A test of mist-net configurations in capturing bats over stream corridors

Abstract

Most surveys for bats are conducted using mist nets in riparian areas along stream corridors. Various methods exist for deploying mist nets, but success of using different configurations has not been assessed. We tested efficiency of three configurations of mist nets during summers of 2000 and 2001 at the Milan Army Ammunition Plant (Carroll and Gibson counties) in western Tennessee. Configurations of mist nets included: I (one net placed transverse to stream), T (one net placed transverse to stream, and one net positioned perpendicular to first net in midstream), and Z (two nets positioned parallel to stream, and a center net positioned diagonally between the two nets). The study consisted of 347 net nights and 220 captures of bats (85 I, 62 T, 73 Z). Four species were captured including: 133 Lasiurus borealis, 63 Perimyotis subflavus, 15 Nycticeius humeralis, and nine Myotis austroriparius. Sex-ratios for adults were female biased, while juvenile sex-ratios were near equal. Netting results suggest that traditional I-configurations were statistically equal to T- and Z-configurations for all analyses of total captures and for the two dominant species captured: L. borealis and P. subflavus. Because the I-configuration requires less equipment and time for set-up, capturing bats in linear corridors could be optimized by using more I-nets rather than multiple net configurations. © Museum and Institute of Zoology PAS.

Publication Title

Acta Chiropterologica

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