Community ecology of North American bats

PLEASE NOTE: this meeting will be held in the RSM boardroom. Because of the smaller room size, we ask that all wishing to attend register for the event. The speaker will be attending virtually.

The evolution of migration has occurred independently in a variety of taxa, and three North American migratory bats are the hoary (Lasiurus cinereus), silver-haired bat (Lasionycteris noctivagans), and little brown myotis (Myotis lucifugus). 

While all three species are migratory, they are not closely related and exhibit differences in wing morphologies indicative of foraging behaviour. In the Cypress Hills of Saskatchewan, all three species co-occur during the summer pupping season, and we catch them in abundance. We have designed a novel method of monitoring movement, wing morphometrics, collected data on nitrogen and carbon isotopic signatures, and Glucocorticoid (GC) levels to explore if migratory bats separate dietary niches and if potential competition influences physiology. 

Preliminary results indicate that the isotopic niches of hoary and silver-haired bats overlap. Additionally, the GC levels in juvenile silver-haired bats are significantly greater compared to any other group. These results may indicate greater competition between the species, in particular for juvenile silver-haired bats.

Members are welcome to attend in person or virtually.

To attend virtually: a Zoom link will be provided via email to registrants 3 days before the event