<p>Synchronized reproduction in animals is often associated with variation in interactions among individuals during particular stages of reproduction. Bats have been a model system for the study of these topics, with many documented reports of increased number or strength of social bonds among female bats during pregnancy and lactation. We investigated temporal variation in social network dynamics in relation to reproduction in the pallid bat (<i>Antrozous pallidus</i>), using intra-roost encounter data collected at fine spatial and temporal scales to construct temporally-aggregated social networks during pregnancy, lactation, weaning, and post-weaning. In contrast to the results of previous studies, we found that although the number of associations was higher than expected during lactation, association strength did not deviate from expectations based on networks constructed using data stream randomization. Further, we unexpectedly detected increased values for eigenvector centrality during phases after the completion of lactation, suggesting that well-connected individuals tended to associate after pups were weaned. Our results highlight the importance of fine-scale intra-roost dynamics and of interactions among individuals after the gestation and lactation phases of reproduction.</p>

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Reproductive status affects social network dynamics in pallid bats (Antrozous pallidus)

  • Karen E. Mabry,
  • Daniel Ibañez IV,
  • Jacob Martinez,
  • Teri J. Orr

摘要

Synchronized reproduction in animals is often associated with variation in interactions among individuals during particular stages of reproduction. Bats have been a model system for the study of these topics, with many documented reports of increased number or strength of social bonds among female bats during pregnancy and lactation. We investigated temporal variation in social network dynamics in relation to reproduction in the pallid bat (Antrozous pallidus), using intra-roost encounter data collected at fine spatial and temporal scales to construct temporally-aggregated social networks during pregnancy, lactation, weaning, and post-weaning. In contrast to the results of previous studies, we found that although the number of associations was higher than expected during lactation, association strength did not deviate from expectations based on networks constructed using data stream randomization. Further, we unexpectedly detected increased values for eigenvector centrality during phases after the completion of lactation, suggesting that well-connected individuals tended to associate after pups were weaned. Our results highlight the importance of fine-scale intra-roost dynamics and of interactions among individuals after the gestation and lactation phases of reproduction.