Harem Social Organization in Cave Roosting Artibeus jamaicensis (Chiroptera: Phyllostomidae)

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Abstract
The social organization of A. jamaicensis was examined in Aguas Buenas Cave, Puerto Rico, by sampling roosting clusters of bats during the spring reproductive period. Most clusters consisted of 2-14 pregnant or lactating females (and their young) and a single adult male. This suggests a harem type of social organization. Two types of non-harem groups represented by non-reproductive females or sexually mature males supports this conclusion. Although the observations do not permit distinction between alternative explanations for harem formation, they do indicate that successful harem aquisition and maintenance is age or size related. Older and heavier males had larger harems than younger or smaller harem males. The occurrence of harem groups in tree hollows (Morrison 1979) and in caves (this study) suggests that environmetal factors promoting harem social organization in A. jamaicensis can vary between populations.

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