Fecundity of the parti-coloured bat Vespertilio murinus L.
The impact of the anthropogenic environment on the fecundity of the bat is poorly understood. Therefore in this study we chose the parti-coloured bat Vespertilio murinus – synanthrope which is known to produce 1–4 pups to assess that association. We compared the litter sizes of V. murinus among syna...
| Published in: | International Journal of Environmental Studies |
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| Main Authors: | , , , |
| Format: | Article in Journal/Newspaper |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
2017
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1080/00207233.2017.1284385 http://vital.lib.tsu.ru/vital/access/manager/Repository/vtls:000621908 |
| Summary: | The impact of the anthropogenic environment on the fecundity of the bat is poorly understood. Therefore in this study we chose the parti-coloured bat Vespertilio murinus – synanthrope which is known to produce 1–4 pups to assess that association. We compared the litter sizes of V. murinus among synanthropous maternity colonies associated with urban and rural habitats. Two colonies were examined from the city and two colonies in suburbs with a total of 144 individuals. Larger litter size (2.7–2.9 pups per female) was observed in urban colonies compared to 1.8 in rural colonies. We hypothesise that specific micro- and mesoclimatic conditions along with artificial light could predict that difference and thus could reduce the time spend in estivation stimulate higher milk production in lactating females and accelerate juvenile growth. Artificial urban light may secure abundant and affordable food for females producing larger offspring. |
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