Plecotus Auritus Research Articles

Antioxidant defenses in three vesper bats(Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) during hibernation

Hibernation of bats is characterized by considerable changes in the oxygen supply during the torpor-arousal cycles. The purpose of this study was to examine the antioxidant defenses in tissues of the hibernating bats ( Eptesicus nilssonii , Myotis brandtii , and Plecotus auritus ), attempting to relate the tissue antioxidant protection with the ecophysiological characteristics of the studied species. We found that the superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in the heart and the catalase activity in the skeletal muscle were higher in E. nilssonii than in P. auritus and in M. brandtii. In comparison with studied hibernating bats, P. auritus had the lowest activities of SOD and catalase in the heart. In addition, the level of glutathione was higher in the liver, kidneys, and muscle in M. brandtii than in the corresponding tissues of both P. auritus and E. nilssonii . We conclude that the differences in the mechanisms of adaptation to hibernation of bats are the result of various ecophysiological characteristics among species.

Ecology, biogeography and evolutionary history of the alpine longeared bat Plecotus macrobullaris

This article is a comprehensive summary of the PhD presented by Antton Alberdi at the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), on december 5th, 2014, under the supervision of Dr. Inazio Garin and Dr. Joxerra Aihartza. The thesis was awarded by the Spanish Society of Mammalogist (SECEM) in 2015, as the best thesis about Iberian mammals. DOI: 10.7325/Galemys.2016.A1

Conspecific and heterospecific social groups affect each other's resource use: a study on roost sharing among bat colonies

Sharing resources with conspecifics or heterospecifics can involve costs like increased competition or higher pathogen infection risks as well as benefits such as information on the location, quality and availability of resources. Depending on the consequences of sharing resources, the responses of individuals towards resources used by conspecifics and heterospecifics can range from ignoring them through avoidance to attraction. Within bats it is well known that colony members share information about day roosts and roost switching is often coordinated within the colony. However, little is known about roosting interactions between distinct colonies of conspecifics or heterospecifics. In this study, we investigated roosting interactions between five co-occurring bat colonies that belong to three forest-living species (Myotis bechsteinii, Myotis nattereri, Plecotus auritus). Occupied roosts were continuously monitored with an automatic RFID system over three maternity seasons. Furthermore, we used simulations to test whether colonies preferentially occupied recently used roosts of other colonies. We found no evidence that the roosting behaviour of the M. bechsteinii colony was influenced by the co-occurring heterospecific colonies. In contrast, P. auritus and M. nattereri frequently explored roosts of conspecific and heterospecific colonies, respectively. Nevertheless, with largely separated roosting ranges, the three P. auritus colonies avoided occupying roosts that had been inhabited by conspecific colonies. In contrast, M. nattereri specifically occupied recent roosts of all three P. auritus colonies. Our results give evidence that co-occurring colonies of conspecific and heterospecific bats can influence each other's roost usage. Our findings have implications for both our understanding of inter- and intraspecific resource sharing among distinct social groups and the management of forest-living bats that are of conservation concern.

Checklist of host associations of European bat flies (Diptera: Nycteribiidae, Streblidae).

Bat flies are obligate blood-sucking ectoparasites of bats. They are divided into two families: Nycteribiidae and Streblidae. Europe has 17 species of bat flies and 45 species of bats (Mammalia: Chiroptera). This checklist is based on both published records and our own field data and provides updated information on all associations between bat flies and their hosts in Europe. The host-parasite association between Basilia italica Theodor and Plecotus auritus (Linnaeus) is reported for the first time. Moreover, our records of B. italica on Myotis alcathoe Helversen & Heller, B. nana Theodor & Moscona on Plecotus auritus, Nycteribia kolenatii Theodor & Moscona on M. bechsteinii (Kuhl) and Penicillidia dufourii (Westwood) on M. daubentonii (Kuhl) represent new host associations for Hungary.

Winter Activity of Coastal Plain Populations of Bat Species Affected by White-Nose Syndrome and Wind Energy Facilities.

