Reproductive Biology, Mating System, and Extended Natal Association in the Echolocating Dalou Mountains Tree Mouse...

Understanding mating systems is central to ecology and evolution because reproduction shapes population dynamics, social organization, and species persistence. Interpreting these processes is especially important in rodents because of the key ecological role they play in seed dispersal and terrestrial food webs. The reproductive biology of the blind, echolocating rodent Typhlomys daloushanensis is currently not known, yet this knowledge would provide a unique opportunity to link sensory biology with life history and social organization. Here, we characterize reproduction, neonatal development, and social structure for this species under laboratory conditions. We established a captive breeding colony of T. daloushanensis and quantified key reproductive parameters, including gestation length, litter size, inter-birth interval, and offspring development to puberty. Successful reproduction occurred exclusively in male-female pairs, with no mating behavior observed in group housing. The species exhibited a life history consistent with other small rodents, with gestation lasting 28-30 days, weaning at ∼21-28 days, and maturation at >60 days, contrasting with the slower reproductive schedules of echolocating bats. Litter size ranged from 2 to 5, and offspring remained with parents well beyond weaning, indicating prolonged natal association. These findings link reproduction to social organization in this species. More broadly, our results establish foundational knowledge of reproduction in this echolocating rodent and provide a basis for future work on sensory ecology, social behavior, and the development of Typhlomys as a tractable experimental system.