The impact of body mass at birth on postnatal growth in captive Kuhl ' s pipistrelle, Pipistrellus kuhlii (Chiroptera, Vespertilionidae)

✍ Scribed by Sharifi, Mozafar (author);Vaissi, Somaye (author)

• Book ID: 120978469
• Publisher: Walter de Gruyter GmbH & Co. KG
• Year: 2013
• Tongue: French
• Weight: 770 KB
• Volume: 77
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0025-1461
• DOI: 10.1515/mammalia-2012-0054

✦ Synopsis

To determine whether differences in birth body mass influence growth performance in Pipistrellus kuhlii , we studied a total of 12 captive-born neonates (ten twins from five litters and two singles). Bats were assigned to two body mass groups: light birth body mass (LBW: 0.89 ± 0.05, n = 8) and heavy birth body mass (HBW: 1.35 ± 0.08, n = 4). Heavier body mass at birth was associated with rapid postnatal growth (body mass and forearm length), faster epiphyseal gap closure and a higher survival rate. During the first 3 weeks, body mass increased by 0.11 ± 0.18 g/day in HBW, and the rate of increase in forearm length was 0.67 ± 1.13 mm/day. Corresponding values for LBW were 0.10 ± 0.11 g/day and 0.62 ± 0.69 mm/day, respectively. The initial rapid growth in HBW gradually decreased to merge single asymptomatic maxima at approximately 60 days after birth. The HBW class attained a maximum epiphyseal phalangeal gap of 4.9 mm on day 19 and closed the gap faster (-0.07 mm/day) than the LBW class, with a maximum epiphyseal gap of 4.78 mm on day 23 and a closure rate of -0.06 mm/day. Pup mortality was nil in HBW, whereas four LBW males died at ages 4 -6 weeks.