Social structure and relatedness in the fringe-lipped bat (Trachops cirrhosus)

Abstract

General insights into the causes and effects of social structure can be gained from comparative analyses across socially and ecologically diverse taxa, such as bats, but long-term data are lacking for most species. In the neotropical fringe-lipped bat, Trachops cirrhosus , social transmission of foraging behaviour is clearly demonstrated in captivity, yet its social structure in the wild remains unclear. Here, we used microsatellite-based estimates of relatedness and records of 157 individually marked adults from 106 roost captures over 6 years, to infer whether male and female T. cirrhosus have preferred co-roosting associations and whether such associations were influenced by relatedness. Using a null model that controlled for year and roosting location, we found that both male and female T. cirrhosus have preferred roosting partners, but that only females demonstrate kin-biased association. Most roosting groups (67%) contained multiple females with one or two reproductive males. Relatedness patterns and recapture records corroborate genetic evidence for female philopatry and male dispersal. Our study adds to growing evidence that many bats demonstrate preferred roosting associations, which has the potential to influence social information transfer.

Long-term overlap of social and genetic structure in free-ranging house mice reveals dynamic seasonal and group size effects

“…Similar preferences have also been found in other mammals ( Mateo 2003 ; Patriquin et al. 2013 ; Flores et al. 2020 ).…”

Genetic Consequences of Forest Fragmentation in a Widespread Forest Bat (Natalus mexicanus, Chiroptera: Natalidae)

“…Our findings also show a differential genetic structure for the mitochondrial control region and nuclear microsatellites, suggesting female philopatry (e.g., [81]). Mating behavior and philopatry affect the population structure in bats [82,83]; besides, bat species with limited long-distance flight capacity demonstrate a greater population structuring relative to species with greater mobility [15]. Although poorly documented, N. mexicanus may display sexual segregation, with females remaining in the cave during the gestation and lactation stages, while most males leave the cave at this time [38,84].…”

A polytypic species revisited: Phylogenetic and morphological variation, taxonomic status, and geographical distribution ofTrachops(Chiroptera: Phyllostomidae)

“…This bat is very flexible in its responses to prey calls by updating acoustic information with echo acoustic and gustatory cues, as it approaches potential prey, enabling bats to avoid potentially lethal mistakes (Page and Jones 2016). Captive studies show that cues can also be learned socially and transmitted across individuals (Jones et al 2013; Page and Jones 2016; Flores et al 2020).…”