Intra- and Interspecific Responses to Rafinesque's Big-eared Bat (Corynorhinus Rafinesquii) Social Calls

Intra- and Interspecific Responses to Rafinesque's Big-eared Bat (Corynorhinus Rafinesquii) Social Calls
Author:
Publisher:
Total Pages:
Release: 2010
Genre:
ISBN:

Bats respond to the calls of conspecifics as well as to calls of other species; however, few studies have attempted to quantify these responses or understand the functions of these calls. We tested the response of Rafinesque's big-eared bats (Corynorhinus rafinesquii) to social calls as a possible method to increase capture success and to understand the function of social calls. We also tested if calls of bats within the range of the previously designated subspecies differed, if the responses of Rafinesque's big-eared bats varied with geographic origin of the calls, and if other species responded to the calls of C. rafinesquii. We recorded calls of Rafinesque's big-eared bats at two colony roost sites in South Carolina, USA. Calls were recorded while bats were in the roosts and as they exited. Playback sequences for each site were created by copying typical pulses into the playback file. Two mist nets were placed approximately 50-500 m from known roost sites; the net with the playback equipment served as the Experimental net and the one without the equipment served as the Control net. Call structures differed significantly between the Mountain and Coastal Plains populations with calls from the Mountains being of higher frequency and longer duration. Ten of 11 Rafinesque's big-eared bats were caught in the Control nets and, 13 of 19 bats of other species were captured at Experimental nets even though overall bat activity did not differ significantly between Control and Experimental nets. Our results suggest that Rafinesque's big-eared bats are not attracted to conspecifics' calls and that these calls may act as an intraspecific spacing mechanism during foraging.

Intra- and Interspecific Responses to Rafinesque{u2019}s Big-eared Bat (Corynorhinus Rafinesquii) Social Calls

Intra- and Interspecific Responses to Rafinesque{u2019}s Big-eared Bat (Corynorhinus Rafinesquii) Social Calls
Author:
Publisher:
Total Pages:
Release: 2010
Genre:
ISBN:

Bats respond to the calls of conspecifics as well as to calls of other species; however, few studies have attempted to quantify these responses or understand the functions of these calls. We tested the response of Rafinesque’s big-eared bats (Corynorhinus rafinesquii) to social calls as a possible method to increase capture success and to understand the function of social calls. We also tested if calls of bats within the range of the previously designated subspecies differed, if the responses of Rafinesque’s big-eared bats varied with geographic origin of the calls, and if other species responded to the calls of C. rafinesquii. We recorded calls of Rafinesque’s big-eared bats at two colony roost sites in South Carolina, USA. Calls were recorded while bats were in the roosts and as they exited. Playback sequences for each site were created by copying typical pulses into the playback file. Two mist nets were placed approximately 50–500 m from known roost sites; the net with the playback equipment served as the Experimental net and the one without the equipment served as the Control net. Call structures differed significantly between the Mountain and Coastal Plains populations with calls from the Mountains being of higher frequency and longer duration. Ten of 11 Rafinesque’s big-eared bats were caught in the Control nets and, 13 of 19 bats of other species were captured at Experimental nets even though overall bat activity did not differ significantly between Control and Experimental nets. Our results suggest that Rafinesque’s big-eared bats are not attracted to conspecifics’ calls and that these calls may act as an intraspecific spacing mechanism during foraging.

Animal Social Networks

Animal Social Networks
Author: Dr. Jens Krause
Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
Total Pages: 279
Release: 2015
Genre: Science
ISBN: 0199679053

This book demonstrates the application of network theory to the social organization of animals.

Foraging Behavior of Rafinesque's Big-eared Bats (Corynorhinus Rafinesquii) from a Barn Colony in Rural Arkansas

Foraging Behavior of Rafinesque's Big-eared Bats (Corynorhinus Rafinesquii) from a Barn Colony in Rural Arkansas
Author: Crystal Ann Griffin
Publisher:
Total Pages: 72
Release: 2020
Genre: Plecotus rafinesquii
ISBN:

Studies have been conducted on the foraging behavior of Rafinesque's big-eared bats (Corynorhinus rafinesquii; CORA) in different habitats types; however, not much is known about their behavior on a highly fragmented, privately owned, agricultural landscape. Bottomland hardwood forests are the main habitat for CORA in the Mississippi Alluvial Valley, but very little of this habitat exists due to large-scale conversion to agricultural practices. My objective was to assess the role of reproductive status in foraging behavior of females from a barn during July and August (2018 and 2019) in Jackson County, Arkansas. There was no statistical difference in foraging behavior of female CORA (year or reproductive status). Cultivated crops were the predominant habitat type, thus the bats foraged primarily over agricultural fields. This study highlights the importance of man-made structures for maternity colonies when natural habitat is lacking and provides information pertaining to foraging behavior of CORA in agricultural landscapes.