Across the entire distribution of a species, populations may have variable responses to environmental perturbations. Many bat species experience mortality in large portions of their range during hibernation and along migratory paths to and from wintering grounds, from White-nose syndrome (WNS) and wind energy development, respectively. In some areas, warm temperatures may allow bats to remain active through winter, thus decreasing their susceptibility to WNS and/or mortality associated with migration to wintering grounds. These areas could act as a refugia and be important for the persistence of local populations. To determine if warmer temperatures affect bat activity, we compared year-round activity of bat populations in the Coastal Plain and Piedmont of North Carolina, USA, two regions that differ in winter temperature. We established six recording stations, four along a 295-kilometer north-south transect in the Coastal Plain, and two in the Piedmont of North Carolina. We recorded bat activity over two years. We supplemented our recordings with mist-net data. Although bat activity was lower during winter at all sites, the odds of recording a bat during winter were higher at Coastal Plain sites when compared with Piedmont sites. Further, bats in the Piedmont had a lower level of winter activity compared to summer activity than bats in the Coastal Plain that had more similar levels of activity in the winter and summer. We found high bat species richness on the Coastal Plain in winter, with winter-active species including those known to hibernate throughout most of their range and others known to be long distance migrants. In particular, two species impacted by WNS, the northern long-eared bat (Myotis septentrionalis) and tricolored bat (Perimyotis subflavus), were present year round in the Coastal Plain. The tricolored bat was also present year-round in the Piedmont. In the Coastal Plain, the long distance migratory hoary bat (Lasiurus cinereus) was active in the winter but not present during the other seasons, and the long distance migratory silver-haired bat (Lasionycteris noctivagans) was active primarily in the winter, suggesting the Coastal Plain may be an overwintering ground for these two species. We suggest that the winter activity exhibited by populations of bats on the North Carolina Coastal Plain has important conservation implications and these populations should be carefully monitored and afforded protection.

Speciation with Gene Flow in North American Myotis Bats.

Growing evidence supports the idea that species can diverge in the presence of gene flow. However, most methods of phylogeny estimation do not consider this process, despite the fact that ignoring gene flow is known to bias phylogenetic inference. Furthermore, studies that do consider divergence-with-gene-flow typically do so by estimating rates of gene flow using a isolation-with-migration model (IM), rather than evaluating scenarios of gene flow (such as divergence-with-gene flow or secondary contact) that represent very different types of diversification. In this investigation, we aim to infer the recent phylogenetic history of a clade of western long-eared bats while evaluating a number of different models that parameterize gene flow in a variety of ways. We utilize PHRAPL, a new tool for phylogeographic model selection, to compare the fit of a broad set of demographic models that include divergence, migration, or both among Myotis evotis, $M$. thysanodes and M. keenii. A genomic data set consisting of 808 loci of ultraconserved elements was used to explore such models in three steps using an incremental design where each successive set was informed by, and thus more focused than, the previous set of models. Specifically, the three steps were to (i) assess whether gene flow should be modeled and identify the best topologies, (ii) infer directionality of migration using the best topologies, and (iii) estimate the timing of gene flow. The best model (AIC model weight ${\sim}0.98$) included two divergence events (($M$. evotis, $M$. thysanodes), M. keenii) accompanied by gene flow at the initial stages of divergence. These results provide a striking example of speciation-with-gene-flow in an evolutionary lineage. [Myotis bats; PHRAPL; P2C2M; phylogeographic model selection; speciation with gene flow.].

