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RESEARCH ARTICLE
Contents Vol 46(3)

A long-distance flight of the Pilbara diamond-faced bat (Rhinonicteris aurantia) recorded via an automated VHF radio telemetry system

Christopher George Knuckey A * , Thomas Rasmussen A , Tabitha Rudin A and Scott Reiffer B
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Biologic Environmental Survey, 24-26 Wickham Street, Perth, WA 6004, Australia.

B Rio Tinto, Central Park, 152-158 St Georges Terrace, Perth, WA 6000, Australia.

* Correspondence to: chris@biologicenv.com.au

Handling Editor: Ross Goldingay

Australian Mammalogy 46, AM23055 https://doi.org/10.1071/AM23055
Submitted: 21 December 2023  Accepted: 21 May 2024  Published: 27 June 2024

© 2024 The Author(s) (or their employer(s)). Published by CSIRO Publishing on behalf of the Australian Mammal Society.

Abstract

There is little information on movement and foraging patterns of the Pilbara diamond-faced bat (Rhinonicteris aurantia), which is formally recognised as a major research priority for the species. An automated VHF radio telemetry system was used to track bat movement in the central Hamersley Ranges over 21 days during the dry season. Individuals were confirmed travelling an average of 4.88 km (±6.96) from their roost each night and a cumulative average distance of 7.02 km (±8.70). Notably, a female was recorded traveling ~40 km between two isolated ranges on two consecutive nights, demonstrating the long-range abilities of the species.

Keywords: arid zone ecology, foraging range, microbat, movements, Pilbara leaf-nosed bat, radio tracking, threatened species, VHF tracking, vulnerable bat.

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