The reproductive biology of Tadarida aegyptiaca was studied using specimens collected in the Cape Province of South Africa. The morphology of the reproductive tract of the species was generally similar to that of other molossids, however, the absence of Cowpers glands was unusual. Spermatogenesis began in February and spermatozoa were released to the cauda epididymis during August and September. Follicular development started in March and culminated with the appearance of Graafian follicles in July. Ovulation probably occurred in August and specimens were pregnant by September. Gestation length was estimated to be four to five months and a single young was born in December. The data suggest that T. aegyptiaca is monotocous and monoestrous.

A model proposed by Wilson & Findley (1972) to test for randomness in bat homing was applied to results of homing studies on big brown bats (Eptesticus fuscus) and, when possible, to published studies on homing by other bats. Most applications of the model suggest randomness in bat homing. Ecological notes concerning parturition, parasites, populations, emergence time, flight behavior and morphology of the E. Fuescus colony are reported.

No description available.

Across species, bats exhibit wildly disparate differences in their noseleaf and pinnae shapes. Within Rhinolophid and Hipposiderid families, bats actively deform their pinnae and noseleaf during biosonar operation. Both the pinnae and noseleaf act as acoustic baffles which interact with the outgoing and incoming sound; thus, they form an important interface between the bat and its environment. Beampatterns describe this interface as joint time-frequency transfer functions which vary across spatial direction. This dissertation considers bat biosonar shape diversity and shape dynamics manifest as beampatterns. In the first part, the seemingly disparate set of functional properties resulting from diverse pinnae and noseleaf shape adaptations are considered. The question posed in this part is as follows: (i) what are the common properties between species beampatterns? and (ii) how are beampatterns aligned to a common direction for meaningful analysis? Hence, a quantitative interspecific analysis of the beampattern biodiversity was taken wherein: (i) unit[267]{} different pinnae and noseleaf beampatterns were rotationally aligned to a common direction and (ii) decomposed using principal component analysis, PCA. The first three principal components termed eigenbeams affect beamwidth around the single lobe, symmetric mean beampattern. Dynamic shape adaptations to the pinnae and noseleaf of the greater horseshoe bat (textit{Rhinolophus ferrumequinum}) are also considered. However, the underlying dynamic sensing principles in use are not clear. Hence, this work developed a biomimetic substrate to explore the emission and reception dynamics of the horseshoe bat as a sonar device. The question posed in this part was as follows: how do local features on the noseleaf and pinnae interact individually and when combined together to generate peak dynamic change to the incoming sonar information? Flexible noseleaf and pinnae baffles with different combinations of local shape features were developed. These baffles were then mounted to platforms to biomimetically actuate the noseleaf and pinnae during pulse emission and reception. Motions of the baffle surfaces were synchronized to the incoming and outgoing sonar waveform, and the time-frequency properties of the emission and reception baffles were characterized across spatial direction. Different feature combinations of the noseleaf and pinnae local shape features were ranked for overall dynamic effect. / Ph. D.

On January 1, 2000, the Amateur Softball Association of America (ASA) imposed maximum bat performance limitations on commercial softball bats. The ASA adopted a testing standard defined by the American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM) to determine the bat performance factor (BPF), a normalized coefficient of restitution that must be less than 1.2 for the bat to be eligible for ASA sanctioned events. The ASTM standard requires that the softball strike the bat, which is free to rotate in the horizontal plane, at 26.8 mfs ± 0.3 mfs (88 ftfs ± 1 ftfs) with little or no spin. The central project goal was to develop the ASTM test apparatus, which consisted of a precision ball launcher, a pivoting stage for the bat, and instrumentation for velocity measurements. The key feature of the testing apparatus developed in this project was the ability to measure the rebound velocity of the ball directly-ASTM method derives the ball rebound velocity by assuming the bat behaves as a rigid body and applying conservation of angular momentum. Tests revealed a discrepancy in the BPF between the ASTM method and an alternative method,. termed the direct method, which uses the direct measurement of the ball rebound velocity. Furthermore, the ASTM method proved to be very sensitive to parameter errors, demonstrated by magnification factors between 2.0 and 3.0. The direct method was insensitive to parameter variation with magnification factors between o and 1.0. The ball rebound velocity discrepancy was also analyzed with mechanism simulation software. A three-degree-of-freedom model of the bat was used to test the effects of elasticity and pivot friction. The analysis determined that applying conservation of angular momentum on an elastic body caused transient errors in the derivation of the ball rebound velocity; and pivot friction significantly affected the motion of the bat and thus, the derived ball rebound velocity. The experimental results show that the direct method was more accurate than the ASTM method in calculating the BPF; and the conclusion of the analytical model shows that the ASTM method can be corrected by precisely identifying external moments in the system.