Long-eared Bats

Long-eared Bats
Author: Susan M. Swift
Publisher: A&C Black
Total Pages: 201
Release: 2010-01-31
Genre: Nature
ISBN: 1408128799

Long-Eared Bats examines the biology, ecology and behaviour of two European bat species - Plecotus auritus and Plecotus austriacus. This book investigates their behaviour and considers the full range of conservation issues relating to the species. Topics covered include: identifying the species, foraging, reproductive biology, social organization, and the effects of man-made alterations to the environment and proposed conservation methods.

Bats in the Anthropocene: Conservation of Bats in a Changing World

Bats in the Anthropocene: Conservation of Bats in a Changing World
Author: Christian C. Voigt
Publisher: Springer
Total Pages: 601
Release: 2015-12-07
Genre: Nature
ISBN: 3319252208

This book focuses on central themes related to the conservation of bats. It details their response to land-use change and management practices, intensified urbanization and roost disturbance and loss. Increasing interactions between humans and bats as a result of hunting, disease relationships, occupation of human dwellings, and conflict over fruit crops are explored in depth. Finally, contributors highlight the roles that taxonomy, conservation networks and conservation psychology have to play in conserving this imperilled but vital taxon. With over 1300 species, bats are the second largest order of mammals, yet as the Anthropocene dawns, bat populations around the world are in decline. Greater understanding of the anthropogenic drivers of this decline and exploration of possible mitigation measures are urgently needed if we are to retain global bat diversity in the coming decades. This book brings together teams of international experts to provide a global review of current understanding and recommend directions for future research and mitigation.

Bats of the United States and Canada

Bats of the United States and Canada
Author: Michael J. Harvey
Publisher: JHU Press
Total Pages: 219
Release: 2011-12-01
Genre: Science
ISBN: 1421403005

Honorable Mention, Popular Science, 2012 PROSE Awards, Professional and Scholarly Publishing Division of the Association of American Publishers The only mammals capable of true flight, bats are among the world’s most fascinating creatures. This accessible guide to the forty-seven species of bats found in the United States and Canada captures and explains the amazing diversity of these marvels of evolution. A wide variety of bat species live in the United States and Canada, ranging from the California leaf-nosed bat to the Florida bonneted bat, from the eastern small-footed bat to the northern long-eared bat. The authors provide an overview of bat classification, biology, feeding behavior, habitats, migration, and reproduction. They discuss the ever-increasing danger bats face from destruction of habitat, wind turbines, chemical toxicants, and devastating diseases like white-nose syndrome, which is killing millions of cave bats in North America. Illustrated species accounts include range maps and useful identification tips. Written by three of the world’s leading bat experts and featuring J. Scott Altenbach's stunning photographs, this fact-filled and easy-to-use book is the most comprehensive and up-to-date account of bats in the U.S. and Canada.

50 Years of Bat Research

50 Years of Bat Research
Author: Burton K. Lim
Publisher: Springer Nature
Total Pages: 375
Release: 2021-01-23
Genre: Science
ISBN: 3030547272

With more than 1,400 species, bats are an incredibly diverse and successful group of mammals that can serve as model systems for many unique evolutionary adaptations. Flight has allowed them to master the sky, while echolocation enables them to navigate in the dark. Being small, secretive, nocturnal creatures has made bats a challenge to study, but over the past 50 years, innovative research has made it possible to dispel some of the mystery and myth surrounding them to give us a better understanding of the role these animals play in the ecosystem. The structure of the book is based on several broad themes across the biological sciences, including the evolution of bats, their ecology and behavior, and conservation of biodiversity. Within these themes are more specific topics on important aspects of bat research, such as morphology, molecular biology, echolocation, taxonomy, systematics, threats to bats, social structure, reproduction, movements, and feeding strategies. Given its scope, the book will appeal to the wider scientific community, environmental organizations, and government policymakers who are interested in the interdisciplinary aspects of biology and nature.