Springtime movements, boost Use, and foraging activity of Townsend's big-eared bat ( Plecotus townsendii ) in central Oregon

Seasonal movements, roost-site fidelity, and foraging activity patterns are largely unknown for western populations of Townsend's big-eared bat ( Plecotus townsendii ). We used miniature radiotelemetry units to track springtime movements of six bats inhabiting forested lava flows in central Oregon, and found that bats moved up to 24 km from hibernacula to foraging areas. Individual bats returned to the same foraging area on successive nights but shifted to different areas in presumed response to changes in insect availability. Both sexes apparently use a series of interim roost sites between emergence from hibernation and the time females enter into maternity colonies, with little individual fidelity to these sites. In regions characterized by extensive lava-flow topography, suitable daytime roosts are numerous and dispersed over a large area, allowing bats to move relatively great distances to locate foraging ranges. Hence, the actual area of concern for effective management of individual populations can be considerably larger than indicated solely by locations of hibernacula and maternity caves of this declining species.     

Local distribution and foraging behavior of the spotted bat ( Euderma maculatum ) in worthwestern Colorado and adjacent Utah

This study investigated local distribution and foraging behavior of the spotted bat ( Euderma maculatum ) in Dinosaur National Monument, Colorado-Utah, by monitoring audible echolocation calls. The occurrence of this species was verified in a variety of habitat types in canyon bottoms and other relatively low elevation sites, indicating that the animals were widely distributed and locally common in the area. Foraging spotted bats concentrated flight activity in the open-air space above meadows occasionally exploited near-canopy habitat (within 8 m of foliage). Bats began to forage shortly after dark, and activity levels were relatively constant throughout the night. Foraging spotted bats attacked airborne prey every 2.15 min on average. Consistent with published observations, spotted bats maintained exclusive foraging areas. Distinct vocalizations indicating agonistic encounters occurred when a bat encroached on the foraging area of a conspecific.     

Diel separation of Afrotropical dung beetle guilds—avoiding competition and neglecting resources (Coleoptera: Scarabaeoidea)

Dung beetle guilds of different competitive level coexist at high abundances in the forest–savanna mosaic of Ivory Coast. A total of 25?875 specimens was recorded from 90 samples of fresh buffalo dung exposed for 4-h periods over the day in the Parc National de la Comoé. Redundancy analyses show different patterns of the guild structure determined by time of day, and positive correlations of guild abundance with temperature. The competitively superior telecoprids (rollers) have their abundance peak at midday when the high temperatures presumably enable them to perform their energetically costly rolling behaviour at greater speed. The competitively intermediate paracoprids (tunnellers) and the competitively inferior endocoprids (dwellers) have their peak around dusk when: (1) the superior competitors are not active, and (2) they can easily synchronize their flight activity using light intensity changes. During the two peaks of flight activity of the dung beetles, their abundance at the resource is very high, causing obvious competition. On the other hand, the resource is hardly used between 22:00?h and 10:00?h. This is probably due to physiological constraints (high optimum temperature required for the diurnal species and dependence on light intensity patterns as a flight trigger of the nocturnal species, respectively). Shifting flight activity to these periods of low competition does not occur, resulting in a unequal level of competition over the day, thus periods of considerable competition within dung beetle assemblages alternate with vacant temporal refuges.     

Morphological changes during postnatal growth and reproduction in the brown long-eared bat Plecotus auritus: implications for wing loading and predicted flight performance

Patterns of postnatal growth, and changes in mass and wing loading during reproduction were studied in captive free-flying brown long-eared bats (Plecotus auritus, Linnaeus, 1758). The bats were fed on noctuid moths occasionally supplemented with mealworms. Growth in body mass was best described by the von Bertalanffy model (n = 5 individuals), while growth in forearm length, wingspan and wing area, were best described by the logistic equation (n = 5 individuals). Because the wings developed more rapidly than body mass, wing loading decreased from high levels following birth to a minimum at around 30 days of age. Predicted mechanical power requirements for flight (minimum power P_mp and maximum range power P_mr) and the corresponding flight speeds (V_mp and V_mr) as well as the minimum theoretical radius of a banked turn (r_min) also reached minima at this time. At 30 days of age juveniles could fly with lower predicted power requirements and were more manoeuvrable (could fly more slowly at minimum power and make tighter turns) than adults. These minima corresponded to the time when juveniles first left the roost box to fly. Reproductive females (n = 6) displayed a near two-fold increase in body mass and wing loading over 50 days prior to birth. This resulted in a three-fold increase in the predicted mechanical power requirements for flight (P_mp and P_mr), and a decrease in predicted flight manoeuvrability. Non-reproductive individuals (n = 22) had a similar pattern but increased in body mass and wing loading to a lesser extent. Over days 1 to 40 postpartum, both mass and wing loading declined in lactating females, but continued to increase in the non-reproductive bats.     

