Reproduction in the yellow mongoose revisited

ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Previous reports on female reproduction in yellow mongooses, based on anatomical examination of specimens, concluded that this species is monoestral but with an extended breeding period. Our long-term studies on known females provide clear evidence of the production of two litters annually within a period of 2-4 months, females initiating a new oestrus cycle while still lactating. We present a biological explanation for the adaptive significance of polyoestry in this species based on a unique mode of infant nutrition for viverrids. ******* AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Anatomiese ondersoeke van volwasse vroulike geelmuishonde het aangetoon dat dit 'n mono-estrusspesie is met 'n verlengde teelperiode. Ons langtermynstudie van bekende wyfies toon dat daar jaarliks twee werpsels binne 'n periode van 2-4 maande geproduseer word waar die wyfies 'n tweede estrussiklus tydens laktasie ondervind. 'n Biologiese verklaring vir hierdie verskynsel is gebaseer op die wyse waarop die kleintjies in die spesie gevoed word. Die manier van voeding is uniek aan die Viverridae