Classification of flying-fox demographic, morphometric and reproductive variables.

1 Adult males distinguished from sub-adult males on the basis of fully developed penis and testes. Adult females distinguished from sub-adult females on the basis of worn, elongated nipples, indicating that they had suckled at least once in their lifetime. Females that were palpably pregnant but with no evidence of worn, elongated nipples were classified as adults. Juveniles (2 Assessed primarily through palpation of the pectoral muscle mass and associated prominence of the sternal carinum; quantified on a 5-point scale.3 Pregnancy was assessed through gentle trans-abdominal palpation of a gravid uterus (early–mid-pregnancy) or foetal structures (late pregnancy). Dependent pup is in reference to an adult female flying-fox with a totally dependent pup attached, and indicating the early post-partum period. Lactation (in the absence of a dependent pup) was confirmed through gentle expression of milk from enlarged nipples, and indicated the later post-partum period associated with a semi-independent juvenile.Classification of flying-fox demographic, morphometric and reproductive variables.