Maternity colony

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Townsend's big-eared bats exiting a maternity colony in a mine Bats exiting mine (6009184925).jpg
Townsend's big-eared bats exiting a maternity colony in a mine

A maternity colony refers to a temporary association of reproductive female bats for giving birth to, nursing, and weaning their pups. The colonies are initiated by pregnant bats. After giving birth, the colony consists of the lactating females and their offspring. After weaning, juveniles will leave the maternity colony, and the colony itself will break apart. The size of a maternity colony is highly variable by species, with some species forming colonies consisting of ten or fewer individuals, while the largest maternity colony in the world in Bracken Cave is estimated to have over 15 million bats.

Contents

Benefits of a maternity colony

Maternity colonies are especially prevalent in temperate regions due to the thermal benefits of roosting with other individuals. [1] Outside of the winter months, non-reproductive females and male bats enter torpor for short periods to conserve energy when temperatures are below an optimum threshold. However, torpor is detrimental to reproductive females because it delays the development of the fetus and slows milk production. [1] Therefore, female bats are highly incentivized to maintain a constant body temperature. Roosting in a large group allows females to share body heat, lowering the energetic costs for individuals.

Risks of a maternity colony

Roosting in large groups brings risks to the members of a maternity colony. Predators such as hawks and owls can learn to anticipate the emergence of bats from a specific roost at sunset. [2] Smaller colonies are thought to be less risky than larger colonies, because the nightly emergence of bats would attract less attention. [3]

Species that form maternity colonies

Incomplete list
Common nameScientific nameRangeMaternity colony size
Family: Vespertilionidae
Little brown bat Myotis lucifugus U.S., Canada 107-349 [4]
Southeastern myotis Myotis austroriparius Southeastern U.S. 1000+ [5]
Fringed myotis Myotis thysanodesCanada, Western U.S., Mexico40-200 [6]
Indiana bat Myotis sodalis Midwestern U.S. 30-300 [7] [8]
Northern long-eared bat Myotis septentrionalisEastern U.S., Canada 11-65 [9]
Bechstein's bat Myotis bechsteiniiEurope, Asia15-40 [10]
Geoffroy's bat Myotis emarginatusEurope<10-985 [11]
Gray bat Myotis grisescens Southeastern U.S. 100,000+ [12]
Hodgson's bat Myotis formosusAsia82-200 [13]
Eastern small-footed bat Myotis leibiiEastern U.S., Canada ≤22 [14]
Greater mouse-eared bat Myotis myotisEurope50-800 [15]
Cave myotis Myotis veliferSouthwest U.S., Mexico100-3,000 [16]
Yuma myotis Myotis yumanensisWestern U.S.100-1,000 [16]
Arizona myotis Myotis occultusSouthwestern U.S.67 [17]
Daubenton's bat Myotis daubentoniiEurope, Asia6-144 [18]
Long-eared myotis Myotis evotisCanada, Western U.S.4 [19]
Tricolored bat Perimyotis subflavusEastern U.S. 9-40 [20] [21]
Parti-coloured bat Vespertilio murinusEurope, Asia>30 [22]
Big brown bat Eptesicus fuscusNorth America, Central America, the Caribbean20-100 [23]
Serotine bat Eptesicus serotinusEurope, Asia5-200 [24]
Northern bat Eptesicus nilsoniiEurope, Asia10-70 [25]
Silver-haired bat Lasionycteris noctivagans Bermuda, Canada, Mexico, U.S. 8 [26]
Townsend's big-eared bat Corynorhinus townsendiiCanada, Mexico, U.S.40-55 [27]
Virginia big-eared bat Corynorhinus townsendii virginianusAppalachian U.S.100-6335 [28]
Ozark big-eared bat Corynorhinus townsendii ingens AR, OK, MO 55-309 [29]
Rafinesque's big-eared bat Corynorhinus rafinesquiiSoutheastern U.S.≤118 [30]
Common noctule Nyctalus noctulaEurope, Asia, North Africa20-50 [31]
Common pipistrelle Pipistrellus pipistrellusEurope, North Africa, Asia92-262 [32]
Nathusius's pipistrelle Pipistrellus nathusiiEurope5-150 [33]
Evening bat Nycticeius humeralisEastern U.S. ≤492 [34]
Gould's wattled bat Chalinolobus gouldiiAustralia20-30 [35]
Southern forest bat Vespadelus regulusAustralia<25 [36]
Lesser long-eared bat Nyctophilus geoffroyiAustralia3-23 [36]
Pallid bat Antrozous pallidusCanada, Western U.S., Mexico10-150 [16]
Barbastelle Barbastella barbastellusEurope10 [37]
Allen's big-eared bat Plecotus phyllotisSouthwestern U.S., Mexico18-97 [38]
Family: Rhinolophidae
Mehely's horseshoe bat Rhinolophus mehelyiEurope, Middle East<60 [39]
Lesser horseshoe bat Rhinolophus hipposiderosEurope, North Africa, Asia2-750 [40] [41]
Rufous horseshoe bat Rhinolophus rouxiiAsia, Southeast Asia50-60 [42]
Family: Molossidae
Mexican free-tailed bat Tadarida brasiliensis U.S., Central America, South America≤15 million [43]
Big free-tailed bat Nyctinomops macrotisNorth America, Central America, South America≤2,000 [44]
Family: Phyllostomatidae
Geoffroy's tailless bat Anoura geoffroyiCentral America, South America<150 [45]
Family:Miniopteridae
Common bent-wing bat Miniopterus schreibersiiEurope, Asia, Australia2,500-5,000 [46]
Family: Pteripodidae
Bornean large flying fox Pteropus vampyrusBorneo<15,000 [47]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vespertilionidae</span> Family of microbats

