. Bonner zoologische Beiträge : Herausgeber: Zoologisches Forschungsinstitut und Museum Alexander Koenig, Bonn. Biology; Zoology. Social Organization in Peropteryx kappleri 227 the adults were absent from the mines foraging. Neonates were identified by relating their roosting positions to numbered markers and topographic features during the first 15 days after which they were marked with colored rings, the string collars being changed every 5 — 8 days. Daily activity patterns inside the mines were studied by direct observation using a head lantern. For this purpose a black plastic blind was hu
. Bonner zoologische Beiträge : Herausgeber: Zoologisches Forschungsinstitut und Museum Alexander Koenig, Bonn. Biology; Zoology. Social Organization in Peropteryx kappleri 227 the adults were absent from the mines foraging. Neonates were identified by relating their roosting positions to numbered markers and topographic features during the first 15 days after which they were marked with colored rings, the string collars being changed every 5 — 8 days. Daily activity patterns inside the mines were studied by direct observation using a head lantern. For this purpose a black plastic blind was hung along one end of the cave corridor with a hole in the upper portion where the observer could stand without disturbing the bats. Records of sex, weight and arm length were taken during each visit. Caves were visited on a weekly basis and daily during the reproductive period. Notes on climate were also Fig. 1: Adult male Peropteryx kappleri roosting during the day in mine ^^6, showing the in- dividual marking system with colored plastic rings. Results Roosts and daily activity patterns The seven abandoned coal mines contained colonies formed by from 5 to 47 in- dividuals of Peropteryx kappleri (Table 1). They were found to roost in the darker portions of the mine shafts just beyond the point where the intensity of light from the entrance was insufficient for human vision during the day, either in the deeper portions of short mines or in side tunnels. They roosted as groups of individuals, each maintaining a minimum individual distance, on the walls of the mine (Fig. 2) or, preferentially, in cupolas formed in the ceiling by cave-ins. During the day, most individuals occupied precise resting positions within a cluster. A few solitary individuals were found in fixed sites on the periphery, not for- ming an integral part of the group. The roosting positions were maintained during the entire 14 months of observations with some temporary movements from one mine to anothe
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