Reproductive Activity of the Small Japanese field mouse (Apodemus argenteus) in Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan

Abstract

The small Japanese field mouse (Apodemus argenteus) is endemic to Japan that is distributed on all of the main islands of Japan, including Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku and Kyushu, and on smaller islands larger than approximately 150 km 2 (Nakata et al. 2009). It is widely distributed from lowlands to alpine zones, and is semi-arboreal, feeding mainly on seeds, fruits, and arthropods (Abe et al. 2005). The breeding season of this species varies geographically; reproduction peaks in the summer in Hokkaido and in sub-alpine zones of Honshu (Miyao et al. 1963; Fujimaki 1969; Kimura 1977; Tateishi 2006), in the spring and summer in the lowlands and low montane areas of Honshu (Yukawa 1973; Murakami 1974; Nishikata 1979; Torii and Tanaka 1989; Shibata 2000), and in the winter in Kyushu (Yoshida 1972). In Yamaguchi Prefecture, located in the westernmost part of Honshu, characterization of this species is very limited and its life cycle and breeding season remain unknown. Therefore, this study sought to determine the reproductive activity of the small Japanese field mouse in Yamaguchi Prefecture.