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Pallid bat (Antrozous
pallidus)
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For
species that don’t practice sperm storage, some reproductive phases may
be retarded by heterothermy (Altringham,
1996). Because these gestation processes require a tremendous amount
of energy and because metabolic rate is so low throughout hibernation,
milk production may decrease and gestation length increase under such
conditions (Lewis, 1993).
In a
study by Lewis to determine the effects of seasonal fluctuation on reproduction
in pallid bats (Antrozous pallidus), lower spring temperatures
in 1991 than in 1990 were correlated with a higher percentage of nonreproductive
females, delayed parturition dates, reduced synchrony of parturtion, and
lower body mass of lactating females. The author suggests that the bats
possibly aborted their embryos, a common practice among other energetically
stressed species. Through spontaneous abortion a female could cut her
losses one year with the idea of conserving energy for reproduction the
next year (Lewis, 1993). Lewis also points
out that reduced synchrony could have detrimental effects on young pups
who often depend on clustering with other youngsters while mothers go
searching for food. |
Adverse
effects onReproducton