Biology, ecology and genetics

Southern bent-wing bats were not recognised as a subspecies of the Common Bent-wing bat until 2000. Being only one of two breeding sites for the species, the Bat Cave population has been a focus of research into the biology and genetics of the species for many decades. This work includes studies on their reproduction, body form, parasitology and echolocation. The opportunity to study reproductive behaviour in the species was presented with the 1995 installation of infra-red cameras in Bat Cave. Direct observation of bat health has also been made using the cameras (see Health and Disease section).

Further reading

Appleton, B.R., McKenzie, J.A. and Christidis, L. 2004. Molecular systematics and biogeography of the bent-wing bat complex Miniopterus schreibersii (Kuhl, 1817) (Chiroptera: Vespertiliondiae). Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution31, 43 –439.

Archer, M.S. and Cardinal, B.R. 2001. Seasonal reproduction and host infestation rates for nycteribiids of the large bentwing bat. Medical and Veterinary Entomology15, 452–454.

Breed, W.G. and Inns, R.W. 1985. Variation in sperm morphology of Australian Vespertilionidae and its possible phylogenetic significance. Mammalia49, 105–108.

Cardinal, B.R. and Christidis, L. 2000. Mitochondrial DNA and morphology reveal three geographically distinct lineages of the large bentwing bat (Miniopterus schreibersii) in Australia. Australian Journal of Zoology48, 1–19.

Codd, J. 1997. Overwintering behavioural strategies and roosting activity budget of the common Bent Wing Bat (Miniopterus schreibersii) at the Naracoorte Caves Conservation Park. Honours Thesis, Flinders University, South Australia.

Codd, J., Sanderson, K. and Branford, A. 2003. Roosting activity budget of the Southern Bent-wing Bat (Miniopterus schreibersii bassanii). Australian Journal of Zoology51, 307–316.

Conole, L. 2000. Acoustic differentiation of Australian populations of the large Bentwing-bat Miniopterus schreibersii (Kuhl, 1817). Australian Zoologist31, 443–447.

Crichton, E., Seamark, R. and Krutzsch, P. 1989. The status of the corpus luteum during pregnancy in Miniopterus schreibersii (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) with emphasis on its role in developmental delay. Cell and Tissue Research258, 183–201.

Hamilton-Smith, E. and Clark, B. 1997. Bat interpretation by infra-red imaging at Naracoorte World Heritage Area, South Australia. National Cave Management Symposium Proceedings, 84–86.

Krutzsch, P.H. and Chrichton, E.G. 1990. Reproductive biology of the male bent-winged bat (Miniopterus schreibersii) (Vespertilionidae) in Southeast South Australia. Cells, Tissues, Organs139, 109 – 125.

Richardson, E.G. 1977. The biology and evolution of the reproductive cycle of Miniopterus schreibersii and M. australis (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae). Journal of Zoology183, 353–375.

Wilson, P.D. 2008. Geographical variation in the skeletal morphology of Miniopterus schreibersii (Microchiroptera: Vespertiliondiae) from eastern Australia. Australian Mammalogy30, 13–24.