[Breeding ecology of Microgale brevicaudata (Tenrecidae) in northeastern Madagascar].

Abstract

With the aim of providing additional information on the reproductive ecology of Microgale brevicaudata G. Grandidier, 1899, the present study examines the breeding season of this species and other related aspects across a range of native forest areas and human modified habitats. This poorly known species occurs in the lowland moist evergreen forest of the Marojejy National Park and the surrounding anthropic zones. Three areas of Marojejy were visited, two of which (Antsahabe and Sarahandrano) during a range of seasons and one (Marojejy NP) during the hot and humid season. Information on the sex, age, and sexual maturity of each captured individual of M. brevicaudata during small mammal surveys and different associated extrapolations indicates that it mates towards the end of the cold and dry season (September-October), and parturition and lactation commence towards the start of the hot and humid season (November-December). Each captured pregnant female had one or two embryos (n = 22). The comparison of reproductive status (X² = 0.91; df = 2; p > 0.05) and breeding season (X² = 8.53; df = 7; p > 0.05) of trapped M. brevicaudata indicate that there is no significant difference in the annual breeding cycle between the types of habitats where the species is found on Marojejy, ranging from natural forest to human-disturbed habitats.