The anatomy and chronology of reproductive events in male and female Rhinolophus megaphyllus from eastern Australia (27-32-degrees-S.) is discussed. Rhinolophus megaphyllus was monoestrous and monotocous. A delay of several months occurs between the delivery of spermatozoa to the caudae epididymides (late summer/early autumn) and copulation/ovulation/conception (winter), which occur towards the termination of the spermatogenic cycle. There is no storage of sperm in female tracts prior to ovulation but epididymal sperm storage persists beyond the time of birth (late spring). Male, but not female, readiness to initiate reproduction prior to the onset of winter, places this species in an 'intermediate' position with features of both temperate and tropical chiropteran reproductive cycle patterns. The presence of an extroverted corpus luteum in the female and of a complement of accessory sex organs in the male are normal glandular features for members of this chiropteran family. The role of the urethral gland is unknown; however, since there is no vaginal plug, its products apparently do not coagulate in the vagina in this species following insemination.

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During this study, 634 eastern hoseshoe bats, Rhinolophus megaphyllus, were captured at three colonies in south-east Queensland, with most data coming from two colonies (Anjuramba mine and Ravensbourne cave). Colony size, sex ratios, age structure, and colony function varied between colonies and with season. Capture–recapture data of banded bats was used to monitor movement patterns, seasonal weight changes, colony-size estimates at Anjuramba (JOLLY model), and the recapture frequency according to sex and age. The JOLLY estimator of the population size over-estimated the actual population at Anjuramba on most occasions but paralleled changes in population size. Of the 319 bats banded, 21.9% were recaptured, with only one recovery involving a movement between roosts. Adult males have a high roost-site fidelity and are more sedentary than adult females. The recapture rate and recapture frequency for adult males was significantly higher than for adult females. R. megaphyllus is active throughout the year but may enter torpor for short periods, with more females than males observed in torpor. There was no significant association between torpor and season. Longevity records of 7 years and 1 month were recorded for a sub-adult female and 7 years and 7 months for a juvenile female.

The results from a survey of bats in semi-arid Idalia National Park, central westernQueensland, are presented, with an analysis of habitat use, species richness, seasonal activity and reproductive patterns. Fourteen species were recorded: one megachiropteran, and thirteen microchiropterans in eight genera and three families. Significant range extensions were recorded for Vespadelus vulturnus, V. finlaysoni and Nyctophilus gouldi. Capture success using harp traps was unusually high, with 859 bats of nine species captured in 27 trap-nights (31.4 bats per trap-night). Two species (Chalinolobus gouldii and Scotorepens greyii) comprised almost 75% of all captures in harp traps. The remaining five species were recorded by means of echolocation call detection, cave searches and incidental observations. Bat species richness, abundance and capture success was greatest in riparian woodland and open forest adjacent to water; over 97% of captures in harp traps occurred at these sites. Breeding in most species appears to follow a seasonally monoestrous pattern with the ovarian and spermatogenic cycles being asynchronous. Sex ratios were close to parity but with a slightly higher proportion of females in some species in autumn. Females were generally larger and heavier than males.

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