The bats (Mammalia : Chiroptera) of the lower Waria Valley, Morobe Province, Papua New Guinea: a survey and comparison across habitat types using mist nets
Jeff Dawson A F , Craig Turner B C , Oscar Pileng A D , Andrew Farmer A , Cara McGary A , Chris Walsh A , Alexia Tamblyn B and Cossey Yosi E
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Coral Cay Conservation, 1st Floor Block, 1 Elizabeth House, 39 York Road, London SW1 7NQ, UK.
B Jaquelin Fisher Associates, 4 Yukon Road, London SW12 9PU, UK.
C Current address: Zoological Society of London, Regents Park, London NW1 4RY, UK.
D FORCERT, Walindi Nature Centre, Talasea Highway, West New Britain Province, Papua New Guinea.
E Papua New Guinea Forest Research Institute, PO Box 314, Lae, Morobe Province, Papua New Guinea.
F Corresponding author. Email: jeffdawson78@gmail.com
Australian Mammalogy 34(2) 234-244 https://doi.org/10.1071/AM11030
Submitted: 5 August 2011 Accepted: 10 February 2012 Published: 8 June 2012
Abstract
From June 2007 to February 2009 the Waria Valley Community Conservation and Sustainable Livelihoods Project completed a mist net survey of bats in the lower Waria Valley, Morobe Province, Papua New Guinea. The Waria Valley is located on the north coast of the Morobe Province ~190 km south-east of Lae, and still has large tracts of intact lowland hill and plain rainforest. Four broad habitats (agricultural, secondary forest edge, primary forest edge and primary forest) were surveyed using mist nets. A total of 596 individuals representing 11 species were caught, measured and identified over 8824 net-m h–1 across 99 nights.
Within the limitations of this method, primary forest edge sites in general showed the highest degree of species richness and diversity and along with secondary forest edge sites were more even in species composition. Primary forest and agricultural sites were each dominated by a single species, Syconycteris australis and Macroglossus minimus respectively. Most captures were megachiropterans and microchiropterans were underrepresented, presumably in part because of the survey method employed.
References
AusAID (2010). Australian Government Overseas Aid. Available at http://www.ausaid.gov.au/country/png/png_intro.cfm [Accessed May 2010]Bergmans, W. (2001). Notes on distribution and taxonomy of Australasian bats. I. Pteropodinae and Nyctimeninae (Mammalia: Megachiroptera: Pteropodidae). Beaufortia 8, 119–152.
Bonaccorso, F. J. (1998). ‘Bats of Papua New Guinea.’ (Conservation International: Washington, DC.)
Bonaccorso, F., Helgen, K. (2008). Paranyctimene raptor. In ‘IUCN (2011) IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.’ Version 2011.1. Available from www.iucnredlist.org
Brooks, T. M., Mittermeier, R. A., da Fonseca, G. A. B., Gerlach, J., Hoffman, M., Lamoreaux, J. F., Mittermeier, C. G., Pilgrim, J. D., and Rodrigues, A. S. L. (2006). Global biodiversity conservation priorities. Science 313, 58–61.
| Global biodiversity conservation priorities.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD28XmsFWisLg%3D&md5=e49a09d202f2e81c9c6e048a0dbad700CAS |
Bryan, J. E., and Shearman, P. L. (comps.) (2008). ‘Papua New Guinea Resource Information System Handbook.’ 3rd edn. (University of Papua New Guinea: Port Moresby.)
Carr, M. R. (1996). ‘PRIMER (Plymouth Routines in Multivariate Ecological Research).’ (Plymouth Marine Laboratory: Plymouth, UK.)
Castro-Arellano, I., Presley, S. J., Saldanha, L. N., Willig, M. R., and Wunderle, J. M. (2007). Effects of reduced impact logging on bat biodiversity in terra firme forest of lowland Amazonia. Biological Conservation 138, 269–285.
| Effects of reduced impact logging on bat biodiversity in terra firme forest of lowland Amazonia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Clarke, P. M., and Warwick, R. M. (1994). ‘Similarity-based Testing for Communities – An Approach to Statistical Analysis and Interpretation.’ (Plymouth Marine Laboratory, Natural Environmental Research Council: Plymouth, UK.)
