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Reproductive Biology Of Mouse And Dwarf Lemurs Of Eastern Madagascar, With An Emphasis On Brown Mouse Lemurs (Microcebus Rufus) At Ranomafana National Park, A Southeastern Rainforest, Marina Beatriz Blanco

Open Access Dissertations

This dissertation investigates reproductive schedules of brown mouse lemurs at Ranomafana, using intensive trapping techniques. The reproductive condition of female mouse lemurs was recorded on the basis of vaginal morphology, vaginal smears, body mass gain profiles and nipple development. Testis size was measured in males throughout the reproductive season. The timing of the first seasonal estrus was determined in frequently captured females over multiple years and it showed individual periodicities close to 365 days, consistent with endogenous regulation and entrainment by photoperiod. The timing of estrus did not correlate with female age or body mass. Males showed testicular regression during …