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Feeding Territoriality in Female Northern Bats, Eptesicus nilssoni
Author(s) -
Rydell Jens
Publication year - 1986
Publication title -
ethology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.739
H-Index - 74
eISSN - 1439-0310
pISSN - 0179-1613
DOI - 10.1111/j.1439-0310.1986.tb00633.x
Subject(s) - territoriality , foraging , dominance (genetics) , social organisation , ecology , biology , geography , zoology , dominance hierarchy , aggression , psychology , social psychology , sociology , social science , biochemistry , gene
A nursing colony of 26 Northern bats was studied in South‐Central Sweden. The foraging behaviour is described with emphasis on social interactions on feeding grounds. The bats foraged in small feeding territories used night after night. The reproducing females defended feeding territories against other colony members as well as non‐members by means of aggressive chases and vocalizations. A linear dominance order occurred among the females that regularly visited a feeding site. Intrusions into already occupied feeding sites resulted in territorial conflicts (47 %), passive departure by one or both opponents (43%) or mutual acceptance (11%). Conflicts occurred throughout the summer, but became less frequent in July when insect abundance increased.