Abstract
From 1992–1996, 3204 artificial roosts of 9 types were placed in woodlots near Indianapolis International Airport in an effort to provide habitat for the federally-endangered Indiana myotis (Myotis sodalis) and to determine the feasibility of using these structures to manage bats in a rapidly developing suburban area. We surveyed these structures at least annually during 1992–1999 and found only northern myotis (Myotis septentrionalis) regularly using the structures. Four other species were occasionally found using structures including big brown bats (Eptesicus fuscus, n = 14 individuals), little brown myotis (Myotis lucifugus, n = 2), Indiana myotis (Myotis sodalis, n = 2), and one silver-haired bat (Lasionycteris noctivagans). Single, triple, and Missouri-style batboxes were almost always used, rather than the six other types of experimental roosts that had been in place. However, after 10 years in place, it appears that Indiana bats are acclimated to boxes, as 6 of them were being used rather regularly by Indiana myotis. Bat boxes can provide roosting habitat for some species under conditions where few suitable roosts exist, but assuring an abundance of natural habitats is usually more desirable for conservation of tree-roosting bats.
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Acknowledgments
The authors are indebted to the Indianapolis International Airport and the Indianapolis Airport Authority for funding and for other support during the course of this project. Work was done under animal use and care permit 09-13-04. Particular thanks are extended to E. Roberts for initiation of the project and to M. Brethauer for help and support throughout the study. S. Pruitt, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, supported the concept of a large-scale study of structures for their potential benefit for conservation of the Indiana bat. J. L. Chew, B. L. Emery, J. K. Farrell, B. J. Foster, C. L. Gummer, S. L. Gummer, J. A. Laborda, M. T. Slater, E. R. Stinson, and W. A. Ulrey participated in data collection. At initiation of the study, J. MacGregor shared with us his attempts to use a variety of structures to attract roosting bats in Daniel Boone National Forest. An earlier draft of this manuscript benefited from the comments of T. C. Carter and an anonymous reviewer.
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Whitaker, J.O., Sparks, D.W. & Brack, V. Use of Artificial Roost Structures by Bats at the Indianapolis International Airport. Environmental Management 38, 28–36 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00267-005-0117-2
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00267-005-0117-2