Ozark Big-eared Bat Research Articles

Early Records Suggest a Broader Historic Range of the Ozark Big-Eared Bat (Corynorhinus townsendii ingens)

The endangered Ozark big-eared bat (Corynorhinus townsendii ingens) is currently found in north-central and northwestern Arkansas and northeastern Oklahoma. Although historically known to be present in 2 counties on the southwestern border of Missouri, this species has not been observed in Missouri since 1971. A female Ozark big-eared bat specimen in the museum collection of Harvard University was reportedly collected in Arkansas, possibly in 1858. An investigation of the documentation associated with this and other specimens collected by the same individual suggests that this Ozark big-eared bat may have been collected on the Osage River in west-central Missouri in 1853. Another early naturalist reported the presence of what may have been Ozark big-eared bats in this general vicinity in 1854, providing additional support for their potential presence along the Osage River in Missouri at this time. Taken together, these historic reports suggest that the Ozark big-eared bat may have been present throughout the entire Missouri Ozarks during the mid-1800s and that a significant contraction of this species' range has occurred since then.

Molecular Dietary Analysis of the Endangered Ozark Big-Eared Bat (Corynorhinus townsendii ingens)

Molecular techniques allow amplification of a mitochondrial barcoding gene, cytochrome c oxidase (COI), of prey DNA in bat fecal material that can be used to identify insect species. Most studies designed to use a molecular approach for dietary studies of bats suggest that fecal material should be collected within one week of deposit to prevent environmental degradation or contamination. However, Ozark big-eared bats (Corynorhinus townsendii ingens) are highly susceptible to human disturbance. The purpose of this study was to performing a molecular dietary analysis of Ozark big-eared bats. Our study detected 40 species representing two orders (Diptera and Lepidoptera) and 11 families of insects and thus, providing new information regarding dietary habits of Ozark big-eared bats.

Population connectivity of endangered Ozark big-eared bats (Corynorhinus townsendii ingens)

The endangered Ozark big-eared bat (Corynorhinus townsendii ingens) is restricted to eastern Oklahoma and western and north-central Arkansas, where populations may be susceptible to losses of genetic variation due to patchy distribution of colonies and potentially small effective population sizes. We used mitochondrial D-loop DNA sequences and 15 nuclear microsatellite loci to determine population connectivity among Ozark big-eared bat caves. Assessment of 7 caves revealed a haplotype not detected in a previous study (2002–2003) and gene flow among colonies in eastern Oklahoma. Our data suggest genetic mixing of individuals, which may be occurring at nearby swarming sites in the autumn. Further evidence of limited gene flow between caves in Oklahoma with a cave in Arkansas highlights the importance of including samples from geographically widespread caves to fully understand gene flow in this subspecies. It appears autumn swarming sites and winter hibernacula play an important role in providing opportunit...

Variation in moth occurrence and implications for foraging habitat of Ozark big-eared bats

We investigated patterns of moth occurrence among habitats in two different landscapes surrounding roosts of the endangered Ozark big-eared bat ( Corynorhinus townsendii ingens) from May to August 2005, and compared these data with published results on the diet of this subspecies. Landscapes were situated in the Ozark Mountains, USA, and consisted of a fragmented, agricultural landscape and a contiguous national forest. We captured 8720 moths constituting ≥314 species and 22 families. Pastures demonstrated a lower abundance and richness of moths than other habitats in the fragmented landscape ( p < 0.05). Neither abundance nor richness of moths varied by habitat in the forested landscape, but we did observe variation among roost locations ( p < 0.05). Abundant families of moths ( n ≥ 100 specimens captured) did vary in abundance among habitats in both landscapes ( p < 0.05), with poletimber stands, riparian forest and upland forest selected, and pasture, forest edge, sawtimber and sapling stands avoided by at least one family of moths. Density and richness of woody plant species were correlated with the occurrence of moths at sampling sites. We recommend maintaining habitat heterogeneity around roosts of the Ozark big-eared bat to encourage an abundance and richness of moth prey, and suggest that forested riparian corridors are important habitat elements for Ozark big-eared bats foraging in fragmented landscapes.

