- Title
- The influence of photoperiod on the reproductive physiology of the greater red musk shrew: Crocidura flavescens
- Creator
- Hoole, C
- Creator
- McKechnie, Andrew E
- Creator
- Parker, Daniel M
- Creator
- Bennett, Nigel C
- Date Issued
- 2016
- Date
- 2016
- Type
- text
- Type
- article
- Identifier
- http://hdl.handle.net/10962/70157
- Identifier
- vital:29626
- Identifier
- https://doi.org/10.1139/cjz-2015-0128
- Description
- Photoperiodism involves the use of both absolute measures of day length and the direction in which day length is changing as a cue for regulating seasonal changes in physiology and behaviour so that birth and lactation coincide with optimal resource availability, increasing offspring survival. Induced ovulation and opportunistic breeding is often found in species that are predominantly solitary and territorial. In this study, the photoperiodic reproductive responses of male greater red musk shrews (Crocidura flavescens (I. Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, 1827)) were investigated in the laboratory. The presence of spermatozoa regardless of the light cycle, suggest that although the shrews are photoresponsive, they may be capable of breeding throughout the year. Significantly greater testicular volume and eminiferous tubule diameter following exposure to a short day-light cycle suggests that these animals may have breeding peaks that correspond to short days. The presence of epidermal spines on the penis indicates that the shrew is likely also an induced ovulator. Flexible breeding patterns combined with induced ovulation affords this solitary species the greatest chance of reproductive success.
- Format
- 6 pages
- Format
- Language
- English
- Relation
- Canadian Journal of Zoology
- Relation
- Hoole, C., McKechnie, A.E., Parker, D.M. and Bennett, N.C., 2016. The influence of photoperiod on the reproductive physiology of the greater red musk shrew (Crocidura flavescens). Canadian Journal of Zoology, 94(3), pp.163-168.
- Relation
- Canadian Journal of Zoology 163 168 2016 1480-3283
- Rights
- Canadian Science Publishing
- Rights
- Use of this resource is governed by the terms and conditions of the Canadian Science Publishing Open Access Statement
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Parker, Daniel M (Prof)
RU Department of Zoology and Entomology
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