Roost selection by noctules (Nyctalus noctula) and Daubenton's bats (Myotis daubentonii)

Abstract

Roost selection by tree roosting noctules Nyctalus noctula and Daubenton's bats Myotis daubentonii was determined by comparing roost characteristics with the characteristics of randomly chosen tree cavities in the area. The following parameters were determined for 81 noctule roosts and 27 Daubenton's bat roosts: tree species, type of cavity (woodpecker or natural), entrance height, compass direction of entrance and distance to the edge of the wood. Roost choice of both bat species was similar except that Daubenton's bats used woodpecker cavities less than noctules. Both bat species were selective in their roost choice. Daubenton's bats preferred oaks over beeches, and noctules preferred woodpecker cavities over natural cavities, indicating dependence on woodpeckers. Both bat species preferred to roost close to the edge of the wood. Roosting close to the edge of the wood may reduce commuting¯ight costs for both species or may be preferable for thermoregulatory reasons.

Variability of foraging and roosting activities in adult females of Daubenton’s bat (Myotis daubentonii) in different seasons

“…Rieger 1996;Boonman 2000;Encarnação et al 2005). As observed throughout forty years of extensive research (Lučan et al 2009), Daubenton's bats in the study area use almost exclusively cav-ities excavated by woodpeckers.…”

A Prospective Power Analysis and Review of Habitat Characteristics Used in Studies of Tree-Roosting Bats

“…Finally, we identified 25 published studies that met desired habitat comparison requirements, and were used in calculating power analyses. These include (in alphabetical order): Barclay et al (1988), Betts (1996Betts ( , 1998, Boonman (2000), Brigham et al (1997), Callahan et al (1997), Campbell et al (1996), Crampton and Barclay (1998), Cryan et al (2001), Foster and Kurta (1999), Grindal (1999), Hutchinson and Lacki (2000), Lacki and Schwierjohann (2001), Lunney et al (1995), Mattson et al (1996), Menzel et al (1998), Ormsbee and McComb (1998), Rabe et al (1998), Sasse and Pekins (1996), O'Donnell (1999a, 1999b), Vonhof (1996), Vonhof and Barclay (1996), Waldien et al (2000), and Weller and Zabel (2001). For each paper we determined the number of habitat characteristics quantified, number of habitat characteristics found to be significant, whether nominal (i.e., categorical) habitat characteristics were examined, and whether habitat characteristics were tested using a multivariate approach, tested separately, or both.…”

The sensory basis of roost finding in a forest bat,Nyctalus noctula

“…Noctules are fast, agile but not very manoeuvrable bats (Norberg, 1987) who forage for insects in open space. Throughout the summer, and even for hibernation, noctules depend on tree cavities as roosts (Ryberg, 1947;Boonman, 2000;Baschta, 2004;Gebhard and Bogdanowicz, 2004). While numerous studies have addressed the sensory basis of prey detection in bats (e.g.…”