Spatiotemporal and demographic variation in the diet of New Zealand lesser short‐tailed bats (Mystacina tuberculata)

摘要: Variation in the diet of generalist insectivores can be affected by site‐specific traits including weather, habitat, and season, as well demographic such reproductive status age. We used molecular methods to compare diets three distinct New Zealand populations lesser short‐tailed bats, Mystacina tuberculata. Summer were compared between a southern cold‐temperate (Eglinton) northern population (Puroera). Winter Pureora subtropical offshore island (Hauturu). This also permitted seasonal comparisons within population. Lepidoptera Diptera accounted for >80% MOTUs identified from fecal matter at each site/season. The proportion orders represented prey Simpson diversity index, differed sites seasons For population, value index was higher summer than winter Eglinton. Eglinton samples revealed that juvenile appeared more diverse other groups. Lactating females had lowest dietary during Pureora. In Hauturu, we found significant negative relationship mean ambient temperature richness. Our data suggest M. tuberculata incorporate narrower terrestrial insects previously reported. provides novel insights into foraging behavior ecological interactions different habitats. study is first Southern Hemisphere use techniques examine spatiotemporal variation insectivore inhabits contiguous range with several habitat types climates.