Postnatal growth and development of the hairy-footed gerbil,<i>Gerbillurus paebae exilis</i>

Ascaray, C.M.; McLachlan, Anton

doi:10.1080/02541858.1991.11448234

Cited by 2 publications

(1 citation statement)

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“…The welldeveloped hind feet of the Gerbilliscus species represent another potential factor influencing development rate, as a number of studies on other slow-developing rodent species have related their development rates to their well-developed hind limbs and resulting mode of locomotion (Dempster and Perrin 1989). Ascaray and McLachlan (1991) suggest that the slow development of Gerbillurus species may be attributed to the protection of underground nests. As described above, there are a number of potential benefits to the slow development of the Gerbilliscus species compared in the current study, and the use of underground nests by all three species (Skinner and Chimimba 2005) may allow for this slower development.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Reproduction and postnatal development of the bushveld gerbil Gerbilliscus (formerly Tatera) leucogaster

Lötter

Pillay

2008

Mammalian Biology

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The reproduction and postnatal development of the bushveld gerbil Gerbilliscus (formerly Tatera) leucogaster was studied in the laboratory. Nineteen pairs produced 23 litters. Mean litter size was 3.5 and gestation was 21-22 days. Neonates weighed 3.7 g on average and were altricial. Development was slow, with eyes usually opening 16-18 days after birth, and weaning occurring by about 24 days of age. The earliest age of sexual maturity was 6.6 weeks in females and 9.9 weeks in males. A comparison with other studies of G. leucogaster, and with closely and distantly related similar-sized murid rodents, indicates that reproduction generally varies with geographic location, and that the slow postnatal development of G. leucogaster appears to be phylogenetically constrained.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%