Long-legged myotis (Myotis volans) roost-site characteristics, temperature profiles, and roost occupancy on forest lands adjacent to Dworshak Reservoir, north central Idaho

Call Number:

Keywords:

Abstract:

This report details the first Idaho field season of a 6-year investigation designed to locate and characterize day roosts of the long-legged myotis (Myotis volans), assess seasonal patterns in roost use, and quantify temperature profiles in potential roost trees in managed forests of the Pacific Northwest. The study area was in the Elk Creek and Long Meadow drainages of Dworshak Reservoir in north-central ID. Researchers performed a literature review of habitat characteristics of tree roosts used by bats; captured bats and identified them to species; attached transmitters to adult long-legged myotis individuals; located roosts by following the tagged bats; and counted exiting bats on the day discovered. Researchers also measured habitat characteristics of roost trees, recorded other habitat characteristics at roost trees, and used Hobo data loggers to record temperatures in and on snags of the same tree species. During bat capture, eight species were identified in the two drainages between June 1 and August 17 2004. Twenty-six transmitters were attached to 30 adult M. volans individuals (20 female, 10 male). Researchers tracked bats to 122 roost trees (7 tree species). Individual bats roosted in a mean of 6.1 total trees and 4.2 unique trees. The authors suggest that M. volans may typically use more individual roosts per bat in mesic forest settings than in more xeric landscapes. The extensive use of Abies grandis snags as roost sties by male and female M. volans is similar to that observed for females in WA and OR from 2001 to 2004. The large suite of habitat variables collected is to be added to those of other regions, and construction of models within each region is ongoing.

Notes:

ELECTRONIC FILE - Zoology

[Note: the date in the footer of the document is different from the one at the very top of the document; unfortunately the difference includes the year.]

[Note, in case desired for CSE style, the document had sponsors: the Northwest Bat Cooperative; Bat Conservation International; Idaho Department of Fish and Game (2004); US Army Corps of Engineers (2001 and 2004); and College of Agriculture, University of Kentucky.]