Dr. Nicolas Fasel

I want to test predictions of sperm competition models. I will investigate whether ejaculate characteristics differ between different social statuses of Seba’s Short-Tailed Bat (Carollia  perspicillata), and whether such differences match variation in testes histology, circulating level of the male hormone testosterone and of the stress hormone cortisol. Such results could be then discussed in the context of the social organization evolution. Indeed, we can expect that each males use different physiological and behavioral alternative reproductive tactics to ensure paternity.

The study is performed using a captive population. The bats are located in a tropical zoo (www.papiliorama.ch). The specific unit sheltering the bats, is the nocturama, a light cycle reversed facility, 40m diameters, round shaped dome. There, 450 bats are breeding all year round in semi-natural conditions.