Habitat usage of Daubenton's bat (Myotis daubentonii), common pipistrelle (Pipistrellus pipistrellus), and soprano pipistrelle (Pipistrellus pygmaeus) in a North Wales upland river catchment.

Victoria L. G. Todd,Laura D. Williamson

doi:10.1002/ece3.5085

Abstract

Distributions of Daubenton's bat (Myotis daubentonii), common pipistrelle, (Pipistrellus pipistrellus), and soprano pipistrelle (Pipistrellus pygmaeus) were investigated along and altitudinal gradient of the Lledr River, Conwy, North Wales, and presence assessed in relation to the water surface condition, presence/absence of bank‐side trees, and elevation. Ultrasound recordings of bats made on timed transects in summer 1999 were used to quantify habitat usage. All species significantly preferred smooth water sections of the river with trees on either one or both banks; P. pygmaeus also preferred smooth water with no trees. Bats avoided rough and cluttered water areas, as rapids may generate high‐frequency echolocation‐interfering noise and cluttered areas present obstacles to flight. In lower river regions, detections of bats reflected the proportion of suitable habitat available. At higher elevations, sufficient habitat was available; however, bats were likely restricted due to other factors such as a less predictable food source. This study emphasizes the importance of riparian habitat, bank‐side trees, and smooth water as foraging habitat for bats in marginal upland areas until a certain elevation, beyond which bats in these areas likely cease to forage. These small‐scale altitudinal differences in habitat selection should be factored in when designing future bat distribution studies and taken into consideration by conservation planners when reviewing habitat requirements of these species in Welsh river valleys, and elsewhere within the United Kingdom.

Highlights

Bats are unusual animals with arcane ecology that engenders human emotions ranging from apathy to fear
For ex‐ ample, Warren, Waters, Altringham, and Bullock (2000) and Todd and Waters (2017) found that foraging of both Daubenton's bats (Myotis daubentonii) and common pipistrelle (Pipistrellus pipistrellus) in upper Wharfedale (Yorkshire Dales National Park, UK) preferred river sections with smooth water and trees on both sides. This is in agreement with Lundy and Montgomery (2010), who found that M. daubentonii favor smooth water areas
Based on previous studies of habitat usage (Todd & Waters, 2017) and detections along altitudinal gradients (Walsh & Harris, 1996), we predict that bats are more likely to be detected along smooth water sections of river with trees along the banks and that detections will decrease with increasing elevation

Summary

| INTRODUCTION

Bats are unusual animals with arcane ecology that engenders human emotions ranging from apathy to fear. For ex‐ ample, Warren, Waters, Altringham, and Bullock (2000) and Todd and Waters (2017) found that foraging of both Daubenton's bats (Myotis daubentonii) and common pipistrelle (Pipistrellus pipistrellus) in upper Wharfedale (Yorkshire Dales National Park, UK) preferred river sections with smooth water and trees on both sides. This is in agreement with Lundy and Montgomery (2010), who found that M. daubentonii favor smooth water areas. Based on previous studies of habitat usage (Todd & Waters, 2017) and detections along altitudinal gradients (Walsh & Harris, 1996), we predict that bats are more likely to be detected along smooth water sections of river with trees along the banks and that detections will decrease with increasing elevation

| MATERIALS AND METHODS

| DISCUSSION

| CONCLUSION

Findings

CONFLICT OF INTEREST