Gross and Morphometric Anatomy of the Male Reproductive System of Bats (Eidolon helvum).

A Danmaigoro,J E Onu,M A Umaru,A Mahmuda,S A Hena,M L Sonfada

doi:10.1155/2014/358158

Abstract

The present study aimed at examining the gross and morphometry of the reproductive tract of the male bats (Eidolon helvum). Thirty male bats (adults n = 17 and juveniles n = 13) were captured using net, weighed, aged using relative ossification of the wing bone, and dissected for gross examination. Morphologically, the mean body weight and forearm length in both adults and juveniles were 235.31 ± 6.30 g, 12.14 ± 0.19 cm and 69.54 ± 7.68 g, 7.77 ± 0.29 cm, respectively. The testicles were completely descended in adults with the penis projected cranially. The epididymides were found at the median border of the testis and continues as vas deferens. No significant differences (P > 0.05) were observed between right and left testicular weights in both adults and juveniles and also in lengths of different parts of the reproductive segments in both age groups assessed, respectively. This work has documented the gross anatomy of the male reproductive tract in bats. Ultrastructure and histochemistry are recommended for further insight into the reproductive biology.

Highlights

Bats (Chiroptera) are among the most diverse and widely distributed groups of mammals and can be found in all continents except in Antarctica [1]
The diversity and abundance of bats are probably attributable to a number of features, such as their biology, that are unique and most of their life tracks do not conform to typical mammalian patterns [3]
This work is aimed at studying the gross and morphometry of the male reproductive tract of the bat (Eidolon helvum)

Summary

Introduction

Bats (Chiroptera) are among the most diverse and widely distributed groups of mammals and can be found in all continents except in Antarctica [1]. Bats are second to rodents in terms of numbers of genera and species, which represent nearly a quarter of all the species of mammals on earth with majority living in tropical and semitropical regions [1]. Bats are the only flying mammals and they have a wide range of feeding and roosting habits, social behaviours, and reproductive strategies [2]. Their nocturnal habits and diversity in their biology make bats a fascinating group of animals to study and a difficult one. Eidolon helvum is commonly found in moist and dry tropical rain forest [4]

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