Bats of the White and Inyo Mountains of California-nevada

Western North American Naturalist, 2016

The composition of the bat communities of many public lands remains poorly understood. Historically, inventory and management for bats on most national wildlife refuges was a lower priority than for other species, but in recent decades there has been increasing concern for bat conservation. Calls have been issued for greater management for bats throughout the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) refuge system (Dixon et al. 2013). A first step in addressing these concerns is to gain basic knowledge about the species of bats present on each refuge. We conducted a survey of the bats of the Desert National Wildlife Refuge (DNWR), Lincoln and Clark counties, Nevada, in 2008-2014. DNWR is the largest

1996

Bat surveys were completed in 6 habitat types in eastern Nevada between 1980 and 1994. Twelve species afbats and 578 individuals were identified from 33 trap localities in 144 trap nights. There were weak correlations hetween bat species richness and January maximum temperatures (0.728, P < 0.05) and mean annual days with 0 0 C or lower (-0.704, P < 0.05). Bat species richness exhibited no correlation with ;mnual normal precipitation, January minimum temperatures, July minimum temperatures, and July maximum temperatures. It appears that bat species richness is highest in portions of northeastern Nevada typified by sedimentary deposits (limestone, dolomite). Igneous mountain ranges (basalt, volcanic ash) generally had moderate bat species richness, and metamorphic mountain ranges (quartzite) typically had low bat species richness. Notable range extensions include AlltrozollS pallidus (from central Nye County north to the Nevada-Idaho border, approximately 450 km), Tadurida brasiliensis (approximately 350 km north), and Pipistrellus hesperus (approximately 350 km north). Also, the presence of Lasionycteris noctivagans, Lasiurus cinereus, and Corynorhinus townsendii was confirmed.

1998

work was bat use of Azure Cave, the largest bat hibernaculum in the state and one of the largest in the Pacific Northwest and Northern Rocky Mountains regions. Three rock-shelter caves were also evaluated for bat use. Three hibernation counts in Azure Cave (April 1997 and 1998, November 1998), and two trapping sessions at the mouth of Azure Cave (October 1997, September 1998), were conducted during the study. Counts of hibernating bats in Azure Cave indicated a significant increase since 1978, the first count available for the cave, and the only complete count for the hibernation period. In April 1978, maximum count was 528. Mean counts in April 1997 and 1998 were 1246 and 1120, respectively. Mean count in November 1998 was 1604. Four species of bats were documented in Azure Cave in 1997-1998: Townsend's Big-eared Bat (Corynorhinus townsendii), Big Brown Bat (Eptesicus fuscus), Little Brown Myotis (Myotis lucifugus), Long-legged Myotis (Myotis volans). Most use continues to be by species of Myotis. Two nights of netting in October 1997 at the mouth of Azure Cave resulted in capture of 15 bats of three species: Townsend's Big-eared Bat (1), Big Brown Bat (13), Little Brown Myotis (1). Two of the Big Brown Bats were recaptured males marked at the cave in October 1996. Two nights of netting at the cave in September 1998 resulted in capture of 150 bats of six species: Townsend's Big-eared Bat (2), Big Brown Bat (49), Little Brown Myotis (82), Longlegged Myotis (10), Western Small-footed Myotis (Myotis ciliolabrum) (3), Western Long-eared Myotis (Myotis evotis) (4). One male Big Brown Bat, marked at the cave in October 1996, was present in this sample. Significantly more males were present in netting samples of Big Brown Bat, Little Brown Myotis, and Long-legged Myotis, species for which sample sizes were largest. Within species, especially Little Brown Myotis and Big Brown Bats, mean weights in September were greater than in June or July. For Big Brown bats, weight declined in October, perhaps indicating that late-flying individuals were still attempting to gain fat reserves prior to hibernation. Alternatively, they may have been seeking additional opportunities for mating at the expense of accumulated fat stores. Evidence of bat use was found in two of three rock-shelter caves examined. These caves were shallow (21 m maximum depth), and are most likely used as night roosts. Numerous other limestone pockets and rock-shelter caves, as yet unexamined for bat sign, could be used by bats. Most old mine workings are no longer accessible to bats, but a few could provide significant habitat and merit further examination. Most caves and mines of any size in the Little Rocky Mountains are too cold for use as maternity roosts by bats. To date, seven species of bats (the six previously listed plus the Hoaiy Bat. Lashirus cinereus) have been verified in the Little Rocky Mountains, and an additional species (Silverhaired Bat, Lasionycteris noctivagans) has been reported, based on vocal recordings. A summary of all records for each species is provided. Unauthorized human entiy into Azure Cave, especially if it occurs during the period of occupancy, continues to be a management concern for protection of the bats using the cave as a hibernaculum. Means to improve security of the gate (while maintaining accessibility for bats), and regular visits to Azure Cave to check on gate integrity, should be considered. ni ACKNOWLEDGMENTS This project was made possible through support of the Montana Natural Heritage Programa collaborative effort of The Nature Conservancy and the Natural Resource Information Systemand a Challenge Cost Share agreement with the (former) Lewistown District, Bureau of Land Management. Michelle Williams and Dave Genter secured the initial contract that got this project going. Tim Novotny supervised the supplemental contract that covered the field work reported herein.

