Date of Award

2002

Degree Name

Biological Sciences

College

College of Science

Type of Degree

M.S.

Document Type

Thesis

First Advisor

Mary Etta Hight

Second Advisor

Dan Evans

Third Advisor

Tom Pauley

Abstract

Little work has been conducted concerning feeding ecology of bats, and only 2 studies have been done in West Virginia. West Virginia is a prime location for the study of bats because 12 species are reported in the state. To increase knowledge of food habits of bats inhabiting West Virginia, fecal samples of 7 species were examined: Virginia Big-eared Bat (Corynorhinus townsendii virginianus), Rafinesquii’s Big-eared Bat (Corynorhinus rafinesquii), Big Brown Bat (Eptesicus fuscus), Red Bat (Lasiurus borealis), Little Brown Myotis (Myotis lucifugus), Northern Myotis (Myotis septentrionalis), and Eastern Pipistrelle (Pipistrellus subflavus). Collections of samples were made in the eastern mountainous area, the Ohio Valley area, and the New River Gorge area. Biologists with WV Division of Natural Resources (DNR) Nongame Program conducting bat surveys during the 2000 and 2001 summer field seasons (15 May to 15 Aug.) collected the samples used. Fecal pellets were teased apart in petri dishes and insect remains were identified to the lowest taxonomic level possible. After identification, volume and frequency percentages were calculated to estimate major food sources of the bats. With knowledge of diets and feeding ecology, it is possible to make inferences that may be useful in conservation of bats in West Virginia.

Subject(s)

Eastern pipestrelle - West Virginia.

Little brown bat - West Virginia.

Myotis - West Virginia.

Hairy-tailed bats - West Virginia.

Plecotus - Ecology - West Virginia.

Bats - Ecology - West Virginia.

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