Dataset Information

Evidence of latitudinal migration in tri-colored bats, Perimyotis subflavus.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Annual movements of tri-colored bats (Perimyotis subflavus) are poorly understood. While this species has been considered a regional migrant, some evidence suggests that it may undertake annual latitudinal migrations, similar to other long distance North American migratory bat species.

Methodology/principal findings

We investigated migration in P. subflavus by conducting stable hydrogen isotope analyses of 184 museum specimen fur samples and comparing these results (?D(fur)) to published interpolated ?D values of collection site growing season precipitation (?D(precip)). Results suggest that the male molt period occurred between June 23 and October 16 and 33% of males collected during the presumed non-molt period were south of their location of fur growth. For the same time period, 16% of females were south of their location of fur growth and in general, had not travelled as far as migratory males. There were strong correlations between ?D(fur) from the presumed molt period and both growing season ?D(precip) (males--r(2) = 0.86; p<0.01; females--r(2) = 0.75; p < 0.01), and latitude of collection (males--r(2) = 0.85; p<0.01; females--r(2) = 0.73; p<0.01). Most migrants were collected at the northern (>40 °N; males and females) and southern (<35 °N; males only) extents of the species' range.

Conclusions/significance

These results indicate a different pattern of migration for this species than previously documented, suggesting that some P. subflavus engage in annual latitudinal migrations and that migratory tendency varies with latitude and between sexes. We suggest that this species' hibernation ecology makes it particularly susceptible to long winters, making migration from the northern extent of the species' range to more southern hibernacula preferable for some individuals. Fur ?D values for some of the northern individuals may indicate an increase in the currently accepted northern range of this species. Sex-biased differences in migration may be the result of differences in reproductive pressures.

SUBMITTER: Fraser EE

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3284490 | biostudies-literature | 2012

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Evidence of latitudinal migration in tri-colored bats, Perimyotis subflavus.

Fraser Erin E EE McGuire Liam P LP Eger Judith L JL Longstaffe Fred J FJ Fenton M Brock MB

PloS one 20120222 2

<h4>Background</h4>Annual movements of tri-colored bats (Perimyotis subflavus) are poorly understood. While this species has been considered a regional migrant, some evidence suggests that it may undertake annual latitudinal migrations, similar to other long distance North American migratory bat species.<h4>Methodology/principal findings</h4>We investigated migration in P. subflavus by conducting stable hydrogen isotope analyses of 184 museum specimen fur samples and comparing these results (δD( ...[more]

PMID: 22384019

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Project description:Many North American bat species hibernate in both natural and artificial roosts. Although hibernacula can have high internal climate stability, they still retain spatial variability in their thermal regimes, resulting in various "microclimates" throughout the roost that differ in their characteristics (e.g., temperature and air moisture). These microclimate components can be influenced by factors such as the number of entrances, the depth of the roost, and distance to the nearest entrance of the roost. Tri-colored bats are commonly found roosting in caves in winter, but they can also be found roosting in large numbers in culverts, providing the unique opportunity to investigate factors influencing microclimates of bats in both natural and artificial roost sites. As tri-colored bats are currently under consideration for federal listing, information of this type could be useful in aiding in the conservation and management of this species through a better understanding of what factors affect the microclimate near roosting bats. We collected data on microclimate temperature and microclimate actual water vapor pressure (AWVP) from a total of 760 overwintering tri-colored bats at 18 caves and 44 culverts. Using linear mixed models analysis, we found that variation in bat microclimate temperatures was best explained by external temperature and distance from nearest entrance in both caves and culverts. External temperature had a greater influence on microclimate temperatures in culverts than caves. We found that variation in microclimate AWVP was best explained by external temperature, distance from nearest entrance, and proportion from entrance (proportion of the total length of the roost from the nearest entrance) in culvert-roosting bats. Variation in microclimate AWVP was best explained by external temperature and proportion from entrance in cave-roosting bats. Our results suggest that bat microclimate temperature and AWVP are influenced by similar factors in both artificial and natural roosts, although the relative contribution of these factors differs between roost types.

Dataset Information

Evidence of latitudinal migration in tri-colored bats, Perimyotis subflavus.

Background

Methodology/principal findings

Conclusions/significance

Publications

Evidence of latitudinal migration in tri-colored bats, Perimyotis subflavus.

Similar Datasets

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