Fetal development of the bat Miniopterus schreibersi natalensis

Abstract

Prenatal development in the fetus of Miniopterus schreibersi natalensis is discussed. Due to the long period of delayed implantation in this subspecies, the age of even the smallest fetuses, where the fore-limb buds just become visible will be around 150 days. The most reliable criterion for age determination proved to be body mass, and all fetal ages were estimated by using the equation t = W^1/3/0,0145 + 144.