REPRODUCTION AND THE FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE-CYCLE OF NYCTOPHILUS-GEOFFROYI AND NYCTOPHILUS-MAJOR (CHIROPTERA, VESPERTILIONIDAE) FROM SOUTH-WESTERN AUSTRALIA

The reproductive cycles of female Nyctophilus geoffroyi and N. major f rom south-western Australia are described from capture records and his tological examination of tissue from fixed specimens. The sequence of reproductive events for both species was similar to that described for other vespertilionid bats from southwestern Australia. Mating commenc ed between March and May. Sperm were stored in the caudal isthmus of t he oviduct and in endometrial glands near the utero-tubal junction. Ov ulation and fertilisation occurred in late August or September and twi nning was common. Parturition occurred between late October and Novemb er, with volant young first captured during December, but it appeared not all N. geoffroyi females were reproductively active every year. La ctation had generally ceased by February, which was when the last dete ctably juvenile bats were captured.