Weather as a proximate explanation for fission–fusion dynamics in female northern long-eared bats

Fission–fusion dynamics appear common among temperate bats where females form roost groups that change in size and composition, as females switch roosts almost daily. One hypothesis for frequent roost switching is that females move to find suitable thermal conditions as ambient conditions change. Tests of this hypothesis have, however, been conducted mostly at roosts in artificial structures where microclimate is relatively stable. The goal of our study was to determine whether roost switching and roost use by northern long-eared bats, Myotis septentrionalis, that roost in trees are related to ambient conditions. We used generalized linear fixed effects models to explore the influence of roost characteristics and changes in ambient conditions on the likelihood of roost switching. We used canonical correlation analyses to examine the relationship between ambient conditions and roost characteristics. Roost switching was indeed linked to ambient conditions together with characteristics of roosts on the previous day; the best descriptors of roost switching differed between the two geographical regions we analysed. In Nova Scotia, females were less likely to switch roosts when it rained, particularly if they were in roosts below surrounding canopy whereas they were more likely to switch roosts when they were in roosts of high decay. Females roosted in shorter trees in earlier decay classes on warm days, as well as on windy and rainy days. In Kentucky, females were more likely to switch roosts at high temperatures, particularly when they were in roosts in high decay. Females roosted in shorter, decayed trees on warm days, and in less decayed trees with small diameter on windy and rainy days. Our results suggest bats switch roosts in response to changes in ambient conditions to select suitable roosting conditions, which may explain some of the proximate factors shaping fission–fusion dynamics of bats.

Testing the efficacy of an acoustic lure on bat mist-netting success in North American central hardwood forests

Severe population declines in numerous North American bat species makes population monitoring increasingly difficult. We tested the effectiveness of an acoustic lure at increasing capture success of bats in mist nets. Increasing detection rate is especially relevant for species that have been heavily affected by white-nose syndrome, such as the Indiana bat ( Myotis sodalis ), little brown bat ( M. lucifugus ), and northern long-eared bat ( M. septentrionalis ). We conducted our study at 3 properties in southern Indiana during summer 2014. We set up 7 mist-netting sites at each property, netting 2 times at each site, with and without the use of an UltraSoundGate Player BL acoustic lure. The lure played recordings of various social calls from Myotis , Eptesicus , and Lasiurus spp. recorded in Europe and North America on a loop throughout the mist-net night. A total of 21 bats were caught using the lure, while 46 bats were caught without the use of the lure. We ran a series of zero-inflated Poisson generalized linear models on number of bats captured per trapping night to test whether the lure produced a difference in bat captures overall and for each genus while accounting for additional sources of variability. Using an information theoretical approach, we determined the most parsimonious models for each species grouping. For bats overall and those in the genera Myotis and Eptesicus , the top performing models contained an effect for use of the lure. This effect was positive and significant ( P = 0.007) for our Myotis model, while the Eptesicus model showed a marginally significant and negative effect of the lure. We conclude that level of sociality in bat species influences the effectiveness of an acoustic lure on bat capture success. Understanding this distinction can inform when and where the use of an acoustic lure may enhance conservation goals.