Prey consumed by Corynorhinus townsendii ingens in the Ozark Mountain region

ABSTRACT Moths are known to be the primary prey of the Ozark big-eared bat (Corynorhinus townsendii ingens); however, data do not exist as to which species, families, and sizes of moths are eaten. We investigated patterns of prey consumption of C. t. ingens from 2003 to 2005 by collecting discarded moth wings and other insect parts beneath roosts in three maternity areas: north-central Arkansas, northwest Arkansas, and northeast Oklahoma. A total of 42 visits to roosts resulted in 579 remnants of insect prey representing eight insect orders. Of the discarded remains, 57.2% (n = 331) were Lepidoptera, with 81.3% (n = 269) of these identified beyond the ordinal level. Moths representing eight families and 49 species were eaten by C. t. ingens. Noctuidae was the most common family occurring in the diet with 25 species represented. Noctuidae and Notodontidae were typical prey of C. t. ingens in all areas, but consumption of other moth families varied. Corynorhinus t. ingens preyed upon a limited size range of...

“Bats, snakes and spiders, Oh my!” How aesthetic and negativistic attitudes, and other concepts predict support for species protection

This research investigates whether species are perceived differently based on aesthetic and negativistic attitudes, and whether these and other attitudes, naturalistic activities, and gender predict support for the protection of threatened species. 228 undergraduate students completed a survey in which they rated pictures of 10 endangered species on aesthetic and negativistic attitudes, and support for protection. Findings showed that the two-striped garter snake, Ozark big-eared bat, and dolloff cave spider were conceptualized differently than other species, which may be the result of “irrational” fears linked to animal phobias, culture, and emotional reactions to pictures. The regression results support the common belief that aesthetics is an important determinant in perceptions of endangered species and that the importance of negativistic attitudes may be waning. Moralistic worldviews and attitudes toward landowner rights and the Endangered Species Act were significantly related to support for governmental protection of species. Surprisingly, naturalistic activities and gender were not significantly associated with support for governmental protection of species. In general, the results were consistent across both models. However, the amount of variance explained by aesthetic and negativistic attitudes was 23 percent higher in the other species models than in the bat, snake, and spider models.

UNRAVELING THE EFFECTS OF SEX AND DISPERSAL: OZARK BIG-EARED BAT (CORYNORHINUS TOWNSENDII INGENS) CONSERVATION GENETICS

The Ozark big-eared bat (Corynorhinus townsendii ingens) is federally listed as endangered and is found in only a small number of caves in eastern Oklahoma and northwestern Arkansas. Previous studies suggested site fidelity of females to maternity caves; however, males are solitary most of the year, and thus specific information on their behavior and roosting patterns is lacking. Population genetic variation often provides the necessary data to make inferences about gene flow or mating behavior within that population. We used 2 types of molecular data: DNA sequences from the mitochondrial D loop and alleles at 5 microsatellite loci. Approximately 5% of the population, 24 males and 39 females (63 individuals), were sampled. No significant differentiation between 5 sites was present in nuclear microsatellite variation, but distribution of variation in maternally inherited markers differed among sites. This suggests limited dispersal of female Ozark big-eared bats and natal philopatry. Areas that experience local extinctions are unlikely to be recolonized by species that show strong site fidelity. These results provide a greater understanding of the population dynamics of Ozark big-eared bats and highlight the importance of cave protection relative to maintaining genetic integrity during recovery activities for this listed species.

Use of Small Caves by Ozark Big-eared Bats(Corynorhinus townsendii ingens) in Arkansas

Abstract The Ozark big-eared bat (Corynorhinus townsendii ingens) is an endangered subspecies currently known only from small populations in Arkansas and Oklahoma. Between October 1998 and May 2000 we surveyed 93 small caves in northwestern Arkansas six times. During these surveys we encountered Ozark big-eared bats in 8–10 caves every season. During surveys in spring, summer and autumn, we encountered mainly lone individuals, while up to seven individuals were encountered together during winter surveys. Winter encounters were mainly in limestone caves, particularly those with vertical or near vertical sinkhole entrances, whereas caves with more varied characteristics were used in other seasons. Temperature may also have been a factor in choice of caves, with colder caves being preferred, especially in winter. Our data indicate that Ozark big-eared bats use many small caves in the study area. These caves should be protected, and other groups of small caves in the Ozarks should be surveyed for Ozark big-ea...

