01903nas a2200193 4500008004100000245011800041210006900159490000700228520119500235653002001430653001901450653001601469653003201485653001601517653001501533100001901548700002101567856012101588 2013 eng d00aReproductive strategies and natural history of the arboreal Neotropical vesper mouse, Nyctomys sumichrasti0 aReproductive strategies and natural history of the arboreal Neot0 v773 a

The vesper mouse, Nyctomys sumichrasti (Rodentia: Cricetidae), a poorly known, arboreal, nocturnal, rodent found in Central America, has been considered rare, and limited information is available about its biology, especially reproduction. We obtained vesper mice from several sites in Costa Rica and prepared them as scientific specimens with standard external measurements and reproductive data recorded. We expanded our dataset by including specimens from museum collections. Vesper mice have 1:1 sex ratios throughout their range. They reproduce year-round and litters may occur in rapid succession. Testis size is positively correlated with body mass; however, we could not determine the onset of sperm production. The onset of reproduction for females, based on mass, is variable but most females are parous by 60 g. Litter size is small with a mode of two, and embryos are not evenly distributed across the uterine horns. Vesper mice exhibit striking morphological differences in terms of tooth-wear and pelage patterns across their range. Much work is needed to fully appreciate N. sumichrasti, its role in tropical habitats, and its reproductive biology.

10aCentral America10aembryo balance10alitter size10aReserva Ecológica Bijagual10aseasonality10asex ratios1 aRomero, Andrea1 aTimm, Robert, M. uhttps://bijagual.myspecies.info/http%3A//kuscholarworks.ku.edu/dspace/bitstream/1808/12441/1/Romero%2526Timm2013.pdf