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

Abstract

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.

Keywords

• behavioral ecology
• myotis lucifugus
• passive integrated transponder (pit) tags
• reproductive timing