The varied foraging mode of the subtropical eublepharid gecko Goniurosaurus kuroiwae orientalis

Insectivorous lizards usually employ one of two foraging modes, ambush ‘sit-and-wait’ or active ‘widely foraging’, but in the Gekkonomorpha the situation has been unclear. Therefore we quantified the foraging mode of the eublepharid gecko Goniurosaurus kuroiwae orientalis on Tokashikijima near Okinawajima, Japan, in September 1999. The taxon is rare, endangered and protected. On the selected semi-urban study site the gecko was confirmed as a nocturnal cursorial gecko, which also ascends trees up to 1.8 m. Foraging regimes of marked individuals, during repeated 30-min observation periods, could vary from immobility throughout, to active locomotion 84% of the time. Foraging mode was not significantly affected by sex, body length, mass or state of tail regeneration of the individuals, or by the timing of the observation. In males, at higher temperatures single moves became longer, while time allocated to moving was stable. In both sexes longer observation bouts included longer sitting pauses, which, given stable move duration, reduced the share of time spent moving and the moves per minute. Goniurosaurus kuroiwae orientalis averaged moving during 23% of the time, moving 0.39 times per minute, the moves lasting 77 s and the pauses lasting 745 s. Compared to other geckos, G. k. orientalis may be defined as a widely foraging animal, despite its mixed behaviour. This result supports the definition of the Eublepharidae as widely foraging and is compatible with two hypotheses, that early Gekkonomorpha were widely foraging or that they had an intermediate, undefined, foraging mode.     

New records of bats (Chiroptera: Mammalia) from Malawi,east-central Africa,with an assessment of their status and conservation

This paper reports 97 new species-locality records of bats from Malawi. Of particular interest are four species of bats (Rhinolophus swinnyi, Triaenops persicus, Eptesicus flavescens, Tadarida nigeriae) which have not been recorded previously from Malawi. The relative status of bats in Malawi was estimated and the species were placed in five categories ranging from ‘rarely-recorded’ to ‘very commonly-recorded’. Of the 59 species of bats known to occur in Malawi, 28 are rarely-recorded in Malawi. The relative status and species-locality records of bats were analysed to assess which species, and which localities, need special conservation effort. Seventeen species which are rare throughout their ranges in Africa as well as being rarely-recorded or seldom-recorded in Malawi, are considered to require special effort. Checklists of bats are given for 11 localities, including Liwonde NP in the Upper Shire Valley (29 spp.), two localities on the Shire Highlands (28, 22 spp.), Thyolo on the boundary between the Shire Highlands and Phalombe Plain (22 spp.), and Chiromo in the Lower Shire valley (30 spp.), which have particularly rich bat faunas. Localities in need of urgent conservation effort include Ntchisi FR in the Central Region, and Chiromo. Ninety-two percent of the species of bats known to occur in Malawi have been recorded from the Southern Region. Most of these species will probably continue to survive in southern Malawi provided that the National Parks (especially Liwonde NP) are maintained and well-managed, and there is no further destruction of the indigenous vegetation at Chiromo and Thyolo, and on the Shire Highlands.     

