BREEDING IN THE AUSTRALIAN YELLOW-BELLIED SHEATH-TAILED BAT, SACCOLAIMUS FLAVIVENTRIS (PETERS, 1867) (CHIROPTERA EMBALLONURIDAE).

WA Museum Records and Supplements | Updated 1 decade ago

Abstract
Saccolaimus flaviventris pregnancies were almost always restricted to the right uterine horn. This horn first increased in diameter in August, and the maximum enlargement was observed in November. The horn regressed rapidly following parturition. Over the species range the parturient season was between December and mid March. Teats and mammary glands were regressed by the end of May. A pregnant female collected in February had a corpus luteum that was deeply embedded in the right ovary and occupied ca. 65 percent of the ovary; the contralateral ovary had numerous large atretic secondary and graafian follicles.

In males, there was no significant difference throughout the year in testis size, weight and position or in epididymis weight; nor was there a significant correlation between these parameters and the depth of the throat pouch - which also showed no significant variation in depth.