REPRODUCTIVE PATTERN IN THE MALE ANGOLAN FREE-TAILED BAT, TADARIDA (MOPS) CONDYLURA (MICROCHIROPTERA, MOLOSSIDAE) IN THE EASTERN TRANSVAAL,SOUTH-AFRICA

The reproductive pattern in male Angolan free-tailed bats Tadarida (Mo ps) condylura was studied at two localities in the Eastern Transvaal d uring the period 1989-1991. Males displayed a nine-month breeding seas on extending from June to February. Following testicular recrudescence in early June, spermatogenic activity displayed two periods of peak a ctivity in August/early September and November/early December. Althoug h testes became involuted in March, baseline spermatogenic activity wa s maintained and testes never regressed to prepubertal conditions. Ley dig cell morphology closely followed spermatogenic activity, with the diameter of Leydig cell nuclei displaying a concomitant seasonal patte rn.