Distribution, foraging behaviour, and capture results of the spotted bat ( Euderma maculatum ) in central Oregon

The spotted bat ( Euderma maculatum ) has been virtually unknown in Oregon despite the existence of potential habitat in many areas of the state. In 2002 and 2003 we searched for spotted bats along the John Day, Deschutes, and Crooked Rivers and at a remote dry canyon southeast of the city of Bend in central Oregon. The species was documented through the use of mist-nets, a bat detector, and recognition of audible spotted bat calls. Spotted bats were found at 11 locations in 6 Oregon counties. Nightly activity patterns of spotted bats were unpredictable. Spotted bats were found in 78% of search areas but on only 48% of survey nights. We observed spotted bats foraging above fields and low upland slopes adjacent to rivers and creeks and along the rims of cliffs. Estimated flying heights of spotted bats ranged from 3 m to 50 m aboveground. The species was difficult to capture and was captured only after considerable experimentation with methods and materials. Three spotted bats were captured toward the end of the project in 2003 and accounted for only 0.5% of all bats captured during the study. Although we attached radio transmitters to 2 spotted bats, we found no roost locations. We believe additional spotted bat surveys in Oregon are warranted, especially in higher-elevation habitats, but recommend that to increase their effectiveness, surveys accommodate the unique foraging behavior of the species.     

New distributional records for spotted bat ( Euderma maculatum ) in Wyoming

Before 1990 the spotted bat ( Euderma maculatum ) was known in Wyoming from only 2 records. Between June 1994 and May 1997 we documented habitat use and observations incidental to conducting a bat inventory of caves and abandoned mines. By monitoring audible echolocation calls, we observed bats at mist-netting sites. Spotted bats were heard or captured on 13 nights at 10 locations, all of which were near canyons or high cliff faces. No foraging habitat preferences were noted. E. maculatum occurrence appears to be related to roost structure, roost availability, and proximity to a permanent water source.     

The green June beetle (Cotinis nitida) (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae): local variation in the beetle’s major avian predators and in the competition for mates

The green June beetle (Cotinis nitida) was observed in northern Virginia for a second and third flight season. The study yielded some results that were consistent with earlier findings, namely that mate-locating beetles were vulnerable to attack by avian predators and matings occurred primarily early in the flight season. Novel findings included the following: (1) blue jays (Cyanocitta cristata) were the major predators, not common grackles (Quiscalus quiscala), (2) some jays appeared to selectively prey on female beetles, (3) competition for mates among male beetles could be so intense that some males attempted to copulate with already mated (unreceptive) females, and (4) the sex ratio of the beetle population feeding on wild blackberries remained near equality late in the flight season despite the fact that the sex ratio of the population of beetles at the emergence site became highly female-biased over time.     

Natural history and ecology of foraging of the Camponotus crassus Mayr, 1862 (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

ABSTRACT

Ants are abundant in terrestrial ecosystems, especially in the Brazilian Cerrado, where they can play several roles at different levels of the food chain, including protection of plants against herbivores. Although there are many studies that evaluate the ant–plant interaction in the Cerrado, little is known about the natural history of most species of ants. Camponotus crassus Mayr, 1862, for example, is considered one of the main agents of plant biotic defence in Cerrado. But there are no studies specifically focused on this species, which hinders the understanding of how arthropod–plant interactions are structured in Cerrado. Here, we describe the natural history and ecology of the foraging of the C. crassus. We conducted the study from January 2013 to December 2014 in 10 quadrants of 40 m² to measure: the abundance, density and distribution of nests, location of the nests, the internal structure of the nests, the daily foraging of workers out of the nest, the food items they collect and the existence of territoriality and dominance of the workers on the soil and vegetation. We found 18 nests, 13 in the soil and 5 in hollow trunks on the ground with variable internal structures. The distribution of nests is aggregate, with density of 0.045 nests/m² and average distance of 3.73 m between nests. The foraging activity occurs on the daytime during the rainy and dry season. Extrafloral nectar and honeydew were the resources most collected, comprising 83.33% of the resources in the rainy period and 30% in the dry period. Camponotus crassus is a dominant species, especially on vegetation, although it also forages on the soil. This is the first study to evaluate in detail the natural history and foraging ecology of C. crassus, a diurnal, aggressive and territorial ant that mainly forage climbing onto the plants.     

Bats from the Solomon Islands

Summary

This paper reports bats obtained in the Solomon Islands by the Oxford University (Department of Zoology) Expedition to the Solomon Islands, 1953, and by the Royal Society British Solomon Islands Protectorate Expedition, 1965. Some range extensions among the islands are recorded : more notably, Emballonura dianae and Miniopterus tristis are recorded from the Solomons for the first time. Further specimens of Hipposideros dinops and Hipposideros diadena demissus are recorded and a brief review of the species of Miniopterus in Australasia has been made.     

