Presentation and Photographs by Ariana Ananda UC San Diego

Myths debunked Bats are NOT flying rodents They are NOT blind Tangled in hair? NO! They don’t all suck blood Rabies? More people die annually from household pets than have died from contact with bats in all recorded history!! Say what?!

Bats: What are they? The facts Order: Chiroptera – “hand wing” Only mammals capable of true flight 2nd largest order of mammals Extremely diverse Found on all continents except Antarctica

There’s more! Bats are incredibly ecologically important funnyasduck.net

Bats: Why are they important? Pollinators Seed dispersers

Bats: Why are they important? Insect regulators – Most bats insectivorous – Ecosystem services – Disease control

Diversity at the Sevilleta NWR? What species are present at the Sevilleta? Does this vary between habitat types? Is there a difference between species present 15 years ago and today? What could this mean? Does it matter? (YES)

Bats of New Mexico Bat Conservation International Photos by Merlin Tuttle

Diversity sampling Traditional methods – Mist netting – Opportunity for physical evidence of potential species present – Allows opportunity to gather data on individuals – Not without its limitations (time, space, presence)

Diversity sampling Mist netting

Diversity sampling Acoustics – Sonar detection – Records calls of various bat species which can later be identified – Still has its limitations

Why Acoustics? – Allows us to fill in many of the gaps that traditional netting leaves us with – Broader range of detection – Mobility – Passive data collection

The game plan In order to assess diversity at the Sevilleta, we want to sample a few sites of varying habitat to see what is out there – Artificial wells? – Natural springs? – Riparian edge?

The game plan Leave devices at sites for 1-2 week increments Sample diversity based on habitat sites Various sites depending on water sources – Nunn well – Cibola springs – The Mesa trail

The key players: Anabat™ technology What is Anabat? Analook?

Deploying a mobile system

Secondary Unit The age of the Dinosaur…computer DOS and laptop monitoring – Real time data, visualizations – Tripod set up

What does it look like? DOS monitor

What does it look like? Viewing in Analook Is that what I sound like?

It’s Complicated… Anabat technology has a pretty steep learning curve Technological malfunctions, difficult setup Hence, not a lot of data…yet Extending my stay Good things on the horizon?

Comparing data Comparing data collected at the Sevilleta 15 years ago with current data Species present: if significantly different, explore potential factors – El Nino events – Habitat changes earthobservatory.nasa.gov

Long Term goals Establish a permanent system that passively records calls and can be accessed remotely on Sevilleta WIFI!!!

Acknowledgements Amaris Swann Bill Gannon National Science Foundation Sevilleta LTER US Fish and Wildlife Mike O’Farrell Chris Corbin of Titley Scientific

Questions?