Urbanisation through the process of habitat loss and fragmentation has caused drastic changes in ecosystem dynamics around the world. Many species can no longer survive in these urban areas; however there are those species that have been able to survive and in fact thrive in the newly created habitats. With increasing urbanisation it is important that animals are able to adjust to a life in close association with humans. One such group of organisms which has adjusted well to urbanisation is the suborder Megachiroptera (Chiroptera). Some species from this suborder have benefited from increased food and roost resources in certain urban areas. Exotic fruiting plants (introduced purposely and accidentally) as well as increased cultivated gardens have provided additional food sources in some urban environments, while man-made structures, and increased suitable vegetation, have provided additional roosting opportunities. Although these urban dwelling species live in close association with humans, very little is known of their ecology in urban areas. Wahlberg's epauletted fruit bat Epomophorus wahlbergi is one such species of which little is known of its suburban ecology despite its increased presence in many urban areas. This study on the ecology of E. wahlbergi was conducted from February to October 2011 in the urban environment of Pietermaritzburg, South Africa. The aim was to examine foraging movements and habitat use of E. wahlbergi in this urban environment. The objectives were to determine seasonal differences in foraging movements and home range sizes in this urban environment. In addition the roosting dynamics and roost characteristics of E. wahlbergi in this urban environment were determined. In late summer, it was found that individual E. wahlbergi movements ranged considerably, with some bats making extensive flights to different parts of town while others stayed in particular areas throughout; no bats were recorded to have left the urban environment. Some of the larger distances covered in a single night's movements were two and five km. In late summer roosting fidelity varied between individual bats; all the individual bats changed their roosts at least once during late summer. Some individuals had as many as three known daytime roost sites. There was a difference in home range size between the sexes; with females occupying a larger home range size than males. This variation in movement patterns of individual bats suggests that their social interactions, roost site preferences, or dietary preferences vary between individuals in late summer. A significant difference in home range size and habitat use by E. wahlbergi was found between winter and spring, with home range sizes being larger in winter. The increased home range sizes and habitat use in winter were a consequence of bats feeding on the fruits of the alien invasive Syringa (Melia azedarch) with few other trees in fruit. Consequently bats had to move greater distances for food in winter. In spring, fruit availability was greater and more varied including both indigenous and exotic fruits. Consequently in winter, the bats were more reliant on a few fruiting species to meet their dietary requirements than during spring. Bats changed their roosts regularly in summer, winter and spring. There was considerable variation in roost temperatures however roost temperatures were higher than ambient temperatures. Roosts in man-made structures were higher in temperature than those in natural vegetation. This study suggests the importance of temperature in the selection of daytime roosts, however other factors such as predator avoidance and proximity to food resources are also considered in selection of daytime roosts. Within the order Chiroptera, species from the suborder Microchiroptera have generally not been well represented in urban areas, it is important that the reasons for this be better understood. Further research is still required to better understand the ecology of urban dwelling species as well as to understand the reasons why many species are not able to adjust to urban environments. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2012.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2006. / The entire dissertation/thesis text is included in the research.pdf file; the official abstract appears in the short.pdf file (which also appears in the research.pdf); a non-technical general description, or public abstract, appears in the public.pdf file. Title from title screen of research.pdf file (viewed on August 14, 2007) Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

No description available.

Orientador: Marcelo Nogueira Rossi / Banca: Renata Cristina Batista Fonseca / Banca: Adriana Maria Zanforlin Martini / Resumo: Devido à reconhecida importância dos morcegos frugívoros para a dispersão e reprodução das plantas e, conseqüentemente, para a regeneração das florestas, o presente estudo teve como objetivo: (1) conhecer a riqueza e abundância das espécies de morcegos na área de estudo; (2) identificar as espécies vegetais cujos frutos servem de alimento para as principais espécies de morcegos frugívoros, as quais têm suas sementes dispersas por eles e (3) caracterizar a fenologia reprodutiva das espécies vegetais cujos frutos servem de alimento para os morcegos. Este estudo foi realizado na Fazenda Experimental Edgardia, município de Botucatu, Estado de São Paulo, em um fragmento de floresta secundária tardia alta, denominado "Mata da Bica". Os morcegos foram capturados mensalmente com redes neblina, durante um ano. As sementes encontradas nas fezes dos morcegos foram separadas, lavadas, secadas naturalmente e identificadas. Foi feito o acompanhamento mensal da fenologia reprodutiva de dez espécies vegetais, possíveis fontes de alimento para os morcegos. A maioria das espécies teve seu período de frutificação durante a estação chuvosa e apenas três frutificaram na estação seca. Foram capturados 309 morcegos, sendo que 78,9% eram espécies frugívoras, num total de 14 espécies dentro de três famílias. Carollia perspicillata e Sturnira lilium foram as espécies mais abundantes. Pelo menos 22 espécies diferentes de plantas foram utilizadas como recurso, e houve também o consumo de insetos e pólen. S. granuloso-leprosum foi o recurso mais importante, pois seus frutos foram consumidos por praticamente todas as espécies de morcegos frugívoros capturados. No geral, C. perspicillata e S. lilium demonstraram um padrão de consumo baseado em suas reais preferências (frutos de Piper e Solanum... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: As frugivorous bats are important organisms for plant dispersion and reproduction and also for forest regeneration, the objectives of this study were to: (1) know the abundance and bat species richness in the studied area; (2) identify plant species which fruits are consumed and seeds dispersed by the main frugivorous bats (3) characterize reproductive phenology of plants with fruits consumed by bats. This study was caried out at the Fazenda Experimental Edgardia, municipality of Botucatu, State of São Paulo, Brazil, in a semi-deciduous forest fragment, named as "Mata da Bica". Bats were monthly captured with mist nets for a year. Seeds found in bat feces were separated, washed, naturally dried and identified. Reproductive phenology was recorded monthly for ten plant species, which possibly were food source for bats. Most species presented fructification periods during the wet season and only three species presented fruits in the dry season. Three hundred and nine bats were captured and 78.9% were frugivorous species, totalizing 14 species distributed in three families. Carollia perspicillata and Sturnira lilium were the most abundant species. At least 22 plant species were used as food source; however, insects and pollen were also consumed. S. granuloso-leprosum was the most important food source because their fruits were consumed by most frugivorous bat species. In general, C. perspicillata and S. lilium consumed their preferred food items (Piper and Solanum fruits, respectively). However, A. lituratus was an opportunist species because individuals usually consumed the most abundant resource, probably as an alternative to the low availability of its preferred food items. / Mestre

O gênero Myotis é extremamente diverso, sendo atualmente reconhecidas 103 espécies, além de 94 subespécies as quais não foram avaliadas satisfatoriamente quanto seu status taxonômico. Para a América do Sul são reconhecidas 12 espécies, das quais cinco são consideradas politípicas, dentre elas Myotis nigricans, táxon considerado um complexo de espécies. Com o objetivo de caracterizar, morfologicamente e molecularmente, os táxons do gênero Myotis que ocorrem no Brasil e aqueles relacionados a Myotis nigricans, examinei 1.018 exemplares depositados em coleções científicas nacionais e internacionais. Analisei 25 caracteres de morfologia externa e craniana, e aferi 13 medidas corporais e 19 cranianas. Submeti as medidas cranianas a testes estatísticos uni e multivariados com o intuito de investigar variações inter e intraespecíficas, e verificar a existência de dimorfismo sexual em cada táxon analisado. Selecionei um gene mitocondrial, citocromo b (402pb), e um gene nuclear, RAG2 (620pb), com a finalidade de caracterizar a diversidade genética intra e interespecífica dos táxons de Myotis, dos quais obtive 78 seqüências: 58 mitocondriais e 20 nucleares. A partir deste conjunto de dados reconheci 8 espécies válidas para o gênero Myotis no Brasil (Myotis albescens, Myotis alter, Myotis levis, Myotis nigricans, Myotis riparius, Myotis ruber, Myotis simus, e Myotis sp.n.). Elevei Myotis osculati ao nível específico, táxon até então considerado uma subespécie de Myotis nigricans; e considerei Myotis punensis e Myotis chiriquensis espécies válidas, as quais eram consideradas sinonímias de Myotis nigricans nigricans. Neste contexto, reconheço 15 espécies sul-americanas do gênero Myotis, o que representa um acréscimo de 25% na diversidade anteriormente reconhecida para o grupo na região. Não encontrei dimorfismo sexual significativo nas medidas cranianas de M. albescens, M. levis, M. nigricans, M. riparius e M. ruber. Para melhor delimitar morfometricamente os táxons estudados, em especial M. nigricans de M. riparius, propus a utilização de dois índices: um craniano e outro maxilar. Os caracteres qualitativos cranianos, como a presença de crista sagital e o posicionamento dos pré-molares superiores, associados aos de morfologia externa, como a disposição de pêlos ao longo do uropatágio, o formato do pavilhão auditivo, e a angularidade da porção distal da maxila inferior, apresentaram-se como os mais robustos na delimitação dos táxons com ocorrência no Brasil. As relações filogenéticas entre as espécies de Myotis após inclusão dos táxons validados neste trabalho, ainda permanecem imprecisas. Através dos métodos de Máxima Parcimônia (MP), de distância de Neighbor-Join (NJ) e análise Bayesiana (B), houve o resgate de dois grandes clados compostos por espécies com crista sagital ausente ou discreta (clado A), e crista sagital presente (clado B). Atribuí a politomia encontrada dentro do clado A à rápida diversificação do grupo na região, com possíveis eventos simultâneos de especiação. Associo a inclusão de M. levis no clado de M nigricans com um evento de introgressão mitocondrial dado a natureza do gene, e ao número de mutações, incompatível com homoplasia do gene. O tempo de divergência estimado em 1,2Ma (±0,8), coincide com os eventos de mudanças climáticas e de retração de florestas durante o Pleistoceno, que propiciariam a hibridização destas duas linhagens. Apliquei o Teste de Mantel nas populações de M. nigricans e M. riparius presente nos domínios da Mata Atlântica, com o intuito de verificar a existência de correlação entre distância genética e distância geográfica entre as populações, testando a hipótese de isolamento por distância, a qual foi rejeitada tanto para M. nigricans (p=0,9449; r=0,23) como para M. riparius (p=0,9997; r=0,60). As populações de Myotis riparius apresentaram uma baixa divergência genética (0,8 a 1,5%) ao longo da distribuição, com compartilhamento de haplótipos entre as populações de Paraíba, São Paulo, Paraná e Paraguai. Em relação à Myotis nigricans destaco o compartilhamento de haplótipos entre as populações da Bahia, São Paulo e Paraná, e a baixa divergência (1,9 a 2,4%) entre as populações ao leste da Serra do Mar. Contudo, os níveis de divergência entre estas populações e as populações provenientes da Serra do Japi e Serra da Mantiqueira são acentuados (5,7 a 8,1%), similares aos níveis interespecíficos para o gênero. Estes dados sugerem um alto fluxo gênico no sentido Norte-Sul da Mata Atlântica ao leste da Serra do Mar, podendo esta atuar como barreira para as populações interioranas. A compreensão dos processos envolvidos na diversificação do grupo será favorecida com a inclusão a estas análises de amostras provenientes de outras populações distribuídas nas porções Leste Oeste da Mata Atlântica. / Myotis is a highly diverse genus, with 103 species recognized so far, in addition to another 94 subspecies whose taxonomical status has not yet been completely evaluated. Twelve species are known to South America, among which five are considered polytypic, including Myotis nigricans. This taxon in considered