Fire Effects on Wildlife in the Central Hardwoods and Appalachian Regions, USA

Fire is being prescribed and used increasingly to promote ecosystem restoration (e.g., oak woodlands and savannas) and to manage wildlife habitat in the Central Hardwoods and Appalachian regions, USA. However, questions persist as to how fire affects hardwood forest communities and associated wildlife, and how fire should be used to achieve management goals. We provide an up-to-date review of fire effects on various wildlife species and their habitat in the Central Hardwoods and Appalachians. Documented direct effects (i.e., mortality) on wildlife are rare. Indirect effects (i.e., changes in habitat quality) are influenced greatly by light availability, fire frequency, and fire intensity. Unless fire intensity is great enough to kill a portion of the overstory, burning in closed-canopy forests has provided little benefit for most wildlife species in the region because it doesn’t result in enough sunlight penetration to elicit understory response. Canopy reduction through silvicultural treatment has enabled managers to use fire more effectively. Fire intensity must be kept low in hardwoods to limit damage to many species of overstory trees. However, wounding or killing trees with fire benefits many wildlife species by allowing increased sunlight to stimulate understory response, snag and subsequent cavity creation, and additions of large coarse woody debris. In general, a fire-return interval of 2 yr to 7 yr benefits a wide variety of wildlife species by providing a diverse structure in the understory; increasing browse, forage, and soft mast; and creating snags and cavities. Historically, dormant-season fire was most prevalent in these regions, and it still is when most prescribed fire is implemented in hardwood systems as burn-days are relatively few in the growing season of May through August because of shading from leaf cover and high fuel moisture. Late growing-season burning increases the window for burning, and better control on woody composition is possible. Early growing-season fire may pose increased risk for some species, especially herpetofauna recently emerged from winter hibernacula (April) or forest songbirds that nest in the understory (May to June). However, negative population-level effects are unlikely unless the burned area is relatively large and early growing-season fire is used continually. We did not find evidence that fire is leading to population declines for any species, including Endangered Species Act (ESA)-listed species (e.g., Indiana bat [Myotis sodalis Mill. Allen] or northern long-eared bat [M. septentrionalis Trouess.]). Instead, data indicate that fire can enhance habitat for bats by increasing suitability of foraging and day-roost sites. Similarly, concern over burning and displacement of woodland salamanders (Plethodontidae), another taxa of heightened conservation concern, is alleviated when fire is prescribed along ecologically appropriate aspect and slope gradients and not forced into mesic, high site index environments where salamanders are most common. Because topography across the Central Hardwoods and Appalachians is diverse, we contend that applying fire on positions best suited for burning is an effective approach to increase regional landscape heterogeneity and biological diversity. Herein, we offer prescriptive concepts for burning for various wildlife species and guilds in the Central Hardwoods and Appalachians.

Northern Long-Eared Bat Day-Roosting and Prescribed Fire in the Central Appalachians, USA

The northern long-eared bat (Myotis septentrionalis Trovessart) is a cavity-roosting species that forages in cluttered upland and riparian forests throughout the oak-dominated Appalachian and Central Hardwoods regions. Common prior to white-nose syndrome, the population of this bat species has declined to functional extirpation in some regions in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, including portions of the central Appalachians. Our long-term research in the central Appalachians has shown that maternity colonies of this species form non-random assorting networks in patches of suitable trees that result from long- and short-term forest disturbance processes, and that roost loss can occur with these disturbances. Following two consecutive prescribed burns on the Fernow Experimental Forest in the central Appalachians, West Virginia, USA, in 2007 to 2008, post-fire counts of suitable black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.; the most selected species for roosting) slightly decreased by 2012. Conversely, post-fire numbers of suitable maple (Acer spp. L.), primarily red maple (Acer rubrum L.), increased by a factor of three, thereby ameliorating black locust reduction. Maternity colony network metrics such as roost degree (use) and network density for two networks in the burned compartment were similar to the single network observed in unburned forest. However, roost clustering and degree of roost centralization was greater for the networks in the burned forest area. Accordingly, the short-term effects of prescribed fire are slightly or moderately positive in impact to day-roost habitat for the northern long-eared bat in the central Appalachians from a social dynamic perspective. Listing of northern long-eared bats as federally threatened will bring increased scrutiny of immediate fire impacts from direct take as well as indirect impacts from long-term changes to roosting and foraging habitat in stands being returned to historic fire-return conditions. Unfortunately, definitive impacts will remain speculative owing to the species’ current rarity and the paucity of forest stand data that considers tree condition or that adequately tracks snags spatially and temporally.

Bats of Alpi Marittime Nature Park (North West Italy) and Site of Community Importance IT1160056: distribution and status

