Food abundance and weather modify reproduction of two arboreal squirrel species

摘要: The importance of weather in relation to food resources, determining reproduction, remains poorly understood for mammals, particularly species that do not depend on resources limited by spring conditions. We studied the effects and supply had timing reproduction observed litter size 2 squirrel species, Siberian flying European red squirrel, using long-term data sets spanning 20–30 years. Both subsist foods from tree masting, these are available squirrels autumn until early spring. Good conditions winter before positive both advancing onset squirrels, slightly increasing size. Higher temperature late and, surprisingly, increased precipitation resulted respectively. In addition, higher was positively related likely reflecting low survival small juveniles cold weather. Our study supports view is determined breeding. results also highlight fact dependent