Abstract
We monitored individual reproductive timing and output in a common
hamster population in Vienna over a 3-year period. Animals were
live-trapped, weighed, individually marked, and reproductive status was
determined at capture. Costs of reproduction were investigated by
measuring body condition shortly before hibernation and overwinter
survival. Our results indicated that early emerging females had more
litters and weaned more offspring per season. Body mass throughout the
active season did not differ significantly between females with high
and low reproductive output. High reproductive output seemed to affect
the duration of the active season. Successful females had a longer
postreproduction period before hibernation than less successful ones,
probably serving to balance the costs of reproductive effort by
extended preparation for hibernation. Also, females that had emerged
early in spring and had high reproductive success were more likely to
survive the subsequent winter. Hence, we found female common hamsters
to vary strongly in maternal investment capacity and to tailor
reproductive strategies accordingly. (C) 2007 Elsevier GmbH. All rights
reserved.
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