De Bruin, RuanGanswindt, AndreBennett, Nigel CharlesMedger, Katarina2018-04-202018-05De Bruin, R., Ganswindt, A., Bennett, N.C. & Medger, K. 2018, 'The influence of food restriction and photoperiod on reproduction in male spiny mice (Acomys spinosissimus) : evidence for terminal investment?', Mammalian Biology , vol. 90, pp. 38-41.1616-5047 (print)1618-1476 (online)10.1016/j.mambio.2018.02.002http://hdl.handle.net/2263/64667Photoperiod and food availability often interact in the regulation of reproductive development in seasonal environments. We tested the effects of a 10% food restriction and short- (SD) and long-day (LD) photoperiods on reproductive preparedness of male spiny mice (Acomys spinosissimus) from South Africa. Males were either fed ad libitum or a 10% restricted diet and on both food regimes, they were exposed to either a 14 h light:10 h dark (LD) or 10 h light:14 h dark (SD) photoperiod. Testes size, seminiferous tubule diameter and faecal androgen metabolite (fAM) concentrations were larger in food restricted males subjected to LD than in any of the other groups. SD photoperiods did not suppress reproductive development, despite earlier findings, which may be explained by “spontaneous” recrudescence due to prolonged exposure to SD. The increased development of the gonads and higher fAM concentrations observed in food restricted LD males may indicate a terminal investment strategy in male spiny mice with males investing more into reproduction in the face of reduced future survival.en© 2018 Deutsche Gesellschaft für Säugetierkunde. Published by Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved. Notice : this is the author’s version of a work that was accepted for publication in Mammalian Biology. 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. A definitive version was subsequently published in Mammalian Biology, vol. 90, pp.38-41, 2018. doi : 10.1016/j.mambio.2018.02.002. [12 months embargo]Faecal androgen metabolite (fAM)Food availabilitySeasonal breedingSeminiferous tubulesTerminal investment strategyTestesSpiny mice (Acomys spinosissimus)Postprint Article