Eastern Pipistrelle (Perimyotis subflavus) Internal Temperature Differences and Sex Ratio in Gorman Cave Hibernaculum
Gorman Cave in Colorado Bend State Park, Texas is a hibernaculum for a population of nearly 500 eastern pipistrelles (Perimyotis subflavus). This study conducted from 1995-98 addressed different stages of torpor during winter hibernation by eastern pipistrelles. The effects of gender and environmental variables on the internal temperature and sex ratio were assessed. Bats in hibernation are known for leaving and returning to stages of torpor. Gender had no apparent effect on the internal temperature of eastern pipistrelles and any variation in internal temperature was more of a synergistic effect of environmental variables of which the strongest effects were distance from entrance of the cave, ambient temperature of roost site, and sampling time. The sex ratio of eastern pipistrelles in the hibemaculum was determined to be I: I and occasionally was disproportionately skewed toward females.
eastern pipistrelle, hibernacula, bats, hibernation, Colorado Bend State Park
Heaton, M. R. (2011). Eastern pipistrelle (Perimyotis subflavus) internal temperature differences and sex ratio in Gorman Cave hibernaculum [Master's thesis, Texas State University-San Marcos].
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