Reproductive seasonality in African ungulates in relation to rainfall

摘要: Context Reproductive seasonality in ungulates has important fitness consequences but its relationship to resource is not yet fully understood, especially for inhabiting equatorial environments. Aims We test hypotheses concerning synchronisation of conception or parturition peaks among African with seasonal forage quality and quantity, indexed by rainfall. Methods relate monthly apparent fecundity juvenile recruitment rates rainfall six ungulate species the Masai Mara National Reserve (Mara) Kenya, using cross-correlation analysis distributed lag non-linear models. compare phenology synchrony breeding those other parts East Africa, bimodal less variation, subtropical southern unimodal distribution greater variation. Key results Births were more synchronised topi, warthog zebra than hartebeest, impala giraffe Mara, hartebeest eastern Africa. This pattern likely reflect regional differences climate plant phenology, hider–follower dichotomy grazing versus browsing. All except browsing apparently time occur one wet season births just before onset during next season, so as maximise high-quality intake parturition. Fecundity peak at intermediate levels are reduced low excessive rate most strongly positively correlated pre-conception, early gestation, followed about all grazers. For giraffe, gestation period. Conclusions Rainfall influences reproductive ungulates. The interaction influence life-history traits factors leads wide interspecific Implications Global change, widening annual variation expected result from global warming, could reduce predictability timing availability based on meteorological cues, length adequate nutrition both, hence success tropical