University of South Florida St. Petersburg Student Research Journal, Vol. 1, Issue 1, article 5 : Geometric Probability of Mating Success for the Greater Short-nosed Fruit Bat, Cynopterus sphinx

Authors

Krista Ford
Leon HardyFollow
Deby L. CassillFollow

SelectedWorks Author Profiles:

Deby L. Cassill

Alternate Title

Student Research Journal (USFSP)

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2012

Abstract

In the bat Cynopterus sphinx, the random probability of mating success was calculated to be 4%. A combination of several adaptations dramatically increases their mating success to nearly 100%. First, the male and female hang upside down in a front-to-back mount. From behind, the male positions his penis dorsoventral toward the female's genitalia. The male maintains a tight hold on the female by biting the scruff on her neck and by holding her wings with his thumbs, allowing the pair to move forwards and backwards uninterruptedly and rhythmically. The male inserts the glans of his penis while the female bends upward, guiding his shaft to her vaginal opening.

Comments

Also includes poster presented at the USFSP Undergraduate Research Symposium, April 19, 2012.

Language

en_US

Publisher

University of South Florida St. Petersburg

Sponsorship

Mentored by Dr. Leon Hardy and Dr. Deby Cassill

Recommended Citation

Ford, Krista; Hardy, Leon; and Cassill, Deby L., "University of South Florida St. Petersburg Student Research Journal, Vol. 1, Issue 1, article 5 : Geometric Probability of Mating Success for the Greater Short-nosed Fruit Bat, Cynopterus sphinx" (2012). USF St. Petersburg campus Faculty Publications. 1025.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/fac_publications/1025

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.