Observations on Seasonal Cycle, Population Patterns and Roost Selection in Summer Colonies of Plecotus townsendii virginianus in Kentucky
Lacki MJ, Adam MD, Shoemaker LG. 1994. Observations on Seasonal Cycle, Population Patterns and Roost Selection in Summer Colonies of Plecotus townsendii virginianus in Kentucky. The American Midland Naturalist. 131(1):34-42
From the abstract: "Limited information is available on the use of summer roosts by Virginia big-eared bats (Plecotus townsendii virginianus) or on the timing of the summer reproductive cycle for this subspecies. We measured internal temperatures and structural characteristics of roosts, and used emergence counts with night vision equipment and mist netting to monitor P. T. virginianus at three maternity roosts and one bachelor roost in Kentucky, during 1990, 1991, and 1992. Structural characteristics of roosts varied. All colonies selected limestone caves except one that used a sandstone rock shelter. There were no differences in internal temperatures between the rock shelter roost and a cave roost in summer 1991. Timing of establishment of maternity colonies varied among roosts. Roost abandonment occurred with maternity colonies in caves. Females at the rock shelter roost were pregnant on 10 May and lactating on 17 June 1991; young were volant on 5 August. Bimodal activity patterns were observed at maternity roosts, except during lactation when activity of bats at roost openings persisted throughout the night. Population patterns at the bachelor roost were consistent across years. Low numbers in the bachelor roost in mid-August coincided with the descent of testes and the onset of mating activity."
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Lacki, Michael; Adam, Michael; Shoemaker, Laura
- Units
- BISO , KLMN
- Keywords
- bachelor colony, bat colonies, Bat Research, bat roosts, Bats, Caves, Maternity Colony, population patterns, Reproduction, roost selection, seasonal cycle, Sensitive Species, Species Of Concern, Virginia big-eared bat (Plecotus townsendii virginianus), Wildlife Research