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Postnatal growth rate and adult body weight in mammals: a new approach

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Summary

It is argued that the postnatal growth rate should be linked to maternal body weight by the exponent 0.75. This theoretically derived hypothesis is found to be consistent with published data on the growth rates of mammals in nine orders. We emphasize the importance of defining the taxonomic level and period for which postnatal growth rates are measured.

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Author notes

  1. I. Gordon

    Present address: The Macaulay Land Use Research Institute, Bush Estate, EH26 OPY, Penicuik, Midlothian, UK

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratoire de Biométrie, URA 243, Université Claude Bernard, Lyon I, 43 Bd du 11, novembre 1918, 69622, Villeurbanne cedex, France

    D. Pontier, J. M. Gaillard, D. Allainé & J. Trouvilliez

  2. ENGREF, 19 Avenue du Maine, 75732, Paris cedex 15, France

    J. Trouvilliez

  3. Station Biologique, La Tour du Valat, Le Sambuc, 13200, Arles, France

    I. Gordon & P. Duncan

  4. ONC CNERA Cervidés sanglier, 1 place Exelmans, 55000, Bar Le Duc, France

    J. M. Gaillard

Authors
  1. D. Pontier
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  2. J. M. Gaillard
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  3. D. Allainé
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  4. J. Trouvilliez
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  5. I. Gordon
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  6. P. Duncan
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Pontier, D., Gaillard, J.M., Allainé, D. et al. Postnatal growth rate and adult body weight in mammals: a new approach. Oecologia 80, 390–394 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00379041

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00379041

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