Home range size, habitat selection and roost use by the whiskered bat (Myotis mystacinus) in human-dominated montane landscapes

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0237243
• Publication Date: 2020-10-09T17:30:57Z
• Authors: Korneliusz Kurek; Olga Gewartowska; Katarzyna Tołkacz; Bogumiła Jędrzeje...; Robert W. Mysłajek
• Keywords: Home range

Our understanding of animal adaptations to human pressure is limited by the focus on rare taxa, despite that common species are more significant in shaping structure, function and service provision ecosystems. Thus better their ecology behavioural adjustments central for drafting conservation actions. In this study, we used radio-telemetry 21 individuals (10 females, 11 males) provide data spatial ecology, habitat selection use roosts one commonest species, whiskered bat (Myotis mystacinus), inhabiting Carpathian Mountains (southern Poland). We tested, whether prefers natural over human-modified landscapes seek prey roosts. Mean home range size was 26.3 ha (SE ± 3.2, Local Convex Hull) 110 22.1, Minimum Polygon with all locations), included between three patches, among which bats moved along linear environmental features, such as scrubby banks streams or lines trees. During foraging selected small woodlands within agricultural landscapes, avoided large mountain forests open areas, built-up areas proportionally availability. Whiskered occupied located mainly buildings (>97%), at an average altitude 547.9 m above sea level 8.3). Roosts were 5.4 days, average. study shows adapted well mosaic semi-natural anthropogenic habitats. It highlights importance serving human-dominated montane landscapes.