Sex-specific foraging habits and roost characteristics of the evening bat (Nycticeius humeralis) in an intensively managed forest in north-central Arkansas

The synergistic effects of white-nose syndrome (WNS) and habitat destruction have caused declines in bat populations throughout eastern North America, deeming knowledge of the spatial-temporal patterns of many bat species increasingly important to conservationists. Although many studies address the roosting ecology of imperiled forest-dwelling bats, little is known about the foraging habits of more abundant, sympatric forest-dependent species. There is even less knowledge pertaining to foraging differences between male and female bats. Therefore, during June-August 2013 and 2014, I evaluated the foraging and roosting habits of the evening bat (Nycticeius humeralis ) in north-central Arkansas, using radio-telemetry. Foraging range size was estimated from bat foraging locations via kernel density and minimum convex polygon methods. Additionally, I measured forest stand characteristics at roost sites and random-paired sites to determine sex-specific diurnal roosting habits. Foraging ranges differed between years and sexes with females exhibiting larger foraging ranges than males. Annual precipitation and resource availability likely contributed to variability between years, and sex-specific energetic requirements or habitat availability likely influenced differences detected between males and females. Also, evening bats, primarily males, used multiple core foraging areas. Likewise, differences in roosting characteristics were detected between sexes at the plot level (but not at the roost level). Specifically, males selected roost sites at lower elevation, with more canopy cover, and a larger tree basal area than females. Results suggest that differences in male and female foraging habits and roosting requirements do exist. Therefore, sex-specific preferences should be more consistently considered in bat studies in order to produce better informed habitat management decisions.