REPRODUCTION AND POPULATION TRAITS OF Clyomys laticeps (Thomas, 1909) (RODENTIA: ECHIMYIDAE)

Reproduction and population traits of Clyomys laticeps

Resumo

Echimyidae encompasses the highest rodent species richness within Caviomorpha, thus presenting different evolutionary histories. However, information regarding species’ biology, behavior, and ecology is still scarce for this group, precluding investigations of the role of phylogenetic and ecological factors on diversity. We investigated the reproduction and population traits of the semi-fossorial echimyid Clyomys laticeps. Clyomys laticeps individuals were captured through a capture-mark-recapture approach in the Cerrado domain at Serra de Caldas Novas State Park, state of Goiás, Brazil, from August 2018 to February 2020. The species presented a 1:1 sex ratio and sexual monomorphism in body mass, which probably reflected a dispersal behavior in both sexes or a weak competition for mates in the population. Clyomys laticeps reproduces year-round, and females are predominantly monotocous, with long gestation lengths, which likely contributes to low density and a lack of seasonal population fluctuations within a year.