Diet of Myotis ciliolabrum from six sites in the southwestern United States

Western North American Naturalist
By: , and 

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Abstract

With bat populations declining in many parts of the world, detailed life history information will be critical for assessing vulnerabilities of bat populations and associated trophic effects. Myotis ciliolabrum (western small-footed bat) is a species of insectivorous bat distributed from the Great Plains to the Pacific Coast and from British Columbia to Central Mexico. The species is spottily distributed within this wider range but is locally abundant in areas containing appropriate rocky habitat. Despite M. ciliolabrum being relatively common, little information is available about its feeding ecology. Earlier studies have suggested that skull morphology can be used to determine whether insectivorous bats select for soft- or hard-bodied prey, but we hypothesized that M. ciliolabrum may feed opportunistically on a variety of insect types. To test this hypothesis, we examined the feeding habits of western small-footed bats captured during 2000–2022 at 6 national parks and 1 national conservation area across the Southwest. Visual analysis of prey remains in guano revealed that western small-footed bats within our study area consumed insects belonging to 7 orders (Lepidoptera, Coleoptera, Hymenoptera, Hemiptera, Neuroptera, Diptera, and Odonata) and 20 families. Diet varied over time and across geographic space, though we observed a general trend in which the orders Lepidoptera, Coleoptera, and Hymenoptera were consumed at the highest volumes. This varied diet indicates opportunistic feeding in which M. ciliolabrum makes use of locally abundant resources.

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Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Diet of Myotis ciliolabrum from six sites in the southwestern United States
Series title Western North American Naturalist
DOI 10.3398/064.084.0205
Volume 84
Issue 2
Year Published 2024
Language English
Publisher Brigham Young University
Contributing office(s) Fort Collins Science Center
Description 9 p.
First page 210
Last page 218
Country United States
State Colorado, New Mexico, Texas
Other Geospatial Capulin Volcano National Monument, Chaco Culture National Historical Park, El Malpais National Monument and El Malpais National Conservation Area, Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Mesa Verde National Park, Pecos National Historical Park
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