SEASONAL VARIATION IN ACTIVITY PATTERNS OF THE ENDANGERED OZARK BIG-EARED BAT(CORYNORHINUS TOWNSENDII INGENS)

We studied occupation and activity at a hibernaculum and a maternity cave used by the endangered Ozark big-eared bat (Corynorhinus townsendii ingens). Big-eared bats remained active throughout winter, with many individuals leaving and entering the hibernaculum during the first 2 h after sunset; however, no fresh guano was found on cave floors during winter. Big-eared bats used caves with the coldest internal temperatures in the region as hibernacula and also moved among caves throughout winter. The breakup of hibernating colonies in spring and the subsequent buildup of maternity colonies by adult females were gradual. Nightly activity patterns at the maternity cave changed throughout summer relative to parturition and maturation of young. Females returned to the maternity cave more frequently when their young were totally dependent on them for nourishment. As the young began foraging, females returned only once during the night, and eventually adults did not return to the cave until morning. Ozark big-eared bats emerged shortly after sunset, regardless of brightness at twilight or rainfall, but they emerged at a later time when the young could not fly.

Feeding Habits of the Endangered Ozark Big-Eared Bat (Corynorhinus townsendii ingens) Relative to Prey Abundance

Feeding habits of the endangered Ozark big-eared bat (Corynorhinus townsendii ingens) in eastern Oklahoma, USA, were studied from July 1987 through July 1988. Diets were determined from microscopic analysis of fecal pellets and compared with arthropods collected in Malaise traps. Although lepidopterans comprised only 21.5% of the available prey, they occurred in > 90% of the pellets examined and accounted for > 85% of the volume of prey consumed. Dipterans, coleopterans, and homopterans occurred in 18.3%, 10.6%, and 6.7% of the feces, respectively, but each accounted for < 5% of the volume of prey consumed. Trichopterans, hymenopterans, and neuropterans also were found in feces but in trace amounts. Our results support the classification of C. t. ingens as a moth specialist, but additional insights are needed to fully understand how its feeding tactics conform to the allotonic frequency hypothesis (i.e., avoiding detection by eared moths). Conservation of this highly endangered North American bat will require, in part, maintenance of habitats capable of supporting abundant populations of Lepidoptera.

Seasonal Variation in Use of Caves by the Endangered Ozark Big-eared Bat (Corynorhinus townsendii ingens) in Oklahoma

Seasonal Variation in Use of Caves by the Endangered Ozark Big-eared Bat (Corynorhinus townsendii ingens) in Oklahoma

Prehibernation Habitat Use and Foraging Activity by Endangered Ozark Big-Eared Bats (Plecotus townsendii ingens)

-Knowledge of the habitat requirements of the Ozark big-eared bat (Plecotus townsendii ingens) is limited but is critcally important to recovery objectives for this endangered subspecies. We studied habitat use and foraging activity by P t. ingens during October 1991 and August and September 1992. Fourteen females and six males were fitted with radiotransmitters. Intraand intersexual comparisons showed no differences in median distances to foraging areas, median size of foraging areas, or number of foraging sites per bat. Late emergence times and frequent periods of inactivity during October 1991 may have been due to cold weather. Females traveled shorter distances to foraging sites and used smaller foraging areas than females previously studied during the maternity season. Females used habitats in proportion to their availability, but males used forest habitat more than expected in September. Habitat use likely was determined by prey distribution because P t. ingens has high flight maneuverability and thus would not be restricted in its use of habitat types. Our results suggest that recovery efforts that include habitat conservation should focus on areas within a radius of 8 km from caves used by P t. ingens, but additional research on movements and habitat use at other times of the year are needed to assure recovery biologists that all critical habitats are identified.

Foraging Activity of Adult Female Ozark Big-Eared Bats (Plecotus townsendii ingens) in Summer

Foraging activity of the endangered Ozark big-eared bat (Plecotus townsendii ingens) was studied in June and July 1988. Adult females were equipped with radiotransmitters and tracked during lactation. Bats foraged various directions from the maternity cave and demonstrated considerable site specificity. Females went on three feeding bouts during early lactation and returned to the maternity cave after each. Number of nightly visits to the cave decreased as offspring matured, and by late July, females exited after sunset and did not return until sunrise. Average distances to foraging sites also increased as lactation progressed. Individuals used from one to four foraging sites. Ozark big-eared bats did not use habitats randomly; edge habitats of intermittent streams and mountain slopes were used more than expected based upon relative availability of habitats.