Vespertilionidae is a family of microbats, of the order Chiroptera, flying, insect-eating mammals variously described as the common, vesper, or simple nosed bats. The vespertilionid family is the most diverse and widely distributed of bat families, specialised in many forms to occupy a range of habitats and ecological circumstances, and it is frequently observed or the subject of research. The facial features of the species are often simple, as they mainly rely on vocally emitted echolocation. The tails of the species are enclosed by the lower flight membranes between the legs. Over 300 species are distributed all over the world, on every continent except Antarctica. It owes its name to the genus Vespertilio, which takes its name from a word for bat, vespertilio, derived from the Latin term vesper meaning 'evening'; they are termed "evening bats" and were once referred to as "evening birds".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Horseshoe bat</span> Family of mammals

Horseshoe bats are bats in the family Rhinolophidae. In addition to the single living genus, Rhinolophus, which has about 106 species, the extinct genus Palaeonycteris has been recognized. Horseshoe bats are closely related to the Old World leaf-nosed bats, family Hipposideridae, which have sometimes been included in Rhinolophidae. The horseshoe bats are divided into six subgenera and many species groups. The most recent common ancestor of all horseshoe bats lived 34–40 million years ago, though it is unclear where the geographic roots of the family are, and attempts to determine its biogeography have been indecisive. Their taxonomy is complex, as genetic evidence shows the likely existence of many cryptic species, as well as species recognized as distinct that may have little genetic divergence from previously recognized taxa. They are found in the Old World, mostly in tropical or subtropical areas, including Africa, Asia, Europe, and Oceania.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tricolored bat</span> Species of bat

The tricolored bat or American perimyotis is a species of microbat native to eastern North America. Formerly known as the eastern pipistrelle, based on the incorrect belief that it was closely related to European Pipistrellus species, the closest known relative of the tricolored bat is now recognized as the canyon bat. Its common name "tricolored bat" derives from the coloration of the hairs on its back, which have three distinct color bands. It is the smallest bat species in the eastern and midwestern US, with individuals weighing only 4.6–7.9 g (0.16–0.28 oz). This species mates in the fall before hibernation, though due to sperm storage, females do not become pregnant until the spring. Young are born helpless, though rapidly develop, flying and foraging for themselves by four weeks old. It has a relatively long lifespan, and can live nearly fifteen years.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Big brown bat</span> Species of vesper bat

The big brown bat is a species of vesper bat distributed widely throughout North America, the Caribbean, and the northern portion of South America. It was first described as a species in 1796. Compared to other microbats, the big brown bat is relatively large, weighing 15–26 g (0.53–0.92 oz) and possessing a wingspan of 32.5–35 cm (12.8–13.8 in).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Common pipistrelle</span> Species of mammal

The common pipistrelle is a small pipistrelle microbat whose very large range extends across most of Europe, North Africa, South Asia, and may extend into Korea. It is one of the most common bat species in the British Isles. In Europe, the northernmost confirmed records are from southern Finland near 60°N.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Soprano pipistrelle</span> Species of bat

The soprano pipistrelle is a small species of bat. It is found in Europe and often roosts on buildings.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Northern ghost bat</span> Species of bat

The northern ghost bat is a bat species from South America, Trinidad, and Central America. It is a relatively rare, completely white, insectivorous bat, with an unusual sac at the base of its tail.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Southeastern myotis</span> Species of bat

The southeastern myotis is a small bat found throughout the Gulf Coastal Plain and the Lower Mississippi Alluvial Plain of the southeastern United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Common noctule</span> Species of bat

The common noctule is a species of insectivorous bat common throughout Europe, Asia, and North Africa.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Desert long-eared bat</span> Species of bat

The desert long-eared bat is a species of vesper bat found in North Africa and the Middle East.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mexican big-eared bat</span> Species of bat

The Mexican big-eared bat is a species of vesper bat endemic to Mexico. They are nocturnal and insectivorous. Their very large ears are located across their foreheads, and when captured, the bats are observed to curl their ears in a protective manner. The adults are usually brown colored, while the juveniles are usually a smokey brown color. They have small noses.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rafinesque's big-eared bat</span> Species of bat

Rafinesque's big-eared bat, sometimes known as the southeastern big-eared bat, is a species of vesper bat native to the southeastern United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Long-eared myotis</span> Species of bat

