Summer Home Range Size of Female Indiana Bats (Myotis Sodalis) in Missouri, USA
2013
Womack, Kathryn M. | Amelon, Sybill K. | Thompson, Frank R.
Knowledge of space use by wildlife that are a conservation concern is critical to ensure that management and conservation provides adequate resources to ensure survival and reproductive success. We radio tracked 13 pregnant and 12 lactating Myotis sodalis (Indiana bat) during the maternity season in northern Missouri. Mean (± SE) home range area for all individuals based on the fixed kernel method for the 50% and 95% probability contours was 204.52 ± 28.87 ha and 1137.13 ± 144.06 ha, respectively. Home range size did not differ significantly (P > 0.16) between pregnant and lactating females. However, the mean home range area based on the 95% probability contour for lactating individuals (1361.00 ± 267.16 ha) was 32% larger than the area used by pregnant individuals (930.47 ± 109.59). The mean maximum distance pregnant and lactating individuals were located from the roost was 3.75 km (range: 1.89–5.13 km) and 4.85 km (range: 2.17–9.40 km), respectively. Home range size and maximum distance traveled during the maternity season were greater than previously reported for M. sodalis. Our sample size is modest due to the rarity and patchy distribution of this endangered species, but we provide meaningful information on spatial area used to acquire necessary resources during the maternity season.
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