Reproduction of the punctated grass-mouse, Lemniscomys striatus in the Ruwenzori National Park, Uganda (Rodentia :Muridae)

Abstract

A total of 730 punctated grass-mice was dissected to study their biology. Breeding occurred during the rains and ceased during the dry seasons, and the mean number of embryos per female reached a maximum towards the end of the breeding season. The testes and vesiculaeseminales of adult males regressed during the dry seasons and some appeared to be sexually quiescent. A small proportion of young of both sexes matured and bred in the same breeding season as that of their birth. Most adults appeared to die immediately following the breeding seasons, and thus there was almost a complete turnover of the population twice a year.