Thesis
Light tagging disrupts social dynamics of bat harems
Washington State University
Master of Science (MS), Washington State University
05/2016
Handle:
https://hdl.handle.net/2376/105543
Abstract
Light tags are used to study bats because they allow visual observations of these nocturnal animals. In this study, we documented changes in both vocalizations and roosting behaviors of the greater spear-nosed bat, Phyllostomus hastatus, when light tags were applied to bats in the roost. P. hastatus is known to emit screech calls to coordinate foraging behavior, but these calls have not been documented in any other context. We found that screech calls are also emitted in the roost, suggesting that screech calls are a type of signal that P. hastatus uses to communicate different types of information. Disrupting normal roosting behaviors of P. hastatus by adhering light tags to some bats also influenced screech calls. In addition to coordinating foraging behavior, screech calls may be used to keep group dynamics stable. It appears that P. hastatus has a complex acoustic communication system in which acoustic cues of screech calls may signal the emotional state of the caller or the listening bat. In addition, roost behaviors of female bats were recorded and compared to roost behaviors of untagged harem members. Light-tagged females were recipients of more aggressive interactions from their harem mates than untagged individuals; they were more often chased away from a group, moved away from (disengaged), and rejected by harem members than were untagged individuals. Also, light-tagged bats spent significantly more time roosting alone than untagged individuals. These findings indicate that roosting behaviors of P. hastatus were altered when light tags were applied. Our results clearly document altered behavior in P. hastatus as a result of the application of light tags, and consequently caution should be used when applying light tags to this and others bat species when investigating roosting behavior.
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Details
- Title
- Light tagging disrupts social dynamics of bat harems
- Creators
- Chad Michael Hoxeng
- Contributors
- Christine V. Portfors (Chair)Allison Coffin (Committee Member) - Washington State University, Integrative Physiology and Neuroscience, Department ofJonah Piovia-Scott (Committee Member) - Washington State University, Biological Sciences, School of
- Awarding Institution
- Washington State University
- Academic Unit
- Biological Sciences, School of
- Theses and Dissertations
- Master of Science (MS), Washington State University
- Publisher
- Washington State University; [Pullman, Washington] :
- Number of pages
- 44
- Identifiers
- 99900525370001842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Thesis