Individual Variation in Parturition Timing within and among Years for a Bat Maternity Colony

• Published in: Frontiers in Bioscience-Scholar
• Main Authors: Julia Sunga, Jessica Humber, Hugh Broders
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: IMR Press 2023
• Subjects: behavioral ecology; myotis lucifugus; passive integrated transponder (pit) tags; reproductive timing; Biology (General); QH301-705.5; Biochemistry; QD415-436; Canada; Newfoundland
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.31083/j.fbs1502008; https://doaj.org/article/94cf834eea144fad9b1f794c1e428d54

Background: In monoestrous species, the timing of reproduction can have important impacts on offspring survival. For heterotherms in temperate areas, parturition timing is constrained by cold weather survival strategies, such as hibernation and torpor. Female bats that are year-round residents of temperate regions, such as little brown myotis (Myotis lucifugus), invest significantly in parental care resulting in sharp changes in behavior immediately following parturition. These behavior changes may include increases in nighttime roost revisits, which can be used to identify parturition dates for individual bats that have been passive integrated transponder (PIT) tagged and use monitored roosts. Methods: Using a system of tagged bats and monitored roosts in Pynn’s Brook and Salmonier Nature Park Newfoundland, Canada, we estimated parturition dates for 426 female M. lucifugus in at least one year, based on changes in nighttime roost revisit patterns, and quantified the variation in parturition dates within years among individuals, and within individuals among years. Results: Overall, we report on a wide variation in parturition dates within years among individuals as well as year-to-year variations, both across the population and within individuals. Spring weather conditions appeared to be important influences on parturition timing. Conclusions: Changes in spring and summer temperature and extreme weather events, as expected due to ongoing climate change, may impact parturition timing, and therefore, offspring survival of temperate bats.