Journal article

Publication year: 2010

Pages: 1192-1201

Journal: Canadian Journal of Zoology

Volume number: 88

Issue number: 12

DOI Link: https://doi.org/10.1139/Z10-085

Publisher: Canadian Science Publishing

Abstract: 

This study investigates the factors driving foraging behavior of Daubenton’s bats (Myotis daubentonii
(Kuhl, 1817)). We analysed the importance of food availability, energy
demand, and intraspecific competition in regulating foraging activity
and the selection of near versus distant foraging sites. At two foraging
patches, insect abundance, foraging activity, and the number of
foraging individuals were monitored using sticky traps, telemetry,
spotlight counting, and light sticks. Population size was determined by
flight path counting. General linear model analysis showed that bat
distribution among foraging patches was influenced by distance to
roosts, month, bat population size, and the displacement pressure
exerted by competing individuals. Foraging time was influenced by food
resource accessibility and individual cost/benefit ratio. From June to
August, population density, intraspecific competition in foraging
patches, and transfer flights between patches and day roosts were most
frequent (play-off time). Our results suggest that differences in
foraging activity of Daubenton’s bats are mainly driven by differential
energy demand and less so by food availability. In times of high energy
demand, hunting is avoided when prey are scarce. During play-off time,
density spillover in near foraging patches occurs and therefore more
distant patches come into use in accordance with predictions by the
ideal free distribution theory.

Harvard Citation style: Encarnação, J., Becker, N. and Ekschmitt, K. (2010) When do Daubenton’s bats (Myotis daubentonii) fly far for dinner?, Canadian Journal of Zoology, 88(12), pp. 1192-1201. https://doi.org/10.1139/Z10-085

APA Citation style: Encarnação, J., Becker, N., & Ekschmitt, K. (2010). When do Daubenton’s bats (Myotis daubentonii) fly far for dinner?. Canadian Journal of Zoology. 88(12), 1192-1201. https://doi.org/10.1139/Z10-085