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1 March 2003 SPECIES DIVERSITY, REPRODUCTION, AND SEX RATIOS OF BATS IN MANAGED PINE FOREST LANDSCAPES OF MISSISSIPPI
Darren A. Miller
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Abstract

Information on bat diversity, reproduction, and sex ratios in the southeastern United States is limited, particulary in managed pine (Pinus spp.) forests. Such information is needed if regional forest managers are to consider bats within their overall management plans. Therefore, I mist-netted over water to document bat species richness, diversity, reproduction, and sex ratios in landscapes of managed loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) forests of eastern Mississippi from late April to early September, 1998–2000. In 53 survey nights, I captured 284 bats of six species [eastern red bat (Lasiurus borealis), evening bat (Nycticeius humeralis), Seminole bat (L. seminolus), eastern pipistrelle (Pipistrellus subflavus), hoary bat (L. cinereus), and southeastern myotis (Myotis austroriparius)]. Simpson's diversity index was 0.36 for all years combined. Managed pine forest landscapes in this study appeared to provide suitable habitat for bats. Overall, 84% of captured female bats displayed reproductive activity, indicating that habitat quality was likely sufficient for successful reproduction. Sex ratios for red bats and eastern pipistrelles changed from male-dominated as juveniles to female-dominated as adults. Seminole bats displayed sex ratios skewed toward females as juveniles and adults. Evening bat sex ratios were skewed toward females as juveniles, but nearly even between sexes as adults. Future surveys should include simultaneous recording of bat echolocation calls, bridge surveys, and winter surveys to determine how managed pine forest landscapes contribute to conservation of bat communities in the southeastern United States.

Darren A. Miller "SPECIES DIVERSITY, REPRODUCTION, AND SEX RATIOS OF BATS IN MANAGED PINE FOREST LANDSCAPES OF MISSISSIPPI," Southeastern Naturalist 2(1), 59-72, (1 March 2003). https://doi.org/10.1656/1528-7092(2003)002[0059:SDRASR]2.0.CO;2
Published: 1 March 2003
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