Are changes in internal roost temperature a good reason for bat movement?
| Authors | |
|---|---|
| Year of publication | 2005 |
| Type | Article in Proceedings |
| Conference | Xth European Bat Research Symposium, 21-26 August 2005, Abstracts of conference, Galway, 2005 |
| MU Faculty or unit | |
| Citation | |
| Field | Zoology |
| Keywords | internal temperature; roosts; pipistrelles |
| Description | Many previous studies revealed that "dwelling" species of bats switch their roost several times during the season. Some authors suggest significant correlation between changes in microclimatic conditions in roosts and roost switching. The changes in occupation of three bat boxes by individuals of Pipistrellus pygmaeus and internal microclimatic parameters of the bat boxes were studied in a floodplain forest. Fluctuation of bat activity in bat-boxes were monitored by passive IR monitors. Data loggers continuously recording temperature and humidity were situated under the roof of each bat box. Generalized additive models (GAMs) were fitted to assess the impact of microclimatic precursors on the presence of bats. Changes in internal humidity during gravidity and lactation described better the fluctuation in bat numbers than did changes in the internal temperature. Analyses of variance show differences between the climatic parameters and number of bats in particular bat-boxes and reproduction periods. The study was supported by the grant No. 206/02/0961 of Grant Agency of the Czech Republic "Situation of Pipistrellus pipistrellus superspecies in the Czech Republic" and the grant No. MSM 0021622416. |
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