Characteristics of<i>Lasiurus intermedius</i>(Northern Yellow Bat) Roosts on Sapelo Island, Georgia

Coleman, Laci S.; Morris, Katrina M.; Castleberry, Steven B.

doi:10.1656/058.011.0316

Cited by 5 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 6 publications

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“…Consistent with previous reports (Menzel et al 1999, Hutchinson 2006, Coleman et al 2012), male northern yellow bats roosted primarily in Spanish moss clumps in hardwood trees, with a small number roosting in dead fronds of mature cabbage palmettos. Roosting adaptations of northern yellow bats are apparently different from other North American tree bats ( Lasiurus spp.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

“…We measured plot‐level variables with the potential to influence northern yellow bats' ability to locate roosts (roost tree diameter at breast height [DBH]; Kalcounis‐Rüppell et al 2005, Coleman et al 2012), efficiently enter and exit roosts (canopy cover, basal area, midstory density; Mager and Nelson 2001, Willis and Brigham 2005), and evade predators (roost height, midstory density; Constantine 1966, Hutchinson and Lacki 2000). For each roost, we recorded tree species, DBH (cm), roost height (m), roost structure (Spanish moss or palmetto frond), and if the tree was dead or alive.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Global models included all explanatory variables at each spatial scale. We specified oak forest as the reference group in landscape models because northern yellow bat roosts were most commonly found in oak forest in previous studies (Menzel et al 1999, Coleman et al 2012). No roosts were located in pine forest on LSSI; therefore, we included only oak and mixed hardwood forest in the landscape analysis.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Tree‐roosting bats typically select roosts based on characteristics of the roost tree and immediate surroundings (Kalcounis‐Rüppell et al 2005). For example, some forest‐roosting species select trees with larger diameters than surrounding trees presumably to assist in relocating the tree and in evading predators (Crampton and Barclay 1998, Menzel et al 1998, Coleman et al 2012). Female bats with young often select roost sites with high solar exposure, usually in the upper tree canopy, to aid in thermoregulation (Willis and Brigham 2005, Garroway and Broders 2008), whereas non‐reproductive females and males, which have different energetic requirements, often roost at lower heights or in different land cover types (Perry et al 2007 a , Hein et al 2008).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Until recently, information regarding roosts and associated habitats of northern yellow bats was based almost entirely on anecdotal observations (Constantine 1958). Across its range in the southeastern United States, the northern yellow bat roosts predominantly in Spanish moss ( Tillandsia usneoides ) clumps suspended from hardwood trees (Constantine 1958, Menzel et al 1999, Coleman et al 2012) and occasionally in dead fronds of cabbage palmetto ( Sabal palmetto ; Hutchinson 2006). On Sapelo Island, Georgia, USA, Menzel et al (1999) and Coleman et al (2012) tracked 4 males and a female to 21 roosts, all of which were in Spanish moss clumps in southern live oak ( Quercus virginiana ) forests.…”

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confidence: 99%

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Multi‐Scale Assessment of Male Northern Yellow Bat Roost Selection

et al. 2020

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Knowledge of roost selection by northern yellow bats (Lasiurus intermedius) is limited to a small number of known roost locations. Yet knowledge of basic life history is fundamental to understanding past response to anthropogenic change and to predict how species will respond to future environmental change. Therefore, we examined male northern yellow bat roost selection on 2 Georgia, USA, barrier islands with different disturbance histories. Sapelo Island has a history of extensive disturbance and is dominated by pine (Pinus spp.) forests; Little Saint Simons Island has a limited disturbance history with maritime oak (Quercus spp.) forest as the dominant cover type. From March-July 2012 and 2013, we radiotracked 35 adult male northern yellow bats to diurnal roosts and modeled roost characteristics at the plot and landscape scales. We located 387 roosts, of which 95% were in Spanish moss (Tillandsia usneoides) hanging in hardwood trees. On both islands, bats selected roost trees with larger diameters than surrounding trees and selected roost locations with greater open flight space (i.e., low midstory clutter) underneath. Roosts were located farther from open areas on Sapelo and closer to fresh water on Little Saint Simons compared to random locations. Lower availability of hardwood forest on Sapelo may have resulted in small-scale roost site selection (i.e., plot level) despite potential increased costs of commuting to water and open areas for foraging. In contrast, greater availability of hardwood forest on Little Saint Simons likely allowed selection of roosts closer to fresh water, which provides foraging and drinking opportunities. Our results indicate that mature hardwood trees in areas with low midstory clutter are important in male northern yellow bat roost selection, but landscape-level features have varying influences on roost selection, likely as a result of differences in disturbance history. Therefore, management will differ depending on the landscape context. Further research is needed to examine roost selection by females, which may have different habitat requirements.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%