1999

were 111e TOost (:ammon~lJe{;ies C"dprnrcd. These sJX~ies art' apparently hroadly dhtributed throughout west central "twada, occurring in a variety ofhabihl.l types. We captured EudenM maculatum at 2 localities. 111est' reprcsclll the 1st l.:nowll records of Ihis species in Esmeralda COlmLy. I\cvada. Mine adits wcn~surveyed for hibernating hats from Dccelllb~r J994, throu~h 1:'cbruary 1905. \\'e determined the presence of 3 hibemating species: C. touJtlsendii, M. ciliolabrum, i111d P. hesperus. Bats were present in 19 of 70 mines (27%) W~surveyed i1t eJeV'"Jtions ranging from 1.500 III to 2460 Ill. C. townsendii walt the most comlllon species eTl("oullh~J1:X.l. Our study provides some mtlch~ne{.'(lcd haseline data on Inll dilitl'.ihuhofl and use of miues for hihernacl.11a in west cent tal Nevada.

The Southwestern Naturalist, 1975

Journal of Fish and Wildlife Management

Bat (Chiroptera) assemblages in the western North America remain understudied despite their importance to ecosystem function and vulnerability to multiple anthropogenic stressors. We present the first large-scale survey of bat fauna in the Black Rock Plateau of northwestern Nevada in the northern Great Basin Desert. Surveys were conducted using both acoustic and mist-net methods, documenting 14 species across 19 sites sampled during a four-night period in August 2016. We surveyed over water sources, usually surrounded by cliff and canyon habitat, in salt desert scrub, sagebrush, and woodland habitats, detecting multiple sensitive bat species (spotted bat Euderma maculatum; little brown bat Myotis lucifugus; canyon bat Parastrellus hesperus) in the canyon habitats of the High Rock region. We analyzed regional species diversity and present the utility of using multiple detection methods to enhance understanding of Chiroptera biodiversity at both local and regional scales. Our results ...

1998

This report was prepared as an account of work s p o r r j o t e d by an agency of the United States Government Neither the United States Government nor any agency thereof, nor any of their employees, makes any warranty, express w implid, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accnracy, compieteacss. or usefulness of any infomation, apparatus, product, or procus discfwed or rrprrjents that its use would not infringe privately owned rights. Reference herein to any spafic commerciai product, process, or semi= by trade name, trademark, inanufactucer, or otherwise docs not necessarily QlllJtifute or imply its dorsement, mornmendktion. or favoring by the United States Gomment or any agency thereof. The views and opinions of authors expressed herein do not lltccssivily state or reflea those of the United States Government or any agency thereof. , DISCLAIMER Portions of this document may be illegible in electronic image products. Images are produced from the best available original document.

2003

The US Geological Survey conducted a bat inventory on the Point Loma peninsula including the Cabrillo National Monument in San Diego County, California from January to September of the year 2002 as part of an effort to begin an inventory/monitoring program of various plant and animal taxa on National Park Service lands. The techniques used to survey for bats during this study included 1) acoustic, including use of electronic broadband zero-crossing type bat detectors and audible listening for bats, 2) visual, including use of spotlights, 3) roost searches, and 4) mistnetting. During the 2002 bat inventory of the Point Loma peninsula four bat species were detected with varying confidence: the Western Red Bat (Lasiurus blossevillii), the Big Brown Bat (Eptesicus fuscus), the Mexican Free-tailed Bat (Tadarida brasiliensis), and the Big Free-tailed Bat (Nyctinomops macrotis). Recommendations for management and long term monitoring of bats were made.

2009