Winter Roosting Ecology of Silver-Haired Bats in an Arkansas Forest

Perry, Roger W.; Saugey, David A.; Crump, Betty G.

doi:10.1656/058.009.0313

Cited by 27 publications

(21 citation statements)

References 23 publications

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“…Along with the hoary bat ( Lasiurus cinereus , Palisot de Beauvois 1796), and eastern red bat ( Lasiurus borealis , Müller 1776), L. noctivagans is one of three species of bat found in Canada that makes annual, long‐distance latitudinal migrations. Although the exact wintering grounds are unknown, it has been suggested that populations winter in the south‐eastern United States or perhaps southern California and Mexico (Izor 1979; Cryan 2003; Perry, Saugey & Crump 2010). There may be an eastern and western population of the species (or at least two general migration routes), with eastern populations migrating to and from the south‐eastern United States, while western populations migrate to and from the southwest (Cryan 2003).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Lasionycteris noctivagans is a tree‐roosting species, typically found in crevices, cavities or under loose bark (Kunz & Lumsden 2003; Carter & Menzel 2007; Perry, Saugey & Crump 2010). While roost selection in summer is well studied for this species, roost selection during migration is poorly documented (Cryan & Veilleux 2007; but see Barclay, Faure & Farr 1988) although it seems bats are less selective when choosing day roosts (e.g.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Migratory stopover in the long‐distance migrant silver‐haired bat,Lasionycteris noctivagans

McGuire

Guglielmo

Mackenzie

et al. 2011

Journal of Animal Ecology

108

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Summary1. Some bat species make long-distance latitudinal migrations between summer and winter grounds, but because of their elusive nature, few aspects of their biology are well understood. The need for migratory stopover sites to rest and refuel, such as used by birds, has been repeatedly suggested, but not previously tested empirically in bats. 2. We studied migrating silver-haired bats (Lasionycteris noctivagans) at Long Point, ON, Canada. We used digital radio-transmitters to track 30 bats using an array of five towers that effectively covered the entire region (c. 20 · 40 km). We measured stopover duration and departure direction, and documented movement patterns, foraging activity and roost sites. We measured body composition on arrival using quantitative magnetic resonance and simulated long-distance migration using observed body composition to predict migration range and rate. 3. Migration occurred in two waves (late August and mid-September). Most bats stayed 1-2 days, although two remained >2 weeks. One third of the bats foraged while at the site, many foraging opportunistically on nights when rain precluded continued migration. Bats roosted in a variety of tree species and manmade structures in natural and developed areas. Half of the bats departed across Lake Erie (minimum crossing distance c. 38 km) while half departed along the shoreline. 4. Simulations predicted a migration rate of c. 250-275 km per day and suggest that all but one of the bats in our study carried sufficient fuel stores to reach the putative wintering area (estimated distance 1500 km) without further refuelling. 5. Our results suggest that migrating bats stopover for sanctuary or short-term rest as opposed to extended rest and refuelling as in many songbirds. Daily torpor could reduce energy costs when not in flight, minimizing the need for extended stopovers and allowing bats to potentially complete their migration at a fraction of the time and energy cost of similar sized birds.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Migratory stopover in the long‐distance migrant silver‐haired bat,Lasionycteris noctivagans

McGuire

Guglielmo

Mackenzie

et al. 2011

Journal of Animal Ecology

108

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“…With few exceptions, the insectivorous bats that migrate farther than any others are those species in the family Vespertilionidae inhabiting the temperate zones that specialize in using trees as roosts throughout the year and are thus often referred to as ''tree bats'' (Strelkov 1969, Griffin 1970, Fleming and Eby 2003. Unlike migratory birds that must feed throughout the winter to survive, all species of migratory tree bats are heterothermic endotherms capable of extended periods of deep, facultative, energy-saving torpor in response to unfavorable conditions, such as low air temperatures and lack of insect prey (Barbour and Davis 1969, Genoud 1993, McGuire and Guglielmo 2009; several species of tree bats are known or suspected to hibernate after migrating to their wintering grounds (Davis 1970a, Baker 1978, Mormann and Robbins 2007, Dietz et al 2009, Perry et al 2010. Additional distinctive natural history characteristics of most temperate-zone bats, such as ubiquitous autumn/winter mating and disparate distributions and behaviors of the sexes during spring through early summer (Racey 1982, Senior et al 2005, Weller et al 2009, van Toor et al 2011, Angell et al 2013, make it likely that migration behaviors of bats evolved in ways that could differ dramatically from those of many other types of migratory animals (Fleming and Eby 2003).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Continental‐scale, seasonal movements of a heterothermic migratory tree bat

Cryan

Stricker

Wunder

2014

Ecological Applications

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Long-distance migration evolved independently in bats and unique migration behaviors are likely, but because of their cryptic lifestyles, many details remain unknown. North American hoary bats (Lasiurus cinereus cinereus) roost in trees year-round and probably migrate farther than any other bats, yet we still lack basic information about their migration patterns and wintering locations or strategies. This information is needed to better understand unprecedented fatality of hoary bats at wind turbines during autumn migration and to determine whether the species could be susceptible to an emerging disease affecting hibernating bats. Our aim was to infer probable seasonal movements of individual hoary bats to better understand their migration and seasonal distribution in North America. We analyzed the stable isotope values of non-exchangeable hydrogen in the keratin of bat hair and combined isotopic results with prior distributional information to derive relative probability density surfaces for the geographic origins of individuals. We then mapped probable directions and distances of seasonal movement. Results indicate that hoary bats summer across broad areas. In addition to assumed latitudinal migration, we uncovered evidence of longitudinal movement by hoary bats from inland summering grounds to coastal regions during autumn and winter. Coastal regions with nonfreezing temperatures may be important wintering areas for hoary bats. Hoary bats migrating through any particular area, such as a wind turbine facility in autumn, are likely to have originated from a broad expanse of summering grounds from which they have traveled in no recognizable order. Better characterizing migration patterns and wintering behaviors of hoary bats sheds light on the evolution of migration and provides context for conserving these migrants.

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“…Due to the small sample size, we were unable to determine prevalence or demographic and seasonal trends related to the presence of P. destructans on Rafinesque's big-eared, eastern red, and silver-haired bats. However, all three species remain active during winter in the southern portions of their range and have been found foraging during warm winter nights (Boyles et al 2006;Dunbar et al 2007;Falxa 2007;Perry et al 2010;Johnson et al 2012), which could help maintain the fat stores necessary for winter survival.…”

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confidence: 99%

Molecular Detection of the Causative Agent of White-nose Syndrome on Rafinesque's Big-eared Bats (Corynorhinus rafinesquii) and Two Species of Migratory Bats in the Southeastern USA

Bernard

Foster

Willcox

et al. 2015

Journal of Wildlife Diseases

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ABSTRACT:Pseudogymnoascus destructans, the causal agent of white-nose syndrome (WNS), is responsible for widespread mortality of hibernating bats across eastern North America. To document P. destructans exposure and infections on bats active during winter in the southeastern US, we collected epidermal swabs from bats captured during winters 2012-13 and 2013-14 in mist nets set outside of hibernacula in Tennessee. Epidermal swab samples were collected from eight Rafinesque's big-eared bats (Corynorhinus rafinesquii), six eastern red bats (Lasiurus borealis), and three silver-hair bats (Lasionycteris noctivagans). Using real-time PCR methods, we identified DNA sequences of P. destructans from skin swabs of two Rafinesque's big-eared bats, two eastern red bats, and one silver-haired bat. This is the first detection of the WNS fungus on Rafinesque's big-eared bats and eastern red bats and the second record of the presence of the fungus on silver-haired bats.

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Winter Roosting Ecology of Silver-Haired Bats in an Arkansas Forest

Cited by 27 publications

References 23 publications

Migratory stopover in the long‐distance migrant silver‐haired bat,Lasionycteris noctivagans

Migratory stopover in the long‐distance migrant silver‐haired bat,Lasionycteris noctivagans

Continental‐scale, seasonal movements of a heterothermic migratory tree bat

Molecular Detection of the Causative Agent of White-nose Syndrome on Rafinesque's Big-eared Bats (Corynorhinus rafinesquii) and Two Species of Migratory Bats in the Southeastern USA

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