@article {3040, title = {Reproductive cycles of Miniopterus schreibersi natalensis (Kuhl, 1819) and Miniopterus fraterculus Thomas and Schwann, 1906}, journal = {Ann. Transv. Mus.}, volume = {32}, number = {3}, year = {1980}, month = {1980b}, pages = {55-64}, abstract = {The reproductive cycles of Miniopterus schreibersi and Miniopterus fraterculus were investigated histologically using specimens collected in the Natal Midlands (c. 29{\textdegree}S - 30{\textdegree}15{\textquoteright}S).In both species the gestation period was extended by a period of delayed implantation. In M. fraterculus the period of delayed implantation was two-and-a-half months, one-and-a-half months shorter than this period in M. schreibersi. In both species the period of active fetal growth was approximately four months.Copulation in M. schreibersi from the Natal Midlands began one month after copulation in the same species from southern and northern Transvaal (c. 25{\textdegree}S and c. 24{\textdegree}S), and it is suggested that this is the result of summer in the Transvaal ending approximately one month earlier than in the Natal Midlands.On the basis of the reproductive cycle and winter behaviour, the difference between the reproductive cycles of M. schreibersi and M. fraterculus is explained by suggesting that M. fraterculus migrated southwards from the tropics after M. schreibersi, that M. fraterculus has a shorter history at southern latitudes, and as such its reproductive cycle is intermediate between that of M. schreibersi from the same latitude, and the typical tropical reproductive pattern.}, keywords = {Chiroptera, copulation, delayed implantation, gestation period, histology, latitude, migration, Miniopteridae, Miniopterus fraterculus, Miniopterus natalensis, reproduction, South Africa}, author = {Bernard, R. T. F.} }