Spatiotemporal pattern of local sexual segregation in a tree-dwelling temperate bat Myotis daubentonii

Abstract

Sexual segregation is a common phenomenon in temperate bats, but little is known about driving forces or spatiotemporal patterns. Sexual segregation of the tree-dwelling Daubenton’s bat (Myotis daubentonii) was analyzed. Day roosts and foraging areas of radio-tracked animals were recorded during late spring, early summer, and late summer. Home ranges were calculated for each sex based on identified locations. Distance analysis between sex-specific roosts and foraging areas was conducted for each period. Mixed colonies were confirmed by trapping at roosts. Home range of males was larger (47.3 km2) than of females (9.7 km2). During late spring, distances between male and female roosts were larger (median = 715 m) than during early (median = 474 m) and late summer (median = 489 m). Distances between sex-specific foraging areas were larger during early summer (median = 2,134 m) than during both late spring (median = 1,116 m) and late summer (median = 628 m). The proportion of males in mixed groups increased from late spring (0.2 ± 0.1) to late summer (0.5 ± 0.2). These results show that sexual segregation is not static, but depends on energetic demand of individuals and mating willingness. A high energetic demand in females and low mating willingness in both sexes leads to distinct sexual segregation during late spring. When mating willingness increases, despite an increasing energy demand in males, sexes aggregate to mate.