We found a match
Your institution may have access to this item. Find your institution then sign in to continue.
- Title
Consumption of Bats (Myotis spp.) by Raccoons (Procyon lotor) During an Outbreak of White-Nose Syndrome in New Brunswick, Canada: Implications for Estimates of Bat Mortality.
- Authors
Mcalpine, Donald F.; Vanderwolf, Karen J.; Forbes, Graham J.; Malloch, David
- Abstract
Across their range, Raccoons (Procyon lotor) will opportunistically exploit bats (Chiroptera) roosting in caves as a source of food. During a significant mortality event associated with white-nose syndrome (WNS) at a cave in eastern Canada, we estimate that Raccoons consumed 3 169-3827 dead and dying Little Brown Bats (Myotis lucifugus) and Northern Long-eared Bats (M. septentrionalis) infected with white-nose syndrome, equivalent to 62.0-74.9% of the total bat mortality at this site. However, the generally small dispersal distances of Raccoons and their reduced activity during the period when bats are hibernating suggest that Raccoons are likely not a significant vector for moving the fungus associated with white-nose syndrome, Geoniyces destructans, between most caves at this latitude. Nevertheless, since we show that significant numbers of bats can be consumed in hibernacula through opportunistic feeding by Raccoons, estimates of in-cave mortality due to white-nose syndronie should incorporate any evidence of consumption of bats by Raccoons and other predators.
- Subjects
CANADA; BAT mortality; RACCOON; WHITE-nose syndrome; NORTHERN long-eared myotis; FOOD
- Publication
Canadian Field-Naturalist, 2011, Vol 125, Issue 3, p257
- ISSN
0008-3550
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.22621/cfn.v125i3.1231