Evidence of latitudinal migration in tri-colored bats, Perimyotis subflavus.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Annual movements of tri-colored bats (Perimyotis subflavus) are poorly understood. While this species has been considered a regional migrant, some evidence suggests that it may undertake annual latitudinal migrations, similar to other long distance North American migratory bat species.

Methodology/principal findings

We investigated migration in P. subflavus by conducting stable hydrogen isotope analyses of 184 museum specimen fur samples and comparing these results (δD(fur)) to published interpolated δD values of collection site growing season precipitation (δD(precip)). Results suggest that the male molt period occurred between June 23 and October 16 and 33% of males collected during the presumed non-molt period were south of their location of fur growth. For the

SUBMITTER: Fraser EE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3284490 | biostudies-literature | 2012

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature