Spatiotemporal pattern of local sexual segregation in a tree-dwelling temperate bat Myotis daubentonii |
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Authors: | Jorge A Encarna??o |
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Institution: | (1) Mammalian Ecology Group, Department of Animal Ecology and Systematics, Justus Liebig University of Giessen, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26, 35392 Giessen, Germany |
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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. |
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