A study on the breeding biology of some bat species in Turkey (Mammalia: Chiroptera)

Abstract

This study is based on the records of gestation and lactation periods of 17 bat species (Rousettus aegyptiacus, Rhinolophus ferrumequinum, R. hipposideros, R. euryale, R. blasii, Myotis myotis, M. blythii, M. emarginatus, M. nattereri, M. mystacinus, M. capaccinii, Eptesicus serotinus, Pipistrellus pipistrellus, P. kuhlii, P. savii, Plecotus auritus, and Miniopterus schreibersii) caught from various localities in Turkey and of the development stages of embryos belonging to Myotis species. It was determined that the gestation period of some insectivorous bat species was generally May and June and following this period the lactation period was June and July in Turkey. In the fruit bat, Rousettus aegyptiacus, the gestation and lactation periods were May, July, August and September. © TÜBİTAK