Main Article Content

Age determination and age structure of a striped fieldmouse, <i>Rhabdomys pumilio</i>, population from the Cape Flats


J.R. Henschel
J.H.M. David
J.U.M. Jarvis

Abstract

The validity of predicting the age of Rhabdomys pumilio by age-related changes in tooth appearance, dimensions and position, in body mass and head-body length is tested against 47 known-age mice. Body mass can be used to determine the age of individuals of less than 7 weeks old (≤ 26 g). Thereafter, the only reliable technique of age determination Involves a visual evaluation of the degree of molar tooth wear. Five wear classes are described and used to assess the age of 780 R. pumilio collected during a five-year period. The annual cycles of population age structure and size were dependent on seasonal recruitment and were Influenced by the duration of the peak breeding period. The growth rate, especially of females, is reduced in winter, and maturity appears to be delayed until spring, when breeding commences.

Journal Identifiers


eISSN: 2224-073X
print ISSN: 1562-7020