Comments on: Badger Reproduction and Delayed Implantation – Some Thoughts

By: badgerman

badgerman — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 21:03:40 +0000

Thanks Ghillie. Yes, it is still a mystery to me. I suspect you’re spot on when you say that delayed implantation has different uses for different species, although it is interesting that species as evolutionarily diverse as deer, badgers and seals all have it. But as you say, there’s always something more to learn.

By: Ghillie

Ghillie — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 14:27:43 +0000

Hi BM. Bit late on this thread I know, but i’m up in Cumbria most of this month. Your theory regarding Badgers is sound for sure. Delayed Impantation is still a mystery even to the most pragmatic biologists. It seems to me that it suits differant species in differant ways. The common factor in most is that the young are born in time with a bountiful season-as you said. Seals apparently originally developed it in order they breed and haul out to calf at the same time to avoid predation in spending too much time out of the water. Indeed Bears, as Badgers ,needed the extra long breeding cycle in order they find a mate over a vast area. However not the case with the Roe Deer,they don’t have to wander far to find a mate,but yes they are more solitary than most deer by nature. They are mono-oeustrus being fertile for just a small ammount of time in their month long rut. Why rut in July/August? One theory is that being slight in stature,the more quality food in summer helps them get back in condition for the leaner months and aid in fertility. This is triggered by photoperiodism. But how so the Badger who spends that time below earth or in darkness. It still has so much mystery to it. It keeps us guessing which is just fine by me.

By: badgerman

badgerman — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 21:23:08 +0000

Good question Pablo, and one that deserves a full response. Fortunately there is answer. I’ll stick it on a post as it’s a bit long for a comment.

By: Pablo

Pablo — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 18:10:29 +0000

Certainly plausible but let’s go a little further on your theory and ask why did the badger become non-solitary. Was it merely becasue it was running out od space or is that too simplistic?

By: badgerman

badgerman — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 20:40:58 +0000

Thanks Jay – I appreciate the feedback. You’re thinking on the same lines as me. I’ve always accepted the idea of delayed implantation without ever asking ‘why?’

My theory does depend on an ancestral, solitary ‘proto-badgers’, but it does make sense and fit the facts.

All the best

BWM

By: Jay Penn

Jay Penn — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 09:16:18 +0000

That sounds a very plausible theory. I was never really content with Neal’s own theory for delayed implantation. I never thought that a biological system (the process of delayed implantation) would be governed by a wholly un-biological practice such as clan bonding. I always thought that it had to be something biologically oriented.
Kruuk’s multiple male theory is interesting, but does not really give an answer to why implantation is delayed.
I had always gone along with the idea that delayed implantation ensured favourable birth and rearing conditions. But you are correct, why wouldn’t the female simply become available in December, thus producing a February litter.
As far as I know, your theory comes closest to answering all of the inherent questions in this situation. And it is one of those theories that one has to ask oneself, “Why didn’t I think of that?” Surely a sign it is legitimate.