Clarke, P. M., Pio, D. V., and Racey, P. A. (2005). A comparison of logging systems and bat diversity in the Neotropics. Conservation Biology 19, 1194–1204.
Cox, P. A., Elmqvist, T., Pierson, E. D., and Rainey, W. E. (1992). Flying foxes as pollinators and seed dispersers in Pacific Island ecosystems. In ‘Pacific Island Flying Foxes: Proceedings of an International Conservation Conference’. (Eds D. E. Wilson and G. L. Graham.) pp. 18–23. US Fish and Wildlife Service Biological Report 90(23). (US Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service: Washington, DC.)
Daily, G. C., and Erlich, P. R. (1995). Preservation of biodiversity in small rain-forest patches: rapid evaluations using butterfly trapping. Biodiversity and Conservation 4, 35–55.
| Preservation of biodiversity in small rain-forest patches: rapid evaluations using butterfly trapping.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Fujita, M. S., and Tuttle, M. D. (1991). Flying foxes (Chiroptera: Pteropodidae): threatened animals of key economic importance. Conservation Biology 5, 455–463.
| Flying foxes (Chiroptera: Pteropodidae): threatened animals of key economic importance.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Gibson, J. P., and Wheelwright, N. T. (1995). Genetic structure in a population of a tropical tree Ocotea tenera (Lauraceae): influence of seed dispersal. Oecologia 103, 49–54.
| Genetic structure in a population of a tropical tree Ocotea tenera (Lauraceae): influence of seed dispersal.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Gorresen, P. M., and Willig, M. R. (2004). Landscape responses of bats to habitat fragmentation in Atlantic forest of Paraguay. Journal of Mammalogy 85, 688–697.
| Landscape responses of bats to habitat fragmentation in Atlantic forest of Paraguay.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Halladay, P., and Gilmour, D. A. (1995). ‘Conserving Biodiversity Outside Protected Areas: The Role of Traditional Agro-ecosystems.’ (IUCN: Gland, Switzerland.)
Heaney, L. R., Heideman, P. D., Rickart, E. A., Utzurrum, R. B., and Klompen, J. S. H. (1989). Elevational zonation of mammals in the central Philippines. Journal of Tropical Ecology 5, 259–280.
| Elevational zonation of mammals in the central Philippines.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Helgen, K. M. (2007). A taxonomic and geographic overview of the mammals of Papua. In ‘The Ecology of Papua’. (Eds A. J. Marshall and B. M. Beehler.) pp. 689–749. (Periplus Editions: Singapore.)
Hyde, R. L., Pernetta, J. C., and Sernabe, T. (1984). Exploitation of wild animals. The Research Report of the Simbu Land Use Project, South Simbu Studies in Demography, Nutrition and Subsistence. IASER, Port Moresby.
Ingle, N. R. (1993). Vertical flight stratification of bats in a Philippine rainforest. Asia Life Sciences 2, 215–222.
IUCN (2011). IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2011.1. Available at www.iucnredlist.org. [Accessed November 2011].
Jones, G., Jacobs, D. S., Kunz, T. H., Willig, M. R., and Racey, P. A. (2009). Carpe noctem: the importance of bats as bioindicators. Endangered Species Research 8, 93–115.
| Carpe noctem: the importance of bats as bioindicators.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Kaya, M., Kammesheidt, L., and Wiedelt, H. J. (2002). The forest garden system of Saparua island, central Maluku, Indonesia, and its role in maintaining tree species diversity. Agroforestry Systems 54, 225–234.
| The forest garden system of Saparua island, central Maluku, Indonesia, and its role in maintaining tree species diversity.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Kelm, D. H., Wiesner, K., von Helversen, O., and Veith, M. (2008). Effects of artificial roosts for frugivorous bats on seed dispersal in Neotropical forest pasture mosaic. Conservation Biology 22, 733–741.
| Effects of artificial roosts for frugivorous bats on seed dispersal in Neotropical forest pasture mosaic.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Kingston, T. (2009). Analysis of species diversity of bat assemblages. In ‘Behavioural and Ecological Methods for the Study of Bats’. 2nd edn. (Eds T. H. Kunz and S. Parsons.) pp. 195–215. (Smithsonian Institution Press: Washington, DC.)
Kunz, T. H., and Brock, C. E. (1975). A comparison of mist nets and ultrasonic detectors for monitoring flight activity of bats. Journal of Mammalogy 56, 907–911.
| A comparison of mist nets and ultrasonic detectors for monitoring flight activity of bats.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Kunz, T. H., Thomas, D. W., Richards, G. C., Tidemann, C. R., Piersom, E. D., and Racey, P. A. (1996). Observational techniques for bats. In ‘Measuring and Monitoring Biological Diversity: Standard Methods for Mammals.’ (Eds D. E. Wilson, F. R. Cole, J. D. Nichols, R. Rudran and M. S. Foster.) pp. 105–114. (Smithsonian Institution Press: Washington, DC.)
McAlpine, J. R., Kreig, G., and Falls, R. (1983). ‘Climate of Papua New Guinea.’ (Australian National University Press: Canberra.)
McKean, J. L. (1972). Notes on some collections of bats (Order Chiroptera) from Papua New Guinea and Bourgainville Island. CSIRO Division of Wildlife Research Technical Paper No. 26, 1–35.
Medellín, R. A., Equihua, M., and Amin, M. A. (2000). Bat diversity and abundance as indicators of disturbance in Neotropical rainforests. Conservation Biology 14, 1666–1675.
| Bat diversity and abundance as indicators of disturbance in Neotropical rainforests.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Michon, G., Mary, F., and Bompard, J. (1986). Multistoried agroforestry garden system in West Sumatra, Indonesia. Agroforestry Systems 4, 315–338.
| Multistoried agroforestry garden system in West Sumatra, Indonesia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Mickleburgh, S. P., Hutson, A. M., and Racey, P. A. (1992). ‘Old World Fruit Bats: an Action Plan for their Conservation.’ (IUCN/SSC: Gland, Switzerland.)
Mickleburgh, S. P., Hutson, A. M., and Racey, P. A. (2002). A review of the global conservation status of bats. Oryx 36, 18–34.
| A review of the global conservation status of bats.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Mittermeier, R. A., Myers, N., Thomsen, J. B., da Fonseca, G. A. B., and Olivieri, S. (1998). Biodiversity hotspots and major tropical wilderness areas: approaches to setting conservation priorities. Conservation Biology 12, 516–520.
| Biodiversity hotspots and major tropical wilderness areas: approaches to setting conservation priorities.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
O’Farrell, M. J., and Gannon, W. L. (1999). A comparison of acoustic versus capture techniques for the inventory of bats. Journal of Mammalogy 80, 24–30.
| A comparison of acoustic versus capture techniques for the inventory of bats.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
O’Malley, R., King, R. A., Turner, C. S., Tyler, S., Cummings, M., and Raines, P. S. (2006). The diversity and distribution of the bat fauna (Mammalia, Chiroptera, Megachiroptera) of Danjugan Island Cauayan, Negros Occidental, Philippines (with notes on the Microchiroptera). Biodiversity and Conservation 15, 43–56.
| The diversity and distribution of the bat fauna (Mammalia, Chiroptera, Megachiroptera) of Danjugan Island Cauayan, Negros Occidental, Philippines (with notes on the Microchiroptera).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Pattiselanno, F. (2003). Some fruit bats (Chiroptera, Pteropodidae) of the Mamberamo River Basin, West Papua, Indonesia. Asia Life Sciences 12, 45–56.
Payne, J., Francis, C. M., and Phillipps, K. (1985). ‘A Field Guide to the Mammals of Borneo.’ (The Sabah Society: Kuala Lumpar, Malaysia.)
Pierson, E. D. (1998). Tall trees, deep holes and scarred landscapes: conservation biology of North American bats. In ‘Bat Biology and Conservation’. (Eds T. H. Kunz and P. A. Racey.) pp. 309–325. (University of Chicago Press: Chicago, IL.)
PNG Forest Products Pty Ltd (1996). Volume F. Summary of environmental investigation into Morobe timber resource area. PNG Forest Products Pty Ltd, Bulolo, Papua New Guinea.
Rainey, W. E. (1998). Conservation of bats on remote Indo-Pacific islands. In ‘Bat Biology and Conservation’. (Eds T. H. Kunz and P. A. Racey.) pp. 326–341. (Smithsonian Institution Press: Washington, DC.)
Sampaio, E. M., Kalko, E. K. V., Bernard, E., Rodríguez-Herrera, B., and Handley, C. O. (2003). A biodiversity assessment of bats (Chiroptera) in a tropical lowland rainforest of central Amazonia, including methodological and conservation considerations. Studies on Neotropical Fauna and Environment 38, 17–31.
| A biodiversity assessment of bats (Chiroptera) in a tropical lowland rainforest of central Amazonia, including methodological and conservation considerations.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Scheiner, S. M., and Willig, M. R. (2005). Developing unified theories in ecology as exemplified by diversity gradients. American Naturalist 166, 458–469.
| Developing unified theories in ecology as exemplified by diversity gradients.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Schulze, M. D., Seavy, N. E., and Whitacre, D. F. (2000). A comparison of the phyllostomid bat assemblages in undisturbed Neotropical forest and in forest fragments of a slash-and-burn farming mosaic in Petén, Guatemala. Biotropica 32, 174–184.
Sedlock, J. L. (2001). Inventory of insectivorous bats on Mount Makiling, Philippines using echolocation call signatures and a new tunnel trap. Acta Chiropterologica 3, 163–178.
Shearman, P. L., Bryan, J. E., Ash, J., Hunnam, P., Mackey, B., and Lokes, B. (2008). The state of the forests of Papua New Guinea. Mapping the extent and condition of forest cover and measuring the drivers of forest change in the period 1972–2002. University of Papua New Guinea, 2008.
Srivastava, D. S., and Lawton, J. H. (1998). Why more productive sites have more species: an experimental test of theory using tree-hole communities. American Naturalist 152, 510–529.
| Why more productive sites have more species: an experimental test of theory using tree-hole communities.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DC%2BD1cnit1ynsw%3D%3D&md5=b689422630643c22dca9bfff2b2262b7CAS |
Tamblyn, A., Turner, C. S., Dray, R., and Raines, P. S. (2003). The bats (Mammalia, Chiroptera) of the Upper Imbang–Caliban Watershed, North Negros Forest Reserve, Negros Occidental, Philippines. Silliman Journal 44, 100–116.
Vandermeer, J., and Perfecto, I. (1997). The agroecosystem: a need for the conservation biologist’s lens. Conservation Biology 11, 591–592.
| The agroecosystem: a need for the conservation biologist’s lens.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Willig, M. R., Presley, S. J., Bloch, C. P., Hise, C. L., Yanovlak, S. P., Díaz, M. M., Chauca, L. A., Pacheco, V., and Weaver, S. C. (2007). Phyllostomid bats of lowland Amazonia: effects of habitat alteration on abundance. Biotropica 39, 737–746.
| Phyllostomid bats of lowland Amazonia: effects of habitat alteration on abundance.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Wright, D. D., Balagawi, S., Raga, T. T., and Ipu, R. T. (1998). Mammals. In ‘A Biological Assessment of the Lakekamu Basin, Papua New Guinea. Rapid Assessment Program Working Papers 9’. (Ed. A. L. Mack.) pp. 67–71. (Conservation International.)
