[The fertility and age composition of the mammalian populations in a primary tropical forest in eastern Indochina].

Stepanian (1991, 1992) proposed that the prosperity of avian populations in the tropical forest is based on preservation of the highest possible number of older generations during the longest possible period at the expense of youngs. We have tested this hypothesis with reference to mammals inhabiting some ecosystems. Comparison of the data on reproduction and abundance of mammalian populations (some species of the Sciuridae and Felidae) in the tropical forests and in the northern latitude areas suggests that this hypothesis is also valid for the mammalian populations of the tropical forests.