Biologia reprodutiva de Artibeus lituratus (Olfers, 1818) (Chiroptera: Phyllostomidae)

Abstract

Some aspects of the reproductive biology of Artibeus lituratus are reported. The bats examined were collected monthly at the Estação Florestal Experimental Eng. Agr. Mario Xavier located at the Antiga Estrada Rio - São Paulo, Km 51, Seropedica, RJ. Histological sections were obtained from vagina, uterus, oviducts and ovaries in females and accessory glands, testis and epididymis in males. A lituratus is a monovular species since only one corpus luteum was found in each ovary and both ovaries are functional. A particular aspect is the engorgement of the oviductal epithelium with a PAS - substance during pre and pos ovulatory period. This engorgement can be restricted to one of the oviducts. The distal epithelium of vagina has a glandular appearance with cells reacting positively to the PAS procedure. Spermatogenesis seems to be continuous throughout the year since every adult male had active spermatogenesis in the testis and the epididymis packed with spermatozoa. Accessory glands consisted of paired Cowper's glands, a bilobulated seminal vesicle and a single prostate. Secretory blebs resulting from apocrine secretion were noticed in the lumina of tubules of seminal vesicle. Reproductive pattern seems to be seasonal poliestry since lactant females were collected with early embryos in uterus, and late pregnat and lactant females were found during the rainiest months of the year.