Reproductive characteristics of the water chevrotain, Hyemoschus aquaticus
2016
Dubost, G.
The anatomy of the reproductive organs, sexual maturation, oestrous cycle, mating, gestation and suckling were studied in the water chevrotain, Hyemoschus aquaticus, of Gabon and compared to the known characteristics of other Artiodactyls. A vaginal plug present during the oestrous cycle and throughout gestation appears to be specific to this species. Likewise, the gestation period is relatively long and variable in this species. On the whole, the water chevrotain is similar to other Tragulids, but differs on several points from many Artiodactyl species. In total, among the 24 characteristics present in the water chevrotain and taken into consideration in this study, six could be considered as typical of non-ruminants and five as characteristic of Pecora. Thus, in terms of its reproduction, the water chevrotain (as well as the other Tragulids) is situated between these two taxa, which is in complete accordance with the results obtained in previous studies on its anatomy and behaviour. The proportion of its similarities with non-ruminant species is higher in anatomical than in physiological or ethological characteristics.
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