A survey of bats was carried out at Alpi Marittime Nature Park and more generally within Site of Community Importance (SIC) IT1160056 from April 1991 to January 2015, using different techniques such as: mist-netting, acoustic sampling and roost surveys. Twenty-one species of bats were detected (<em>Rhinolophus ferrumequinum, Rhinolophus hipposideros, Myotis bechsteinii, Myotis daubentonii, Myotis emarginatus, Myotis myotis, Myotis mystacinus, Myotis nattereri, Myotis oxygnathus, Pipistrellus kuhlii, Pipistrellus nathusii, Pipistrellus pipistrellus, Pipistrellus pygmaeus, Nyctalus leisleri, Hypsugo savii, Eptesicus nilssonii, Eptesicus serotinus, Barbastella barbastellus, Plecotus auritus, Plecotus macrobullaris, Tadarida teniotis</em>). Species diversity is higher in this area than in other Alpine protected areas of a similar size. Records of <em>E. nilssonii</em>, <em>P. pygmaeu</em>s and <em>P.</em> <em>macrobullaris</em> in the study area contribute to the knowledge of the distribution of these species in Piedmont and more generally in Italy. In particular, thanks to records of <em>E.</em> <em>nilssonii</em>, its geographic range could be extended to the western part of the Alps whereas it previously seemed to be only present in the Central-Eastern Alps.

Contribution to Ecology of Brandts Bat, Myotis Brandtii (Chiroptera, Vespertilionidae), in the North-Eastern Ukraine: Comparison of Local Summer and Winter Bat Assemblages

AbstractThe Brandt’s Bat (Myotis brandtii Eversmann, 1845) is one of the rarest bat species in Ukraine. There are only a few known locations of this species in summer and less known hibernacula in the whole country. Moreover, for territory of the north-eastern Ukraine are known only two underground bat hibernation sites with aggregation more than several tens of individuals. We undertook population surveys of winter aggregations in newly discovered and dug up abandoned sandstone mines in the Chuguev district of the Kharkiv Region (49°54′ N, 36°43′ E) from 2007 through 2015. We also surveyed summer bat assemblages in the forests surrounding these mines in 2012. The mines’ microclimate conditions were as follows: temperature +6 °C - +10 °C and humidity 60-80 %. M. brandtii, M. daubentonii (Kuhl, 1817) and Plecotus auritus (Linnaeus, 1758) hibernate in the mines; the first species is most abundant by number of individuals. In midsummer 9 bat species were recorded including the three previously mentioned. M. daubentonii and P. auritus breed in surrounding forest, but M. brandtii does not. One recaptured individual of M. brandtii was minimum 6 years old, providing us the first recorded information on longevity of this species for Ukraine. The total number of bats hibernating in these mines is estimated to be up to 100 individuals; a hibernaculum with several tens of M. brandtii could be classified as more numerous for this species in Ukraine. For this reason, the system of mines in the Kharkiv region needs species protection status and an action plan for monitoring and management.

Changes in Rates of Capture and Demographics ofMyotisseptentrionalis(Northern Long-eared Bat) in Western Virginia before and after Onset of White-nose Syndrome

Abstract Documenting the impacts of white-nose syndrome (WNS) on demographic patterns, such as annual survivorship and recruitment, is important to understanding the extirpation or possible stabilization and recovery of species over time. To document demographic impacts of WNS on Myotis septentrionalis (Northern Long-eared Bat), we mistnetted at sites in western Virginia where Northern Long-eared Bats were captured in summer before (1990–2009) and after (2011–2013) the onset of WNS. Our mean capture rates per hour, adjusted for area of net and sampling duration, declined significantly from 0.102 bats/ m2/h before WNS to 0.005 bats/m2/h (-95.1%) by 2013. We noted a time lag in the rate of decline between published data based on bats captured during the swarming season and our summer mist-netting captures from the same geographic area. Although proportions of pregnant or lactating females did not vary statistically in samples obtained before and after the onset of WNS, the proportion of juvenile bats declin...

Post-wildfire physiological ecology of an Australian microbat.

