Hierarchical polygyny in multiparous lesser flat-headed bats

How males gain access to mates and the potential for female choice will determine whether polygyny can operate at several levels, from within litters and groups to the wider population. Female lesser flat-headed bats (Tylonycteris pachypus) form maternity groups in bamboo stems. Unusually for bats, they are multiparous, providing the opportunity to test whether multi-level polygyny differs among males depending on whether they roost with females, with males, or are solitary. We genotyped 662 individuals from 54 internodes and undertook parentage of 165 litters. Our results revealed 170 sets of paternal twins/triplets, of which 96 were full-sibs and 74 were half-sibs. We found that males captured roosting with females typically sired more offspring overall than did other males, and also showed a greater tendency to monopolise paternity within both litters and roosting groups. In comparison, males that sired fewer full sibs were assigned more maternal half sibs. These latter individuals, ...