| Publication Type: | Journal Article |
| Year of Publication: | 1986 |
| Authors: | K. Kowalski, Gaisler, J., Bessam, H., Issaad, C., Ksantini, H. |
| Journal: | Acta theriol. |
| Volume: | 31 |
| Pagination: | 185-206 |
| Date Published: | 1986 |
| Keywords: | Algeria, Chiroptera, day roosts, ecology, hibernation, histology, mating systems, Miniopteridae, Miniopterus schreibersi, Myotis capaccinii, Myotis emarginatus, Myotis nattereri, Myotis punicus, North Africa, reproduction, Rhinolophidae, Rhinolophus blasii, Rhinolophus euryale, Rhinolophus ferrumequinum, Rhinolophus hipposideros, Rhinolophus mehelyi, Vespertilionidae |
| Abstract: | The dynamics of bat populations in caves of northern Algeria were studied between 1978 and 1983. The 10 species represented were: Rhinolophus ferrumequinum, R. mehelyi, R. blasii, R. euryale, R. hipposideros, Myotis blythi, M. emarginatus, M. nattereri, M. capaccinii and Miniopterus schreibersi. Detailed reproductive data, including histological examination of reproductive organs, were obtained for R. mehelyi and M. blythi during a part of the annual cycle. All species examined except Miniopterus schreibersi reach their southern limits of distribution in Algeria. The duration of hibernation was shorter in Algeria than in Europe, but the reproductive cycle was similar in that insemination took place in autumn and fertilization in spring. Parturition occurred earlier than in European populations of the same species. Observations were made on the choice of roosts, formation of intra- and interspecific associations, as well as individual and geographic variation in dates of parturition. The tendency of M. blythi to form harems during the mating season was noted. |