Reproductive ecology of Commerson's leaf-nosed batsHipposideros commersoni(Chiroptera: Hipposideridae) in South-Central Africa: interactions between seasonality and large body size; and implications for conservation

Abstract

The annual cycle and reproductive ecology of a large population of Commerson's leaf-nosed bats, Hipposideros commersoni, was studied in central Zimbabwe. The influence of the extremely large body size of this microchiropteran, interrelating with a seasonal, tropical environment, was the central theme of this study. Adaptive responses to seasonal environmental changes differed between reproducing adults of the sexes. Reproductive females dispersed twice during the annual cycle, while in contrast adult males reduced activity during the cool, dry season. A polygynous mating system was characterised by breeding males defending demarcated territories within the daylight roost. Synchronized parturitions within maternity roosts (in late October) created a hot, humid microclimate which facilitated rapid post-natal development of neonates. The large body size of H. commersoni is suggested to have evolved in response to different selective agents, including: availability of large, hard shelled arthropods as prey; e...