Journal article
Physical and microclimate characteristics of Nyctophilus gouldi and Vespadelus vulturnus maternity-roost cavities
Wildlife Research, Vol.45(7), pp.611-619
2018
Metrics
6 Record Views
UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
This output has contributed to the advancement of the following goals:
Source: InCites
Abstract
Context. Tree cavities suitable to rear young are a key resource in managed landscapes to support viable populations of tree cavity-roosting bats. Little is known about the selection of cavities for maternity roosts, presumably because of the difficulty in accessing such roosts.
Aims. Our study investigated physical and microclimate characteristics of maternity roosts of two species, namely, Gould’s long-eared bat (Nyctophilus gouldi) and little forest bat (Vespadelus vulturnus).
Methods. Maternity-roost cavities were identified in a timber-production landscape in south-eastern Australia. Roost trees (V. vulturnus n = 5; N. gouldi n = 9) and a subsample of available cavity-bearing trees (n = 16) were climbed to obtain cavity characteristics.
Key results. Vespadelus vulturnus used tree hollows exclusively, whereas N. gouldi used both tree hollows (n = 7) and thick loose bark (n = 2). No significant difference in roost-cavity characteristics was detected between the species. However, V. vulturnus selected significantly narrower cavity entrances (mean: 16 ± 3 mm) than those of the available cavities. Temperature did not differ between maternity roosts and available cavities when investigated after the maternity season. However, a V. vulturnus maternity roost occupied for 33 consecutive days was warmer than mean roost and available cavities, suggesting that long-term roost use may be influenced by the thermal property of a cavity.
Conclusions. Our study has provided the first detailed tree-cavity description of maternity roosts of N. gouldi and V. vulturnus. The nightly roost switching and the large variation of tree-cavity characteristics used by N. gouldi suggest that this species requires a high density of non-specific tree cavities that are large enough for colony formation, whereas preferred roost cavities for V. vulturnus are likely to be hollows comprising narrow entrances that facilitate long-term use.
Implications. Our results highlighted the likely importance of narrow roost entrances for V. vulturnus, presumably for predator protection, and the conservation of tree cavities large enough for colonies to congregate. The formation of such hollows is likely to take many decades. Poor silvicultural practices, land clearing and inappropriate management of veteran trees have the potential to have an impact on this hollow resource. Our study also highlighted the need to further assess the importance of cavity microclimate for maternity-roost selection in warm climates.
Details
- Title
- Physical and microclimate characteristics of Nyctophilus gouldi and Vespadelus vulturnus maternity-roost cavities
- Creators
- Niels Rueegger - Southern Cross UniversityRoss Goldingay - Southern Cross UniversityBrad Law - New South Wales Primary Industries
- Publication Details
- Wildlife Research, Vol.45(7), pp.611-619
- Publisher
- CSIRO Publishing
- Grant note
- Funding for this project was awarded to NR by the Holsworth Wildlife Research Endowment and the MA Ingram Trust.
- Identifiers
- 991012927089502368
- Copyright
- Journal compilation © CSIRO 2018
- Academic Unit
- School of Environment, Science and Engineering; Science; Faculty of Science and Engineering
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article