Capture and care of northern long-eared bats (Nyctophilus bifax) and seasonal changes in insect abundance
Clare Stawski
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
Centre for Behavioural and Physiological Ecology, Zoology, University of New England, Armidale, NSW 2351, Australia. Present address: Institute of Environmental Sciences, Jagiellonian University, ul. Gronostajowa 7, 30-387, Kraków, Poland. Email: clare.stawski@gmail.com
Australian Mammalogy 34(2) 245-250 https://doi.org/10.1071/AM11043
Submitted: 16 June 2011 Accepted: 10 February 2012 Published: 25 May 2012
Abstract
Seasonal capture rates of insectivorous subtropical and tropical Australian northern long-eared bats (Nyctophilus bifax) (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) in relation to ambient temperature and insect abundance were examined. Insect abundance varied seasonally in a subtropical region and also between subtropical and tropical habitats during winter, and decreased as nightly ambient temperature decreased. While capture rates of N. bifax were not affected by ambient temperatures and insect abundance, most captures occurred within one hour after sunset, which is generally the time of highest activity levels in microbats. Methods of care of N. bifax in captivity are also reported. N. bifax adapted well to short-term captivity (up to 14 days) and readily accepted mealworms as a food source.
Additional keywords: flight tent, light traps, mist nets
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