Date of Award
2015
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Department
Biology
Abstract
Bats are highly social, but the study of bat social behavior was limited until recently due to technological limitations. Most of bat behavior is imperceptible to our senses, including both their use of ultrasound and their nocturnal activities. During the maternity seasons (May-August) of 2013 and 2014 near Plainfield, Indiana, we recorded Indiana bat (Myotis sodalis) roost site behaviors with emergence count observation, video (Sony Nightshot HandyCams and IR lights), and acoustic detectors (Pettersson D500X ultrasonic detectors). The objective of this study was to compile a catalog of observable and acoustic behaviors seen at M. sodalis day roost sites. We detected 29 specific types of observable behavior, and 6 types of acoustic behavior. The documented behaviors include observable behaviors similar to those categorized as "checking behavior" and acoustic behaviors seen in contexts of agonistic, echolocation, infant isolation, and disturbance in little brown bats (Myotis lucifugus). These are some of the first systematic observations of social behavior for M. sodalis. Understanding behaviors in these highly social bats is crucial to gaining a full understanding of their life cycle and daily requirements.
Recommended Citation
Byrne, Caroline M., "Social Behaviors Of Indiana Bats (Myotis Sodalis) At Day Roost Sites" (2015). All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 2064.
https://scholars.indianastate.edu/etds/2064