TY - JOUR AU - Monge Meza, Javier PY - 2019/02/26 Y2 - 2024/03/28 TI - Reproductive cycle of the squirrel Sciurus variegatoides (Rodentia: Sciuridae) in Costa Rica JF - UNED Research Journal JA - URJ VL - 11 IS - 2 SE - Articles DO - 10.22458/urj.v11i2.2260 UR - https://revistas.uned.ac.cr/index.php/cuadernos/article/view/2260 SP - 105-111 AB - <p><strong>Introduction:</strong> the squirrel <em>Sciurus variegatoides</em> is one of the most abundant species of squirrels in Central America, yet little is known about its reproduction. <strong>Objective:</strong> to determine the reproductive cycle of <em>S. variegatoides</em> in an agricultural area of Costa Rica. <strong>Methods:</strong> monthly (Dec. 1986 to Jan. 1988), I collected 10 animals at Hacienda CurĂº, Paquera, Costa Rica. I used scrotum presence, testicle size and length of the uterine horns to assess maturity. The reproductive cycle was based on pregnancy, lactation, courtship, nest construction, and proportion of subadults. <strong>Results:</strong> I collected a total 135 squirrels; sex ratio was 1,7 males per female; and 22% were subadults, both for males and females. I captured the pregnant females from December to June and represented 42% of the adult females. February and April were marked by courtship and an increase in the construction of nests. I collected lactating females from June to September, when I captured more subadults. <strong>Conclusion:</strong> There was no evidence of reproductive activity in October and November.</p> ER -