Reproductive biology of the bat Sturnira lilium (Chiroptera, Phyllostomidae) in the Atlantic Forest of Rio de Janeiro, southeastern Brazil

Abstract

Bats can be monoestrous or polyestrous, and seasonal or non-seasonal in their reproductive patterns. The strategy adopted by each species or population depends on the regional climate. The objective this study was to analyze reproductive data of Sturnira lilium from long-term sampling carried out in several sites in Rio de Janeiro states, southeastern Brazil. We carried out sampling in 42 sites (with altitudes ranging from sea level to 1300 m a.s.l.) from May 1989 to December 2011. In total, we obtained 2602 captures of S. lilium: 1242 captures of adult females, 1225 captures of adult males, and 136 captures of subadults. The sex ratio was 0.99 males: 1 female. The reproductive season varied from eight to twelve months a year, and it was not related to the total accumulated rainfall. Sturnira lilium have continuously polyestrous reproduction with postpartum estrus and pregnant females can be observed in all months except July. In the present study, the highest proportions of pregnant females were observed in the months with the highest rainfall.Keywords: seasonality, reproductive season, rain influence, Atlantic Forest, Rio de Janeiro. Biologia reprodutiva do morcego Sturnira lilium (Chiroptera, Phyllostomidae), na Floresta Atlântica do Rio de Janeiro, sudeste do Brasil ResumoOs morcegos podem ser monoestrais ou poliestrais e sazonais ou assazonais em relação aos padrões reprodutivos. A estratégia adotada por cada espécie ou população depende do clima regional. O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar os dados reprodutivos de Sturnira lilium em amostragem de longo prazo realizado em diversos locais do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, sudeste do Brasil. De maio de 1989 a dezembro de 2011, realizamos amostragens em 42 locais (com altitudes que variam de 0 a 1300 m de altitude). No total, obteve 2602 capturas de S. lilium: 1242 fêmeas adultas, 1225 machos adultos e 136 subadultos. A proporção sexual foi 0.99 machos: 1 fêmea. A temporada reprodutiva variou de oito a doze meses por ano e não foi relacionada com o total de precipitação acumulada. Sturnira lilium apresenta reprodução contínua poliéstrica com estro pós-parto e fêmeas grávidas podem ser observadas em todos os meses, exceto o mês de julho. No presente estudo, as maiores proporções de fêmeas grávidas ocorreram nos meses com maior precipitação.Palavras-chave: estacionalidade, época reprodutiva, influência da chuva, Mata Atlântica, Rio de Janeiro.

Reproductive functions in Desmodus rotundus: A comparison between seasons in a morphological context

“…Over the last decades, reproductive seasonality in Neotropical bats has been assessed under ecological, behavioral, and morphological approaches [ 8 – 11 ]. Among them, the latter is considered more precise because involves the evaluation of morphological and functional features of reproductive organs.…”

Reproductive biology of Artibeus fimbriatus Gray 1838 (Chiroptera) at the southern limit of its geographic range

“…In Costa Rica, A. jamaicensis was reported to have a 9-month reproduction period. In southeast Brazil, Sturnira lilium was reported to have an 11-month reproduction period (Godoy et al 2014) and Platyrrhinus lineatus presented a 10-month reproduction period (Costa et al 2007). …”

“…In response to these factors, bats of the Phyllostomidae family have evolved different reproductive patterns in Neotropical regions, such as seasonal polyestry, aseasonal polyestry and monoestry (Fleming et al 1972;Estrada & Coates-Estrada 2001). Considering the high diversity of bats in this region, the available information about their reproductive biology is lacking (Zortéa 2003), and only few species have had their reproductive aspects analyzed in detail (Godoy et al 2014).…”

Evaluation of reproductive parameters in male Neotropical bats during dry and rainy months in a specific area of the Cerrado biome

“…Beguelini, suggested that despite some differences found in the reproductive patterns of A. planirostris, these bats do not present latency in their reproductive patterns. Likewise, Godoy, Carvalho, and Esbérard (2014), when analysing male and female S. lilium bats in the Altlantic Forest biome, concluded that they have continuous non-seasonal reproduction. It is important to remember that weather conditions (temperature and rainfall) affect food supply and consequently interfere with reproduction (Flemming et al, 1972;Heideman, 2000;Racey, 1982), and therefore, it is important to investigate the reproductive pattern in different regions.…”