Aguillon S. auteur aut IRD Le Minter G. auteur aut IRD Lebarbenchon C. auteur aut IRD Hoarau Axel auteur aut IRD Toty Céline auteur aut IRD Joffrin L. auteur aut IRD Ramanantsalama R. V. auteur aut IRD Augros S. auteur aut IRD Tortosa P. auteur aut IRD Mavingui P. auteur aut IRD Dietrich Muriel auteur aut IRD text journalArticle eng text/pdf reformatted digital access Although island endemic bats are a source of considerable conservation concerns, their biology remains poorly known. Here, we studied the phenology and roosting behavior of a tropical island endemic species: the Reunion free-tailed bat (Mormopterus francoismoutoui). This widespread and abundant species occupies various natural and anthropogenic environments such as caves and buildings. We set up fine-scale monitoring of 19 roosts over 27 months in Reunion Island and analyzed roost size and composition, sexual and age-associated segregation of individuals, as well as the reproductive phenology and body condition of individuals. Based 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. Despite 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. Our data also suggested a 7-month delay between mating and pregnancy, highlighting a likely long interruption of the reproductive cycle in this tropical bat. Altogether, our results suggest a complex social organization in the Reunion free-tailed bat, with important sex-specific seasonal and spatial movements, including the possibility of altitudinal migration. Bat tracking and genetic studies would provide additional insights into the behavioral strategies that shape the biology of this enigmatic bat species. The 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 Reunion Island. specialized Chiroptera Molossidae reproductive seasonality Reunion Island sexual segregation tropical island bat REUNION ZONE TROPICALE 080 082 13 2 e9814 [13 ] 2023 2045-7758 https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010087440 10.1002/ece3.9814 2045-7758 [F B010087440] https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010087440 https://horizon.documentation.ird.fr/exl-doc/pleins_textes/2023-04/010087440.pdf IRD - Base Horizon / Pleins textes 2023-04-14 2025-05-12 fdi:010087440 fre