@article{fdi:010087440,
  title = {{A} population in perpetual motion : highly dynamic roosting behavior of a tropical island endemic bat},
  author = {{A}guillon, {S}. and {L}e {M}inter, {G}. and {L}ebarbenchon, {C}. and {H}oarau, {A}. {O}. {G}. and {T}oty, {C}{\'e}line and {J}offrin, {L}. and {R}amanantsalama, {R}. {V}. and {A}ugros, {S}. and {T}ortosa, {P}. and {M}avingui, {P}. and {D}ietrich, {M}uriel},
  editor = {},
  language = {{ENG}},
  abstract = {{A}lthough island endemic bats are a source of considerable conservation concerns, their biology remains poorly known. {H}ere, we studied the phenology and roosting behavior of a tropical island endemic species: the {R}eunion free-tailed bat ({M}ormopterus francoismoutoui). {T}his widespread and abundant species occupies various natural and anthropogenic environments such as caves and buildings. {W}e set up fine-scale monitoring of 19 roosts over 27 months in {R}eunion {I}sland and analyzed roost size and composition, sexual and age-associated segregation of individuals, as well as the reproductive phenology and body condition of individuals. {B}ased on extensive data collected from 6721 individuals, we revealed a highly dynamic roosting behavior, with marked seasonal sex-ratio variation, linked to distinct patterns of sexual aggregation among roosts. {D}espite the widespread presence of pregnant females all over the island, parturition was localized in a few roosts, and flying juveniles dispersed rapidly toward all studied roosts. {O}ur data also suggested a 7-month delay between mating and pregnancy, highlighting a likely long interruption of the reproductive cycle in this tropical bat. {A}ltogether, our results suggest a complex social organization in the {R}eunion free-tailed bat, with important sex-specific seasonal and spatial movements, including the possibility of altitudinal migration. {B}at tracking and genetic studies would provide additional insights into the behavioral strategies that shape the biology of this enigmatic bat species. {T}he fine-scale spatiotemporal data revealed by our study will serve to the delineation of effective conservation plans, especially in the context of growing urbanization and agriculture expansion in {R}eunion {I}sland.},
  keywords = {{C}hiroptera ; {M}olossidae ; reproductive seasonality ; {R}eunion {I}sland ; sexual segregation ; tropical island bat ; {REUNION} ; {ZONE} {TROPICALE}},
  booktitle = {},
  journal = {{E}cology and {E}volution},
  volume = {13},
  numero = {2},
  pages = {e9814 [13 ]},
  ISSN = {2045-7758},
  year = {2023},
  DOI = {10.1002/ece3.9814},
  URL = {https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010087440},
}