Foraging behaviour of the large-footed myotis, Myotis moluccarum (Chiroptera : Vespertilionidae) in south-eastern Queensland

Abstract

Because of differences in the time, energy, and nutrient demands on male and female mammals during reproduction, differences in foraging behaviour can be expected between the sexes and over time. Using radio-telemetry, we studied the foraging behaviour of male and female large-footed bats (Myotis moluccarum) in south-eastern Queensland during the lactation and post-lactation periods. Individuals commuted over 10 km from their diurnal roost to forage over a large reservoir. There were typically one or two foraging trips per individual per night for a total foraging time averaging 7 h. Females foraged longer than did males, due to longer second foraging bouts. Males foraged for longer during the lactation period than during the post-lactation period, whereas there was no difference for females, possibly due to the fact that post-lactating females are pregnant with a second litter and thus may not experience a large reduction in energy demand. Males of this harem-forming species did not appear to defend foraging territories and females did not forage near their harem male.