Historical patterns of wildfires are being altered as a result of changing climate and therefore are becoming an increasingly pressing global issue. How small mammals deal physiologically with changes in landscape and food availability due to fire remains largely unknown, although recent studies on small heterothermic terrestrial mammals have shown an increase in post-fire torpor use to reduce energy and foraging requirements. However, data on the behavioural and physiological responses of bats after fires are scarce, although potentially these volant species may differ from terrestrial mammals. Therefore, we investigated the post-fire thermal biology and activity of lesser long-eared bats (Nyctophilus geoffroyi) using temperature-telemetry in Warrumbungle National Park, NSW, which experienced a devastating wildfire in 2013. The study comprised two field seasons, one in 2013 within 4months after the fire, and one in 2015 twoyears after the fire to identify potential changes in behaviour and physiology. Interestingly, soon after the fire, bats showed significantly shorter torpor bout duration (11.8±12.5h) and longer normothermia duration (8.7±4.6h) in comparison to those in 2015 (torpor bout duration: 24.1±23.5h; normothermia duration: 2.5±1.5h). Insect availability was significantly (20-fold) higher in 2013 than in 2015, which was likely an important factor resulting in the short average torpor bout duration by N. geoffroyi after the fire. Our data indicate that volant bats appear to show the opposite post-fire behavioural and physiological responses to small terrestrial mammals, showing longer normothermic and active periods and shorter torpor bouts to capitalise on an increase in available post-fire resources.

Ear-body lift and a novel thrust generating mechanism revealed by the complex wake of brown long-eared bats (Plecotus auritus).

Large ears enhance perception of echolocation and prey generated sounds in bats. However, external ears likely impair aerodynamic performance of bats compared to birds. But large ears may generate lift on their own, mitigating the negative effects. We studied flying brown long-eared bats, using high resolution, time resolved particle image velocimetry, to determine the aerodynamics of flying with large ears. We show that the ears and body generate lift at medium to cruising speeds (3–5 m/s), but at the cost of an interaction with the wing root vortices, likely reducing inner wing performance. We also propose that the bats use a novel wing pitch mechanism at the end of the upstroke generating thrust at low speeds, which should provide effective pitch and yaw control. In addition, the wing tip vortices show a distinct spiraling pattern. The tip vortex of the previous wingbeat remains into the next wingbeat and rotates together with a newly formed tip vortex. Several smaller vortices, related to changes in circulation around the wing also spiral the tip vortex. Our results thus show a new level of complexity in bat wakes and suggest large eared bats are less aerodynamically limited than previous wake studies have suggested.

How does deadwood structure temperate forest bat assemblages?

Thirty percent of forest species depend on deadwood. Some of them are now considered rare or at high risk of extinction mainly due to an insufficient quantity of deadwood substrates. Some bats roost in dead trees and snags. Because European bats are strictly insectivorous, we can wonder whether deadwood plays an important role by providing potential preys too. We conducted ultrasonic surveys in different deciduous French forests dominated by oaks (Quercus spp.) and beech (Fagus sylvatica). Our results showed a positive relationship between the volume of deadwood and the richness of bat species. Some species were positively related to deadwood volumes, either lying or standing, with detected thresholds. Species richness increased particularly from 25 m3 per hectare of standing deadwood. This link can be explained by deadwood-dwelling preys or by changes in the forest structure, due to openings created by dead trees that are favorable for edge-habitat species. Other species negatively reacted to the presence of deadwood, either because bats were not able to forage there or because dead trees did not provide relevant preys. Contrary to our hypothesis, clutter by foliage and basal area of the living trees explained more the presence/occurrence of gleaning bats than deadwood. Whereas several species were considered as forest bats (Myotis bechsteinii, Plecotus auritus, Barbastella barbastellus), we did not find any relationship between their occurrence and deadwood. This result strengthens the need of further studies on the relationships between forest habitats and bat assemblages.

