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REPRODUCTION IN THE FEMALE GREEN ACOUCHI, MYOPROCTA PRATTI POCOCK

Summary.: The green acouchi, Myoprocta pratti Pocock, in common with many other South American hystricomorph rodents (= Caviomorpha), possesses a vaginal closure membrane which becomes fully perforate only at oestrus and parturition. Partial perforation occurs at other times but does not prevent its use to define cyclical activity. The oestrous cycle, about 40 days, and gestation length, about 99 days, are long, relative to the size of the animal, but are within the range of those of related species. Sexual maturity is reached between 8 and 12 months of age. One or two offspring are born at any time of year although a slight birth peak is seen during the summer months. There is no difference in the growth rate of males and females, but acouchis weaned before 2 weeks of age are retarded in growth. In captivity, breeding success is greatest when a female is housed with a single adult male.

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				L. A. Ebensperger and H. Cofre On the evolution of group-living in the New World cursorial hystricognath rodents Behav. Ecol., March 1, 2001; 12(2): 227 - 236. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]