Natural history, physiology and energetic strategies of Asellia tridens (Chiroptera)

Eran Amichai, Eran Levin, Noga Kronfeld-Schor, Uri Roll, Yoram Yom-Tov

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

17 Scopus citations

Abstract

We used radio-telemetry, observations and physiological measurements to study the basic biology and energetic strategies of Asellia tridens in northern Israel from 2009 to 2010. Between late May and early November, the bats occupied abandoned man-made structures in this area. Parturition occurred between late June and mid-July, and juveniles were independent by late August. A. tridens foraged near the roost in a vegetation-rich, cluttered background environment, catching insects flying close to vegetation. Its diet was diverse, with Coleoptera, Heteroptera, Diptera and Lepidoptera being the main diet components. During summer, males and females differed in their foraging patterns and energetic strategies: Lactating females departed for more frequent foraging bouts than males, and maintained euthermy throughout the day, while males became torpid on a daily basis.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)94-103
Number of pages10
JournalMammalian Biology
Volume78
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Feb 2013
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Chiroptera
  • Energetic strategies
  • Foraging pattern
  • Reproductive cycle
  • Torpor

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics
  • Animal Science and Zoology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Natural history, physiology and energetic strategies of Asellia tridens (Chiroptera)'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this