Multi-scale Roost Site Selection by Rafinesque's Big-eared Bat (Corynorhinus rafinesquii) and Southeastern Myotis (Myotis austroriparius) in Mississippi

Abstract

Abstract Rafinesque's big-eared bats (Corynorhinus rafinesquii; RBEB) and southeastern myotis (Myotis austroriparius; SEM) are species of concern whose current population statuses are unknown. Bottomland hardwood forests are important roosting habitat for RBEB and SEM; however, ≥80% of these forests have been cleared or degraded in Mississippi. Limited information on roost site requirements exists across either species ranges; therefore, we conducted roost surveys for RBEB and SEM in bottomland and riparian hardwood forests on Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge, Legion State Park, and Tombigbee National Forest, Mississippi, during winter 2009–2010 and spring 2010. To compare seasonal roost selection for each species we compared tree species, used 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for three tree variables [diameter at breast height (DBH), cavity volume, and opening area] and logistic regression for four landscape variables (elevation, slope, distance to nearest stream, and distance to nearest road). We used Aka...