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Sexual size dimorphism in greater mouse‐eared bat M yotis myotis ( C hiroptera: V espertilionidae) from a M editerranean region
Author(s) -
Lisón Fulgencio,
Haz Ángeles,
GonzálezRevelles Carlos,
Calvo José F.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
acta zoologica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.414
H-Index - 37
eISSN - 1463-6395
pISSN - 0001-7272
DOI - 10.1111/azo.12012
Subject(s) - sexual dimorphism , biology , wing , zoology , trophic level , ecology , engineering , aerospace engineering
Although sexual size dimorphism ( SSD ) is common among mammals, there is no clear explanation for its maintenance in nature. Bats are one of the few groups of mammals where reverse SSD appears. In this group, the size of individuals may have very important ecological consequences related with flight. In this study, we examine sexual dimorphism in the wing measurements of 195 adult individuals (141 males and 54 females) of the greater mouse‐eared bat M yotis myotis in the south‐east of the I berian P eninsula. We also investigated size differences between paired and single males in a swarming roost. The results indicate that there are significant differences in the wing measurements between sexes, females being bigger than males in this respect. While no significant differences in the wing measurements of paired and single males were observed, significant differences were found in their relative weight and fitness, single males being significantly heavier and having a better physical condition. We discuss the implications of SSD for the female of M . myotis in terms of reproductive advantages, trophic niche segregation and a greater ability to move, which may favour gene flow between populations.