Studies in Neotropical mammalogy : essays in honor of Philip Hershkovitz

Abstract

The reproductive conditions of 3,489 specimens were used to determine seasonal patterns of pregnancy and parturition in Peruvian bats. More species that are trophic generalists yiels birth records for the dry season than do trophic specialists. Relatively more highland than lowland species have births recorded for both seasons dry and wet). Presumably, trophic generalists and highland species experience less seasonal variation in food supplies compared to the other groups. A larger percentage of nectarivorous species than frugivores have birth records for the dry season; the reverse is true for the wet season. These patterns are associated with greater floral resoucrce abundance during the dry season and a greater abundance of fruit resources during the wet season.