Does calcium constrain reproductive activity in insectivorous bats? Some empirical evidence for Schreibers’ long-fingered bat (Miniopterus schreibersii)

Bernard, Ric T F; Davison, A

Title: Does calcium constrain reproductive activity in insectivorous bats? Some empirical evidence for Schreibers’ long-fingered bat (Miniopterus schreibersii)
Creator: Bernard, Ric T F
Creator: Davison, A
Subject: To be catalogued
Date Issued: 1996
Date: 1996
Type: text
Type: article
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/447231
Identifier: vital:74598
Identifier: https://www.ajol.info/index.php/az/article/view/154435
Description: Insects are a poor source of dietary calcium and since they are seasonally abundant, it has been suggested that calcium availability may play a significant role in controlling the timing of reproduction in insectivorous bats. To assess the possible role of dietary calcium, we have measured bone calcium concentrations in female and male long-fingered bats (Miniopterus schreibersii) through a full reproductive cycle. The results indicate that winter was not a period of calcium stress and, therefore, that seasonal changes in insect abundance and dietary calcium availability are not a satisfactory explanation for the occurrence of delayed implantation in the long-fingered bat. Bone calcium concentrations of females did not differ significantly throughout pregnancy, indicating that the insects available in winter and early summer were sufficient to meet the calcium demands of pregnancy. Lactating females had the lowest bone calcium concentrations of all specimens, supporting the suggestion that lactation is indeed a period of severe calcium stress in aerial insectivores. We conclude that parturition is probably timed so that lactation coincides with the period of maximal insect abundance and corresponding dietary calcium availability.
Format: 3 pages
Format: pdf
Language: English
Relation: African Zoology
Relation: Bernard, R.T.F. and Davison, A., 1996. Does calcium constrain reproductive activity in insectivorous bats? Some empirical evidence for Schreibers’ long-fingered bat (Miniopterus schreibersii). African Zoology, 31(4), pp.218-220
Relation: African Zoology volume 31 number 4 218 220 1996 2224-073X
Rights: Publisher
Rights: Use of this resource is governed by the terms and conditions of the Zoological Society of Southern Africa statement (https://zssa.co.za/african-zoology-scope-and-information/)

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Bernard, Ric T F (Prof Emeritus)

SDG 15. Life On Land

RU Department of Zoology and Entomology

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