. Bonner zoologische Beiträge : Herausgeber: Zoologisches Forschungsinstitut und Museum Alexander Koenig, Bonn. Biology; Zoology. Reproduction in Mus macedonicus in the Balkans 287. mately to the beginning of March and consequently, their conception to mid February. The end of the breeding season was put to October when last pregnant females were collected (). They composed small proportion only among mature (20 °7o, n = 15) as well as among all captured females (8 °/o, n = 38). Last pregnant females were from the 10th, 18th and 20th October, and their embryos measured 11, 15 and 16 mm, r
. Bonner zoologische Beiträge : Herausgeber: Zoologisches Forschungsinstitut und Museum Alexander Koenig, Bonn. Biology; Zoology. Reproduction in Mus macedonicus in the Balkans 287. mately to the beginning of March and consequently, their conception to mid February. The end of the breeding season was put to October when last pregnant females were collected (). They composed small proportion only among mature (20 °7o, n = 15) as well as among all captured females (8 °/o, n = 38). Last pregnant females were from the 10th, 18th and 20th October, and their embryos measured 11, 15 and 16 mm, respectively. These data suggest that parturitions take place till the end of October. Therefore, the duration of the breeding season could be estimated at about 8V2 months (i. e., mid February — late October). However, we ought to keep in mind that the length of the breeding period can vary between years and that our estimation of its beginning is based on data obtained in a single year only. Breeding intensity The reproduction in Balkan populations of Mus macedonicus has distinctly seasonal character. The breeding intensity during the year was expressed as proportion of pregnant among all the females in the sample. As evident from , this proportion was fairly high during the spring—summer period (May 38 %, n = 21; June 27 °7o, n = 11; July 35 %, n = 57; August 50 °7o, n = 8). Marked drop in breeding intensity was recorded in September (13 °7o, n = 62) and October (8%, n = 38). Pregnant females were not present in November (n = 23) and December (n = 24) samples. Breeding intensity can also be given as percentage of pregnant among mature females. This percentage was also high throughout the entire spring—summer period (May 40 °fo, n = 20; June 43 %, n = 7; July 50 n = 40; August 67 %, n = 6). Its rapid decrease was observed from September (31 °7o, n = 26) till the end of the breeding season (October 20 %, n = 15). Litter size In 45 visibly pregnant females, th
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