Roost characteristics as indicators for heterothermic behavior of forest‐dwelling bats

AbstractMany forest‐dwelling bats spend their diurnal inactivity period in tree cavities. During this time bats can save energy through heterothermy. A heterothermic response (torpor) is characterized by a lowered body temperature, reduced metabolic rate, and reduction of other physiological processes, and can be influenced by the microclimatic conditions of roost cavities. The thermal and physical characteristics of roosts used by the sympatric, ecologically, and morphologically similar bat species Myotis bechsteinii, M. nattereri, and Plecotus auritus were compared. These three species differ in their heterothermic behavior, with the lowest skin temperatures observed for P. auritus. Therefore, we hypothesized that roosts occupied by the three species should differ in roost characteristics and microclimatic conditions, whereby P. auritus should select colder and thermally less stable roosts. The results showed that horizontal depth of the cavity, diameter of the roost tree, and microclimatic conditions within roosts differed among species. Roosts of P. auritus had the lowest horizontal depth, lowest thermal stability, and lowest mean minimum roost temperatures. Height of the roost, diameter of the roost tree, and vertical depth were also shown to influence microclimatic conditions. With increasing diameter of the tree and increasing horizontal depth, mean minimum roost temperature increased and thermal stability improved. Furthermore, with ascending height above ground insulation and mean roost temperatures increased. Our results imply that species such as P. auritus, which use pronounced torpor as a primary energy saving strategy, prefer colder cavities that support their heterothermic strategy.

Deriving Habitat Models for Northern Long-Eared Bats from Historical Detection Data: A Case Study Using the Fernow Experimental Forest

Abstract The listing of the northern long-eared bat (Myotis septentrionalis) as federally threatened under the Endangered Species Act following severe population declines from white-nose syndrome presents considerable challenges to natural resource managers. Because the northern long-eared bat is a forest habitat generalist, development of effective conservation measures will depend on appropriate understanding of its habitat relationships at individual locations. However, severely reduced population sizes make gathering data for such models difficult. As a result, historical data may be essential in development of habitat models. To date, there has been little evaluation of how effective historical bat presence data, such as data derived from mist-net captures, acoustic detection, and day-roost locations, may be in developing habitat models, nor is it clear how models created using different data sources may differ. We explored this issue by creating presence probability models for the northern long-eared bat on the Fernow Experimental Forest in the central Appalachian Mountains of West Virginia using a historical, presence-only data set. Each presence data type produced outputs that were dissimilar but that still corresponded with known traits of the northern long-eared bat or are easily explained in the context of the particular data collection protocol. However, our results also highlight potential limitations of individual data types. For example, models from mist-net capture data only showed high probability of presence along the dendritic network of riparian areas, an obvious artifact of sampling methodology. Development of ecological niche and presence models for northern long-eared bat populations could be highly valuable for resource managers going forward with this species. We caution, however, that efforts to create such models should consider the substantial limitations of models derived from historical data, and address model assumptions.

九州で初めて生息が確認されたニホンウサギコウモリPlecotus sacrimontisの生息状況，形態と音声の特徴および遺伝的変異

九州で初めて生息が確認されたニホンウサギコウモリPlecotus sacrimontisの生息状況，形態と音声の特徴および遺伝的変異

Small mammals in the diet of owls in the Masovian Landscape Park and its adjacent areas

The diet of three owl species was analysed in 32 sites localised in the Masovian Landscape Park and its outskirts to determine the structure of small mammal communities. Study was done in the years 1993–2016, 5,728 vertebrate prey (including 4,001 mammals) were collected. Five species of soricomorphs, six bats, 14 rodents and one species of Carnivora were found. Among mammals, Myodes glareolus had the greatest share in the diet of Strix aluco. Tyto alba most frequently caught Microtus arvalis and Sorex araneus, while Asio otus – M. arvalis and M. oeconomus. Those prey, together with Apodemus flavicollis and A. agrarius, dominated in small mammal communities. One site of Crocidura leucodon was found on the western edge of its range in Poland. The share of bats in the diet of S. aluco was small (0.5% of mammals), Plecotus auritus was most frequent. Muscardinus avellanarius was found in forests of the southern part of the Masovian Landscape Park. It was relatively often caught by S. aluco in favourable habitats. Shares of M. oeconomus, M. agrestis and M. avellanarius in the diet of owls were significantly higher in southern part of the study area remote from Warsaw.