Sexual size dimorphism in Myotis nigricans (Schinz, 1821) (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) from south Brazil
Among Vespertilionidae species, sexual size dimorphism is very well documented, in which females are larger than males. The differences are mainly in body weight, skull measurements and forearm length. Studies have discussed some hypothesis for this phenomenon. However, very little information is kn...
| Main Authors: | , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Instituto Internacional de Ecologia
|
| Series: | Brazilian Journal of Biology |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1519-69842008000400028&lng=en&tlng=en |
| _version_ | 1818943856230531072 |
|---|---|
| author | R. Bornholdt LR. Oliveira ME. Fabián |
| author_facet | R. Bornholdt LR. Oliveira ME. Fabián |
| author_sort | R. Bornholdt |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Among Vespertilionidae species, sexual size dimorphism is very well documented, in which females are larger than males. The differences are mainly in body weight, skull measurements and forearm length. Studies have discussed some hypothesis for this phenomenon. However, very little information is known about sexual size dimorphism in Myotis nigricans (Schinz, 1821) in Brazil. In this sense, the goal of this paper is to present a study of this phenomenon in the species. For this, we present a quantitative analysis of sexual size dimorphism assessed by traditional morphometrics. Ten skull measurements in addition to the forearm length of adult specimens were taken. Results of traditional morphometrics revealed sexual size dimorphism in five skull measurements and in the forearm length. Females were larger than males. These differences can be attributed to natural selection on large female size for increase fecundity. Bat females of the Vespertilionidae family are usually larger than males in order to perform parental care appropriately and to provide a successful reproductive process. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-20T07:33:58Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-74c9890d067f40249fde7ee1ac7c0935 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1678-4375 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-20T07:33:58Z |
| publisher | Instituto Internacional de Ecologia |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Brazilian Journal of Biology |
| spelling | doaj.art-74c9890d067f40249fde7ee1ac7c09352022-12-21T19:48:20ZengInstituto Internacional de EcologiaBrazilian Journal of Biology1678-437568489790410.1590/S1519-69842008000400028S1519-69842008000400028Sexual size dimorphism in Myotis nigricans (Schinz, 1821) (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) from south BrazilR. Bornholdt0LR. Oliveira1ME. Fabián2Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do SulUniversidade de São PauloUniversidade Federal do Rio Grande do SulAmong Vespertilionidae species, sexual size dimorphism is very well documented, in which females are larger than males. The differences are mainly in body weight, skull measurements and forearm length. Studies have discussed some hypothesis for this phenomenon. However, very little information is known about sexual size dimorphism in Myotis nigricans (Schinz, 1821) in Brazil. In this sense, the goal of this paper is to present a study of this phenomenon in the species. For this, we present a quantitative analysis of sexual size dimorphism assessed by traditional morphometrics. Ten skull measurements in addition to the forearm length of adult specimens were taken. Results of traditional morphometrics revealed sexual size dimorphism in five skull measurements and in the forearm length. Females were larger than males. These differences can be attributed to natural selection on large female size for increase fecundity. Bat females of the Vespertilionidae family are usually larger than males in order to perform parental care appropriately and to provide a successful reproductive process.http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1519-69842008000400028&lng=en&tlng=enChiropteraVespertilionidaeMyotis nigricanssexual size dimorphismmorphometrics |
| spellingShingle | R. Bornholdt LR. Oliveira ME. Fabián Sexual size dimorphism in Myotis nigricans (Schinz, 1821) (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) from south Brazil Brazilian Journal of Biology Chiroptera Vespertilionidae Myotis nigricans sexual size dimorphism morphometrics |
| title | Sexual size dimorphism in Myotis nigricans (Schinz, 1821) (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) from south Brazil |
| title_full | Sexual size dimorphism in Myotis nigricans (Schinz, 1821) (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) from south Brazil |
| title_fullStr | Sexual size dimorphism in Myotis nigricans (Schinz, 1821) (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) from south Brazil |
| title_full_unstemmed | Sexual size dimorphism in Myotis nigricans (Schinz, 1821) (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) from south Brazil |
| title_short | Sexual size dimorphism in Myotis nigricans (Schinz, 1821) (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) from south Brazil |
| title_sort | sexual size dimorphism in myotis nigricans schinz 1821 chiroptera vespertilionidae from south brazil |
| topic | Chiroptera Vespertilionidae Myotis nigricans sexual size dimorphism morphometrics |
| url | http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1519-69842008000400028&lng=en&tlng=en |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT rbornholdt sexualsizedimorphisminmyotisnigricansschinz1821chiropteravespertilionidaefromsouthbrazil AT lroliveira sexualsizedimorphisminmyotisnigricansschinz1821chiropteravespertilionidaefromsouthbrazil AT mefabian sexualsizedimorphisminmyotisnigricansschinz1821chiropteravespertilionidaefromsouthbrazil |