Koprowski, J. L. 2005. Annual cycles in body mass and reproduction of endangered Mt. Graham red squirrels. Journal of Mammalogy 86(2): 309-313

thackerk1 — Mon, 22 Jul 2019 23:18:39 +0000

Authors

John L. Koprowski

Annual cycles in life-history traits often are interpreted as adaptations. The Mt. Graham red squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus grahamensis) is an endangered species isolated in the Pinaleno Mountains of Arizona (United States) at the southernmost range terminus where the ecology is poorly known. I monitored annual cycles of reproduction and body mass in male and female Mt. Graham red squirrels. Males with scrotal testes were present during all months except October, with a peak in testis size in April. Lactating females were found from April to September. Male body mass was highest in winter and lowest in summer; females did not fluctuate seasonally in mass. Male body mass exceeded that of females during winter and was positively related to size of testes late in the breeding season. Annual cycles in reproduction and body mass of Mt. Graham red squirrels are similar to those of other red squirrels in similar life zones.

Additional Information

ANNUAL CYCLES IN BODY MASS AND REPRODUCTION OF ENDANGERED MT. GRAHAM RED SQUIRRELS

Date of publication:

2005

Topics

Arizona

body mass

mating systems

Mount Graham Red Squirrel

sex differences

energetics

conservation.arizona.edu - mating systems

Koprowski, J. L. 2005. Annual cycles in body mass and reproduction of endangered Mt. Graham red squirrels. Journal of Mammalogy 86(2): 309-313

Authors

Additional Information

Topics