The Southeastern and mid-Atlantic United States are home to 24 species of bats. Six species are federally- or state-listed, and additional species have shown large population declines due to habitat loss and White-Nose Syndrome (WNS). Endangered and threatened bat species include the Florida bonneted bat, gray bat, Indiana bat, Ozark big-eared bat, the Virginia big-eared bat, and the Northern long-eared bat. The little brown bat and tricolored bat populations have seen a 90%-97% decline since 2006, when WNS was first discovered.
This syndrome, caused by the fungus Pseudogymnoasus destructans, disrupts bat hibernation, usually resulting in malnourishment or dehydration. The condition has a 75%-100% mortality rate and its spread has been know to be assisted by humans.
The Florida bonneted bat is affected by WNS, habitat loss, insect decline from pesticides and low reproductive capacity and they have all been attributed to its decline. This bat is listed as a Candidate under the ESA by USFWS, and as State Endangered. They are only documented within 5 counties in south Florida.
LG2ES is pleased to announce our capabilities to perform emergent surveys, deploy acoustic equipment for recording bat echolocation calls and use Kaleidoscope software, AnalookW, and EchoClass to manually vet and perform species identification of acoustic data. In addition, we can provide mist-netting and telemetry services. Our current work is being conducted in Florida, Texas, Virginia, and New Jersey for both private and governmental entities. If you have bats, give us a call!
Written By:
Tina Jackson, Project Manager (LG2ES)
Lisa Hiese, Junior Biologist (LG2ES)
