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Table 3 Reproductive characteristics of giant anteaters ( M. tridactyla ) and tamandua ( T. tetradactyla )

From: Fecal estrogen, progestagen and glucocorticoid metabolites during the estrous cycle and pregnancy in the giant anteater (Myrmecophaga tridactyla): evidence for delayed implantation

Species

Age range (years)

Estrous cycles (count)

Estrous cycles (days)

Luteal phase (days)

Pregnancy (days)

Post-partum return to estrus (days)

Citation

M. tridactyla

0.5 – 7.8

12

55.4 ± 2.7 (42–74)

24.1 ± 1.1 (19 – 35)

176.0 ± 3.5 (171 – 183)

99.7 ± 26.9 (60 – 151)

This studya

M. tridactyla

< 2 – 13

10

51.4 ± 5.6 (44 – 63)

14 - 21

184

46.0 ±12.0 (28 – 70)

Patzl et al. 1998 [10]a

T. tetradactyla

3

6

44.3 ± 4.5 (39 – 50)

na

165

22

Kusuda et al. 2011 [27]b

T. tetradactyla

na

11

42.0 ± 3.0 (38 – 46)

21.3 ± 0.4

na

na

Hay et al. 1994 [19]c

  1. Data are shown as the mean ± SEM (range) of all animals examined in each study. na = data not reported in the cited manuscript. aEIA performed on fecal extractions; bEIA performed on serum samples; cEIA performed on urine samples.