In an intriguing revelation, researchers have unravelled the mystery behind the oversized penis of the serotine bats. Contrary to conventional belief, these bats utilize their unusually large genitalia not for penetration but as an intricate “copulatory arm” during mating, marking a groundbreaking discovery in mammalian reproduction.
The team, led by Nicolas Fasel from the University of Lausanne, uncovered that the serotine bat possesses penises approximately seven times longer and seven times wider at the tip than their female partners’ vaginas. This striking discrepancy in size led scientists to question its mating function.
UNEXPECTED CLUES FROM DUTCH RETIREE’S BAT RECORDINGS AND EMAIL
A serendipitous turn of events unfolded when Jan Jeucken, an unassuming retiree in the Netherlands, shared video footage of serotine bat mating behaviour captured in a church attic. Jeucken’s keen interest in the bat population in his village led to a serendipitous discovery, catapulting him into co-authorship of the groundbreaking study.
‘CONTACT MATING’ AND LENGTHY COPULATION SESSIONS
Through meticulous analysis of 93 mating events in the church attic and additional recordings from Ukraine, the researchers observed a unique mating strategy termed “contact mating.” In this process, male bats use their elongated genitals akin to an extra limb to remove a membrane from female bats, engaging in lengthy, non-penetrative copulation sessions lasting up to 13 hours.
This extraordinary discovery challenges established notions of mammalian reproduction. Fasel speculates on the possibility of female bats storing sperm from multiple partners, offering an intriguing glimpse into potential complexities within bat reproductive strategies. The findings open doors to further exploration into the mating behaviours of various bat species.
The study emphasizes the need for continued research into the diverse mating habits of bats, shedding light on their intricate reproductive mechanisms and challenging traditional understanding in mammalian reproductive biology.