Biology of a nocturnal bee,Megalopta atra (Hymenoptera: Halictidae; Augochlorini), from the Panamanian highlands

Bees of the genus Megalopta have gained attention as a result of their social nesting and nocturnal foraging. Seventeen nests of Meglaopta atra from the highlands of Chiriqui Province, Panama, were collected at the end of the dry season when brood rearing is expected to be at its peak. Most nests contained single females; within multifemale nests only one female possessed enlarged ovarioles, although some non‐reproductive individuals were inseminated. In two of these nests reproductive individuals were clearly larger in body size than nestmates, but body size variation and macrocephaly were equivalent to those found in other Neotropical augochlorines. There was no evidence of a non‐reproductive worker‐like caste and multifemale nests did not appear to be more productive than solitary nests, which may represent pre‐reproductive assemblages. Megalopta atra appears to be isolated by altitude from co‐geners common in Panama, this is discussed in comparison with temperate halictine bees, in which environmental clines separate solitary from social populations.     

Influence of water size and type on bat captures in the lower Sonoran Desert

We compared bat use by mist-netting at 4 different types of wildlife water developments in southwestern Arizona during summer 2000 and 2001. Scaling our results by netting effort, we caught bats more frequently and observed higher species diversity at tinajas (modified natural rock pools) with larger open-water area compared with ""guzzler"" type water developments that had less open water and more obstacles to bat flight. We caught the fewest bats at guzzlers with buried concrete vault drinkers, which impede bat access and have the smallest areas of open water. Water development designs that minimize evaporative water loss by reducing the amount of open water apparently reduce use by bats in this area.     

In situ observations on behaviour of the ommastrephid squid genus Illex (Cephalopoda: Ommastrephidae) in the northwestern Atlantic

We compiled observations of ommastrephid squid of the genus Illex, primarily Illex illecebrosus from archived submarine video footage recorded during dives off Cape Hatteras and New England, and in the Gulf of Mexico. Based on the behaviour observed, we derived a partial in situ ethogram, or catalogue of the body patterns and behaviour. In total, 36 components were observed: 16 chromatic components (5 light and 11 dark), 10 postural components and 10 locomotor components. Co-occurrence analyses were used to show that specific sets of components occurred together either more or less often than they would if chosen at random. In addition, some of the components were observed occurring during specific behaviours, such as bottom sitting, hunting, or schooling. Such observations by submersibles also provide very precise, although incomplete, records of depth distribution. We summarize the depths and altitudes above bottom of these observations by time of day. Most of the squid were observed near bottom at depths of about 200–900 m. The deepest depths observed were during daytime and the shallowest during the evening. However, individuals were observed as much as 1000 m above the bottom during daytime whereas others were on or near the bottom in deep water during the evening.     

Ant–herbivore interactions in an extrafloral nectaried plant: are ants good plant guards against curculionid beetles?

Extrafloral nectary drinking ants are known as effective plant guards, but some herbivores may circumvent ant attacks by foraging on different plant parts or presenting adaptations to avoid ant predation. Here we experimentally investigated the effect of Camponotus blandus on the florivory of the extrafloral nectaried shrub Banisteriopsis malifolia; and a possible spatial segregation between ants and herbivores (leaves and flowers). Flower buds are attacked by Anthonomus weevils. Results revealed no significant influence of C. blandus on the reduction of florivory. Adult Anthonomus are hard-bodied and were immune to ant bites; larvae are endophytic, so protected from ants. Ants and adult beetles were concentrated in different plant parts (leaves and flowers, respectively) so restraining the probability of encounters. Our results indicate that the system C. blandus–Anthonomus–B. malifolia is not stable, as ants receive extrafloral nectar, but are unable to protect the plant against weevils.     

