摘要
Characterizing habitat use is a key component to quantifying the niche, ecological interactions, and conservation needs of a species. Habitat selection is the disproportionate use of habitat types, whereby animals select higher-quality habitats within a landscape mosaic. For insectivorous bats, selection of foraging habitat is likely due to variation between habitat types in the distribution and abundance of prey, as well as differences in how effectively bats can move through, and forage in, different landscapes. Due to their cryptic nature and rapid nocturnal flight, detailed knowledge about fine-scale habitat selection of bat species is lacking. We used data-logging telemetry receivers to assess selection of foraging habitat by the little brown bat, Myotis lucifugus, in the Badlands and Missouri River Valley of North Dakota. Bats were captured at maternity roosts, fitted with radiotransmitters, and tracked for 11 nights at each site. Habitat selection was assessed based on selection ratios of used and available proportions of habitat, which were characterized in terms of both composition and structure. Eigenanalysis of selection ratios was used to further evaluate individual variation in habitat selection. Foraging female M. lucifugus primarily selected edge habitats and nearby water sources. Pregnant bats selected edges bordering grass or herbaceous habitats. Lactating bats selected water and edge habitat within close proximity to the roost. Selection of nearby water resources by lactating bats under the constraints of nursing is consistent with previous studies. While there were ecologically consistent trends across bats, individuals varied in some aspects of their habitat selection.
摘要译文
表征栖息地使用是量化物种的生态位，生态相互作用和保护需求的关键组成部分。栖息地选择是不成比例地使用栖息地类型，动物在景观马赛克中选择更高质量的栖息地。对于食虫蝙蝠，觅食栖息地的选择可能是由于栖息地类型在分布和猎物丰度之间的差异，以及蝙蝠如何有效地穿过的差异，和牧草，不同的景观。由于它们具有神秘的性质和快速的夜间飞行，因此缺乏关于蝙蝠物种精细栖息地选择的详细知识。我们使用数据记录遥测接收器来评估北达科他州Badlands和Missouri River Valley的小型棕色蝙蝠Myotis lucifugus对觅食栖息地的选择。蝙蝠被捕获在产妇栖息地，配有无线电发射器，并在每个地点追踪11晚。根据栖息地的使用和可用比例的选择比率评估栖息地选择，其特征在于组成和结构。选择比的特征分析用于进一步评估栖息地选择的个体差异。觅食雌性M. lucifugus主要选择边缘栖息地和附近的水源。怀孕的蝙蝠选择与草或草本栖息地接壤的边缘。哺乳蝙蝠选择靠近栖息地的水和边缘栖息地。哺乳蝙蝠在哺乳约束下选择附近水资源与以往的研究一致。虽然蝙蝠之间存在生态上一致的趋势，个人在栖息地选择的某些方面有所不同。
Josiah J. Nelson[1];Erin H. Gillam[1]. Selection of foraging habitat by female little brown bats (Myotis lucifugus)[J]. Journal of Mammalogy, 2017,98(1): 222-231