Sponsor
Portland State University. Department of Biology
First Advisor
Richard B. Forbes
Date of Publication
11-24-1976
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science (M.S.) in Biology
Department
Biology
Language
English
Subjects
Didelphis virginiana virginiana, Opossums -- Behavior
DOI
10.15760/etd.2544
Physical Description
1 online resource, digitized manuscript.
Abstract
Eighty-three Didelphis virginiana from the Portland metropolitan area were collected and studied from December 1974 through May 1976. Males averaged 3394 g, females 2318 g. An annual sex ratio of 68.7:31.3 was recorded. Data indicate the possibility of a year-round breeding season and suggest the occurrence of three peaks of reproductive activity: January-February, April-May and October-November. The six primary foods consumed annually are: leaf litter, mammals, gastropods, earthworms, grasses and pet food. Seasonal composition and diversity in the diet is marked. Five new parasite-host records were established. These include mites: Androlaelaps fahrenholsi, Haemogamasus nidi, Eulaelape stabularis tick, Ixodes angustus, and a nematode, Toxocara canis. Both minimum and maximum temperature, and perhaps precipitation to a lesser degree, affect the activity of the species. Nest building by an immature opossum is described.
Rights
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Persistent Identifier
http://archives.pdx.edu/ds/psu/16146
Recommended Citation
Hopkins, David, "Some Aspects of the Ecology of the Virginia Opossum (Didelphis virginiana virginiana Kerr 1792) in an Urban Environment" (1976). Dissertations and Theses. Paper 2547.
https://doi.org/10.15760/etd.2544