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.

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.