Woods, Richard E., and Ford, Frederick D. (2000) Observations on the behaviour of the smoky mouse Pseudomys fumeus (Rodentia: Muridae). Australian Mammalogy, 22 (1). pp. 35-42.

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Abstract

This study examined aspects of behaviour in a captive colony of smoky mice, Pseudomys fumeus, over a two year period. Wherever possible behaviours observed in the captive population are compared to data collected in a study of a wild population in south-eastern New South Wales. This paper provides the first recorded observations of behavior in this species. Both captive and wild populations of P. fumeus display strictly nocturnal circadian activity rhythms. In the captive study, P. fumeus were found to exhibit social interactions similar to some previously studied Pseudomys species. However, in the wild, the species was found to communally nest during the breeding season, behaviour not observed in other Pseudomys from similar habitats. P. fumeus in captivity can have more than two litters in one breeding season which suggests that their reproductive parameters are more flexible than previous studies of wild populations have shown. Field data indicate that post-partum oestrus can occur in this species, and that gestation lasts for approximately 30 days, although these observations are based on a small sample.

Item ID:	27489
Item Type:	Article (Research - C1)
ISSN:	1836-7402
Keywords:	smoky mouse, Pseudomys fumeus, behaviour, activity patterns, social interactions, nesting, breeding behaviour
Date Deposited:	05 Jun 2013 23:13
FoR Codes:	06 BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES > 0602 Ecology > 060201 Behavioural Ecology @ 100%
SEO Codes:	97 EXPANDING KNOWLEDGE > 970106 Expanding Knowledge in the Biological Sciences @ 100%
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