Use of artificial roost structures by bats at the Indianapolis International Airport

Environmental Management
John O WhitakerVirgil Brack

Abstract

From 1992-1996, 3204 artificial roosts of 9 types were placed in woodlots near Indianapolis International Airport in an effort to provide habitat for the federally-endangered Indiana myotis (Myotis sodalis) and to determine the feasibility of using these structures to manage bats in a rapidly developing suburban area. We surveyed these structures at least annually during 1992-1999 and found only northern myotis (Myotis septentrionalis) regularly using the structures. Four other species were occasionally found using structures including big brown bats (Eptesicus fuscus, n=14 individuals), little brown myotis (Myotis lucifugus, n=2), Indiana myotis (Myotis sodalis, n=2), and one silver-haired bat (Lasionycteris noctivagans). Single, triple, and Missouri-style batboxes were almost always used, rather than the six other types of experimental roosts that had been in place. However, after 10 years in place, it appears that Indiana bats are acclimated to boxes, as 6 of them were being used rather regularly by Indiana myotis. Bat boxes can provide roosting habitat for some species under conditions where few suitable roosts exist, but assuring an abundance of natural habitats is usually more desirable for conservation of tree-roosting b...Continue Reading

References

Mar 31, 1998·Leukemia·J R BerensonJ Said

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Nov 1, 2018·PloS One·Julia P S HoehJoy M O'Keefe
Jul 17, 2021·Biological Reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society·Mitchell A CowanDale G Nimmo

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Related Feeds

Birth Defects

Birth defects encompass structural and functional alterations that occur during embryonic or fetal development and are present since birth. The cause may be genetic, environmental or unknown and can result in physical and/or mental impairment. Here is the latest research on birth defects.