Performance of agouti (Dasyprocta prymnolopha) bred in captivity according to sex and parturition in Teresina, piauí

Abstract

This experiment was carried out to evaluate the effect of sex and parturition type (simple or double) on live weight, body length, thoracic diameter at birth and at weaning of agouti, as well as total weigh t gai n and daily mean weight gain, to obtain subsidies that contribute to preservation and rational exploration of these animals. Fourty-one animals (26 males and 15 females) were allotted to a completely randomized a design. Animal weight, thoracic diameter and body length of agouti at birth, for males and females, were respectively: 147.62 g and 146.25 g; 12.26 cm and 12.17 cm; 19.91 cm and 19.39 cm. For the same variables, the values at wean for males and females were, respectively: 481.92 g and 509.33 g; 17.12 cm and 16.85 cm; 30.07 cm and 30.42 cm. No significant difference among the studied variables was observed, when compared to the sex and parturition type (simple or double). It was concluded that the variables studied of of agouti at birth and at weaning were affected neither by sex and nor by parturition type: animal weight, body length and thoracic diameter of agouti at birth and weaning were around 145 g and 500 g, 20 and 30 cm and 12 and 17 cm, respectively: and daily mean weight gain from to birth to weaning is about 7.76 g for both sexes.