Rapid behavioral changes during early development in Peters' tent-making bat (Uroderma bilobatum).

ABSTRACT: Bats transition from flightless, milk-sustained infants to volant, foraging juveniles in the span of a few weeks to a few months. This rapid development is accompanied by fast growth and weight gain, but behavioral development remains poorly understood. We addressed development of maternal support and pup independence for Peters' tent-making bat (Uroderma bilobatum) in light of population level reproductive patterns. Uroderma bilobatum exhibited seasonal bimodal polyoestry at our study site. Births occurred over one month within a reproductive bout, resulting in variable levels of behavioral development for pups in the same maternity group. Pups reached adult forearm length more quickly than adult mass, facilitating the ontogeny of flight. Maternal support consisted of nursing and thermore

SUBMITTER: Kohles JE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6200227 | biostudies-literature | 2018

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature