No description available.

The Indiana Bat (Myotis sodalis) population had decreased by 56% between 1967 and 2006. In summer 2006, a mysterious disease called White Nose Syndrome was first identified. Since then, the disease killed almost one million bats in North America. Many Biologists believe that both the population decrease before the appearance of the disease and WNS are associated with climate. In a joined effort with Yellowstone Ecological Research Center (YERC), US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and NASA Terrestrial Observation and Prediction System (TOPS), our study is a partial population viability analysis which aims to establish a link between bat population dynamic and climate before the appearance of WNS. / Biostatistics

<p dir="ltr">Bat population numbers are declining in the Midwestern United States. Reasons for decline are multifaceted (habitat degradation, fatalities at wind turbines, White Nose Syndrome, and declining insect populations), and many species are listed as endangered (Myotis sodalis, Myotis septentrionalis, Perimyotis subflavus). Other species in the Midwestern United States have no conservation status (Eptesicus fuscus), or are only listed as a species of concern (Lasiurus cinereus, Lasiurus borealis, Lasionycteris noctivagans). Bats play a crucial role in our ecosystems, providing both ecological and economic benefit as pollinators and insect population regulators. Thus, conserving these species is vital. To gain better insight into the ecology of Midwestern bat species I studied five species in two respects. First, I investigated the availability of roosts for a colony of endangered Myotis sodalis near Indianapolis. This colony has withstood high levels of urbanization and habitat degradation. Therefore, understanding what aspects of the roosting area has allowed for continued use by the colony is crucial for future conservation efforts. I used an Akaike’s Information Criteria approach to rank models that best differentiate between the current roosting area and surrounding landscape. I identified that the roosting area contained a greater number of large standing dead trees (Snags >42.6 cm) that are able to serve as primary roosts for the colony. These results demonstrate that a colony of Indiana bats may be able to withstand urbanization if they have enough large DBH snags available in the area. Future conservation efforts in a heavily urbanized environment should focus on the maintaining large snags as primary roosts. Second, I studied the morphological variation of four species (Lasiurus cinereus, Lasiurus borealis, Lasionycteris noctivagans, and Eptesicus fuscus) to parse out differences that may lead to niche specialization. These four species share habitat and foraging range and therefore may directly compete for resources. However, despite declining insect populations these four species have moderately stable populations. I collected approximately 30 craniums and mandibles for each species and compared the linear size differences between landmarks and the overall shape variation from these landmarks. Due to different phylogenies and body sizes, the four species were different from one another in all 24 linear measurements. In regards to shape variation, the Eptesicini bat craniums had characteristics of more gracile species. In addition, the mandibles of Eptesicini were highly distinct. Lasionycteris noctivagans was the least durable and Eptesicus fuscus had 10 specialization for hard bodied prey consumption. These results suggest potential niche specialization due variation in morphology.</p>

No description available.

Day-roost use by northern long-eared bat (Myotis septentrionalis) maternity colonies on the Fort Knox military reservation, Kentucky, USA, resulted in formation of non-random networks of roosts that exhibited a trend toward centralization. Centralization of day-roost networks was reflected in the social structure of colonies, which were characterized by dense associations among individuals within colonies. Social structure varied among colonies and appeared to be related to reproductive condition; colonies exhibited greater cohesiveness during parturition and lactation. Northern long-eared bat maternity colonies appeared to be exclusive, occupying distinct roosting areas with one or several areas receiving intense use. Day-roost removal simulations suggested a linear relationship between colony fragmentation and roost loss, and that loss of >20% of roosts is required to initiate colony fragmentation. Experimental hierarchical removal of day-roosts yielded results consistent with simulations, as removal of the single most-central (primary) roost had no impact on colony fragmentation, whereas removal of 24% of less-central (secondary) roosts resulted in partial network fragmentation. Patterns of colony day-roost and space use were similar pre- and post-removal treatments. Day-roost removal did not alter the number of roosts used by individual bats, but distances moved between roosts were greater in the secondary roost-removal treatment group. Day-roost characteristics largely were consistent pre-post treatment for both treatment groups. Historical data from an Indiana bat (Myotis sodalis) maternity colony revealed that this species also exhibits a non-random social assorting dynamic. Non-random social assortment resulted in a closely connected centralized network of day-roosts. Individuals within the Indiana bat maternity colony exhibited close social connections with colony members, but subgroups likely existed within the colony. Indiana bat day-roosting ecology appears flexible, as patterns of roost and space use differed substantially between years. Development of specific, but tactical, management approaches for individual colonies of both northern long-eared and Indiana bats may be possible. Such approaches would allow land managers to manage for both northern long-eared bat habitat and other objectives. However, the nature of targeted management approaches employed likely will depend on the unique forest context and dynamic within which individual colonies reside. / Ph. D.