bat balls

I recently read a science article about a study done on 334 species of bats, revealed some interesting findings. In species with promiscuous females, males evolved larger testicles and smaller brains. And in species with monogamous females, males evolved smaller testicles and larger brains. This was contrary to what was expected. It was predicted that in species with promiscuous females, the males would have larger brains to avoid being cuckolded.

The large brain in monogamous was also unexpected. Which led the team to believe that “Perhaps monogamy is more neurologically demanding” Also the study showed variability in testicular: body mass ratio. In some species the testicular mass comprised of 8.4% of the bats body mass – this is more than any other mammal.

This article triggered some thoughts. Where in the world do people get the money, energy or the inclination to study bats testicles? Someone in fact posted a comment on this article reflecting my astonishment: So someone actually funded a study of bat testes?

Also, I don’t think that the findings are that surprising. This is because, if a bat has to catch the attention of a promiscuous female, he will have to prove his “manly bat-ness” to be the one that procreates with her. Where as if he is in a monogamous relationship, maintaining large “bat manliness” (trying to get a good phrase) is not of any major concequence.

Another comment stated that gorillas and orangutans have smaller testicles because they are monogamous. And humans are a bit of both therefore they have medium sized “manliness” (yes I am still trying)
One of the funniest comments was: “Hurray for secondary sexual characteristics”
hahahahaha, I agree.
Yet another post quite rightly pointed out that there is no need for a male to think especially when there is a promiscuous female about…. Hmmmm…

This led me to think.
Do monogamous human men have larger brains? I do believe that the a man’s mind is led by his “manliness”, which leads even a large brained monogamous man, to be tempted into promiscuity by this stupid, giant manliness.

What size brain do you need to want to study the size of bats testicles?
Are we humans the only species so obsessed with size?
What is this obsession with large "womanliness" in men?
And if women could see the size of men’s manliness, would we be as obsessed?

Does a bat cheat on his mate? Because of his manliness? They only mentioned the fidelity of the female (or lack there of) but nothing in the article was said about the male.
But I guess if the female is promiscuous, the male is not going to be loyal to her, but rather just enjoy the ride while it lasts, so to speak. The species of bat is segregated on the basis of fidelity- should humans follow suit? Are we already segregated? Can we tell the promiscuous from the monogamous just by looking at each other?

All this from bat balls.