Bats of the White and Inyo Mountains of California-nevada

We surveyed bats throughout the White and Inyo Mountains of California and Nevada. From December 1990 to November 1996, we surveyed hibernating bats, and foraging bats from June 1992 to September 1996. The White-Inyo Range rests in a unique biogeographical junction between the Sierra Nevada, Mojave Desert, and Great Basin Regions. Elevational gradients of 305-4340 m, combined with limited human development, further enhance the interest of natural history and faunal distributions in this range. We found 13 bat species in the course of 2668 observations. Three of these species, the spotted bat ( Euderma maculatum ), silver-haired bat ( Lasionycteris noctivagans ), and hoary bat ( Lasturus cinereus ), have no previous records from the White-Inyo Range. We found bats in all vegetation zones except alpine, 3500-4342 m. Despite an abundance of mines in this range, only Townsend's big-eared bat ( Corynorhinus townsendii ) and western small-footed myotis ( Myotis ciliolabrum ) used them routinely. Our data also indicated the importance of surface water to bat populations in arid regions.     

Diurnal flight activity of Ichneumonidae (Insecta: Hymenoptera) in Cabañeros National Park (Spain)

We examined the influence of weather factors, including temperature, humidity and sunlight, on the diurnal flight activity of Ichneumonidae (Insecta, Hymenoptera) in an oak wood in Cabañeros National Park (Spain) in June, when the annual flight activity reaches its maximum. Ichneumonidae flight activity peaked at temperatures of around 25.6–27°C, which is reached in late morning to midday and in the evening (20.00–21.00 h). The evening peak in activity was greater. Males were more active in the morning, whereas females were more active in the afternoon. Relative humidity is closely related to air temperature but showed little correspondence with flight activity. Illuminance did not explain diurnal flight activity, other than dictating diurnal or nocturnal habits of Ichneumonidae.     

Activity patterns and habitat use of pudu deer (Pudu puda) in a mountain forest of south-central Chile

The pudu (Pudu puda) is a small, endemic deer, and the only native ungulate found in Chilean and Argentinean temperate forests. Its ecology, including its double role as an herbivore and as a prey, is poorly known. Therefore, it is pressing to gain a better understanding of the pudu given that its habitat is being transformed rapidly by anthropogenic causes. On a coastal mountain range in south-central Chile, we conducted a habitat use study and examined the activity patterns of the pudu using camera traps. The study area was a large native forest patch, surrounded by commercial plantations which would not constitute a habitat for this deer. Using a sampling effort of 7559 camera days, we found that this deer was largely nocturnal with little activity during daytime. The pudu selected Araucaria forests, and avoided Nothofagus forests. These behaviours suggest that the pudu traded off habitat use patterns and activity time to avoid predation, mainly by puma which is the top predator in the rich local community of carnivores occurring in the latter habitat.     

Foraging by the flower-dwelling spider,Misumenops argenteus (Thomisidae), at high prey density sites

In this study, the foraging sites of the crab spider Misumenops argenteus on Trichogoniopsis adenantha (Asteraceae) were investigated over a 2-year period. The choice of sites was examined in relation to prey density in rainy and dry seasons, in leaves versus stems, reproductive branches versus vegetative branches, and in flowerheads in different phenophases. Misumenops argenteus generally occupied sites where the prey frequency was high, indicating that this species was able to evaluate the quality of the foraging sites, as predicted by optimal foraging theory. One exception to the rule was that adult males occurred at all sites, independently of prey density, as also observed in other spider species in which males search for females and not for prey. In addition, young (third and fourth instar) spiders occupied flowerheads with few prey, but which provided shelter.     

Foraging mode of Australolacerta rupicola (FitzSimons, 1933) (Sauria: Lacertidae): evidence of seasonal variation in an extremely active predator?

Foraging mode of the endemic Soutpansberg rock lizard (Australolacerta rupicola) was determined by (1) measuring the number of movements per minute (MPM) and the percentage time spent moving (PTM); and (2) analysing faecal samples. Furthermore, these criteria were related to diet composition, proportion of attacks initiated while moving and foraging substrate. The results are discussed in comparison to the foraging modes of 20 other lacertid species. Values for MPM and PTM as well as faecal analysis indicate an active foraging strategy for A. rupicola. Although rock living, this species mostly forages in leaf litter where it is well camouflaged while actively searching for sedentary prey. Even in comparison to other active foragers of the family Lacertidae, A. rupicola displays the prototypic behaviour of a widely foraging lizard with very high PTM and very low MPM.