Prevalence of multiple mating by female common dormice, Muscardinus avellanarius

摘要: Mating behaviour is an important component of species’ life histories. Knowledge natural patterns mating can lead also to more effective management strategies for populations conservation concern. Despite a high profile many aspects the biology common dormouse (Muscardinus avellanarius) remain unknown, potentially limiting present efforts. We determine M. avellanarius at two woodland sites in UK: (1) Bontuchel (a population Wales) and (2) Wych England that was established by reintroducing captive-bred animals) genotyping mothers litters panel 10 microsatellite loci. Adult female body weight positively correlates with litter size no apparent reproductive skew evident. found multiple dormice prevalent both sites, containing three or offspring sired fathers; moreover, adopted released animals even after period captive breeding where females are mated singly as pair. evidence low proportion fathers identified our samples probably related unsampled individuals and/or larger than anticipated sizes. This first report highlights role genetic studies uncover behaviours include these data management.