A survey for the Southern Myotis <i>Myotis macropus</i> (Vespertilionidae) and other bat species in River Red Gum <i>Eucalyptus camaldulensis</i> forests of the Murray River, New South Wales
1999
Law, Bradley | Anderson, Jason
During March 1997 we surveyed for <i>Myotis macropus</i> at 18 water bodies along the Murray River in River Red Gum Eucalyptus camaldulensis forests in the Millewa and Perricoota/Koondrook State Forests, using Anabat II detectors and harp-traps. Although no <i>M. macropus</i> were caught, they were recorded by Anabat detectors at two sites, one at Moira Lakes Flora Reserve and one on the Murray River at Barmah Bridge. These records were within 7 km of each other and near a previous record on the Murray River (Hoye 1995). Despite the rarity of <i>M. macropus</i> in these forests, high levels of microchiropteran activity from 12 other taxa were recorded. On average, one bat pass was recorded for every minute of sampling in the first hour after dark. Eight taxa (<i>Vespadeius vulturnus</i>, <i>V. regulus</i>, <i>V. darlingtoni</i>, <i>Chalinolobus gouidii</i>. <i>C. morio</i>, <i>Mormopterus</i> sp. and <i>Tadarida australis</i>) were recorded at more than 70% of sites, while four species (<i>Scotorapens balstoni</i>, <i>Nyctophiius gouldi</i>, <i>Nyctophilus geoffroyi</i> and <i>Myotis macropus</i>) were recorded from less than 40% of sites. River Red Gum forests are particularly important to bats as a mesic habitat in a predominantly semi-arid landscape. Further studies on <i>M. macropus</i> are required to determine the reason for its rarity in an area with abundant surface water.
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