Reproduction of the canyon bat, Pipistrellus hesperus, in southwestern United States

Abstract

The reproductive biology of the bat Pipistrellus hesperus was investigated histologically using animals obtained from nature at monthly intervals throughout the year. The female shows proestrous morphological changes in late summer and autumn, which continue until early spring. Insemination is probably effected several times during proestrous, since both sexes are intermittently active throughout this period (August--April). Permanent arousal from torpor and return to normal metabolism in the spring results in ovulation. Both ovaries are functional and both uterine horns may be utilized. P. hesperus is monestrous; two young per bat is usual. The male spermatogenic cycle is initiated in late June and the first sperm are available for ejaculation in September. Some sperm remain in the seminiferous tubules until early March. The epididymides also serve in sperm storage with the caput emptied by late February and the cauda in April. Leydig cells are largely nonsecretory from March through July, a few are secretory in August and most are secretory in September and October. Active cells gradually decline in number until few are secretory in late March. Accessory sex glands are functionally cyclic: they are small from April through August, hypertrophy in September, and gradually involute to the resting stage through March, to achieve total involution in April. The penis, similar in structure to that of other vespertilionids, is thought specialized to insure effective insemination.