In arid regions, unpredictable rainfall patterns and extreme temperature variation occurs; this poses severe constraints on reproduction in small mammals. In the present study, the gonad morphometrics, gonadal histology and endocrine profiles of the female Lesser Egyptian jerboas (Jaculus jaculus) were studied over one year in a wild population from central Saudi Arabia. An unusual rainfall pattern occurred during this study period, with three out of four seasons receiving rainfall. Pregnant females were observed during every season when rainfall fell. Yet, a distinct reproduction pattern was also observed in the reproductive parameters of J. jaculus, likely entrained by ambient temperature and photoperiodic changes, with indicators of reproductive activity being at its highest during the winter months. Jaculus jaculus, appear to possess an endogenous circannual rhythm (seasonality) of breeding, entrained by ambient temperature and photoperiod. However, they have a plasticity to their breeding strategy, which allows them to breed opportunistically. As global warming takes effect, many species which currently inhabit temperate regions may experience desertification. Understanding how species that inhabit deserts today are adapted to these harsh conditions may allow researchers to identify temperate species that are more at risk to climatic changes due to global warming.

在干旱地区，出现不可预测的降雨模式和极端温度变化；这严重限制了小型哺乳动物的繁殖。在本研究中，雌性小埃及跳鼠（Jaculus jaculus）的性腺形态测量学、性腺组织学和内分泌特征在沙特阿拉伯中部的野生种群中进行了一年多的研究。在这个研究期间出现了一种不寻常的降雨模式，四个季节中有三个降雨。在降雨量下降的每个季节都观察到怀孕的雌性。然而，在J. jaculus的繁殖参数中也观察到了明显的繁殖模式，可能受到环境温度和光周期变化的影响，繁殖活动的指标在冬季最高。Jaculus jaculus似乎具有内源性的繁殖周期（季节性），受环境温度和光周期的影响。然而，它们的繁殖策略具有可塑性，这使它们能够机会主义地繁殖。随着全球变暖的影响，目前栖息在温带地区的许多物种可能会经历荒漠化。了解当今栖息在沙漠中的物种如何适应这些恶劣条件，可能使研究人员能够识别因全球变暖而更容易受到气候变化影响的温带物种。