Selection of foraging habitat by female little brown bats (Myotis lucifugus)

摘要: Characterizing habitat use is a key component to quantifying the niche, ecological interactions, and conservation needs of species. Habitat selection disproportionate types, whereby animals select higher-quality habitats within landscape mosaic. For insectivorous bats, foraging likely due variation between types in distribution abundance prey, as well differences how effectively bats can move through, forage in, different landscapes. Due their cryptic nature rapid nocturnal flight, detailed knowledge about fine-scale bat species lacking. We used data-logging telemetry receivers assess by little brown bat, Myotis lucifugus, Badlands Missouri River Valley North Dakota. Bats were captured at maternity roosts, fitted with radiotransmitters, tracked for 11 nights each site. was assessed based on ratios available proportions habitat, which characterized terms both composition structure. Eigenanalysis further evaluate individual selection. Foraging female M. lucifugus primarily selected edge nearby water sources. Pregnant edges bordering grass or herbaceous habitats. Lactating close proximity roost. Selection resources lactating under constraints nursing consistent previous studies. While there ecologically trends across individuals varied some aspects