Basic natural history information is lacking for many bats, especially for bats of the Texas Panhandle. We examined community composition, relative abundance, and seasonal activity of bats in Palo Duro Canyon State Park, Texas, using 3 survey methods (mist net, roost surveys, and acoustic monitoring) between July 2006 and May 2009. Twelve species of bats were captured or observed, with the Brazilian free-tailed bat (Tadarida brasiliensis), canyon bat (Parastrellus hesperus), and big brown bat (Eptesicus fuscus) being the most common. Acoustic calls of 2 additional species, most likely the California myotis (Myotis californicus) and big free-tailed bat (Nyctinomops macrotis), were also recorded. The Brazilian free-tailed bat was captured year-round, and an evening bat (Nycticeius humeralis), uncommon in the area, was captured. This study increases our understanding of the occurrence, abundance, and seasonality of bats in the Texas Panhandle.
How to translate text using browser tools
1 May 2013
Bats of Palo Duro Canyon State Park, Texas: Community Composition, Abundance, and Seasonal Activity
Tamera D. H. Riedle,
Raymond S. Matlack
ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE
Western North American Naturalist
Vol. 73 • No. 1
May 2013
Vol. 73 • No. 1
May 2013