White-nose syndrome-related changes to Mid-Atlantic bat communities across an urban-to-rural gradient

BMC Zoology

Sabrina Deeley¹  Joshua B. Johnson²  W. Mark Ford³  J. Edward Gates⁴ 

[1] Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation, Virginia Tech, 24061, Blacksburg, VA, USA;Pennsylvania Game Commission, 17110, Harrisburg, PA, USA;U.S. Geological Survey, Virginia Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, 24061, Blacksburg, VA, USA;University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, Appalachian Laboratory, 21532, Frostburg, MD, USA;

关键词: Bat;    Eptesicus fuscus;    Lasiurus borealis;    Myotis septentrionalis;    Urban environments;    White-nose syndrome;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s40850-021-00079-5

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundWhite-nose Syndrome (WNS) has reduced the abundance of many bat species within the United States’ Mid-Atlantic region. To determine changes within the National Park Service National Capital Region (NCR) bat communities, we surveyed the area with mist netting and active acoustic sampling (2016–2018) and compared findings to pre-WNS (2003–2004) data.ResultsThe results indicated the continued presence of the threatened Myotis septentrionalis (Northern Long-eared bat) and species of conservation concern, including Perimyotis subflavus (Tri-colored bat), Myotis leibii (Eastern Small-footed bat) and Myotis lucifugus (Little Brown bat). However, we documented a significant reduction in the abundance and distribution of M. lucifugus and P. subflavus, a decrease in the distribution of M. septentrionalis, and an increase in the abundance of Eptesicus fuscus (Big Brown bat).ConclusionsDocumented post-WNS M. septentrionalis recruitment suggests that portions of the NCR may be important bat conservation areas. Decreases in distribution and abundance of P. subflavus and M. lucifugus indicate probable extirpation from many previously occupied portions of the region.

【 授权许可】

CC BY