IVth International Conference on Dormice (Rodentia, Gliridae)13 - 16 September 1999 EDÝRNE - TURKEY |
SEXUAL BEHAVIOR OF THE JAPANESE DORMOUSE, GLIRULUS JAPONICUS
Minato, S.
434 kaminagai, Kumanogawa, Wakayama, 647-1201, Japan, e-mail:yamane@ripnet.or.jp
Sexual behavior of the Japanese dormouse, Glirulus japonicus, was observed in captivity. Sexual behavior occurred about 10 days after the arousal from hibernation.
Mating behavior was observed from late-March to early-April and from mid-June to early-July.
The males showed the following characteristics in copulatory behavior: most often without lock, with thrusts, with multiple intromission and with multiple ejaculation. The females copulated repeatedly with several males. The dominant males precede the subordinates in copulation and ejaculation.
Vocalization during mating behavior can be divided into 10 types. The ultrasounds may be courting calls inhibiting aggression and escape of females. Males emitted calls with frequently modulation which seemed to be connected with aggressive behavior. Vocalization constitutes important communication signals between individuals.