Roosting, social organization and the annual cycle in a Kenya population of the bat Pipistrellus nanus

Thomas J. O'Shea

doi:10.1111/j.1439-0310.1980.tb01048.x

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Roosting, social organization and the annual cycle in a Kenya population of the bat Pipistrellus nanus

Thomas J. O'Shea

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Abstract

The tiny (3.1–3.8 g) vespcrtilionid bat Pipistrellus nanus was studied in Kenya palm-thatched roofs from May 1973 to July 1974. Roosting social organization and related activities and behavior are described. ♂♂ held diurnal roosting territories where ♀♀ gathered in small and compositionally labile groups, attracted to the most vocal ♂♂. Annual variation in population-wide aspects of social organization follows predictable seasonal changes in climate and predator abundance. Variability between individuals follows a common mammalian pattern: high male competition for ♀, variance in presumed male reproductive success, and a mating system resembling one based on resource defense polygyny. Social organization in this population contrasts with that known from studies of other P. nanus populations.

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Source-reported bounding extent: -4.68° to 5.03° latitude; 33.91° to 41.91° longitude. This indicates report coverage, not an exact sampling location. View area on OpenStreetMap.

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Thomas J. O'Shea. 2010-04-26. Roosting, social organization and the annual cycle in a Kenya population of the bat Pipistrellus nanus. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1439-0310.1980.tb01048.x

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