Extended sperm storage duration in female Townsend's big-eared bat (Corynorhinus townsendii)

Authors

Charles J. Randel III, Southwestern Wildlife Survey, South Pasadena, CA 91030Follow
Ashley M. Long, Department of Rangeland, Wildlife, and Fisheries Management, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843
Jane M. Kunberger, Department of Rangeland, Wildlife, and Fisheries Management, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843
Michael L. Morrison, Department of Rangeland, Wildlife, and Fisheries Management, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843

Abstract

Townsend’s big-eared bats (Corynorhinus townsendii) interrupt their reproductive cycle by storing sperm and delaying fertilization, thereby minimizing energetic demands of hibernation and reproduction. During our long-term study (2013–2024) of female Townsend’s big-eared bats in eastern California, we observed 21 pinkies (i.e., bat pups ≤7 days old) and used known reproductive parameters, including a 56- to 100-day gestation period, to estimate long-term sperm storage potential for Townsend’s big-eared bats. Our 218-day long-term sperm storage estimate is longer than the previously reported estimate of 108 days. Our results indicated greater reproductive plasticity than previously estimated, which may enhance this species’ ability to adapt to long- and short-term environmental stochasticity.


Los murciélagos de orejas grandes de Townsend (Corynorhinus townsendii) interrumpen su ciclo reproductivo al almacenar esperma y retrasar la fertilización, lo que reduce las demandas energéticas asociadas a la hibernación y la reproducción. Durante nuestro estudio a largo plazo (2013–2024) de hembras de murciélagos de orejas grandes de Townsend en el este de California, observamos 21 crías recién nacidas (es decir, murciélagos ≤7 días) y utilizamos parámetros reproductivos conocidos, incluyendo un período de gestación de 56 a 100 días, para estimar el potencial de almacenamiento de esperma a largo plazo en esta especie. Nuestra estimación de 218 días de almacenamiento de esperma a largo plazo supera la estimación previamente reportada de 108 días. Nuestros resultados indican una mayor plasticidad reproductiva de lo que se había calculado anteriormente, lo que podría mejorar la capacidad de esta especie para adaptarse a la estocasticidad ambiental tanto a corto como a largo plazo.

Recommended Citation

Randel, Charles J. III; Long, Ashley M.; Kunberger, Jane M.; and Morrison, Michael L. (2025) "Extended sperm storage duration in female Townsend's big-eared bat (Corynorhinus townsendii)," Western North American Naturalist: Vol. 85: No. 4, Article 10.
Available at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/wnan/vol85/iss4/10