Biological and environmental influences on parturition date and birth mass of a seasonal breeder.

ABSTRACT: Natal features (e.g. Julian birth date and birth mass) often have fitness consequences and can be influenced by endogenous responses by the mother to seasonal fluctuations in nutritional quality and photoperiodic cues. We sought to further understand the biological and environmental factors that influence the natal features of a polytocous species in an environment with constant nutritional resources and limited seasonal variation. During a 36-year study we assessed the influence of biological factors (maternal age and litter type [i.e., litter size and sexual composition]) and environmental factors (total precipitation and mean maximum temperature during months encompassing conception, the last trimester of gestation, and the entire length of gestation) on Julian birth date and birth mass

SUBMITTER: Wolcott DM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4401666 | biostudies-literature | 2015

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature