thumbnail

Gray bats and pollution in Missouri and northern Alabama

Bat Research News
By: , , , , and 

Links

  • The Publications Warehouse does not have links to digital versions of this publication at this time
  • Download citation as: RIS | Dublin Core

Abstract

Gray bats died with lethal brain concentrations of dieldrin and rising levels of heptachlor epoxide in 1976, 1977, and 1978 at Bat Caves No. 2-3, Franklin County, Missouri. The colony disappeared in 1979. Dieldrin was banned in 1974 and 1981 was the last year for heptachlor use in Missouri. The State is recommendiing three organophosphates (chlorpyrifos or Dursban, dyfonate or Fonophos, and ethoprop or Mocap) as substitutes for heptachlor. All three compounds have excellent records in the environment. Analyses of insects collected where bats of this colony fed showed beetles, particularly rove beetles (Staphylinidae), to be the most heavily contaminated part of the bat's diet. Lactation concentrated these residues so that levels in milk were approximately 30 times those in the insect diet. Gray bats found dead in caves in northern Alabama showed DDD (a DDT derivative) contamination. Bats from the colony at Cave Springs Cave on the Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge contained up to 29 ppm DDD in their brains, but this is probably less than one-half the lethal level. Bats from other colonies contained less. The DDD contamination enters the Terinessee River just above the Wheeler Refuge and is seen in gray bat colonies as far as 60 miles downriver.

Suggested Citation

Clark, D.R., Bunck, C., Cromartie, E., LaVal, R.K., Tuttle, M., 1981, Gray bats and pollution in Missouri and northern Alabama: Bat Research News, v. 22, no. 4, p. 35-36(abs).

Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Gray bats and pollution in Missouri and northern Alabama
Series title Bat Research News
Volume 22
Issue 4
Year Published 1981
Language English
Contributing office(s) Patuxent Wildlife Research Center
Description 35-36 (abstract)
Larger Work Type Article
Larger Work Subtype Journal Article
Larger Work Title Bat Research News
First page 35
Last page 36(abs)
Additional publication details