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Sexually selected infanticide in a polygynous bat

Mirjam Knörnschild1, Katja Ueberschaer, Maria Helbig

  • 1Institute of Experimental Ecology, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany. mirjam.knoernschild@uni-ulm.de

Plos One
|September 28, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Sexually selected infanticide, a reproductive strategy, was observed in the white-throated round-eared bat (Lophostoma silvicolum). This behavior, where males kill unrelated infants to increase their own reproductive success, is now documented in bats for the first time.

Area of Science:

  • Behavioral Ecology
  • Mammalogy
  • Reproductive Strategies

Background:

  • Infanticide is a widespread phenomenon in the animal kingdom, driven by various adaptive reasons including resource competition and reproductive advantages.
  • Sexually selected infanticide, where males kill unrelated infants to mate with females, is well-documented in polygynous species like primates, carnivores, equids, and rodents.
  • Evidence for infanticide in bats was previously lacking, despite predictions based on their social structures.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To document the first instance of sexually selected infanticide in bats.
  • To investigate the reproductive implications of infanticide in the white-throated round-eared bat.

Main Methods:

  • Behavioral observations were conducted on a free-living population of white-throated round-eared bats (Lophostoma silvicolum).
  • The study monitored interactions between adult males and pups within a harem structure.

Main Results:

  • An adult male white-throated round-eared bat was observed repeatedly attacking and injuring pups from his harem, leading to the death of one pup.
  • The infanticidal male subsequently mated with the pup's mother, and this mating occurred earlier than other observed matings within his harem.

Conclusions:

  • This study provides the first evidence of sexually selected infanticide in bats, expanding the known taxonomic diversity of this behavior.
  • The findings suggest that sexually selected infanticide may be more prevalent in bats than previously assumed.
  • Further research on tropical bat species is recommended to explore the evolutionary pressures and social impacts of infanticide.
Abstract

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