Published in

Elsevier, Journal of Arid Environments, (113), p. 87-94, 2015

DOI: 10.1016/j.jaridenv.2014.09.007

Links

Tools

Export citation

Search in Google Scholar

Reproductive patterns in the Baluchistan gerbil, Gerbillus nanus (Rodentia: Muridae), from western Saudi Arabia : the role of rainfall and temperature

This paper is available in a repository.
This paper is available in a repository.

Full text: Download

Green circle
Preprint: archiving allowed
Orange circle
Postprint: archiving restricted
Red circle
Published version: archiving forbidden
Data provided by SHERPA/RoMEO

Abstract

There is little information pertaining to the reproductive biology of the Baluchistan gerbil (Gerbillus nanus) despite a broad distribution throughout the Middle East. In the current study, body mass, reproductive–tract morphometrics plus gonadal histology and endocrine profiles of males and females were studied over 12 consecutive months in a field population of Baluchistan gerbils from the western region of Saudi Arabia in an attempt to gain insights into a) the environmental zeitgeber(s) that correlate with reproduction as well as b) to assess if reproduction is seasonal or aseasonal in this species. With the exception of testosterone all male reproductive indicators varied seasonally and were lower during winter than the rest of the year and most increased with rainfall. In contrast, ovarian mass and volume as well as immature follicle counts showed no seasonal patterns and were independent of rainfall or temperature. First pregnancies were observed in late spring coinciding with the increased progesterone concentrations and peaked in summer. This was accompanied by seasonal peaks in the number of Graafian follicles and corpora lutea in females and these parameters were significantly correlated with temperature, but not rainfall In the Arabian Peninsula male, but not female Baluchistan gerbils show seasonal recrudescence and this appears to be correlated largely to rainfall. ; The Deanship of Scientific Research at the King Saud University through the research group project (No. RGP_VPP_020) ; http://www.elsevier.com/locate/jaridenv ; hj2014