Postembryonic Development of The Edible Dormouse (Glis Glis Linnaeus, 1766)

Abstract

The period of postnatal development in the edible dormouse occurs before hibernation, causing a restricted period of growth. Four stages can be identified according to the morphological development and behavior in the nesting period. Dormice are born completely naked, unable to move independently. During the second stage (11–21 days), juveniles acquire a variety of movements. The third stage (22–30 days) begins with opening the eyes and is associated with the activity outside the nest. During the fourth stage (31–44 days) juveniles gradually become independent of their mother. Bright peculiarity of the species postembryonic development is three simultaneous ways of feeding from the 16^th day up to the end of lactation on the 39-43^rd days: milk, chewed by mother food and firm forages. In social interactions cases of strict aggression are scarce. Dynamic socio-hierarchical structure of litters with the absence of stepped hierarchy is observed. As a whole, during the period of early ontogenesis strategy of the species provides the maximal survival of posterity instead of concurrence inside litters. Geographical differences in time frames of early ontogenesis, found when comparison of data from different regions, maybe caused both by intraspecific variation and peculiarities of local populations.