Twenty-four-year investigation of the reproductive biology of Glis glis in England (Rodentia: Gliridae)

Pages	181–191
DOI	10.37520/lynx.2023.013
Keywords	Dormice, Gliridae, introduced species, longevity, reproduction, litter size, kinship, life strategy, hibernation, ‘absenteeism’
Citation	TROUT, Roger, BROOKS, Sarah a MORRIS, Pat. Twenty-four-year investigation of the reproductive biology of Glis glis in England (Rodentia: Gliridae). Lynx, new series. Prague: National Museum, 2023, 54(1), 181–191. DOI: https://doi.org/10.37520/lynx.2023.013. ISSN 0024-7774 (print), 1804-6460 (online). Also available from: https://www.nm.cz/en/periodicals/lynx-new-series/54-1/twenty-four-year-investigation-of-the-reproductive-biology-of-glis-glis-in-england-rodentia-gliridae

Lynx, new series | 2023/54/1

Nest boxes were used to monitor a population of edible dormice (Glis glis) for 24 years. Details were recorded of reproductive condition, age and co-habitation by ca. 10,000 tagged individuals. Age at first breeding, periodic failure to breed, ‘absenteeism’ among adults, changing litter size with growth of young, survival rates and lifetime reproductive output were documented. The proportion of communal breeders and their kinship was examined as well as the occurrence of breeding by subadults. Life strategy and potential benefits of seasonal and annual behaviour are discussed.

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