Plantation forests are used by the lesser short-tailed bat, Mystacina tuberculata rhyacobia

Abstract

Lesser short-tailed bats, Mystacina tuberculata rhyacobia, use Pinus radiata plantation forests within the central North Island of New Zealand for foraging, commuting, and roosting. These plantations are generally contiguous with a large native forested area from which this species is already known. Short-tailed bats have been detected using native remnants and reserves within plantations, and have been radio-tracked to long-dead native tree roosts within young Pinus radiata stands. We provide the first list of exotic plantations known to be used by short-tailed bats.