this species in Sari County from 5 May to 20 October. During this research, 40 specimens of them including 20 males and 20 females were studied for diet and 140 specimens including 70 adult males and 70 adult females were studied for sexual dimorphism. Prey items identified were insects that belong to 15 species of 8 families and 6 orders. The most common prey items wereCulex pipiensandMusca domestica. There is no significant difference between diets of males and females. Results show that the adult males in addition of having the apparent femoral and preanal pores are heavier than females and have larger body, head, and tail length.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document