a species complex. In order to characterize, both morphologically and molecularly, the taxa of the genus Myotis, I examined 1,018 individuals from national and foreign scientific collections. Twenty-five characters from external and cranial morphology were analyzed and 13 body and 19 cranial measures were checked. In order to investigate inter and intraspecific variations and the existence of sexual dimorphism in each taxon analyzed, I submitted the cranial measures to uni and multivariate statistic tests. To characterize intra and interspecific genetic diversity of the taxa in the genus Myotis, I selected one mitochondrial gene, cytochrome b (402pb), and a nuclear gene, RAG2 (602pb). From these two genes, I obtained 78 sequences: 58 mitochondrial and 20 nuclear. From the data obtained, I recognized as valid eight Brazilian species in the genus Myotis (Myotis albescens, Myotis alter, Myotis levis, Myotis nigricans, Myotis riparius, Myotis ruber, Myotis simus, and Myotis sp.n.). I elevated Myotis osculati, a taxon hitherto considered a subspecies of Myotis nigricans, to specific level and diagnosed Myotis punensis and Myotis chiriquensis as valid species, which were previously considered synonyms of Myotis nigricans nigricans. In this context, I recognize 15 species for the genus Myotis in South America, representing an increase of 25% in the previously known diversity for the group in the continent. I have not found significant sexual dimorphism in the cranial measures for M. albescens, M. levis, M. nigricans, M. riparius and M. ruber. To better delimitate morphometricaly the taxa herein studied, specially M. nigricans from M. riparius, I proposed the use of two indexes: one cranial and one maxillary. Qualitative characters from skull, such as presence or absence of a sagittal crest and the arrangement of upper premolars, associated to those from external morphology, such as the arrangement of the hair along the uropatagium, the shape of external ear, and the angling from the distal portion of the lower maxillae, were fundamental for diagnosing the taxa occurring in Brazil. The phylogenetic relationship among the species of genus Myotis is still imprecise, even after the inclusion of those taxa diagnosed as valid in this thesis. Through Maximum Likelihood (ML), Neighbor-Join (NJ) and Bayesian analysis methods, two clades were defined, one formed by species with absent or shallow sagittal crest (clade A), and another (clade B) with the presence of sagittal crest. I correlate the polytomy found within clade A with a fast diversification of this group in the region, possibly with simultaneous events of speciation. I correlate the inclusion of M. levis in the clade of M. nigricans with an event of mitochondrial introgression, given the nature of this gene and the number of mutations, which are not compatible with the homoplasy for this gene. The estimated divergence time of 1.2 Ma (±0.8), coincides with climatical changes and forest retraction during the Pleistocene, which allowed the hybridization of these two lineages. I ran the Test of Mantel for the populations of M. nigricans and M. riparius from the Atlantic Forest dominium, aiming at verifying the existence of a correlation between genetic distance and geographical distance in the populations, testing the hypothesis of isolation by distance, which was rejected both for M. nigricans (p=0.9449; r=0.23) and for M. riparius (p=0.9997; r=0.60). The populations of Myotis riparius showed a low genetic divergence (0.8 to 1.5%) along their distribution, with the populations from Paraíba, São Paulo, Paraná and Paraguay sharing haplotypes. Regarding Myotis nigricans, I point out that populations from Bahia, São Paulo and Paraná share haplotypes and low divergence (1.9 to 2.4%) between the populations from the western portion of Serra do Mar. Yet, the level of divergence between such populations and those from Serra do Japi and Serra da Mantiqueira is high (5.7 to 8.1%), therefore similar to the interspecific levels for the genus. These data suggest a high gene flow from the North-South direction to eastern Serra do Mar, which may be acting as a barrier to interior populations. The understanding of the processes involved in the diversification of the group will be favored by the inclusion of samples of other populations distributed in the East-West portions of the Atlantic Forest.