Akodon molinae (Rodentia Cricetidae), a new laboratory animal: breeding, management and reproductive performance.
Akodon molinae, a vole mouse widely distributed in central Argentina, shows remarkable chromosome polymorphisms. It is one of the natural reservoirs of the aetiologic agent of haemorrhagic fever, and a laboratory colony could be of great help in investigating this disease. Pregnancy lasted 23 (range 21-25) days. Litters of 4-5 young were born to monogamous breeding pairs about every 30 days, with weaning at 26 days post partum. The sex ratio at birth was 505 males to 500 females: at weaning it was 460 to 440. Sexual maturity was attained at about 16 weeks of age in males and 12-20 weeks in females. Akodon molinae is easy to handle, but fighting and killing or neglect of young are problems.
D000818:Animals; D000830:Animals, Laboratory / Q000502:physiology*; D003411:Arvicolinae / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D008098:Litter Size; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D012098:Reproduction; D012377:Rodentia / Q000502:physiology*; D012744:Sex Ratio; D012741:Sexual Maturation; D014886:Weaning