Abstract

GLEBSKIY, Yury; DORANTES-VILLALOBOS, Daniel  and  CANO-SANTANA, Zenón. Reproductive period of the eastern cottontail, Sylvilagus floridanus, in a lava field in México City through the analysis of the seasonal variation of the abundance and size of its feces. Rev. Mex. Biodiv. [online]. 2020, vol.91, e913275.  Epub Dec 22, 2020. ISSN 2007-8706.  https://doi.org/10.22201/ib.20078706e.2020.91.3275.

Reproduction requires large amounts of energy, so many organisms look for the ideal season to carry out this process. For example, each population of the Eastern Cottontail, Sylvilagus floridanus, is expected to adjust its life cycle to reproduce in the most suitable season of the year, which may vary depending on the particular conditions of the site where each one lives. The objective of this study was to determine at what time of the year this rabbit reproduces in the xerophilous scrub of the Pedregal of San Ángel, México City, based on an analysis of seasonal variation of the abundance and size of its feces. Monthly systematic sampling of abundance of feces was made at established sites for 4 years and, during the first year, the size of excreta was also recorded. Data was analyzed using a χ2 test. It was recorded that small fecal pellets are concentrated in September and that the highest abundance values were recorded between October and December. The data suggest that the reproductive period occurs in August, which is a month of greater food availability. The data obtained do not coincide with the reproductive season recorded by this species in other locations.

Keywords : Population size; Xerophilous shrub; Pedregal de San Ángel; REPSA.

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