Seasonal changes in pelage of Miniopterus schreibersi blepotis (Chiroptera) in north-eastern New South Wales

Abstract

In M. s. blepotis, of north-eastern New South Wales, the annual moult occurs during the summer and early autumn and lasts about 14½ weeks. Yearlings having their first moult usually initiate this some 3 weeks after the adults commence. In many adult females the moult is inhibited during lactation and again during the winter so that some individuals may be found moulting in all months of the year. The importance of considering annual pelage characters when using colour taxonomically in bats is emphasized, and possible relationships between moult and reproductive cycles are indicated. In addition the use of pelage characteristics, in conjunction with reproductive criteria as a means of recogni..