Sarli, JoshuaLutermann, HeikeAlagaili, Abdulaziz N.Mohammed, Osama B.Bennett, Nigel Charles2015-11-022016-01Sarli, J, Lutermann, H, Alagaili, AN, Mohammed, OB & Bennett, NC 2016, 'Seasonal reproduction in the Arabian spiny mouse, Acomys dimidiatus (Rodentia : Muridae) from Saudi Arabia : the role of rainfall and temperature', Journal of Arid Environments, vol. 124, pp. 352-359.0140-1963 (print)1095-922X (online)10.1016/j.jaridenv.2015.09.008http://hdl.handle.net/2263/50306In deserts where unpredictable rainfall arises and a large variation in temperature occurs, this poses severe energetic and water related constraints on reproduction in small mammals and makes the use of photoperiod as cue for reproduction unreliable. In the present study, the gonad morphometrics, gonadal histology and endocrine profiles of the Arabian spiny mouse (Acomys dimidiatus) were studied over 12 consecutive months in a field population from western Saudi Arabia in an attempt to assess the seasonality of reproduction and gain insights into the environmental cues that may trigger reproduction in this species. Although sperm was present throughout the year, most reproductive parameters exhibited a seasonal pattern with a minimum in winter in both sexes and pregnancies were observed from spring to autumn. Whereas testes volume, the number of corpora lutea and progesterone levels were correlated with temperature, all other reproductive parameters were correlated with rainfall. Thus, it appears that A. dimidiatus ceases to breed during winter and uses rainfall as an environmental cue to initiate reproduction in the study area. However, the species appears to have the ability to reproduce throughout the year, if favourable conditions arise.en© 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. Notice : this is the author’s version of a work that was accepted for publication in Journal of Arid Environments. Changes resulting from the publishing process, such as peer review, editing, corrections, structural formatting, and other quality control mechanisms may not be reflected in this document. Changes may have been made to this work since it was submitted for publication. A definitive version was subsequently published in Journal of Arid Environments, vol. 124, pp. 352-359, 2016. doi : 10.1016/j.jaridenv.2015.09.008.ReproductionAcomysSeasonalityGonadsHormonesSaudi ArabiaEnvironmental cuesPostprint Article