Abandoned Mines Used as Roosts for Reproduction by Townsend's Big-Eared Bats (Corynorhinus townsendii) in a Protected Area in the Central Highlands of Mexico

(Uploaded by Plazi for the Bat Literature Project) In Chihuahuan Desert arid zone, particularly the states of Zacatecas and San Luis Potosi, Mexico, have been distinguished by its large mining activity, however, many of these mines are disuse, becoming potential refuges for various species of cave bats. Monitoring the potential roosts by Corynorhinus townsendii was made within the system of mines in the vicinity of the Sierra La Mojonera Flora and Fauna Protection Area, at Mexico's Central Highlands in the states of Zacatecas and San Luis Potosi. Which consisted of visual inspection inside, and mist netting at the entrance of different mines during an annual cycle. The main reproductive roosts for C. townsendii were identified. Spermatogenesis takes place during MaySeptember; the mating period in November-December, whereas the sequence of gestation-lactation occurred since March to August of the next year. These data confirm that C. townsendii in the area of study follow a seasonally monoestrous reproductive pattern, characterized by an asynchrony between the ovarian and spermatogenic cycles.