Recent infestation of forest stands by spruce beetles does not predict habitat use by little brown bats (Myotis lucifugus) in southwestern Yukon, Canada

2011 ◽  
Vol 261 (11) ◽  
pp. 1950-1956 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lea A. Randall ◽  
Robert M.R. Barclay ◽  
Mary L. Reid ◽  
Thomas S. Jung
1995 ◽  
Vol 73 (1) ◽  
pp. 89-95 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matina C. Kalcounis ◽  
R. Mark Brigham

Morphological constraints have been linked to habitat partitioning by different species of animals. Interspecific differences have been explored, but less is known about the relationship between individuals of the same species. The purpose of this study was to determine if habitat use by little brown bats (Myotis lucifugus) varies with body mass of individuals. From aerodynamic theory, we predicted that bats with higher body mass will have higher wing loadings, should be less manoeuvrable, and thus tend to forage in areas where there are fewer obstacles to detect and avoid (clutter). Habitat was ranked into four zones based on the degree of clutter, and habitat use was assessed by measuring the time that males and non-reproductive, pregnant, lactating, postlactating, and artificially loaded females spent in each habitat zone. To test the assumption that a selective advantage accrues to bats foraging in clutter, we measured the availability of flying insects in cluttered and open habitats. Insect trap samples revealed a higher density of insect prey in more cluttered habitats. Body mass was positively correlated with wing loading. Overall, males were smaller than females with respect to mass and wing loading; however, these differences did not translate into differential habitat use. As predicted, there was a significant relationship between individual wing loading and habitat use, with heavier bats (greater wing loading) foraging in less cluttered areas.


1996 ◽  
Vol 74 (7) ◽  
pp. 1204-1210 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rick A. Adams

This paper correlates shifts in habitat use and diet with morphological transitions occurring during postpartum growth and development (ontogenetic niche) in little brown bats, Myotis lucifugus. Juveniles were captured in mist nets as they foraged in different microhabitats that were defined and quantified using "clutter indices" ranging from 0 (least cluttered) to 5 (most cluttered). I analyzed fecal samples from captured individuals to assess diet. Chi-squared analyses showed that there was a significant difference in habitat use and diet among juveniles captured in early, mid, and late July. Juveniles with smaller wings foraged in the least cluttered habitats, whereas juveniles with larger wings foraged in habitats with a high degree of clutter. Juveniles with larger wings were captured in all microhabitats, whereas those with smaller wings were captured predominantly in open microhabitats. Juveniles with relatively higher aspect ratios and lower wing loadings used a greater diversity of habitats than those with lower aspect ratios and higher wing loadings. In addition, differences in diet were significant and correlated with wing size. My results suggest resource partitioning between juveniles as a function of wing size. These data have important implications regarding how relative size among juveniles may effect intraspecific structuring of populations.


2014 ◽  
Vol 128 (3) ◽  
pp. 272 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gilbert Proulx

Late-winter habitat use by the Fisher, Pekania pennanti (Erxleben, 1777) in northwestern Saskatchewan was assessed in February 2009, 2011, and 2012. A total of 78 Fisher tracks were recorded over 60 300 m of snowshoe surveys. Fisher tracks were significantly less frequent than expected in Tamarack (Larix laricina [Du Roi] K. Koch) stands with > 40% crown closure and mainly 0–10 m trees (P < 0.05) and in open areas. Fishers used other habitat types equal to availability, including muskeg and coniferous, mixed, and deciduous forest stands. Maintaining mosaics of forest stands of different seral stages interspersed with muskeg would meet the late-winter habitat needs of Fishers in the Boreal Plains Ecozone of northwestern Saskatchewan.


Ecotoxicology ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 1094-1101 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dong-Ha Nam ◽  
David Yates ◽  
Pedro Ardapple ◽  
David C. Evers ◽  
John Schmerfeld ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Evan L. Pannkuk ◽  
Nicole A. S.-Y. Dorville ◽  
Yvonne A. Dzal ◽  
Quinn E. Fletcher ◽  
Kaleigh J. O. Norquay ◽  
...  

AbstractWhite-nose syndrome (WNS) is an emergent wildlife fungal disease of cave-dwelling, hibernating bats that has led to unprecedented mortalities throughout North America. A primary factor in WNS-associated bat mortality includes increased arousals from torpor and premature fat depletion during winter months. Details of species and sex-specific changes in lipid metabolism during WNS are poorly understood and may play an important role in the pathophysiology of the disease. Given the likely role of fat metabolism in WNS and the fact that the liver plays a crucial role in fatty acid distribution and lipid storage, we assessed hepatic lipid signatures of little brown bats (Myotis lucifugus) and big brown bats (Eptesicus fuscus) at an early stage of infection with the etiological agent, Pseudogymnoascus destructans (Pd). Differences in lipid profiles were detected at the species and sex level in the sham-inoculated treatment, most strikingly in higher hepatic triacylglyceride (TG) levels in E. fuscus females compared to males. Interestingly, several dominant TGs (storage lipids) decreased dramatically after Pd infection in both female M. lucifugus and E. fuscus. Increases in hepatic glycerophospholipid (structural lipid) levels were only observed in M. lucifugus, including two phosphatidylcholines (PC [32:1], PC [42:6]) and one phosphatidylglycerol (PG [34:1]). These results suggest that even at early stages of WNS, changes in hepatic lipid mobilization may occur and be species and sex specific. As pre-hibernation lipid reserves may aid in bat persistence and survival during WNS, these early perturbations to lipid metabolism could have important implications for management responses that aid in pre-hibernation fat storage.


1991 ◽  
Vol 69 (1) ◽  
pp. 255-257 ◽  
Author(s):  
Allen Kurta

Temperate insectivorous bats are commonly prevented from foraging by cold or wet weather. This study examines the effect of missing a single night of foraging on the energetics of pregnant and lactating little brown bats (Myotis lucifugus) under simulated roost conditions. After not foraging, the day-roosting metabolic rate of pregnant M. lucifugus was reduced by 61% and that of lactating bats by 46%. Although previous laboratory studies predicted that food-deprived bats should remain in torpor throughout the day-roosting period, M. lucifugus consistently aroused from torpor between 11:00 and 15:00 and maintained elevated metabolic rates for the rest of the day.


2013 ◽  
Vol 94 (2) ◽  
pp. 506-515 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kaleigh J. O. Norquay ◽  
Felix Martinez-Nuñez ◽  
Jack E. Dubois ◽  
Kim M. Monson ◽  
Craig K. R. Willis

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