Abstract
The Amami spiny rat (Tokudaia osimensis), is an endangered species endemic to Amami Oshima Island, which is a part of the Ryukyu Archipelago in Japan and expresses an XO sex-determination system. Captive breeding must be used to help conserve this species. Here, we tried long term rearing in the laboratory with a similar condition for conventional experimental animals such as mice (Mus musculus) and rats (Rattus norvegicus). In this study, although we could not achieve breeding, we succeeded in rearing more than four years (1,459.8434.3 days) for six out of seven Amami spiny rats introduced into our laboratory with the following conditions: room temperature 232°C, humidity 5010%, 12H dark and 12H light periods. We used conventional cages, drinking bottles, woodchips, shredded paper for nest material, and normal experimental animal chow used for mice and rats. Judging from their weight gain, food intake, and faecal apparent digestibility, the experimental animal chow was a prefered food item for the Amami spiny rats. However, the thermoneutral zone for this species was estimated as more than 26°C. We suggest that successful in captive breeding of this endangered species requires particular attention to the appropriate room temperature.