The long-eared myotis is a species of vesper bat in the suborder Microchiroptera. It can be found in western Canada, the western United States, and Baja California in Mexico.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Long-legged myotis</span> Species of vesper bat

The long-legged myotis is a species of vesper bat that can be found in western Canada, Mexico, and the western United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vespertilioninae</span> Subfamily of bats

The Vespertilioninae are a subfamily of vesper bats from the family Vespertilionidae.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Little brown bat</span> Species of mammal found in North America

The little brown bat or little brown myotis is an endangered species of mouse-eared microbat found in North America. It has a small body size and glossy brown fur. It is similar in appearance to several other mouse-eared bats, including the Indiana bat, northern long-eared bat, and Arizona myotis, to which it is closely related. Despite its name, the little brown bat is not closely related to the big brown bat, which belongs to a different genus.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Isalo serotine</span> Species of bat in the genus Neoromicia

The Isalo serotine is a vesper bat of Madagascar in the genus Laephotis. It is known only from the vicinity of the Isalo National Park in the southwestern part of the island, where it has been caught in riverine habitats. After the first specimen was caught in 1967, it was described as a subspecies of Eptesicus somalicus in 1995. After four more specimens were collected in 2002 and 2003, it was recognized as a separate species. Because of its small distribution and the threat of habitat destruction, it is considered "vulnerable" in the IUCN Red List.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Devon Bat Group</span> English bat conservation organisation

The Devon Bat Group (DBG) was founded in 1984 to help protect bats and their habitats, to look after injured bats and to advise and educate people about bats.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Orlova Chuka</span>

Orlova Chuka is a cave situated in the Danubian Plain, north-eastern Bulgaria. With a total length of 13,437 m, Orlova Chuka is the second longest cave in the country after Duhlata. The cave was discovered in 1941 and opened for tourists in 1957. Orlova Chuka is home to 14 species of bats.

References

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  2. ↑ Fenton, M. B., Rautenbach, I. L., Smith, S. E., Swanepoel, C. M., Grosell, J., & Van Jaarsveld, J. (1994). Raptors and bats: threats and opportunities. Animal Behaviour, 48(1), 9-18.
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  33. ↑ Russ, J. M., O'Neill, J. K., & Montgomery, W. I. (1998). Nathusius' pipistrelle bats (Pipistrellus nathusii, Keyserling & Blasius 1839) breeding in Ireland. Journal of Zoology, 245(3), 345-349.
  34. ↑ Whitaker Jr, J. O., & Clem, P. (1992). Food of the evening bat Nycticeius humeralis from Indiana. American Midland Naturalist, 211-214.
  35. ↑ Dixon, J. M., & Huxley, L. (1989). Observations on a maternity colony of Gould’s wattled bat Chalinolobus gouldii (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae). Mammalia, 53(3), 395-414.
  36. 1 2 Taylor, R. J., & Savva, N. M. (1988). Use of roost sites by four species of bats in state forest in south-eastern Tasmania. Wildlife Research, 15(6), 637-645.
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  38. ↑ Cockrum, E. L., & Musgrove, B. F. (1964). Additional records of the Mexican big-eared bat, Plecotus phyllotis (Allen), from Arizona. Journal of Mammalogy, 45(3), 472-474.
  39. ↑ Sharifi, M. (2004). Postnatal growth and age estimation in the Mehely's horseshoe bat (Rhinolophus mehelyi). Acta Chiropterologica, 6(1), 155-161.
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  41. ↑ Knight, Tessa; Jones, Gareth (2009). "Importance of night roosts for bat conservation: roosting behaviour of the lesser horseshoe bat Rhinolophus hipposideros". Endangered Species Research. 8 (1–2): 2. doi:10.3354/esr00194.
  42. ↑ Biswas, J., & Shrotriya, S. (2011). Dandak: a mammalian dominated cave ecosystem of India. Subterranean Biology, 8, 1.
  43. ↑ "Protecting a Jewel in Texas". Bat Conservation International. Retrieved 2 March 2017.
  44. ↑ Sparks, D. W., & Valdez, E. W. (2003). Food habits of Nyctinomops macrotis at a maternity roost in New Mexico, as indicated by analysis of guano. The Southwestern Naturalist, 48(1), 132-135.
  45. ↑ Galindo-Galindo, C., Castro-Campillo, A., Salame-Méndez, A., & Ramírez-Pulido, J. (2000). Reproductive events and social organization in a colony of Anoura geoffroyi (Chiroptera: Phyllostomidae) from a temperate Mexican cave. Acta Zoológica Mexicana, (80), 51-68.
  46. ↑ Vincent, S., Nemoz, M., & Aulagnier, S. (2010). Activity and foraging habitats of Miniopterus schreibersii (Chiroptera: Miniopteridae) in southern France: implications for its conservation. Hystrix: The Italian Journal of Mammalogy, 22(1).
  47. ↑ Gumal, M. T. (2004). Diurnal home range and roosting trees of a maternity colony of Pteropus vampyrus natunae (Chiroptera: Pteropodidae) in Sedilu, Sarawak. Journal of Tropical Ecology, 20(03), 247-258.
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