Journal article

Publication year: 2006

Pages: 237-246

Journal: Folia Zoologica -Praha-

Volume number: 55

Issue number: 3

ISSN: 0139-7893

URL: https://www.ivb.cz/folia-zoologica/vol-55-no-3/

Publisher: Institute of Vertibrate Biology

Abstract: 
We studied nocturnal activity in adult male Myotis daubentonii from mid-May to early September of the years 1998-2003 in a male-dominated population in central Germany. Departure from roost after sunset, nocturnal activity time, time spent foraging, and return to roost before sunrise were recorded in radio-tracked animals during four observation periods (1: 14 May-6 June, 2: 16 June-10 July, 3: 22 July-14 August, 4: 23 August-2 September). Only three males (two in period 1, one in period 4) stayed in the day roost all night. The other tracked animals left their day-roost for the first time between 25 and 220 minutes after sunset, and their last arrival at the day-roost occurred between 2 and 545 minutes before sunrise. Bats spent most of their nocturnal activity time foraging (overall mean: 79.7% of nocturnal activity time). Duration of nocturnal activity and nightly foraging time varied considerably over the four observation periods and were most extended in mid-summer (period 3). This is a time of high spermatogenetic activity and steep increase in body mass (built-up of fat reserves), which leads to a particularly high food demand of male Daubenton's bats during this period of the year. Our results of an increased foraging activity during mid-summer provide evidence in support of the view that food demand of male Daubenton's bats is indeed highest during this time of the year.

Harvard Citation style: Encarnação, J., Kierdorf, U. and Wolters, V. (2006) Seasonal variation in nocturnal activity of male Daubenton's bats, Myotis daubentonii (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae), Folia Zoologica -Praha-, 55(3), pp. 237-246. https://www.ivb.cz/folia-zoologica/vol-55-no-3/

APA Citation style: Encarnação, J., Kierdorf, U., & Wolters, V. (2006). Seasonal variation in nocturnal activity of male Daubenton's bats, Myotis daubentonii (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae). Folia Zoologica -Praha-. 55(3), 237-246. https://www.ivb.cz/folia-zoologica/vol-55-no-3/