Young, R. A. and Ford, G. I. (2000) Bat fauna of a semi-arid environment in central western Queensland, Australia. Wildlife Research, 27 (2). pp. 203-215. ISSN 1035-3712
Abstract
The results from a survey of bats in semi-arid Idalia National Park, central western Queensland, are presented, with an analysis of habitat use, species richness, seasonal activity and reproductive patterns. Fourteen species were recorded: one megachiropteran, and thirteen microchiropterans in eight genera and three families.
Significant range extensions were recorded for Vespadelus vulturnus, V. finlaysoni and Nyctophilus gouldi. Capture success using harp traps was unusually high, with 859 bats of nine species captured in 27 trap-nights (31.4 bats per trap-night). Two species (Chalinolobus gouldii and Scotorepens greyii) comprised almost 75% of all captures in
harp traps. The remaining five species were recorded by means of echolocation call detection, cave searches and incidental observations. Bat species richness, abundance and capture success was greatest in riparian woodland and open forest adjacent to water; over 97% of captures in harp traps occurred at these sites. Breeding in most species
appears to follow a seasonally monoestrous pattern with the ovarian and spermatogenic cycles being asynchronous.
Sex ratios were close to parity but with a slightly higher proportion of females in some species in autumn. Females were generally larger and heavier than males.
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| Item Type: | Article (Commonwealth Reporting Category C) |
|---|---|
| Refereed: | Yes |
| Item Status: | Live Archive |
| Additional Information: | Permanent restricted access to published version due to publisher copyright policy. (CSIRO Publishing) |
| Faculty / Department / School: | Historic - Faculty of Sciences - Department of Biological and Physical Sciences |
| Date Deposited: | 30 Nov 2007 11:47 |
| Last Modified: | 03 Jul 2013 00:19 |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | population survey; bats; central Australia; desert; community composition; habitat use; reproduction; semiarid region; species richness |
| Fields of Research : | 06 Biological Sciences > 0606 Physiology > 060604 Comparative Physiology 06 Biological Sciences > 0603 Evolutionary Biology > 060302 Biogeography and Phylogeography 06 Biological Sciences > 0602 Ecology > 060207 Population Ecology |
| Socio-Economic Objective: | D Environment > 96 Environment > 9608 Flora, Fauna and Biodiversity > 960811 Sparseland, Permanent Grassland and Arid Zone Flora, Fauna and Biodiversity |
| Identification Number or DOI: | 10.1071/WR98071 |
| URI: | http://eprints.usq.edu.au/id/eprint/13957 |
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